Staff Counsellor

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Within the Business Operations division, BOS, SHW develops and implements health policies to protect and promote workforce health and advises management on measures to ensure a safe and healthy work environment at all levels of WHO as well as IARC, ICC, and UNAIDS. SHW provides preventive medical and psychosocial care, first aid and emergency care for staff and acts as medical adviser on staff insurance and disability matters. SHW also provides medical and psychosocial support to WHE and deployed personnel before, during and after deployment.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director-General, ADG/BOS and direct supervision of the Director, Staff Health and Well-being, SHW, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

• Provide effective and evidence-based psychosocial support and counselling to the WHO workforce and their families with the objective of mitigating stress and psychosocial risk factors and promoting protective factors.
• S/he will be responsible to facilitate referrals to external mental health providers.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive personnel-focused mental health programme and related policies for the organization in collaboration with SHW Team and with technical support of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health Division, NMH.
• Ensure the provision of timely critical incident stress management to groups and/or individual staff following critical incidents,and ensure the appropriate follow-up of staff and dependents.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to identify and address psychological risk factors at the individual, unit and organizational levels.
• Provide pre- and post - deployment assignment briefings to staff being deployed to emergency or hardship duty stations; conduct resilience briefings.
• Provide psychosocial support to leadership and managers such as psycho education, strategic advice on issues affecting the workplace and plan group and individual interventions with them.
• Develop and deliver trainings and workshops in health promotion activities to personnel at all HQ levels.
• Coordinate the network of WHO Regional counselors and collaborate with WHO departments and other external stakeholders and act as a technical supervisor for the regional counsellors.
• Participate and collaborate in UN Staff and Stress Counsellor Group, UNSSCG, The UN Critical Incident Stress Management Unit, CISMU, activities and working group.
• Ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the office activities.
• Perform other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An Advanced University Degree or equivalent in psychology, counselling, clinical psychology, psychiatry (medical or nursing), marriage and family therapy, or social work with evidence of training in counselling is required.
• 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, or registration/membership in good standing with legitimate professional organizations, and where continued international work outside their jurisdictions does not jeopardize the licenses, certificates, or organizational membership.

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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional post graduate experience in counselling/ mental health at the international level is required.

Desirable:

• Working experience with UN agencies, national or international NGOs.
• Experience either working in a hardship location or providing counselling services to staff working under very difficult and insecure environments is an asset.

Skills

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

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Expert knowledge of French.

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 77,326 (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, and currently amounts to USD 5413 per month for the duty station indicated above. 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion)are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

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

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