Switzerland Staff Welfare Officer/ Social Worker, P3

The incumbent is a part of the Staff Welfare team whose mandate is to develop and implement a range of psychosocial strategies aiming to address the psychosocial well-being and welfare of UNHCR personnel worldwide. The role of the Staff Welfare Officer/Social Worker is to: a. ensure that the social aspect of the psychosocial well-being is well covered at the individual and policy/strategy level of the Staff Welfare Section's work. b. provide counselling and facilitate social action for UNHCR employees and their family members.

In order to ensure good case management, the Staff Welfare Officer/Social Worker should develop close contacts with different parts of UNHCR, such as Personnel Administration and Payroll Section (PAPS), Legal Affaires Section (LAS), Medical Service, Staff Council (SC), Ombudsman, Field Safety Section (FSS), Emergency Preparedness and Response Section (EPRS), Inspector General's Office (IGO), etc.

The Staff Welfare Officer/Social Worker works on the basis of the professional code of ethics, within which professional integrity and confidentiality are amongst the highest requirements.

Establish and maintain good contacts with the UN bodies (Mutual Insurance, Association of Retirees, Sickness Insurance etc.) in order to be up to date with their social policies as well as to alert UNHCR when such policies have a specific interest for UNHCR staff.

Maintain regular contacts with the Swiss Cantonal Authorities (Swiss Mission, Office Cantonal de la Population, etc.) as well as the relevant French authorities in order to maintain up to date knowledge about their policies related to the UNHCR staff legal status in Switzerland and France (domestic helpers, extended families residence status, humanitarian cases, retirement rights).

Regularly keep in contact with the professional associations in the area of social work and psychosocial care for the staff to maintain up to date knowledge and skills in this discipline.

The Staff Welfare Officer/Social Worker is a member of the Network of the UN system Staff/Stress Counsellors, which gathers counsellors of other UN agencies. Networking within this circle, professional exchange and mutual support is strongly encouraged. The Staff Welfare Officer/Social Worker may occasionally be required, in coordination with the Chief, Staff Welfare Section, to provide support to the humanitarian staff of other UN agencies/NGOs.

How to apply:

For details on how to apply for this vacancy, please consult the UNHCR website at www.unhcr.org. – Employment -Career Opportunities – International Professional Category.

UNHCR aims for workforce diversity. Women are encouraged to apply for positions

Closing date for receipt of applications: 3 January 2012