Assistant Staff Counsellor

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

FamilyUNOPS LICA8

2023-04-01April 4, 2023General Background:
UNHCR has dedicated personnel working in 132 countries around the world, from major capitals to remote and often dangerous locations. Given the nature of work, the psychological risks 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 and in turn the efficiency of the operation.

The Assistant Staff Counsellor in UNHCR Malaysia will collaborate closely with the management team in the operation, human resources as well as the field safety focal point, maintaining respect for professional boundaries and confidentiality of individual cases, and will provide mental health and psychosocial support to staff. The staff counselor will have clinical supervision by the Senior Staff Counselor in Bangkok. The incumbent will work closely with the existing Peer Advisors in the office and collaborate with the Office of the Ombudsman as well as Ethics Office and the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section. The Assistant Staff Counsellor will be a member of the UN Staff and Stress
Counsellor Group, and will have to adhere to its professional and ethical standards as well as other technical issuances.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The Assistant Staff Counsellor reports to the Representative and receives technical guidance from the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section. The incumbent will be responsible for:
• The provision of one- to one counselling, in a compassionate, ethical and professional manner, while respecting and maintaining client confidentiality.
• Develop clear and concise treatment plans that would contribute to client improvement.
• Provide group counselling when requested, preparing relevant discussions and interactions in order to address staff challenges and emotional concerns.
• Provide immediate crisis intervention and psychological support to individuals after a critical incident.
• Provide psycho-education group sessions on mental health issues and positive coping mechanisms.
• Develop and sharing mental health resources that would contribute to staff resilience and mind-set.
• Provide tailored mental health and psychosocial initiatives in liaison with the Peer Support Network and Staff Council or local Staff Association.
• Perform any other duties as required

Provide team and individual psychosocial support to staff to all staff in Malyasia operation:
1. Provide individual counselling for staff, their families members for work related issues (stress, trauma, interpersonal conflicts, harassment, job insecurity) and/or personal issues (family, marital, children or finance related problems) or make external referrals as appropriate.
2. Provide support to staff following critical incidents in all operations in areas of coverage in accordance with the UNHCR SOP for supporting staff affected by critical incidents.
3. Implementing the global UNHCR staff wellbeing projects (psychological preparation for hardship assignments, psychological debriefing following hardship assignments).
4. Give guidance/support to Peer Advisors (PA’s) in the operation related to support that they are giving to colleagues at their duty stations.
5. Set up a plan of psychosocial interventions to UNHCR personnel and their families on distance and whenever possible in person to include but are not limited to:
i. Raising awareness about the psychosocial impact of COVID on personal wellbeing and mental health
ii. Providing individual counselling on request or upon referral.
iii. Providing the individual/group support to managers. Providing advice to management as to the working conditions conducive to protective work environment.

6. Provide regular updates to the Representative and Senior staff counsellor in the Bureau on the status of mental health and possibilities for improvement, while respecting confidentiality.
7. Record the individual cases as per guidance by the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section.
8. Any other duties agreed in cooperation with Representative in Malaysia, Snr Staff Counselor in Bangkok and the Chief of the Psychosocial and Wellbeing section at Headquarters.

Technical support to the Staff Counseling consultant will be provided by the Snr. Staff Counsellor. The Assistant Staff Counselor will be a part of the global Psychosocial Wellbeing team and will have the access to professional resources developed by the team already. The Assistant Staff Counselor will be expected to take an active part in individual case management primarily with the Medical Officers and also with the HR and Field Security Officers. The Assistant Staff Counselor is expected to uphold the highest professional ethical standards.


Monitoring and Progress Controls:
Through Performance Evaluation – Mid Term and Final evaluations.
    

Qualifications and Experience:

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree in; Counselling, Organizational Psychology, Psychology, Social Work or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses: Registered mental health professional.

b. Work Experience:
Essential
Demonstrated clinical experience, including case management and counselling skills. Working experience on prevention and response to sexual harassment in the workplace.

Desirable
Understanding of the humanitarian work environment.      

c. Key Competencies:
• High level of self-awareness, with excellent observation and listening skills.
• Able to work with people of different backgrounds and culture.
• Observes and adhere to ethical, legal and therapeutic standards.
• Excellent written and verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and tailor presentations to effectively deliver psychoeducation.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Familiar with CBT, motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques.
• Training in mindfulness or solution-focused counselling an asset.
• Patient case management skills.
• Ability to identify staff in distress and provide appropriate support.


Additional Information:
This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2023 with the possibility of extension.

The position requires fluency in English and Malay languages.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

UNHCR does not sponsor work visa or work permit and applicant who is not Malaysian national should already have their status confirmed that they are able to secure a work visa at the time of the application.

Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between MYR 8,324 and MYR 10,497.75 depending on relevant experience.

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

Malay

Desired Languages

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance