Counsellor Educator Jobs in Johannesburg: Apply for MSF Role
Are you a qualified counselling, social work or psychology professional looking for an opportunity to support vulnerable communities? Counsellor Educator jobs with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) offer an opportunity to contribute to psychosocial support services for migrants, refugees and communities affected by xenophobia in Johannesburg.
MSF Southern Africa is recruiting a Counsellor Educator for its Gauteng Immigrants Project. The position is based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and involves counselling, psychoeducation, referrals and outreach activities.
The role is particularly suited to professionals who are passionate about humanitarian work, mental health support and helping people access essential services.
Important: The application closing date is 9 September 2026. The position has an ASAP start date, a 3-month contract and a monthly salary of R20,300.
Counsellor Educator Job Details
| Job detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job title | Counsellor Educator |
| Organisation | Doctors Without Borders (MSF) |
| Location | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
| Project | Gauteng Immigrants Project |
| Employment type | Temporary contract |
| Contract duration | 3 months |
| Monthly salary | R20,300 |
| Start date | ASAP |
| Application closing date | 9 September 2026 |
| Working arrangements | Flexible hours and outreach work across Johannesburg |
| Experience required | 2 years essential |
| Application | MSF Southern Africa careers portal |
About the Counsellor Educator Role
The Counsellor Educator will provide counselling and education sessions in accordance with MSF and Ministry of Health protocols and procedures.
The main purpose of the role is to help improve the psychosocial wellbeing of migrants, refugees and communities affected by xenophobia in Johannesburg.
The successful candidate will work within the Gauteng Immigrants Project structure and support people who may be experiencing psychosocial, socio-economic or administrative difficulties.
This is an opportunity to combine professional counselling skills with community outreach and humanitarian support.
Key Responsibilities
The Counsellor Educator will be responsible for a range of counselling, education and administrative activities.
Counselling and Psychosocial Support
The role involves:
- Identifying the psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs of immigrants.
- Promoting the availability of counselling services.
- Conducting individual and group counselling sessions.
- Providing basic psychoeducational sessions to immigrants and their families when needed.
- Helping alleviate psychosocial difficulties within the project scope.
- Referring patients to specialists or other institutions when additional assistance is required.
Documentation and Teamwork
The successful candidate will also:
- Participate in the creation of materials needed for counselling activities.
- Maintain files and statistics of daily activities.
- Participate in team meetings to share experiences and discuss special cases while preserving confidentiality.
- Inform the Project Medical Referent (PMR) of problems arising during day-to-day activities.
- Discuss counselling difficulties and challenges with the supervisor.
- Support regular data collection on mental health activities.
- Contribute to monthly reporting and analysis.
Humanitarian Standards
All activities must respect MSF principles, do-no-harm standards and protection requirements.
This means the role requires a professional approach to confidentiality, respectful communication and the protection of people receiving support.
Counsellor Educator Requirements
MSF is looking for a professional with relevant qualifications, experience and strong interpersonal skills.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should have:
- A degree or diploma in counselling, social work, psychology or a similar field.
- At least two years of experience, which is essential for the role.
- Strong communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.
- Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office.
- A commitment to MSF’s humanitarian principles.
- Experience working with diverse cultural groups.
Language Skills
Fluency in English is required.
Proficiency in at least one local language, such as isiZulu or Sesotho, is highly desirable. Knowledge of migrant languages, including French, Portuguese, Shona or Swahili, is also an advantage.
Language skills can be particularly valuable when supporting people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Personal Competencies
The role requires someone who can:
- Work effectively in tense, politicised and rapidly changing contexts.
- Communicate respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Facilitate counselling and educational sessions.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and supervisors.
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Adapt to flexible working hours and outreach activities.
Working in Johannesburg’s Immigrants Project
Both positions report into the Gauteng Immigrants Project structure in Johannesburg.
The role requires availability for flexible hours and outreach work across the city. This means the successful candidate should be comfortable working in different community settings and adapting to the needs of the project.
For professionals interested in humanitarian work, this position offers an opportunity to support people who may face barriers to healthcare, social services and other essential assistance.
About Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation.
MSF provides medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises. The organisation also speaks out about the conditions faced by the populations it assists.
MSF works in more than 70 countries, bringing together medical and non-medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, logisticians and water-and-sanitation experts.
The organisation provides assistance based on need, regardless of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
Why Consider This Counsellor Educator Opportunity?
This role may be a good fit for professionals who want to use their counselling or social work qualifications in a humanitarian setting.
The position offers an opportunity to:
- Support migrants, refugees and affected communities.
- Apply counselling and psychoeducation skills in a community-based project.
- Work with professionals from different backgrounds.
- Contribute to mental health data collection and reporting.
- Gain experience in humanitarian and NGO operations.
- Support people experiencing psychosocial and socio-economic difficulties.
The 3-month contract may also be suitable for professionals seeking short-term project experience or an opportunity to contribute to a humanitarian initiative.
How to Apply for the Counsellor Educator Vacancy
Interested candidates should apply through the official MSF Southern Africa careers portal.
Before submitting an application, ensure that your CV clearly highlights your relevant qualifications, counselling experience, language skills and experience working with diverse communities.
Applicants should also demonstrate their understanding of confidentiality, professional ethics and MSF’s humanitarian principles.
Application deadline: 9 September 2026.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Important Information for Applicants
MSF states that the protection of personal data is important to the organisation. Information submitted during recruitment is used for the recruitment process, including application validation and selection.
MSF is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge application or recruitment fees.
The organisation also welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation and other diversity characteristics.
Final Thoughts
The Counsellor Educator vacancy in Johannesburg is an opportunity for a qualified counselling, social work or psychology professional to support vulnerable communities through psychosocial services and education.
If you have the required qualifications, at least two years of experience and a commitment to humanitarian principles, consider applying before the closing date.
Apply before 9 September 2026 and take the next step towards a career supporting communities through humanitarian work.
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