Counsellor (part-time)

Provide psychological counselling and training services to UN staff.

UNESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Open positions at UNESCAP / Open positions at UN
Logo of UNESCAP

Application deadline in 6 days: Friday 18 Sep 2026 at 03:59 UTC

Open application form

Overview

Provide psychological counselling and training services to UN staff.

You have:

  • 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, conducting psycho-social risk assessments in the workplace, conflict resolution or related area is desirable.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
  • Thai language skills a distinct advantage.
  • Knowledge of another language is desirable.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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 Sept - 31 Dec 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND: The United Nations currently requires professional staff counselling services in the form of on-site and/or off-site (online) counselling for ESCAP's Health & Wellbeing Unit and its clients in Thailand. 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 any ongoing 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. Provide specialized expertise and practical support to ensure the successful initiation and completion of specific staff counselor-related outputs under ESCAP’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Action Plan. 7. Performs other duties as assigned. LOCAL ENGAGEMENT: Engagement of the selected consultant/s is on a local basis. The successful candidate/s will be expected to provide the service as a combination of onsite and online mode. The selected candidate is responsible for any expenses incurred to participate in the assessment process, and any costs related to provision of online service 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, conducting psycho-social risk assessments in the workplace, 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.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience in providing psychological counselling and how it relates to a diverse audience? The interviewer wants to understand your practical experience and ability to adapt to diverse backgrounds. Discuss specific experiences and techniques you've used.
How would you approach training sessions related to stress management amid a pandemic? This question assesses your capabilities in developing training relevant to current challenges. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you discuss a specific situation where you had to manage a crisis and the steps you took? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What methods do you use to assess the psycho-social needs of a community? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure confidentiality while providing counselling services? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to adapt your counselling approach for a specific culture. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use for resilience building in clients? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you handle multiple requests for counselling from staff during a crisis period? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 16 days ago - Updated 1 hour ago - Source: careers.un.org