Staff Counsellor

Volunteering Medical & Health

Overview

Support staff well-being framework through counselling and psychosocial interventions.

You have:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience, including three years at the international level in psychological counselling and training with special emphasis on managing critical incident stress.
• Additional training experience in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, and cross-cultural communication, is an asset.
• Work experience in developing and delivering online and face-to-face workshops and webinars on a range of well-being and mental health topics is desirable.
• Experience working in a hardship location or providing counselling services to staff operating under very difficult and insecure environments is an asset.
• Experience in the United Nations System or the international development/humanitarian aid sector is desirable.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications and internet/email.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.
• Ground security awareness and ability to travel and provide support to field-based staff.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

South Sudan continues to face a complex humanitarian and development context characterized by recurring conflict, large-scale displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services. UN agencies, funds, and programmes work collectively in support of the Government of South Sudan to stabilize communities, strengthen institutional capacity, and advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN system in South Sudan operates under an integrated approach guided by the United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF) and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). Within this framework, UN Volunteers play a critical role in expanding programmatic reach, supporting capacity development, and strengthening operational effectiveness across offices. The duty station in Juba serves as the central coordination hub for programme implementation, partnerships, supply, and support services across all field locations. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) operates from Juba including seven different field locations across the country.

The International UNV Staff Counsellor will support the implementation of the organization’s staff well-being framework by providing counselling services, stress management support, and psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing staff resilience and overall mental health. The role will include conducting individual and group counselling sessions, facilitating stress-reduction and well-being workshops, and supporting critical incident response in coordination with the Regional Staff Counsellor and Global Staff Wellbeing Unit. The Counsellor will collaborate closely with management, People & Culture, security teams, medical services, and field colleagues to identify emerging wellbeing risks, recommend preventive measures, and strengthen organizational mechanisms that promote a healthy and supportive workplace. The assignment will also involve capacity-building of Peer Support Volunteers, monitor staff welfare trends, and contribute to duty-of-care reporting and Analysis.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Staff Counsellor will be responsible for the following three broad areas:

1. Preventative and protective psychosocial support: • Provide psychosocial support to managers and staff to mitigate stress and strengthen protective factors through individual or group sessions (assessment, short-term intervention, referral) in a safe and confidential environment. • Advise leadership and managers on healthy work practices, resilience-building, and staff support strategies during and after emergencies or crises. • Deliver preventative programs and training, including psychoeducation, tailored workshops, webinars, and anti-stigma initiatives to address systemic issues and promote mental health awareness. • Conduct mandatory pre/post-deployment briefings for new and surge staff. • Develop and maintain a network of external mental health providers to ensure access to specialized services. • Develop and produce engaging wellbeing resources, such as videos, pamphlets, toolkits, and digital content, to raise awareness, provide practical guidance, and support staff in managing stress and promoting mental health. • Coordinate the Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) Programme for the country office.

2. Critical Incident Stress Management: • Provide support to individuals and groups following critical incidents, using a holistic approach that integrates multiple support strategies. Interventions may include practical assistance, psychoeducation, psychological first aid, strategic guidance for leadership, family support, and tailored individual or group sessions. • Both proactive and responsive measures must align with the Staff Care in Emergencies Framework to ensure consistency and effectiveness.

3. Monitoring and oversight: • Regularly compile and share aggregated statistics and trends related to staff wellbeing, ensuring strict confidentiality. • Partner with relevant wellbeing stakeholders as needed to analyze data and coordinate appropriate actions. • Promptly alert the Regional Staff Counsellor and/or Country Office Management to emerging concerns or offices requiring targeted support or managerial intervention. • Capture lessons learned and best practices for continuous improvement and disseminate them as appropriate. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required 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 Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs: As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support is rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Confidential psychosocial support services delivered - Regular individual and group counselling sessions provided to staff and managers, resulting in timely support, reduced stress levels, and strengthened coping mechanisms. • Enhanced managerial capacity for staff wellbeing - Managers and leaders receive guidance on healthy work practices, resilience-building, and staff-care strategies, leading to improved supportive management behaviors. • Preventative mental health programs implemented - A calendar of preventative interventions, trainings, psychoeducation sessions, workshops, webinars, and anti-stigma activities conducted to promote wellbeing and address systemic stressors. • Deployment staff adequately briefed and supported - Mandatory pre-deployment and post-deployment psychosocial briefings conducted for all new and surge staff, ensuring preparedness and safe reintegration. • Functional network of external mental health providers maintained - A regularly updated and accessible referral network established to enable staff to access specialized mental health services when needed. • High-quality wellbeing materials developed and disseminated - Videos, pamphlets, toolkits, and digital content produced and shared with staff to increase awareness and support self-care practices. • Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) Programme effectively coordinated - PSV members trained, supported, and mobilized to provide peer-to-peer assistance and enhance the office’s internal support capacity. • Effective post-incident psychosocial interventions delivered - Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) support such as psychological first aid, group support sessions, leadership guidance, and family support—provided in line with the Staff Care in Emergencies Framework. • Regular wellbeing monitoring and reporting completed - Confidential, aggregated statistics, trends, and risk indicators compiled and shared with relevant stakeholders, informing decision-making and targeted interventions. • 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 peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacity developed.

Care

Respect

Integrity

Trust

Accountability

Sustainability Core Competencies

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

Works Collaboratively with others (1)

Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)

Innovates and Embraces Change (1)

Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

Drive to achieve impactful results (1)

Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) e) Additional Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority; Cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

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; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience, including three years at the international level in psychological counselling and training with special emphasis on managing critical incident stress.

Additional training experience in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, and cross-cultural communication, is an asset.

Work experience in developing and delivering online and face-to-face workshops and webinars on a range of well-being and mental health topics is desirable.

Experience working in a hardship location or providing counselling services to staff operating under very difficult and insecure environments is an asset.

Experience in the United Nations System or the international development/humanitarian aid sector is desirable.

Other desired/mandatory technical knowledge: • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • 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 Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, with the ability to work with minimum supervision and tight deadlines; • Ground security awareness; • Affinity with or interest in UNICEF’s mandate for children, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the United Nations (UN) System. • Ability to travel and provide support to field-based staff.

Juba is the capital city of South Sudan and is home to the main political parties and national Government Line Ministries. Embassy of countries represented in South Sudan/country offices of the Humanitarian community, including the UN, resides in Juba. Juba is also the capital of the Central Equatorian State. The General Threat in Juba is assessed as SUBSTANTIAL as per the UN security management system in South Sudan. The main threats to Juba are criminality, hazards (Road Traffic Accidents) and Armed Conflict. UNICEF personnel based in Juba have been directly involved in security incidents with Locally Recruited Personnel taking the lion’s share of these instances, which include armed robbery and burglaries. International personnel are more commonly associated with low-level street crime. Road Traffic Accidents are commonplace in Juba. Sexual assault does occur and is often under reported; the extent to which this occurs against the UN is understood to be limited. Housing As this is an international UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be provided with accommodation at UNICEF Guesthouse. UN Clinic Level 1 and UNMISS Hospital Level 2 are available to provide medical care to staff including UNVs.

This is a non-family duty station.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 hours ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: unv.org