Regional Family Liaison Officer

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.

Description of task

The Regional Family Liaison Officer will have a dual reporting line: administratively, RBFLO reports to Regional Staff Counsellor; and technically, RBFLO reports to Global Family Liaison Officer. The position will be based in Nairobi and have a regional remit. Travel is required to remote and difficult locations.

The RFLO will drive various programmes and interventions. These would expand in scope in line with the findings of surveys and focus groups. They would include but not be limited to:

• Identifying needs, advocating and implementing creative solutions to support families to fulfil the WFP goals of inclusivity and to ensure dependants and families feel supported wherever they are located.
• Facilitating social support through local WFP FLOCK groups to help alleviate the acute stress and isolation common during relocation or when families have to live at distance from the WFP staff member. (supporting the global Facebook group and database and the creation of local social media groups where appropriate).
• Identifying local resources for families (mental health professionals, specialized services for children with special needs, schools, shelters, social organizations for spouses, training opportunities - language, employment networks).
• Outreach and creation of external partnerships that can further improve support to WFP staff and their families.
• Working across functions to maximize support to families and advocate for their needs (HR, security, admin) and acting as a liaison within the Region for family issues.
• Contributing to developing family pages for the local pages of the WFP Wellbeing Platform/App and other communication platforms.
• Participating in developing specific projects and programmes and raising awareness on topics such as domestic abuse/ parenting.
• Participating in the Regional and targeted Country Wellness Committees and advocating for family activities
• Counselling services for dependents or with staff on family specific issues

Educational additional comments

Advanced university degree (Doctorate, Masters or equivalent) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry, Clinical Social Work or demonstrably equivalent studies from a recognized institution.

Additional training or certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, resilience, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, mediation, trauma, project management, communication etc. will be an advantage

Experience remark

• Minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible professional post graduate experience relevant to the field is required.
• Demonstrated experience working with families is essential.
• International experience is an added value.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentations).
• Ability to identify needs and suggest and/or develop appropriate solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients at all levels of WFP as well as external entities.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines
• Must be an excellent team player and value working with a multidisciplinary and culturally diverse team.
• Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Language skills

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise details

Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry, Clinical Social Work

Competencies values

Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

Application procedure

• Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool? Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply. * Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool? Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply. Application deadline: 22 September 2021