Chief of Staff Counselling P5, Rome, Italy

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

Are you a Staff Counsellor  interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organisation investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you!!! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, May 12th , 2024 (11:59 PM CET)

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.  

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org/ and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate %
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse and multicultural working environment 
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of trainings, accreditation, coaching, mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities 
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer attractive compensation package (please refer to Terms and Conditions section) 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. The core policies and strategies that govern WFP activities are: save lives in emergency situations; improve the nutrition and quality of life of the most vulnerable people; and to help build assets and promote the self-reliance of poor people and communities, particularly through conditional food for work and training programmes.

The challenges of working in difficult conditions to bring much needed food and support to our recipients while inherently rewarding, can place a great deal of pressure and stress on WFP staff. As a part of a multidisciplinary team under the Wellness Division, the Staff Counselling Unit is committed to the promotion of psychological and physical health in the broadest sense so staff can continue to function at high levels in order to meet the mandate of the organization. We do this by identifying and addressing psychological risk factors in the workplace, and through the provision of counselling services to staff members and their dependents. The Chief of Staff Counselling is responsible for leading the team of counsellors and coordinating services for WFP staff and dependents.

This job is located in HQ and reports to the Director of the Wellness Division.

THE ROLE

The Staff Counselling Unit is mandated with the provision of psychological support to WFP employees and their dependents worldwide. The Staff Counselling Unit works with all levels – individuals, managers and the organization- to provide services related to case management, support to managers and teams, and to WFP as an entity through policy and other initiatives to address psycholgical risks in the workplace.  A key requirement of the position is the ability to summarize data and trends to develop programs and policies that are designed to support staff and the organization. 

The Chief of Staff Counselling works under the direct supervision of the Director of Wellness as part of a multidisciplinary team comprised of medical officers, nurses and insurance specialists who work to provide integrated services to WFP Staff and dependents.  The Chief of Staff Counselling supervises the staff counsellors in HQ and those posted in regional and country offices.  The incumbent will provide overall strategic direction in relation to the Wellbeing Strategy as it relates to Staff Counselling, as well as participate in the management team of the Wellness Division to ensure a coordinated approach to the activities of the Division.  

The incumbent will develop close working relationships with other divisions and units in WFP, and will be expected to represent WFP on several interagency bodies including The Mental Health Strategy, sit on the advisory committee of the United Nations Staff and Stress Counsellors Group, United Nations Duty of Care and other relevant committees and working groups.

Travel, at times on a very short notice, to various WFP operations including those in high risk environments is required.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Support the development and implementation of divisional strategies, policies and plans aligned with departmental, WFP and wider UN strategies, policies and processes to support staff in meeting the mandate of WFP;
• Lead Counselling Service unit in collaboration with other units in Wellness Division to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to service delivery;
• Initiate and manage change management processes within the branch, designed to improve services, insuring the team remains engaged and motivated;
• Effectively manage the  work of Staff Counsellors through coaching, clinical and technical guidance and continuous education;
• Coordinate the work of all Staff Counsellors ensuring that their resources are used efficiently and that the programmes are consistent across the regions;
• Develop guidelines ensuring that the  provision of services meet professional standards and maintains the highest ethical standards;
• Take responsibility for the development and delivery of a range of trainings and programs including but not limited to team building, resilience, harassment, and cross-cultural sensitivity, all to improve morale, health, and team dynamics
• Develop and maintain the online platforms designed to support staff;
• Forge and nurture partnerships with other agencies or relevant organizations in order to align service delivery consistent with the Wellness Strategy and agency priorities;
• Hold accountability for the development of written and visual materials that increase awareness regarding important themes and topics related to Staff Wellness;
• Represent WFP on the advisory committee of the United Nations Staff and Stress Counsellors Group, interagency committees and working groups including but not limited to The UN Mental Health Strategy and The UN Duty of Care Working Group;
• Produce comprehensive reports that summarize the activities of the Staff Counsellors;
• When required, provide clinical services to staff and dependents;
• Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Doctorate, Masters or equivalent) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry or demonstrably equivalent studies from a recognized institution.
• The candidate must hold active licensure/registration as a mental health professional with a recognized governing association and be a member of that organization in good standing.
• Additional training or certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, resilience, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, mediation, trauma etc. will be an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 11 years of progressively responsible professional post graduate experience relevant to the field is required, with 5 years working in a humanitarian organization.
• Experience working in a hardship location or providing counselling services to staff working under very difficult and insecure environments is required.

Language:

• Fluency (level C) in English language is required. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Broad knowledge of all facets of the field of counselling, excellent clinical skills and the ability to supervise other professionals on cases.
• Be able to manage and lead a team of highly qualified and engaged professionals.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentations) including the ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff at all levels.
• Ability to identify clients’ needs and suggest appropriate solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.
• Ability to contribute to the strategic vision of the Wellness Division based on trends identified using a population health model.
• Must be an excellent team player and value working with a multidisciplinary and culturally diverse team.  
• Very good working knowledge of technology tools such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• 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.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Leads by Example with Integrity – Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others

Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments – Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change

Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork – Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth

Applies Strategic Thinking – Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things

Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships – Builds and nurtures  external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is an International Professional position and is open to all nationalities.

Mobility is and continues to be a core contractual requirement in WFP. This position is however classified as “non-rotational” which means the incumbent shall not be subject to the regular reassignment process unless the position is reclassified as rotational. The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. This position is open to both internal and external candidates.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Rome, Italy to take up this assignment.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.