Staff Counsellor, P-3 Fixed Term, USSC, Nairobi

Under the supervision of the Country Office Representative and the technical guidance/supervision of the UNICEF Regional Counsellor, the Staff Counsellor will develop and implement a stress management programme aimed at attending to the psychological needs of UNICEF staff management in Somalia and Nairobi-based staff. The work will be done from the preventive and curative perspective at the individual, team and organizational levels. The main objective of the stress management programme is to mitigate the impact of chronic stress on staff, to raise awareness about trauma, stress and stress management, to facilitate the provision of assistance to staff/family experiencing trauma and/or work related and/or personal problems, to facilitate the provision of immediate support following a traumatic incident, to promote social support and other strategies aimed at improving the overall well-being of UNICEF staff in Somalia and Nairobi-based staff.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential to the benefit of a better world.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism.

For every child, Help               

www.unicef.org/somalia

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Under the supervision of the Country Office Representative and the technical guidance/supervision of the UNICEF Regional Counsellor, the Staff Counsellor will develop and implement a stress management programme aimed at attending to the psychological needs of UNICEF staff management in Somalia and Nairobi-based staff. The work will be done from the preventive and curative perspective at the individual, team and organizational levels.

The main objective of the stress management programme is to mitigate the impact of chronic stress on staff, to raise awareness about trauma, stress and stress management, to facilitate the provision of assistance to staff/family experiencing trauma and/or work related and/or personal problems, to facilitate the provision of immediate support following a traumatic incident, to promote social support and other strategies aimed at improving the overall well-being of UNICEF staff in Somalia and Nairobi-based staff.

Summary of key accountabilities:

1. Under the guidance of the Regional Staff Counsellor and in collaboration with the Country Management Team and HR, facilitate the development, implementation of a Stress Management Programme addressing the psychosocial needs identified with an aim of improving Staff Well-Being for UNICEF Somalia:

• Assist in developing the programme framework;
• Develop strategies for implementing the framework;
• Monitor the impact of the framework on the country level;
• Lobby and provide input for improvement.

2. Facilitate the provision of effective psycho-social support to staff leadership, managers and individual staff prioritizing emergency locations with the aim to mitigating stress and boost protective factors by:

Providing support and advice to the leadership and managers in offices on healthy work practices and approaches on how to effectively support staff and encourage resilience. Recommend suitable staff

• support strategies to managers during and following emergencies and other crises.
• Providing staff with individual and/or group counselling as needed (i.e. assessment, short-term intervention, referral);
• Contributing to identification of creative ways of building a network of external mental health providers available to provide services to Somalia and Nairobi based staff.
• Coordinating the Peer Support Volunteers (PSVs) Programmes and staff wellbeing activities.
• Coordinate with UNDSS, agency counsellors and PSVs, to ensure the provision of adequate psychosocial support during emergencies.
• Assess and monitor psycho-social needs and issues affecting the wellbeing of staff.
• Design and provide training and awareness raising activities for staff and managers on trauma as well as strengthening healthy workplace practices to the extent possible.
• Regular reaching out and visits to staff in field offices.

3. Provide Critical Incident Stress Management to groups- and/or individual staff following critical incidents. A holistic approach to critical incident management is used and may include services such as practical support, psycho-education, psychological first aid, strategic advice to leadership, family support and individual or group interventions. The Staff Counsellor responsible for:

• Contacting the affected staff member(s) and offering information about typical stress reactions, support- and referral information;
• Facilitating appropriate traumatic stress interventions, following a critical incident or traumatic event;
• Recommending and arranging for individual and/or group follow-up support to staff and their dependents.
• Provide pre and post-deployment briefings/debriefings to new staff.

4. Monitoring and oversight: Providing on a regular basis statistics and trends on issues related to staff well-being, whilst maintaining confidentiality. Alert the HR Manager on trends that may be of concern in offices or offices requiring targeted support or Managerial intervention. Capture lessons learnt and best practices for dissemination as appropriate.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have¦

Advance University Degree in Counselling, Clinical Psychology or related mental health profession.  Additional training or certification in Trauma and Stress Management is an added advantage.

At least five (5) years of national and international work 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.

Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Ability to quickly negotiate effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.

Ability to quickly build rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.

Contributes and tries out innovative approaches and insights

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other UN Language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate¦

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position is classified as rotational which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty,

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.