Details
Mission and objectives
About us
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. It is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.
UNICEF provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in 191 countries through country programmes and National Committees.
What We Do
UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in South Sudan
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. It is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.
UNICEF provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in 191 countries through country programmes and National Committees.
What We Do
UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in South Sudan
Context
South Sudan continues to face a complex humanitarian and development context characterized by recurring conflict, large-scale displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services. UN agencies, funds, and programmes work collectively in support of the Government of South Sudan to stabilize communities, strengthen institutional capacity, and advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN system in South Sudan operates under an integrated approach guided by the United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF) and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). Within this framework, UN Volunteers play a critical role in expanding programmatic reach, supporting capacity development, and strengthening operational effectiveness across offices. The duty station in Juba serves as the central coordination hub for programme implementation, partnerships, supply, and support services across all field locations. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) operates from Juba including seven different field locations across the country.
The International UNV Staff Counsellor will support the implementation of the organization’s staff well-being framework by providing counselling services, stress management support, and psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing staff resilience and overall mental health. The role will include conducting individual and group counselling sessions, facilitating stress-reduction and well-being workshops, and supporting critical incident response in coordination with the Regional Staff Counsellor and Global Staff Wellbeing Unit. The Counsellor will collaborate closely with management, People & Culture, security teams, medical services, and field colleagues to identify emerging wellbeing risks, recommend preventive measures, and strengthen organizational mechanisms that promote a healthy and supportive workplace. The assignment will also involve capacity-building of Peer Support Volunteers, monitor staff welfare trends, and contribute to duty-of-care reporting and Analysis.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The International UNV Staff Counsellor will support the implementation of the organization’s staff well-being framework by providing counselling services, stress management support, and psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing staff resilience and overall mental health. The role will include conducting individual and group counselling sessions, facilitating stress-reduction and well-being workshops, and supporting critical incident response in coordination with the Regional Staff Counsellor and Global Staff Wellbeing Unit. The Counsellor will collaborate closely with management, People & Culture, security teams, medical services, and field colleagues to identify emerging wellbeing risks, recommend preventive measures, and strengthen organizational mechanisms that promote a healthy and supportive workplace. The assignment will also involve capacity-building of Peer Support Volunteers, monitor staff welfare trends, and contribute to duty-of-care reporting and Analysis.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Staff Counsellor will be responsible for the following three broad areas:
1. Preventative and protective psychosocial support:
• Provide psychosocial support to managers and staff to mitigate stress and strengthen protective factors through individual or group sessions (assessment, short-term intervention, referral) in a safe and confidential environment.
• Advise leadership and managers on healthy work practices, resilience-building, and staff support strategies during and after emergencies or crises.
• Deliver preventative programs and training, including psychoeducation, tailored workshops, webinars, and anti-stigma initiatives to address systemic issues and promote mental health awareness.
• Conduct mandatory pre/post-deployment briefings for new and surge staff.
• Develop and maintain a network of external mental health providers to ensure access to specialized services.
• Develop and produce engaging wellbeing resources, such as videos, pamphlets, toolkits, and digital content, to raise awareness, provide practical guidance, and support staff in managing stress and promoting mental health.
• Coordinate the Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) Programme for the country office.
2. Critical Incident Stress Management:
• Provide support to individuals and groups following critical incidents, using a holistic approach that integrates multiple support strategies. Interventions may include practical assistance, psychoeducation, psychological first aid, strategic guidance for leadership, family support, and tailored individual or group sessions.
• Both proactive and responsive measures must align with the Staff Care in Emergencies Framework to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
3. Monitoring and oversight:
• Regularly compile and share aggregated statistics and trends related to staff wellbeing, ensuring strict confidentiality.
• Partner with relevant wellbeing stakeholders as needed to analyze data and coordinate appropriate actions.
• Promptly alert the Regional Staff Counsellor and/or Country Office Management to emerging concerns or offices requiring targeted support or managerial intervention.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices for continuous improvement and disseminate them as appropriate.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Results/expected outputs:
As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support is rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• Confidential psychosocial support services delivered - Regular individual and group counselling sessions provided to staff and managers, resulting in timely support, reduced stress levels, and strengthened coping mechanisms.
• Enhanced managerial capacity for staff wellbeing - Managers and leaders receive guidance on healthy work practices, resilience-building, and staff-care strategies, leading to improved supportive management behaviors.
• Preventative mental health programs implemented - A calendar of preventative interventions, trainings, psychoeducation sessions, workshops, webinars, and anti-stigma activities conducted to promote wellbeing and address systemic stressors.
• Deployment staff adequately briefed and supported - Mandatory pre-deployment and post-deployment psychosocial briefings conducted for all new and surge staff, ensuring preparedness and safe reintegration.
• Functional network of external mental health providers maintained - A regularly updated and accessible referral network established to enable staff to access specialized mental health services when needed.
• High-quality wellbeing materials developed and disseminated - Videos, pamphlets, toolkits, and digital content produced and shared with staff to increase awareness and support self-care practices.
• Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) Programme effectively coordinated - PSV members trained, supported, and mobilized to provide peer-to-peer assistance and enhance the office’s internal support capacity.
• Effective post-incident psychosocial interventions delivered - Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) support such as psychological first aid, group support sessions, leadership guidance, and family support—provided in line with the Staff Care in Emergencies Framework.
• Regular wellbeing monitoring and reporting completed - Confidential, aggregated statistics, trends, and risk indicators compiled and shared with relevant stakeholders, informing decision-making and targeted interventions.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacity developed.
1. Preventative and protective psychosocial support:
• Provide psychosocial support to managers and staff to mitigate stress and strengthen protective factors through individual or group sessions (assessment, short-term intervention, referral) in a safe and confidential environment.
• Advise leadership and managers on healthy work practices, resilience-building, and staff support strategies during and after emergencies or crises.
• Deliver preventative programs and training, including psychoeducation, tailored workshops, webinars, and anti-stigma initiatives to address systemic issues and promote mental health awareness.
• Conduct mandatory pre/post-deployment briefings for new and surge staff.
• Develop and maintain a network of external mental health providers to ensure access to specialized services.
• Develop and produce engaging wellbeing resources, such as videos, pamphlets, toolkits, and digital content, to raise awareness, provide practical guidance, and support staff in managing stress and promoting mental health.
• Coordinate the Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) Programme for the country office.
2. Critical Incident Stress Management:
• Provide support to individuals and groups following critical incidents, using a holistic approach that integrates multiple support strategies. Interventions may include practical assistance, psychoeducation, psychological first aid, strategic guidance for leadership, family support, and tailored individual or group sessions.
• Both proactive and responsive measures must align with the Staff Care in Emergencies Framework to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
3. Monitoring and oversight:
• Regularly compile and share aggregated statistics and trends related to staff wellbeing, ensuring strict confidentiality.
• Partner with relevant wellbeing stakeholders as needed to analyze data and coordinate appropriate actions.
• Promptly alert the Regional Staff Counsellor and/or Country Office Management to emerging concerns or offices requiring targeted support or managerial intervention.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices for continuous improvement and disseminate them as appropriate.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Results/expected outputs:
As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support is rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• Confidential psychosocial support services delivered - Regular individual and group counselling sessions provided to staff and managers, resulting in timely support, reduced stress levels, and strengthened coping mechanisms.
• Enhanced managerial capacity for staff wellbeing - Managers and leaders receive guidance on healthy work practices, resilience-building, and staff-care strategies, leading to improved supportive management behaviors.
• Preventative mental health programs implemented - A calendar of preventative interventions, trainings, psychoeducation sessions, workshops, webinars, and anti-stigma activities conducted to promote wellbeing and address systemic stressors.
• Deployment staff adequately briefed and supported - Mandatory pre-deployment and post-deployment psychosocial briefings conducted for all new and surge staff, ensuring preparedness and safe reintegration.
• Functional network of external mental health providers maintained - A regularly updated and accessible referral network established to enable staff to access specialized mental health services when needed.
• High-quality wellbeing materials developed and disseminated - Videos, pamphlets, toolkits, and digital content produced and shared with staff to increase awareness and support self-care practices.
• Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) Programme effectively coordinated - PSV members trained, supported, and mobilized to provide peer-to-peer assistance and enhance the office’s internal support capacity.
• Effective post-incident psychosocial interventions delivered - Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) support such as psychological first aid, group support sessions, leadership guidance, and family support—provided in line with the Staff Care in Emergencies Framework.
• Regular wellbeing monitoring and reporting completed - Confidential, aggregated statistics, trends, and risk indicators compiled and shared with relevant stakeholders, informing decision-making and targeted interventions.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacity developed.
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