Career Guidance Counselor

Job Description

Futures program within Kopila Valley (Implementing Partner of BlinkNow Foundation) aims to assist students and young adults for independence and self-sufficiency through guidance counseling, career education programming, higher education scholarships, as well as life skills workshops and transitional housing for students living at the children’s home. The program supports the students from Grade 8 through 12 at Kopila Valley School and alumni studying outside KVS. 

Position Summary: Career Guidance Counselor_Futures Program

As a career Counselor, the candidate must have patience and enthusiasm about working with children, young adults and alumni for their independence and growth and support to drive them towards their aspired career goals. 

Under the leadership of Program Coordinator, Career guidance counselor is responsible for planning and delivery of individual and group counseling to the students and alumni of KVSS so that they can make informed decisions about their higher education and career. As a team player, this role requires you to equally work closely with enrichment officer and coaching the students and alumni in their search for educational institutions, vocational centers, colleges/ universities and internships/jobs opportunities. This role is very vital for the Futures program and for the organization as it will administer for securing students’ success. This role will coordinate with the academic institutions, school team, respective internal and external stakeholders, career fair organizers, and funding partner BlinkNow Foundation for receiving information and reporting purposes.

Work Location: Birendranagar-1, Surkhet

Reports to: Program Coordinator-Futures Program

Direct reports: None

Must Haves:

1. Education: Graduate in relevant discipline with career guidance & counseling experience
2. Experience: At least 3+ years of proven experience preferably at school/college setting 
3. Language: A good communicator, and fluent in English and Nepali would be an added advantage
4. Skills and Abilities: Good on using Microsoft Office tools and email, 
5. Skills to identify and administer appropriate assessment instruments & counseling techniques for individual students/alumni, 
6. Ability to administer and interpret career assessments, 
7. Knowledge of career counseling theory and practice, and job search methodology, 
8. Active listening skills, 
9. Reporting and documentation, and 
10. Empathy and positive attitude for caring students and alumni in vulnerable situations

5. Works collaboratively in a team setting and can function independently with the least supervision required.

The Main Responsibilities include:

• Provide counseling and mentorship to students to support them in their higher education
• Provide career counseling to help them with their career upon graduation
• Ensure that Futures data tracking and reporting are done timely and accurately

Detailed Responsibilities

1. Provide counseling & mentorship to students to support them in their higher education.

• Provide the students with individual and group counseling for their higher education to help them make informed decisions for the courses and institutions they select.
• Identify the students as per their vulnerability and weaknesses towards education and recommendation for vocational courses. 
• Develop the professional and skills development sessions for students and alumni in KVSS and conduct the sessions working closely with team
• Support the students with the application process, and school searches for enrollment beyond KVSS.
• Support the students with the application for the higher education scholarships and with their selection process for the scholarships provided by KVSS.
• Collaborate with the schoolteachers to determine appropriate socio-economic and academic assessments and interventions required to assist students and alumni.
• In coordination with the funding partner, connect students with mentors and international schools for higher education.

2. Provide career counseling to help them with their career upon graduation.

• Conduct counseling sessions to help alumni make informed career decisions. 
• Assist & guide students/alumni through occupational exploration & the career decision-making process.
• Conduct career assessments and interpret the results to incorporate them in career counseling/job search coaching sessions.
• Coach students/alumni in self-directed job search initiatives.
• Support students & alumni with job search preparation work – resume/CV writing, using job search engines/libraries, & interview skills through individualized support & workshops.
• Explore, identify, and connect students with the recruitment services, job listings, on-campus interviews, and career fairs 
• Participate in college or university visit for academic and progress reports evaluation 
• Support program coordinator in guardian orientation, follow up meeting from students counselling and information session

3. Ensure that Futures data tracking and reporting are done timely and accurately.

• Ensure that the data of all alumni is up to date with their progress and current status updated on a regular frequency.
• Generate quarterly impact reports of the alumni’s progress.
• Conduct planned and structured supervision of the students at a regular frequency for tracking progress and providing them with the necessary support.
• Report to the manager and the funding partner on the progress and challenges related to the alumni on a regular basis.                                 
• Provide other administrative support as required to achieve the goal of the Futures program.

Additional Expectations

• Build positive working relationships and environment in the organization by bringing solutions to the discussion table.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and execution of duties including ensuring confidentiality as per the organization’s protocols.
• Report to the manager on a weekly basis, and as needed in case of urgent activities.
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with the leadership team of KVSS and BlinkNow Foundation to ensure the continued success of our joint projects.
• Focus on building the best environment for the students to get the most supportive environment to get career support measured by the data. 

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the career counselor may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined by his/her manager.

Key Characteristics 

• Build positive working relationships and environment in the organization by bringing solutions to the discussion table.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions and execution of duties including ensuring confidentiality as per the organization’s protocols.
• Report to the manager on a weekly basis, and as needed in case of urgent activities.
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with the leadership team of KVSS and BlinkNow Foundation to ensure the continued success of our joint projects.
• Focus on building the best environment for the students to get the most supportive environment to get career support measured by the data. 
• The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and the career counselor may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined by his/her Manager. 

Application Procedure

If you think this career opportunity will amplify your career growth, we encourage you to apply by clicking “Apply" and submit all required documents.