Study Counsellor

About YRG MERF

Established in 1993, YRGMERF is a leading non-governmental organisation in India dedicated to improving health outcomes through integrated healthcare, inclusive partnerships, and research-driven interventions. Guided by the principles of integrity and sustainability, the organisation addresses both immediate and emerging public health challenges, with a strong focus on prevention, care, support, and treatment—particularly in the area of HIV and other infectious diseases.

In India, the TIFA project aims to strengthen national health security through coordinated action across government systems and community stakeholders. This approach is designed to build a resilient ecosystem capable of detecting, preventing, and responding to emerging infectious disease threats.

As part of this initiative, a decentralised community-based surveillance model will be implemented, aligned with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)’s Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) framework. The model enables community platforms such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Mahila Arogya Samitis (MAS) to identify and report early warning signals using IHIP tools, thereby strengthening community ownership, improving early detection, and enabling timely public health response.

Role Overview

The Study Counsellor plays a vital role in school- and community-level engagement under the project. They are responsible for conducting sensitisation sessions, obtaining informed consent, facilitating student and parent communication, and supporting referral linkages for TB screening and follow-up. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, community sensitivity, and the ability to build trust with school staff, students, parents, and village stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in community driven change, with experience in managing multiple stakeholder tasks preferably in similar NGO or public health sector projects.

Key Responsibilities

Community and School Engagement:

• Conduct sensitisation sessions for students, parents, and teachers to raise awareness about TB and the purpose of the TFSI project.
  
• Support the scheduling and coordination of school visits in collaboration with the District Coordinator and Study Team.
  
• Facilitate informed consent and assent processes with students and parents/guardians.
  
• Provide clear and culturally appropriate communication about TB screening and referral procedures.
  
• Maintain a respectful, confidential, and supportive environment during all interactions.
  

Counselling and Follow-Up:

• Provide pre-screening and post-referral counselling to students and families as required.
  
• Encourage participation and address any fears, concerns, or misconceptions about TB and the study procedures.
  
• Support community-level engagement by coordinating with ASHAs, ANMs, school staff, and local leaders.
  
• Assist in conducting home visits (where needed) for follow-up on consent, screening outcomes, or missed visits.
  

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records of sensitisation sessions, counselling activities, and follow-up interactions.
  
• Submit daily/weekly reports to the District Coordinator and central team as per standard formats.
  
• Track consent rates, refusals, reasons for non-participation, and follow-up outcomes.
  
• Contribute to the preparation of case studies, success stories, and community engagement summaries.
  

Requirements

Requirements

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Education, Public Health, or a related field.
  
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in counselling, community outreach, or school-based interventions.
  
• Experience working with children, adolescents, or in school health programmes is preferred.
  
• Languages- Hindi and English (spoken and written); local dialects are an advantage
  

Desirable Attributes

• Empathetic and respectful approach when working with children and families.
  
• Ability to build rapport and communicate complex information in simple terms.
  
• Organised, detail-oriented, and reliable in maintaining records and reports.
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
  
• Based at the district site office with daily field travel to schools and communities within the district.
  
• All counselling and community engagement activities will follow project SOPs and ethical guidelines.
  
• Training and supervisory support will be provided by the District Coordinator and Study PI/Co-PI.
  
• Culturally sensitive and able to adapt to diverse communities.
  

Benefits

Benefits

Benefits & Work Environment

• 24 days of annual leave, in addition to public holidays.
  
• Health insurance coverage
  
• Opportunity to work in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
  
• Scope for learning and professional development.
  

YRG is an equal-opportunity organisation. At YRG, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity as part of our values. We celebrate employee’s differences in abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Our team are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for improving people's lives.