Staff Counsellor
Provide counseling and wellbeing support to UN personnel in Kosovo.
Overview
Provide counseling and wellbeing support to UN personnel in Kosovo.
You have:
- Other emergency management experience is mandatory.
- Critical Incident Management experience is required.
- Providing clinical services including Counselling, Trauma Debriefing, and Stress Management, etc.
Contract
This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.
All reference to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999.
Under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for: Counselling: Assessing the wellbeing and psychosocial needs of personnel (including all mission personnel: civilian and national staff; UN Volunteers; contractors; UN Police; Military; and Agencies, Funds, and Programmes personnel in emergency cases) and making recommendations to the Chief, Staff Counselling or designated officer; Conducting individual or group defusing and emotional first aid following critical incidents or other traumatic events as well as for secondary trauma; Providing appropriate referrals following critical incidents to Medical Counselling, HIV/AIDS, Security, Human Resources, or Conduct and Discipline offices as appropriate; Acting as a clinical counselling resource to personnel requiring psychological assistance via self, supervisor, or medical referral; Performing clinical follow-up; Ensuring all personnel have access to counselling services. This will include traveling to municipalities and County Support Bases in Kosovo and Belgrade where UNMIK staff are deployed; Collaborating with the Medical, Administration, Conduct & Discipline, Gender, Security, HIV/AIDS, Human Resources, or other Sections by providing supportive intervention on individual cases upon request and developing strategic relationships with Senior Management; Coordinating clinical activities with Civilian and Military Staff Counselors, Contingent and Sector Civilian/Military/Police/Staff Clinical focal points; Providing conflict resolution/mediation sessions upon request in coordination with the Ombudsperson. Wellbeing: Implementing preventative and mitigating stress management/wellbeing activities such as sports events and competitions, tours/trips, recreational clubs, café/bar, exercise and meditation classes, speaker series, play readings, game nights, choir or karaoke, training, and other wellbeing activities and events in collaboration with the Welfare Committee; Attending and actively participating in meetings of the Welfare Committee and Subcommittees; Assisting the Welfare Committee in establishing and maintaining exercise, sport, and recreational facilities for eligible UNMIK personnel, including maintaining equipment and membership; Helping the Welfare Committee in developing and maintaining a library, including arranging the loan and rotation of books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs, and DVDs whenever necessary; Liaising with other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs ) under the Department of Safety & Security(DSS) umbrella in the State regarding upcoming training, events, or activities. Training: Facilitating greater use of peer support within the organization through the establishment, training, and empowerment of peer support groups, such as Peer Helpers; Compiling and/or developing informational resources that can be made available to staff, including online and PowerPoint training material, self-help materials, and information on other local services available; Providing an induction/briefing to new personnel in the mission, e.g., introduction to local culture, wellbeing/recreational activities and facilities, local markets, and restaurants, in collaboration with the Welfare Committee; Creating and distributing wellbeing pamphlets, posters, and materials; Administrative: Monitoring the stress management program implementation via data collection, including compiling daily clinical statistics, analysis, and documentation; Reporting to the Chief Staff Counsellor on all activities; Performing other related tasks assigned by the Chief Medical Officer or designated officer.
Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Communication Integrity Planning and Organizing Professionalism Working in Teams
Providing clinical services including Counselling, Trauma Debriefing, and Stress Management, etc Area of Expertise: Other emergency management experience is mandatory. Area of Expertise Requirement: Critical Incident Management experience is required.
Kosovo is located in the Balkans mountain range of south-eastern Europe. The climate is continental, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Houses/Apartments are easily available and generally have electricity and running water, although this may not be 24 hours. Costs are reasonable, but vary according to location - i.e. city centre vs. outlying villages. Upon arrival, you will reside in a hotel until you get permanent housing. The UNV Field Unit can assist in identify suitable housing. There are no specific health problems associated with Kosovo, and no vaccines are required prior to arrival. UNMIK provides contracted medical service to its staff should anyone fall ill. There is a great deal of pollution. Mitrovica is ethnically-mixed area of Kosovo, with infrequent protests that occur depending upon the political/security situation. Foods and dietary needs of all kinds are available in the many supermarkets. There are market places that cater fruits and vegetables, and bakeries offer some exquisite pastries and breads. Fresh fish and meat are also easily available.
Potential interview questions
| How do you approach the assessment of the psychosocial needs of personnel? | This question assesses your methodology and techniques in evaluating well-being. | Discuss your approach to gathering information from various sources and how you incorporate feedback. |
| Can you describe a critical incident you managed and what approaches were effective? | This assesses your experience with critical incidents and your problem-solving skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to implement stress management programs? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you foster teamwork and collaboration in a potentially stressful environment? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What is your experience with peer support systems and their effectiveness? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you adapt your counseling approach to diverse cultural perspectives? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide a time when you led a wellbeing initiative? What was the outcome? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you measure the success of wellbeing programs you implement? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |