Associate Staff Counsellor

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org). Support the Staff Counselor's Office of the DRC operation to effective implement, de-sign and deliver preventative occupational mental health programs taking into account the current covid-19 scenario. Provide help to the Staff Counselor of the DRC operation in the preparation, design and delivery of workshops, briefings, materials and educational series on stress management online and in person. Collection of materials from the operation for the elaboration of electronic personnel wellbeing assistance mechanisms (app). Provide psychological first aid to staff members experiencing critical events. Help in data collection and document preparation. Coordinates the group of peer advisors in collaboration with the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office.

Under the direct supervision of the Staff Counsellor, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Supports the Staff Counsellor in the compilation of data for monthly reports and other official reports • Supports the Staff Counsellor in the design, collection of data, and the development of the wellbeing platform for the country (DRC) • Helps the wellness branch of the Staff Counsellor services to implement feasible online, and in person wellness exercises, and other activities for staff mission-wide • Contributes with the design and delivery of mental health preventative programs to staff through different platforms and face to face. • Monitor factors that could lead to stress and supports the Staff Counsellor on possible mitigating measures • Participates in weekly meetings with Staff Counsellors and Regional Medical Officers from RBSA and the East Africa region • Contributes to the design and development of educational psychosocial series (brochures, flyers, posters, etc.) • Collaborates with the wellness branch of the Staff Counsellor’s Office in developing wellbeing activities for staff members online and face to face. • Supports the official campaign for the World Mental Health Day aligned with the HQ PSW Section and in coordination with other sections within the mission • Participates in the global PSW meetings • Liaises with the DRC Peer Advisors network during critical incidents, and pertaining cases, provides guidance, and coordinates with the Ombudsman and Ethics Office as required. • Performs duties in full adherence to the UN Staff Counsellors’ code of ethics • The person is expected to do travels within mission • Performs other duties as requested by the Staff Counsellor

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priori-ties and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back-grounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

clinical psychology, mental health, cross-cultural communication, counselling, psychiatry, or related areas is required. Experience working in an international organization is desirable. Experience providing services using tele-psychology or remote mental health support programs. Experience in developing programs related to staff wellbeing, preventative mental health, and work stress related. Experience in the UN system, or humanitarian aid organization in a developing country is preferred.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the third largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse. Living conditions therefore vary between UNHCR duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply or running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. All UNHCR duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma. Some degree of medical service is provided in all duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for UNHCR personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming UNHCR personnel, including UNV volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations at N’Djili airport in Kinshasa, though this is unlikely. All UNV volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis. The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveler’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kin-shasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank ac-counts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad. In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.