UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations Staff Counsellor (P-4 level)

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission Support (CMS), in close cooperation with the Medical Officer and under the technical supervision and guidelines of Critical Incidents Stress Management Unit (UNDSS/CISMU), the Staff Counselor will be responsible for, but not limited to, the performance of the following duties: • Provides adequate Counseling Services within the mission area (e.g. overall assessment of the psychosocial needs of the staff members, development of the services, etc.). • Provides supervision, guidance and leadership to other members of the counseling team. • Performs individual assessments in the case of individual staff members experiencing difficulty coping and/or presenting mental health-related symptoms or syndromes. • Advises the Chief of Mission Support, as necessary, on individual and /or group cases where an identified problem is likely to have professional, vocational and/or counseling effect (e.g. work-related problem due to a psychological problem, conflict resolution, etc). • Advises Chiefs of Section, as necessary, or upon request, with the aim of improving the working atmosphere in their Sections and resolving problems of a work-related or personal nature that adversely affect job performance and productivity. • Monitors environmental factors that could lead to stress, with particular focus on stress related to critical incidents including emergency and crisis situations, with respect to civilian staff members of the mission and advises Security Management Team (SMT) and Crises Management Team (CMT) on the appropriate measures to be taken. • Plan , develop and implement stress management training to all staff members in the mission • Performs Psychological first aid (e.g. individual and/or group) whenever and wherever there is a need. • Assures, in conjunction with the Medical Services, a continuum of services (referral, short-term supportive intervention) to those staff members suffering from serious or chronic diseases or illnesses or drug and alcohol use. • Establishes a link and liaises with the members of the Staff Welfare Committee and members in order to develop programmes designed to improve the quality of life of staff members within the mission area. • Develops, organizes and implements a resilience-building program for all staff. • Liaises with National Mental health professionals and other psych-medical resources

Competencies

• Professionalism – : Broad knowledge of all facets of the field of counseling and the ability to provide a confidential environment in which others can talk and act without fear or repercussions within a climate of established trust; Ability to effectively manage crisis situations which involve diverse actors and stakeholders. Coordinate and consult with other relevant specialist services in the Organization as per its cross-cutting functional scope which includes staff administration, Human Resources policy as well as Medical Services in respect of emergencies, support and related administrative functions; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. • Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings • Client Orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. • Leadership - Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Vision - Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

An Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) in clinical Psychology, clinical Psychiatry or clinical social worker with clinical license to provide psychological counseling or psychotherapy. Additional training or certification is also required in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, Traumatic stress, cross-cultural psychology or Psychiatry, conflict resolution, etc. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in counseling/mental health is required, of which 5 years at the international level. Experience in Employees Assistance Programme or Organizational Intervention would be an asset. Prior experience in a UN peace operation is an advantage.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English or French; knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage and sometimes a requirement. Fluency in the local language may be essential.

How to apply:

Please navigate to our jobs website http://jobs.un.org and go to "vacancies" and then "human resources" where you will see the listing. Women are encouraged to apply.