National Staff Counsellor

Overview

Provide mental health support to FAO Ukraine personnel

You have:

• An advanced university degree in counselling, clinical psychology or a field related to mental health or a first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields, coupled with 2 additional years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree
• At least five years of work experience in staff support, mental health, cross cultural communications, counselling and related areas, preferably gained within the UN system or international development/humanitarian aid sector.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Ukrainian

Organizational Setting

The war in Ukraine has placed the entire Ukrainian agrifood system at risk, with significant consequences for food security both in Ukraine and globally. The destruction or damage to agricultural infrastructure and markets, and the disruption of food supply chains is threatening the food security of already vulnerable populations. Agriculture-based livelihoods, a key source of income for 30 percent of the population, are severely impacted. While many Ukrainians are fleeing their communities and/or the country, a significant proportion of the population is staying, facing extreme challenges and thus requiring multisectoral humanitarian assistance.

In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is uniquely positioned in Ukraine to implement a multidimensional and innovative strategy to sustain and restore agrifood systems at scale. FAO’s country office remains in Kyiv, with field offices in Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Dnipro.

The FAO Health Services provides preventative medical, counselling, and occupational health services to FAO employees and their dependents as well as advising on all mental health-related matters. Within the Health Services, the counselling unit provides services to promote the psychological health and well-being of employees and contributes to a healthy work environment, at Headquarters and in field offices worldwide.

This role is home-based in Kyiv, Ukraine but will require some in-office presence in any of FAO Ukraine’s field offices.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the Designated Responsible Officer/Head of Office in Ukraine, and close technical guidance and coordination from the Chief and Staff Counsellors of FAO’s Health Services.

Technical Focus

The National Staff Counsellor will be supporting the implementation of the mental health support plan for employees in the FAO Ukraine country and field offices.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The Counsellor will work with clients, employees, and eligible dependents to facilitate the implementation of the FAO planned psychosocial support addressing the psychosocial needs identified, with an aim of improving wellbeing and responding to traumatic incidents. This includes:

• Facilitate the provision of effective psycho-social support to FAO Ukraine personnels prioritizing emergency locations with the aim of mitigating stress and boosting protective factors. • Supporting FAO Ukraine personnels on healthy work practices and approaches on how to effectively support employees and encourage resilience and recommend suitable support strategies; • Provide employees with individual and/or group counselling as needed (i.e. assessment, short-term intervention, referral); • Contribute to identification of creative ways of building a network of external mental health providers available to provide services to staff; • Extending adequate psychosocial support to the country offices through FAO Security • Assess and monitoring psycho-social needs and issues affecting the wellbeing of employees; • Design and provide training and awareness raising activities for employees and managers on trauma as well as strengthening healthy workplace practices to the extent possible. • Provide Critical Incident Stress Management to groups- and/or individual employees following critical incidents. A holistic approach to critical incident management is used and may include services such as practical support, psycho-education, psychological first aid, strategic advice to leadership, family support and individual or group interventions.’

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced university degree in counselling, clinical psychology or a field related to mental health or a first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields, coupled with 2 additional years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree • At least five years of work experience in staff support, mental health, cross cultural communications, counselling and related areas, preferably gained within the UN system or international development/humanitarian aid sector. • Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Ukrainian

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work • Good knowledge of the UN System internal policies, practices, and procedures is highly desirable • Proven ability to plan and prioritize own work, and to work independently • Additional training or certification in Trauma and Stress Management is an added advantage.

Selection Criteria

• Additional training or certification in Trauma and Stress Management is an added advantage. • Experience working within the UN system or international development/humanitarian aid sector is considered an asset • Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the region is considered an asset.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org