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Staff Counsellor

Khartoum

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Khartoum
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Human Resources
    • Medical Practitioners
  • Closing Date: Closed

Hardship Level

C

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2022-11-21-08:00

Job Posting End Date

December 15, 2022

Standard Job Description

Staff Counsellor Organizational Setting and Work Relationships UNHCR runs its operations in 136 countries and 520 locations, carried on by over 16,500 staff members and members of the affiliate workforce. Given the nature of work, the psychological hazards range from workplace stress, exposure to traumatic situations and vicarious exposure to traumatic experiences of people of concern. All these can reflect at the individual, interpersonal and team levels and can affect the staff well-being as well as the efficiency of the operation. The Staff Health and Wellbeing Service (SH&WS) and more specifically its Psychosocial Wellbeing Section (PWS), are entrusted with addressing these challenges. The Psychosocial Wellbeing team comprises the Staff Counsellors based in Geneva, in the Regional Bureaux and in some multi-country offices and country operations. The team works together in designing staff wellbeing plans and interventions under the leadership of the Chief, PWS. The Staff Counsellor is expected to collaborate closely with the staff health professionals, management team in the operation, human resources function as well as the field safety function with fully respect of professional boundaries and confidentiality of individual cases. The Staff Counsellor works closely with the existing Peer Advisors in the operations of coverage and collaborates with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office. The Staff Counsellor is a member of the UN Staff/Stress Counsellor Group and the incumbent adheres to its professional and ethical standards and other technical issuances. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Undertake psychological risk assessment for the operations of coverage and design the appropriate response measures in close collaboration with the operations and under the supervision from the Chief, Psychosocial Wellbeing Section. Such measures should include but are not limited to individual or group counselling, trauma interventions, workshops/training, raising awareness and sensitization meetings, team building or other professional forms of support. - Ensure access for staff and family members to individual counselling either internally (with Staff Counsellors in UNHCR) or externally (by providing referrals and information about the available resources and insurance coverage) for work related issues (stress, trauma, interpersonal conflicts, harassment, and job insecurity) and personal issues (family, marital, children or finance related problems). - Provide timely response to critical incidents in the operations under the coverage in accordance with the UNHCR SOP on Support to staff affected by critical incidents. Organizing the psychological first aid (personally, through the Peer Advisors Network in the region or other UN Staff Counsellors available in the region), assessments, referrals and necessary follow-up is undertaken and coordinated with the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section, Snr. Regional Medical Officer and relevant HR functions in the operation. Provide the guidance to the operational managers in relation to the post incident staff support as required. - Undertake regular travels to the operations under coverage as per PWS strategic priorities and demands from the Regions. - Implement the global UNHCR psychosocial wellbeing projects (psychological preparation for hardship assignment, end of assignment debriefing following hardship assignment, framework of support to high risk environments) and take an active part in developing the new initiatives. - Maintain regular contact with the counselling resources in the countries under the coverage including the members of the UN Staff/Stress Counsellors Group (UNSSCG) and other local/regional mental health professionals/ resources outside the UN system, e.g. NGOs, private mental health practitioners. - Take part in the relevant interagency working groups aimed at advancement of psychosocial support to staff in the UN. - Collaborate closely with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office in relation to management, training and support to the UNHCR Peer Advisors Network. - Maintain records of individual cases in the confidential electronic case management system in accordance with the UN Confidentiality Guidelines for Staff/Stress Counsellors. Provide monthly statistics to the PWS, HQ. Ensure timely reporting on field missions, general staff wellbeing assessments and related recommendations to the Representative and the Heads of Offices and the Chief PWS. Provide input in global reports by the PWS as required - Provide expert advice and guidance to the Representatives of the operations covered by the function and the Chief of the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section/ Staff Health and Wellbeing Service (SH&WS) at the HQ. - Ensure the adherence to the professional standards of the UNSSCG (continuous education, registration and supervision) as well as the Code of Ethics for UN Staff Counsellors. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Psychiatry; Psychotherapy Social Work; Counselling; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Registered mental health professional (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Demonstrated clinical experience, including case management and counselling skills for a minimum of 5 years. Working experience on prevention and response to sexual harassment in the workplace. Desirable Understanding of the humanitarian work environment. Functional Skills *MD - Patient case management *MD-Drafting clinical notes *WB - Ability to identify staff in distress and provide appropriate support *WB - Application of trauma interventions in crisis situations *WB - Coaching peer advisors *WB - Counselling *WB - Suicide risk assessment *WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals TR-Training - Virtual and face to face TR-Training Design and Material Preparation WB - Organizational Psychology and/or Psychiatry (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

English

,

Desired languages

Arabic

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel


Nature of Position:

The political context in Sudan remains complex, diverse, and fast-changing necessitating high levels of political sensitivity and solid coordination and communication skills. The operation in Sudan includes emergency response, regular refugee programmes, IDP support (emergency, durable solutions), voluntary repatriation, statelessness, and special projects, for example peacebuilding support funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. The Representation Office in Khartoum provides the overall strategic guidance and implementation of the operations, security, policies, and liaison with key Government stakeholders, donor communities, UNAMID/UNITAMS, UNCT/HCT and NGO partners. The Representation Office in Khartoum provides an oversight of activities in Sudan being supported by 15 offices; four Sub Offices, eight Field Offices and three Field Units. Under the supervision of the Assistant Rep (Admin), technical guidance of the Snr. Staff Counsellor in the Regional Bureau for East and Horn of Africa, and in close collaboration with the Staff Health and Wellbeing Service in Geneva, the incumbent will be playing a crucial role in development and implementation of the psychosocial strategy in relation to the identified psychosocial hazards in Sudan operation. The Staff Counsellor is expected to collaborate closely with the staff health professionals, management team in the operation, human resources function as well as the field safety function with full respect of professional boundaries and confidentiality of individual cases. The Staff Counsellor works closely with the existing Peer Advisors in the operation while considering the linkages between the Peer Advisors and the PAN Coordinator, Ombuds Office and the Ethics Office. The Staff Counsellor is a member of the UN Staff/Stress Counsellor Group and the incumbent adheres to its professional and ethical standards and other technical issuances. The incumbent is required to have experience and background in psychosocial response to emergency operations, crisis management and psychosocial risk management. That will include assisting the operation in identifying and resolving the issues negatively impacting on staff psychosocial wellbeing. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate a pro-active attitude and be able to perform well under stress. The operation is in a state of humanitarian emergency, and environment requires a mature level of cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Living and Working Conditions:

Khartoum is classified as C family duty station. Khartoum features a desert climate (at times very hot and dusty), with only the months of July and August seeing significant precipitation. Its average annual temperature is about 37.1 °C (99 °F). Particularly, staff with allergy may be affected by the dust. Medical and leisure facilities are limited. It is possible to find decent houses and apartments with stable water and electricity supply. There are two international schools in Khartoum preferred by UN community which meet the language, cultural, curricula requirements. Security Level 2 pertains in Khartoum state, however due to the current political situation. Staff sensitivity to Sudanese culture and dress code is very important. Assigned staff needs to have completed the BSAFE module and produce copies of certification in order to obtain UN identification card in Sudan and update the TRIP profile. Driving and traffic in Khartoum poses the greatest threat to staff safety and staff should avoid the use of Tuk-Tuk taxies. Criminality is low in Khartoum but expat accommodation is being targeted. Accordingly, international staff must ensure that their accommodation is Residential Security Measures(RSM) compliant and, if recommended by security assessment, be guarded.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

WB - Organizational Psychology and/or Psychiatry, WB - Psychosocial risk assessment and recommendation of mitigating measures

Education

Certifications

Mental Health - Other

Work Experience

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2022 Part B – November 2022

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance
This vacancy is now closed.
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