Regional Staff Counsellor (P3) Nairobi, Kenya

Position Title: Regional Staff Counsellor

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 31 July 2024

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Staff Welfare Officer at Headquarters (HQ), and the direct administrative supervision of the Senior Regional Resources Management Officer in the Regional Office, the Regional Staff Counsellor will be responsible and accountable for implementing staff welfare activities aimed at assessing and addressing the psychological needs of IOM’s staff in the Regional Office and in Country Offices in the Region.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Provide effective psychosocial support to Managers and individual staff in the Regional Office and Country Offices of the Region by prioritizing emergency operations locations with the aim of mitigating stress and increasing protective factors.
2. Provide a safe and confidential environment where staff can address professional and personal problems, either individually or in groups (modality: assessment, short-term intervention, referral).
3. Provide support and advice to the senior leadership in the Regional Office and Country Offices of the Region on healthy work practices and approaches on how to effectively support staff and encourage resilience. Recommend suitable staff support strategies to Managers in RO and Country Offices of the Region during and following emergencies and other crises.
4. Deliver preventative psychoeducational programmes/training to address systemic issues and recurrent problems within teams and units/offices; develop and deliver tailored workshops and webinars for staff; raise awareness on common mental health themes and act as an advocate for anti-stigma programming, as it relates to mental health.
5. Develop a creative system to build a network of external mental health providers in the Region available to provide services to staff.
6. Provide Critical Incident Stress Management support to groups and/or individual staff affected directly or indirectly in the Region following critical incidents. Ensure a holistic approach to Critical Incident Management is used, including (as applicable) services such as practical support, psychoeducation, psychological first aid, strategic advice to the leadership, family support and individual or group interventions, as well as referral where needed.
7. Recommend and arrange for individual and/or group follow-up support to staff and their dependents in the Regional Office and the Country Offices of the Region following critical incidents or emergencies; facilitate appropriate traumatic stress interventions.
8. Coordinate with UNDSS Counsellors, UN agency Counsellors to ensure the provision of adequate psychosocial support during emergencies.
9. Develop tools for data collection, analysis, monitoring and reporting mechanisms at Regional and Country Office levels while maintaining records and producing regular reports. Provide, on a regular basis, statistics and trends on issues related to staff well-being, whilst maintaining confidentiality.
10. Alert the Senior Staff Welfare Officer, and/or the Senior Regional Resources Management Officer and/or the Chiefs of Mission on trends that may be of concern in the Regional Office or Country Offices of the Region requiring targeted support or Managerial intervention.
11. Undertake regular duty travels to the Country Offices in the Region as per the Regional Wellbeing Workplan and needs of the Country Offices.
12. Capture lessons learnt and best practices for dissemination as appropriate; identify and recommend prevention measures for systemic issues and trends.
13. Facilitate interface with the various services and resources of the organization.
14. Participate in relevant Staff Counselling Team meetings, clinical supervision, training,capacity building and learning activities.
15. Proactively engage in the implementation of the UN Mental Health and Workplace Health Strategy and participate to the UN Regional Staff Counselling network.
16. Adhere to the professional standards of the United Nations Stress and Staff Counsellors Group (UNSSCG) as well as the Code of Ethics for UN Staff Counsellors.
17. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling, Psychiatry or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
• Must possess an active license or certification, or demonstrate registered membership in a legitimate professional organization in the field most relevant to their degree, including psychiatry (medicine), psychology, psychotherapy, counseling, marriage and family therapy or social work.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of relevant counseling experience post licensure/certification/registration;
• Experience with counselling and psychosocial interventions;
• Experience of working with UN Agencies, International Humanitarian Organizations or Employee Assistant Programmes is essential;
• Demonstrated familiarity and experience with the impact of working conditions of humanitarian workers on their well-being; and,
• Familiarity or previous working experience in the Region is desirable.

Skills

• Excellent communication and writing skills;
• Familiarity with diversity and its implementation;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite; and,
• Readiness to travel and work in emergency contexts.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country and who do not have prior experience outside the duty station’s country as staff member in the Professional category cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and background verification and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.