Staff Counsellor at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This section provides an overview of OCHA’s mandate, its leadership and how it is funded. It also includes a detailed section on OCHA’s flagship and thematic publications, and on the Agenda for Humanity – a plan put forward by the UN Secretary-General calling on global leaders to stand up for our common humanity and reduce humanitarian suffering.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Staff Counsellor will be responsible for the following duties:

Employee Assistance Programmes to reduce stress and promote wellbeing:

• Develop and implement employee assistance programs and services aimed to reduce stress levels of OCHA staff and associated parties, in particular those who are exposed to severe emotional and psychological elements related to humanitarian response.


• Assist OCHA managers to identify and resolve issues and situations in OCHA’s operations which may induce stress and stress related symptoms.


• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of staff wellbeing and mental health programmes/projects, including: monitoring and analyzing programme/project development and implementation; reviewing relevant documents and reports; identifying challenges and issues to be addressed and proposing supportive actions to overcome them; liaising with relevant parties; identifying and tracking follow-up actions.
  
  Informal resolution of workplace relationship matters:


• Support the informal resolution of workplace relationship matters; assist all parties concerned to find agreements suitable to all; liaise with other relevant stakeholders.


• Participate in the development of policies and procedures governing employee relations and safety issues, identify potential areas or issues that would benefit from stress-reducing measures (e.g., staff/relations, gender and cross-cultural management issues, contingency procedures etc.) and propose or recommend possible solutions.


• Collaborate closely with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office.
  
  Counselling on private issues:


• Provide a professional space for staff to talk about their feelings and any personal challenges in a confidential environment. Assess issues, provide support, and refer to internal or ad-hoc local structures when necessary.
  
  Mental Health related issues:


• Identify, evaluate, and select appropriate support resources in the local community; establish a network of trained specialists to whom staff and their relatives can be referred.


• Implement programmes containing individual or group trauma counselling to survivors of critical incidents.


• Undertake team-building activities and propose measures to reduce stress in the workplace, with due regard to the realities of the humanitarian response at the United Nations system, as well as to legal and other implications.


• Provide short-term counselling to staff facing mental health challenges.
  
  Training:


• Develop and deliver training activities on crisis and stress management, conflict resolution and related relevant topics.
  
  Administrative issues:


• Assist in dealing with local authorities and referral to appropriate local resources for assistance where appropriate.

Requirements

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the management of information in complex emergencies, disaster preparedness, disaster response and early recovery; Ability to identify issues, analyze humanitarian trends and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; Ability to conduct data collection using various methods; Demonstrates conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases; Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.


• 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.


• 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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in clinical psychology, counselling psychology, or in a related academic discipline, supplemented with other relevant studies/extensive courses in psychological assessment, cross-cultural communication, substance abuse, stress management or related field, is required.


• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional work experience in developing and implementing counselling and Employee Assistance Programmes at international level is required.


• Work experience with stress-related management issues applied in field environments is required.


• Experience providing counselling and psychological support in an emergency operational setting is desirable.


• A minimum of two years within the last five years of international field experience in humanitarian and/or development contexts is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

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