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 United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in the country and to carry out a number of security-related tasks. The Mission has been asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in the stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap, focusing on major population centres and lines of communication, protecting civilians, human rights monitoring, the creation of conditions for the provision of humanitarian assistance and the return of displaced persons, the extension of State authority and the preparation of free, inclusive and peaceful elections (http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusma).

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Staff Counselling Unit based in Bamako, the UN Volunteer Staff Counsellor will undertake the following tasks:

Provide counselling services within the designated duty station, as outlined below:

• Perform individual assessments in the case of individual staff members experiencing difficulty coping with and/or presenting with mental health-related symptoms and follow up for additional intervention if indicated; • Maintain case records, reports and statistics; • Advise the Chief Staff Counselling Unit as necessary on individual cases where an identified problem is likely to have professional and/or personal impact, such alcohol/substance abuse, depression, anxiety, work-related difficulty/conflict or family stress, etc.; • Advise chiefs/heads of section(s) as necessary, or upon request, with the aim of improving the atmosphere in their section and resolving problems of a work-related or personal nature that adversely affect job performance and productivity; • Perform critical incident stress management interventions, either individually or in a group format, whenever and wherever required; work closely with Security Section, Administration, and Medical Section, inter alia, in coordinating and providing critical incident stress management; • Collaborate with medical team to address physical complaints that might be stress-related; assure, in conjunction with the medical team, a continuum of services (referral, short-term supportive intervention) to those staff members suffering from serious diseases or illnesses; • Provide training sessions on crisis and stress management, resilience, conflict resolution and other topics as required; • Monitor environmental factors that could lead to stress with particular focus on stress related to critical incidents including emergency and crisis situations; • Liaise with national mental health professionals and other psychosocial resources; • Be available at all times 24/7 to provide support to mission personnel as necessary; • Perform other related duties as may be required by the Chief of Staff Counseling Unit.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are expected to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online.

Results/Expected Outputs: • Well-being of staff members and mission personnel improved by providing services in efficient, effective, timely, and professional manner; • Work relationships improved and stress-related health problems in the mission minimized; • Productivity at large improved; • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• 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.

• 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 backgrounds; 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;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; • 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.

• Minimum of 3 years professional experience (2 of which at international level) in psychological counseling, training skills, with special emphasis on managing critical incident stress; • Additional training or experience in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, critical incident stress and cross-cultural communication an asset; • Knowledge of relaxation techniques would be an asset; • Experience in United Nations System is an advantage; • Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System; • Well-developed communication, leadership and team building skills.

Tombouctou is non-family duty stations with difficult security and working environment. Living conditions are acceptable, but security instructions need to be strictly complied with. Accommodations are provided by the UN and a UN Volunteer is to contribute, currently, 100$ per month. The national currency is the Franc CFA (March 2022 exchange rate is 1 US$ = 598 FCFA). Visa credit cards are accepted in some hotels and larger shops in Bamako and ATM is available in Tombouctou super camp. Mali is a country prone to malaria, so mosquito nets are highly recommended. Basic medicines are available from pharmacies, but provision needs to be made for specialized medication.

Security recommendations from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) must be followed by all UN personnel in the course of their assignments in Mali please visit UDSS website : https://unsmin.dss.un.org/.

For the sake of rewarding experience, UN volunteers in MINUSMA carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.