Staff Counsellor

Overview

Provide individual and group counselling to WHO workforce, including short-term intervention and referral. Develop and implement mental health programmes and provide support after critical incidents.

Tasks Summary

• Provide individual and group counselling (short-term intervention, referral).
• Identify local resources and facilitate referrals to external mental health professionals.
• Develop and implement emergency personnel-focused mental health programme.
• Ensure timely and sensitive services after critical incidents and follow-up support.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to identify and address psychological risks.
• Provide guidance/support to managers on managing staff with mental health conditions.
• Support WHO staff with mental health conditions by providing rehabilitation strategies and return-to-work intervention.
• Strengthen the network of Peer Support Volunteers (PSV), including training and technical supervision.
• Employ a holistic approach while providing emergency evidence-based psycho-social support.
• Facilitate evidence-based trauma-informed interventions.
• Coordinate with UNDSS, UN staff/stress counsellors, and Peer Support Volunteers during emergencies.
• Contribute to policies on staff mental health and well-being.
• Perform administrative duties, including participating in regional meetings and completing reporting requirements.
• Maintain detailed records of activities and provide comprehensive reports.
• Perform any other incident-specific related duties as required.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum five (5) years of progressively professional relevant counselling experience post licensure/certification/registration.
• Experience in a similar setting such as an international and/or humanitarian organization.
• Some related experience in outbreak and health emergencies context.
• Working experience with UN agencies, national or international NGOs (desirable).
• Experience either working in a hardship location or providing counselling services to staff working under very difficult and security compromised environments is an asset.

Qualification Requirements

• An advanced/Postgraduate University Degree or equivalent in psychology, counselling, clinical psychology, psychiatry (medical or nursing), marriage and family therapy, or social work with evidence of training in mental health counselling.
• Registration as a mental health professional in the country of origin is required.
• A valid certification or license to practice at the national level in clinical psychology or social work.
• Additional training or certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, resilience, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, mediation, trauma etc. will be an advantage.
• Registered membership in a legitimate professional organization (desirable).

Other Details

Languages Required: • Expert knowledge of English.

Languages Preferred: • Intermediate knowledge of Arabic.

Contract Duration: • 1 year (Subject to availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need for the position)

Work Modality:

Remuneration: • Annual base salary starting at USD 71,335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable). • A variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1670 per month for the duty station indicated above. • Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.