Terms of Reference (TOR):

Self-Care Technical Advisor

Number of Positions: 1

Duration: 3 months (part time)

Location: Duhok Governorate and Zakho Independent Administration

Reporting to: Project Manager

Publishing date:16th Oct 2025

Deadline of submission: 24th Oct 2025

Field of intervention: Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, or a related mental Health Field.

 

 

About Us

The Lotus Flower is a non-governmental organization which is legally registered in the Federal Government of Baghdad and KRI. The Lotus Flower programs empower vulnerable women, girls and other community members  so that they are safe, have opportunities to learn, the tools to become financially independent and the freedom to lead change. We provide safe social spaces inside refugee & IDP camps and implement projects to help them rebuild their lives and earn a living. We run multiple women’s and children centers for the IDP, refugee and host community in Iraq and have mobile teams in areas where static centers are not feasible.

The Lotus Flower services work to fill resource gaps by providing community-responsive programming which changes over time in response to feedback but revolves around 6 pillars from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals:

  • Health & Safety (including MHPSS)

  • Education and Livelihoods

  • Peacebuilding & Human Rights

  • Climate Change

We aim to provide a foundation for women, girls, and other needed community members  to rebuild themselves, their families, and their futures. As local implementers, we work at the grassroots level to get right into the heart of communities, listening to local needs and employing local communities to implement the programs. 

Our main fundamental belief is that women and girls are powerful drivers of change, and we provide the support they need to reach their full potential and rebuild their futures. We strive for a world where they are safe from violence, free to access education, and are empowered to participate in their communities to drive social and economic change from within. We are investing in the future of women and girls because they play a vital role in resurrecting and strengthening communities. As local implementers, we work at the grassroots level to get right into the heart of communities. To ensure we meet their needs, we listen to the local community and employ local women to implement the programs.

The Lotus Flower has been widely recognized for its impactful and innovative work in advancing women's rights, economic empowerment, and justice for survivors. In 2021, the organization was honored with the CARE International Partnership Award, a prestigious recognition granted every four years to celebrate the professionalism and commitment of CARE’s global partners. Further affirming its dedication to women’s economic independence, The Lotus Flower received the IValues Award from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation under the “Economy and Jobs” category for the success and significance of its Women’s Business Incubation project. The organization also gained international acclaim through the PILnet Global Partnership Award for its groundbreaking initiative “Accountability for Yazidi Survivors of Atrocities by Da’esh,” which was recognized as one of the best cross-sectoral pro bono legal collaborations worldwide. Additionally, The Lotus Flower was a proud recipient of the UNHCR Innovation Award in 2022, further highlighting its commitment to delivering creative, impactful solutions for vulnerable communities.

                                                                          

Overall objective of the position:

The Self-Care Advisor plays a key role in strengthening the emotional well-being and mental health resilience of case workers, psychologists, General Protection (GP) team members, and field staff who handle sensitive and high-stress cases such as suicide attempts, gender-based violence (GBV), and trauma-related incidents.

The advisor will design and facilitate a comprehensive staff-care program that includes group sessions, individual counselling, and practical trainings focused on stress management, burnout prevention, and emotional resilience. The role ensures that all team members have the psychological tools and safe spaces they need to maintain their well-being while providing high-quality services to vulnerable communities.

Scope of Work and Key Deliverables

  • Assessment: Identifying current stressors, existing coping mechanisms, and specific self-care needs of staff (e.g., through surveys, focus groups, and self-assessment tools).

  • Curriculum Development: Designing a tailored self-care and resilience training program that incorporates advanced and practical techniques for managing work-related stress.

  • Training & Coaching: Develop and deliver trainings and workshops on stress management, emotional regulation, mindfulness, self-awareness, and work–life balance.

  • Integrate trauma-informed and resilience-building approaches tailored to humanitarian and protection work contexts.

  • Facilitate refresher trainings for continuous capacity building and reinforcement of positive coping techniques.

  • Policy Review: Recommending organizational and policy changes to foster a culture of well-being and self-care within the workplace

  • Systemic & Professional Self-Care: Conduct a baseline assessment of staff well-being (burnout, compassion fatigue, etc.).

  • The Self-Care Advisor should move beyond basic tips (like "get enough sleep") and focus on teaching sophisticated, in-the-moment, and systemic self-care strategies.

  • Comprehensive Needs Assessment Report with actionable recommendations.

  • Develop a phased Self-Care & Resilience Strategy and Action Plan for the organization.

  • Develop and deliver a core curriculum of self-care and resilience workshops

  • Training materials (presentations, handouts, toolkits) and workshop schedule.

  • Facilitate peer support and consultation groups for different staff cohorts.

  • Advise on establishing and maintaining healthy professional boundaries (work-life balance, caseload management).

  • Develop an "Emergency Self-Care" protocol for staff experiencing acute distress

  • Provide recommendations for integrating self-care into supervision and performance reviews.

  • Providing Resources: Sharing tools and information, such as mindfulness apps, healthy snack ideas, and ergonomic workspace tips. 

  • Setting Boundaries: Teaching employees how to establish clear lines between work and personal life to prevent burnout. 

  • Create a safe and supportive environment where staff can share experiences, reflect, and learn healthy coping strategies.

  • Develop and implement a structured staff-care plan for all project teams, in coordination with program management.

 

Essential Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Skills

Education:

  • Master’s or PhD degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, or a related mental health field.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 4 years of clinical practice experience, with direct exposure to challenges faced by caseworkers and psychologists (e.g., compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma).

  • Proven experience in developing and delivering adult training on professional well-being, stress reduction, and resilience.

Specialized/Technical Skills:

  • Strong knowledge of self-care and mindfulness techniques.

  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

General Skills:

  • Strong commitment to humanitarian principles and crisis response.

  • Ability to manage priorities effectively, and to analyze and synthesize information.

Managerial Skills:

  • Ability to organize and supervise a team of daily workers, set priorities, and ensure task completion.

Language Skills:

  • Spoken proficiency in Kurdish, Arabic, and English.

 

Working Conditions

·        Based in Duhok, with possible travel to field locations (e.g., Sharya, Khanke, and other project sites).

·        Flexible working hours may be required to accommodate staff schedules and session times.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send your updated CV and Master’s or PhD degree to careers@thelotusflower.org  while mentioning ‘Self-Care Technical Advisor’ as the subject of your email.

  • CVs that are in the form of pictures, and screen-shots will not be accepted.

  • CVs that do not include the subject line will not be considered.

  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applications past the expiration date of the advertisement will not be considered.