Wellness and PRSEAH Officer, NOA, Kampala

Purpose of the Post:

The World Health Organization (WHO) is committed to providing a respectful work environment, and to promoting and enforcing policies that respect the inherent dignity of all persons. WHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) of the communities it serves and for sexual harassment (SH) within the workforce. WHO’s approaches to the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (PRSEAH) reflect a United Nations system-wide and common approach.

It is the mandate of the Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW) to provide WHO personnel with adequate medical and psychological support in complex environments and continue to make available all the necessary information and strategies for staff care and self-care.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):

With the regular stressors intrinsic to the humanitarian aid work environment and work in multilateral organization in the post-COVID era, both the Staff Health and Wellbeing and PRSEAH functions desire to ensure that adequate assessments and organizational/ medical preparedness strategies are fully evaluated to ensure the personnel work- and live-in environments with adequate support to prevent extreme illness, stress and Burn-out, which is crucial to sustained beneficiary support and organizational success.

Organizational Context (Describe the work environment, the role of the individual within the team – team member, specialist, adviser, facilitator, coordinator/manager, representative, expert, authority in the field, etc.; available guidelines and degree of independence in decision making, and nature and purpose of contact within and outside the Organization):

Under the direct technical supervision of the Operations Officer and the guidance of the WHO Representative the incumbent will have responsibility to improve the capacity and resilience of staff members and consultants to respond effectively during normal situations and emergencies in accordance with policy guidelines established by the Organization. S/he will closely cooperate and partner with the Staff Health/medical and Wellbeing Services and PRSEAH in WHO headquarters and the regional office.

Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent must do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected):

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

Staff Wellness

1. Perform ongoing psychosocial status and needs assessments to identify the major stressors experienced by WHO staff members and consultants during their work and deployment.

2. Provide culturally sensitive psychosocial support through individual and group counseling for Staff Members and their immediate family members.

3. Provide preventative and mitigating stress and crisis management training during normal working environment, pre-deployment, during deployment, and post-deployment.

4. Travel as needed to the field sites of the WCO to promote, plan, and implement preventative and mitigating stress management activities.

5. Facilitate team building and cohesion through formal and informal interventions.

6. Enhance social or peer support networks and assist with training and capacity-building activities

7. Respond to critical and security incidents by conducting an assessment on the impact of the event, developing appropriate interventions, and make recommendations for follow-up or referral purposes.

8. Advise management on stress-mitigating strategies and activities to enhance the welfare of staff members and consultants.

Medical support

1. Provide medical consultations for health problems related to work. In case of acute medical problems that may arise during office hours, provide advice, counselling, emergency medical care and first aid.

2. Provide technical advice and guidance for protecting staff health and safety in WHO operated/led workplaces/offices

3. Coordinate and ensure safe and timely evacuation of WHO staff who need urgent medical attention as per the WHO medical evacuation guidelines.

PRSEAH

1. In collaboration with key stakeholders, identify opportunities and support the development of systemic solutions that ensure that those entities and individuals the WHO Uganda office works with and for are protected from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

2. Conduct and monitor SEA Risk Assessments for the Country Office using the available tools.

3. Develop, implement, and periodically review the internal reporting and response procedures including reviewing and strengthening of existing reporting mechanisms, implementing clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling of complaints, and mapping (including the systems deployed by UN) and streamlining existing referral systems

4. Advise Country Office senior management and staff on responsibilities and accountabilities in preventing and responding to SEA and SH including regular briefings on risks, and incidents.

5. Support PRSEAH mainstreaming among stakeholders, as needed, including Government and partners.

Competencies (Describe the core, management or leadership competencies required – See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones – identify a minimum of three and a maximum of five competencies):

·Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

·Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

·Ensuring the effective use of resources

·Teamwork.

·Communication.

Functional Skills and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post):

·Proven ability to coordinate and manage activities and build relationships with multiple partners in the organizational context and in the face of health emergencies.

·Sound tactical thinking with the ability to formulate clear comprehensive strategies and plans.

·Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.

Education (Qualifications):

Essential:

I.University degree in clinical psychology, counseling, gender, or a medical doctorate with a certificate of specialization or completion of residency in psychiatry or nurse with relevant training.

II.A valid certification to practice at national level in clinical psychology or psychiatry is required.

Desirable:

Additional certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, family counseling, critical incident stress management, and or cross-cultural communication is desirable

Experience: Essential

I.A minimum of one year of progressively responsible experience in counseling, clinical psychology, psychiatry, or related field, with at least three years at the international level or in an international organization with cross-border experience is required.

II.At least 1 year of national professional and progressive work experience and expertise in staff wellness and PSEA programming.

III.Experience in crisis or emergency response is required.

Desirable:

I.Relevant work experience in WHO, and other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries.

II.A minimum of one years’ experience in managing, planning, and organizing mental health programs or projects is desirable

III.Experience in providing stress counseling within the UN system or any other International Organization is desirable

Languages:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

Knowledge of office software applications.