Regional Staff Counsellor, (P-3), Fixed-Term, Manila, Philippines (WPRO)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME AND OF THE IMMEDIATE STRATEGY

Under the supervision of the Director, Division of Administration and Finance and the technical supervision of the Staff Counsellor, Staff Health and Wellbeing at HQ, the Regional Staff Counselor is responsible for developing psychosocial and stress management programmes for implementation at the Regional Office level supporting Country Offices in accordance with WHO policies.

Organizational context

As part of the Regional Office structure the functions of the Regional Staff Counselor are closely linked with the Medical Officers and then with the Regional HR Manager. The Regional Staff Counselor may be expected to be part of the crisis management team and in that capacity collaborates closely with the Field Security Officer in the Regional Office.

Purpose of the Position

To provide efficient and effective psychological counselling to staff in the WPRO region requiring support related to work-place difficulties or personal issues. A large emphasis is placed on extensive engagement with staff and promotion of staff well-being.

Summary of Assigned Duties

1. Provide active psychological support, including during emergencies and/or after critical incidents, to ensure continued staff well-being and that managers and staff are provided with the effective support to manage change. Coordinate/provide timely response to critical incidents in the Region.

2. Provide pre and post deployment briefings to staff deployed to hardship duty stations through briefings, counselling sessions and other activities to ensure proactive support is extended to staff.

3. Ensure access for staff and family members to individual counselling either internally or externally for work related issues, mental health and personal issues.

4. Work closely and collaboratively with managers at all levels in the Region to ensure a psychologically healthy workplace.

5. Provide a range of general and context specific trainings related to resilience, conflict resolution, team-building and cultural sensitivities to improve morale, health, and team dynamics in the country office.

6. Contribute to the design of policies and guidelines, as well as information / booklets to increase awareness regarding important themes and promote staff wellness.

7. Deliver workshops, trainings, and information sessions on a wide range of topics (e.g., stress management, team building, problem-solving, conflict resolution, psychosocial issues etc.) to ensure that staff regularly receive relevant information and are aware of sources where to find information or assistance.

8. Create and coordinate a Regional Peer-Support Volunteers Network (PSV) and support through training and supervision.

9. Maintain the highest ethical standards related to the provision of psychological services.

10. Prepare comprehensive reports, plan budgets for missions, training and plan and implement other staff counselling activities to ensure the provision of cohesive counselling services.

11. Maintain at all times a high standard of professional ethics and confidentiality consistent with the ethical guidelines and standards of practice, actively engage with management and staff, listen to their concerns, and stay approachable.

12. Undertake regular travels to the Country Offices in the Region.

13. Take part in the relevant regional interagency working groups aimed at strengthening of psychosocial support to Staff in the UN.

14. Actively engage with management and staff to establish relationships based on trust and respect.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Managing yourself

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Counselling
• Training /facilitation skills
• Ability to coordinate with other relevant specialist service in the Organization including Occupational Health and Safety, Security, Ombudsman, and Human Resources
• Planning and organizing

RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS

Education Qualifications

Essential

• Advanced university degree (Doctorate, Masters or equivalent) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work or demonstrably equivalent studies from a recognized institution.

• Registration as a mental health professional in the country of origin is required.

• A valid certification or license to practice at national level in clinical psychology, or social work.

• Additional training or certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, resilience, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, mediation, trauma etc. will be an advantage.

Desirable

• Additional certification in a broad range of related fields, such as occupational health, training, stress management, conflict resolution, or cross-cultural communication.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional post graduate experience in counselling/ mental health at the international level is required.

• Experience either working in a hardship location or providing counselling services to staff working under very difficult and insecure environments is an asset.

Desirable

• Working experience with UN agencies, national or international NGO’S

Use of Language Skills

• Expert written and oral English skill are required.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Specialist expertise in the assessment of mental health needs and the assessment of risk.
• Broad knowledge of all facets of counselling services and demonstrated skills to create a trusted environment in which others can talk confidentially.
• Ability to manage crisis situations which involve diverse actors and stakeholders.
• Ability to identify clients’ needs and suggest appropriate solutions.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentation).
• Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of both genders and diverse national and cultural backgrounds.
• Skills in designing and delivering trainings/information sessions on a number of subjects and ability to adapt those to different audiences.
• Capacity to work with IT communication tools such as TEAMS or ZOOM.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 97,139 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.