Snr Staff Counsellor

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior Staff Counsellor

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

UNHCR runs its operations in 136 countries and 520 locations, carried on by over 16,500 staff members and members of the affiliate workforce. Given the nature of work, the psychological hazards range from workplace stress, exposure to traumatic situations and vicarious exposure to traumatic experiences of people of concern. All these can reflect at the individual, interpersonal and team levels and can affect the staff well-being as well as the efficiency of the operation.
The Staff Health and Wellbeing Service (SH&WS) and more specifically its Psychosocial Wellbeing Section (PWS), are entrusted with addressing these challenges. The Psychosocial Wellbeing team comprises mental health professionals at the HQ, in the Regional Bureau and the field locations working under the direct supervision of the Chief, Psychosocial Wellbeing Section in Geneva.
As a part of the Regional Bureau structure, the functions of the Snr. Staff Counsellor are closely linked with the Medical Officers, and then with the HR Business partner. The collaboration with them is based on respect for professional boundaries and it aims for a holistic HR strategy for staff in the region. The Snr. Staff Counsellor is also expected to advise the Regional Bureau Director and the snr. management on matters related to staff wellbeing issues. The Snr. Staff Counsellor may be expected to be a part of the crisis management team and it that capacity collaborates closely with the Field Safety Advisors in the Regional Bureau or in the operations. 
The Snr. Staff Counsellor provides technical supervision and guidance to P3 Staff Counsellors in the region and works closely with the Peer Advisors in the operations under the Regional Bureau. The incumbent is responsible for implementation of staff wellbeing strategy in the operations and makes a prioritized plan of action.
The Staff Counsellor is expected to collaborate closely with the management team, human resources function as well as the field safety function with fully respect of professional boundaries and confidentiality of individual cases. The Staff Counsellor works closely with the existing Peer Advisors in the operations of coverage and collaborates with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office.
The Staff Counsellor is a member of the UN Staff/Stress Counsellor Group and the incumbent adheres to its professional and ethical standards.


All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

- As a part of the regional HR team (HR Business Partner, Snr. Medical Officer), develop the psychosocial wellbeing strategy and work plan for the region reflecting the global psychosocial wellbeing projects, the results of psychosocial risk assessments for the operations in the region and the collaborative approach with the medical, HR and security teams in the region. Accompany strategic developments in the region involving the major implications on staff (i.e. emergency operations, downsizing).
- Provide advice and guidance to the Representatives in the region to their psychosocial wellbeing plans.
- Ensure that the individual case management is done in coordination with the medical and HR teams locally and with the PWS (particularly Psychosocial Case Management Officer), Office of the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office as necessary and with respect to professional boundaries. When necessary, take a lead in case management.
- Implement the global UNHCR psychosocial wellbeing projects (psychological preparation for hardship assignment, end of assignment debriefing following hardship assignment, framework of psychosocial support to operations in high risk environments) and take an active part in developing the new initiatives particularly those relevant to the region.
- Supervise the UNHCR Staff Counsellors in the region, provide guidance, feedback and technical support. 
- Supervise the launch, and when needed, undertake psychological risk assessment for the operations of coverage and design the appropriate response programme in close collaboration with the operations and adhering to the normative guidance from the PWS. Such programmes should include but are not limited to individual or group counselling, trauma interventions, workshops/training, raising awareness and sensitization meetings, team building or other professional forms of support.
- Ensure access for staff and family members to individual counselling either internally (with Staff Counsellors in UNHCR) or externally (by providing referrals and information about the available resources and insurance coverage) for work related issues (work-related stress, trauma, interpersonal conflicts, harassment, and job insecurity, mental health and personal issues (family, marital, children or finance related problems). Advise on mental health resources and maintain the updated list of the verified MH resources in the region.
- Coordinate/provide timely response to critical incidents in the operations under the coverage in accordance with the UNHCR SOP on Support to staff following critical incidents. As a part of the crisis management team, provide guidance to the operational managers as required. Ensure that operations, particularly those in high risk environments are capacitated to provide psychological first aid to the survivors.
- Undertake regular travels to the operations under coverage.
- Take part in the relevant interagency working groups particularly those within the UNSSCG aimed at advancement of psychosocial support to staff in the UN.
- Collaborate closely with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office in relation to management, training and support to the UNHCR Peer Advisors Network. 
- Maintain records of individual cases in the confidential electronic case management system in accordance with the UN Confidentiality Guidelines for Staff/Stress Counsellors. Provide monthly statistics to the PWS, HQ. Ensure timely reporting on field missions to the Representative and the Heads of Offices and the Chief PWS. Provide input in global reports by the PWS as required.
- Take part in the functional assessment process under the coordination of the Chief, Psychosocial Wellbeing Section. 
- Ensure the adherence to the professional standards of the UNSSCG (continuous education, registration and supervision) as well as the Code of Ethics for UN Staff Counsellors.
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Psychology
Clinical psychology
Psychiatry
Psychotherapy
Social work
Counselling or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses
*Registered Mental Health professional
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Demonstrated clinical experience including case management. Working experience on prevention and response to sexual harassment in the workplace.

Desirable:
Understanding of the humanitarian work environment.

Functional Skills
*WF-Counselling
*MD-Patient case management skills
*MD-Drafting clinical notes
*MD-Suicide risk assessment
*MD-Application of trauma interventions in crises
*MD-Ability to deal with people in distress
MD-Organizational Psychology
TR-Training Design/Material Preparation
*IT-Computer Literacy
TR-Training/Coaching/Facilitation
*MD-Provision of coaching peer advisors and consultation to managers
*MD-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X009L3 - Change Capability and Adaptability Level 3

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in this addendum 4 to the  September 2019 Compendium is Thursday 13 February 2020 (midnight Geneva time)