United Nations Staff Counsellor (P-3 level)

Responsibilities

These positions are located in United Nations peacekeeping and special political missions and usually report to the Senior Staff Counselor. Within delegated authority, Staff Counselors P-3 will be responsible for, but not limited to, the performance of the following duties: • Provides adequate Counseling Services within the mission area. • Performs individual assessments in the case of individual staff members experiencing difficulty coping and/or presenting mental health-related symptoms or syndromes. • Advises the Senior Staff Counselor and other Personnel Officers, as necessary, on individual 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, need-oriented medication, etc). • Advises chiefs of staff counseling unit, with the aim of improving the working atmosphere in their Section and resolving problems of a work-related or personal nature that adversely affect job performance and productivity. • Performs critical incident stress supportive therapy (e.g. individual and/or group) whenever and wherever needed. • Assures, in conjunction with the Medical Services, a continuum of services (referral, short-term supportive intervention) to individual staff members who have HIV/AIDS or to those staff members suffering from other serious diseases or illnesses. • 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. • Provides training sessions on “crisis and stress management” and “conflict resolution” as needed. • 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 • Develops, organizes and implements a stress management programme for staff within the mission area

Competencies

• Professionalism - Ability to provide a confidential and safe 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. Coordinates and consults 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. • 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. • Planning& Organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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 communication, 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 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in counseling/mental health is required, of which 3 years should be 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:

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