Counsellor (part-time)

Result of Service 1. Enhanced access to counselling services by UN staff and their dependents.

2. Comprehensive resilience-building including psycho-social education and awareness, including building up of client skills in handling possible changes in the workplace or change management.

3. Ongoing improvement in the working environment and monitoring mechanisms of stress factors and provision of technical advice to senior managers.

Work Location Bangkok

Expected duration 1 May - 31 Dec 2023

Duties and Responsibilities BACKGROUND: The United Nations currently requires professional staff counselling services in the form of on-site or off-site (virtual) counselling for ESCAP Medical Service and its clients in Bangkok. In addition, counselling support to UN Secretariat staff and personnel who may be self-referred or via another internal source (SCO-NY, DHMOSH, Medical Evacuation Cell). The provision of such services is expected to create awareness of psycho-social issues and tools with which to manage them, reduce the level of stress experienced by staff members particularly in the context of an ongoing infectious disease outbreak or pandemic, as well as enhance staff members' work effectiveness, job satisfaction and mental health and well-being.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the direct supervision of the Medical Officer of ESCAP Medical Service, with technical supervision from the Chief of Staff Counselor's Office (SCO) NY, the consultant will:

1. Design and deliver briefings and training programmes in areas such as stress and crisis management particularly in the setting of an infectious disease outbreak of pandemic, resilience building in the workplace setting, psychological first aid, soft skills in crisis response, and others.

2. Adjust and revise existing training session plans to meet individual and organizational needs. Collaborate with the ESCAP Medical Officer and NY-Staff Counsellor's Office to update learning materials and reference aids used in various programmes.

3. Provide counselling services in the form of individual and group counselling sessions in areas such as stress management, particularly in the background of COVID-19 pandemic, harassment, substance abuse, grievances, long-term and terminal illness, family issues, and work-related issues. Provision of such services remotely, as necessary, to UN staff within, and at offices away from Bangkok.

4. Deliver local training (live or online as appropriate) targeting ESCAP personnel in the region on psychosocial related topics: Burn out, Anxiety, Stress Management, Resilience Building, Time Management, and conflict management.

5. Collaborate with the SCO team to identify training topics needs, assist in literature reviews and provide feedback on all new training materials.

6. Performs other duties as assigned.

LOCAL ENGAGEMENT: Engagement of the selected consultant is on a local basis. The successful candidate will be expected to provide the service on-site, virtually, or a combination of the two. The selected candidate is responsible for any expenses incurred to participate in the assessment process, and any costs related to provision of the service off-site/virtually in the event of an offer of employment.

Reports and all Training Materials developed by staff members and consultants remain exclusive property of DHMOSH and United Nations following the consultancy. All work is confidential.

Qualifications/special skills An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in clinical psychology, clinical psychiatry or clinical social work is required. Minimum of five years' experience in providing psychological counselling and/or psychotherapy is required. Additional experience in alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, traumatic stress, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution or related area is desirable. Training, presentation and facilitation skills for a highly diverse audience is desirable. Clinical license to provide psychological counselling and/or psychotherapy is desirable. Additional training or certification in alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, traumatic stress, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution or related area is desirable.

Languages Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Thai language skills a distinct advantage. Knowledge of another language is desirable.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.