Temporary Appointment: UNICEF Staff Counsellor, P-3, New York, USA
Purpose
UNICEF HQ seeks the services of experienced Staff Counselor who will under the guidance of the UNICEF Senior Staff Counsellor, provide services attending to the psychosocial needs of UNICEF staff and management as well as reinforce healthy work practices. This work is done from the preventive and curative perspective at the individual, team and organizational levels in UNICEF globally.
Due to the nature and location of their work, UNICEF staff members are frequently exposed to high levels of day to day, cumulative stress, including those stressors related to their workload and demands related to living and working in multicultural, often unstable and insecure environments as well as exposure to traumatic experiences. The objectives of the stress management programme are to contribute to the well-being of staff and their families; to raise awareness about stress and stress management; to facilitate the provision of assistance to staff/family experiencing work-related and/or personal problems; to facilitate the provision of immediate support following critical incidents; to contribute towards a policy framework aimed at improving the work-life balance for UNICEF staff, and to contribute to developing a strategy to minimize the negative emotional impact on staff during any given crisis.
Major duties
Supporting the Senior Staff Counsellor to facilitate effective stress management interventions for all staff, aimed at chronic, work-related stress and critical incident stress.
Responsible for providing staff with individual and/or group counselling (i.e. assessment, short-term intervention, referral), following referral by the Senior Staff Counsellor.
The Staff Counsellor will support the Senior Staff Counsellor to provide emergency psychosocial support by:
a) Contacting the affected staff member(s) by e-mail or phone, offering information about typical stress reactions, stress disorders, support and referral information
b) Providing guidance to the appropriate senior managers in offices affected by major critical incidents, acute emergencies or during evacuations, to ensure that staff have access to appropriate support mechanisms
c) Facilitating appropriate traumatic stress interventions, following traumatic events, evacuations and in acute emergency situations.
d) Coordinate with UNDSS and agency counsellors and peer helpers, to ensure the provision of adequate psychosocial support during emergencies.
Supporting a global system of peer helpers
This Staff Counsellor will facilitate in coordinating UNICEF’s global network of Peer Support Volunteers, including
a) technical supervision of the PSVs
b) maintaining regular communication with the network of PSVs through the PSV CoP, newsletters and the sharing of updates and tips for improving PSV skills.
Training and awareness rising on stress management issues.
In HQ and through field missions, the Staff Counsellor might be requested to facilitate stress management training activities to increase staff awareness regarding the manifestations of stress, and to promote the development of enhanced individual stress management.
The Staff Counsellor will develop/revise training modules, as well as assemble other materials for training on stress management issues.
The Staff Counsellor will develop and disseminate information and materials about stress and stress management.
Maintain professional records of interventions.
Organise and maintain a filing system that will include:
a) A system for confidential filing of individual cases
b) A documentation system of all actions, events, assessments, recommendations, etc. in accordance with standards and procedures established by the HQ Senior Staff Counsellor.
Qualifications & Experience (Technical and business/professional knowledge and experience required for the job)
· Advanced University degree in counselling, clinical psychology, organisational psychology or related mental health profession. Additional training or certification in 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.
· Minimum five years of national and especially international professional 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.
· Background on or familiarity with emergency or hardship duty stations.
· Fluency in English and another UN Language. Knowledge of French/Spanish / Arabic desirable.
Conditions of Service
Office-based with possible travel on mission to UNICEF country offices and/or conferences and meetings.
Functional Competencies
· Analysing
· Applying Technical Expertise
· Following Instructions and Procedures
· Planning and Organizing
· Relating and Networking
Core Values
· Commitment
· Diversity and inclusion
· Integrity
Core competencies
· Communication
· Drive for Results
· Working With People
How to Apply:
Application deadline: Wednesday, 22 July 2015, 5:00 p.m. EST:
Qualified candidates are requested to send their submission to with the subject line: “Temporary Appointment: UNICEF Staff Counsellor, P-3, New York, USA”
Application must include:
· Cover letter
· CV
· Completed P 11 form http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc
Please note that acknowledgement of application will be extended ONLY to short-listed candidates.
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 the organization.
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