Staff Counsellor, P-3, Kasai Region(DRC)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

Under the supervision of the Senior Staff Counsellor (P-4), the Staff Counsellor (P-3) is expected to provide expertise to the organization, its management and the staff to support the well-being of UNICEF staff and their families as well as of teams in UNICEF offices around the world.

The Staff Counsellor (P-3) will contribute towards a corporate framework for staff well-being and promote its implementation at the Regional and Country level. The framework will identify activities aiming at: raising awareness about healthy work practices; improving the work-life balance of UNICEF staff; facilitating the provision of assistance to staff/family experiencing work-related and/or personal problems; facilitating the provision of immediate support following a traumatic incident, among other activities.

The Staff Counsellor will work in coordination with the network of UN counsellors globally. Frequent field missions and close collaboration with Regional- and Country Offices are required. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Facilitate effective psycho-social support for offices, managers and individual staff, aimed at mitigating chronic, work-related stress and booster protective factors by:

a)  Providing support and advice to managers on healthy work practices and how to effectively support staff and encourage resilience;

b)  Providing staff with individual and/or group counselling (i.e. assessment, short-term intervention, referral), following self-referral or referral by the supervisor or another professional;

c)  Facilitating the treatment of psychiatric disorders primarily through referrals, including to the medical services division, and through guidance to supervisors and senior management, where appropriate.

d)  Contributing to identifying creative ways of building a network of external mental health providers available to provide services to staff around the world;

3. Provide emergency psychosocial support to offices and individual staff who have been involved in critical incidents by:

a) Contacting the affected staff member(s) in person, by e-mail, phone or Skype, offering information about typical stress reactions, support and referral information;

b) Facilitating appropriate traumatic stress interventions;

c) Recommending and arranging for individual and/or group follow-up support to staff and their dependents;

d) Liaising with and recommend suitable staff support strategies to managers during emergencies and following evacuations, and carry out staff support missions to affected countries;

e)  Coordinating with UNDSS, agency counsellors and PSVs to ensure the provision of adequate psychosocial support during emergencies.

4. Provide training and awareness rising on Staff Well-Being related topics: explore and develop new modalities, such as e-learning and webinars, that can make awareness raising material available and attractive to all staff;

5. Perform any other duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

a) EDUCATION

Advanced University degree in counselling, clinical psychology or related mental health profession is required. Additional training or certification in occupational health, staff support and traumatic / critical incident stress as well as a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, family counselling, training, stress management is an asset.

b) WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of five years of national and international work experience in staff support, mental health, cross cultural communications, counselling, and related areas, preferably gained within the UN system or international development/humanitarian aid sector.

c)  LANGUAGES

Fluency in both English and French(oral and written) is required.

d) COMPETENCIES         

• Contributes and tries out innovative approaches and insights.

• Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.

• Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.

• Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.

• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

To apply, please visit our site:https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate for this recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the granting of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.