JOB DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

Staff Counsellors report to the Director or the designate, and functionally to the Regional Staff Counsellor. When required, a few large Country Offices may share one Staff Counsellor. This job requires regular or on short-notice travel to Country/Area/Field offices.

To provide efficient and effective psychological counselling to staff requiring support related to workplace difficulties or personal issues. A large emphasis is placed on extensive engagement with staff and promotion of staff well-being.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide active psychological support including during emergencies and/or after critical incidents to ensure continued staff well-being and that managers and staff are provided with the effective support to manage change.
Actively engage with management and staff to establish relationships based on trust and respect;
Provide pre and post deployment briefings to staff deployed to hardship duty stations through briefings, counselling sessions and other activities to ensure proactive support is extended to staff.
Work closely and collaboratively with managers at all levels in the Country to ensure a psychologically healthy work place;
Maintain and enhance the country based specific content for the Wellbeing app and provide a range of general and context specific trainings related to resilience, conflict resolution, team-building and cultural sensitivities to improve morale, health, and team dynamics in the country office.
Contribute to the design of policies and guidelines, as well as information / booklets to increase awareness regarding important themes and promote staff wellness.
Deliver workshops, trainings, and information sessions on a wide range of topics (e.g. stress management, team-building, problem-solving, conflict resolution, etc) to ensure that staff regularly receive relevant information and are aware of sources where to find information or assistance.
Support and maintain the WFP Peer Support Volunteer Network (PSV) through training and supervision.
Maintain the highest ethical standards related to the provision of psychological services consistent with the Wellness Division Ethical Guidelines and Standards of Practice;
Prepare comprehensive reports, plan budget for missions, trainings and plan and implement other staff counselling activities to ensure the provision of cohesive counselling services.
Maintain at all times, high standard of professional ethics and confidentiality consistent with the Wellness Division Ethical Guidelines and Standards of Practice, actively engage with management and staff, listen to their concerns, and stay approachable.
Other as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: Advanced university degree (Doctorate, Masters or equivalent) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry or demonstrably equivalent studies from a recognized institution. Registration as a mental health professional in the country of origin is required.

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 five (5) years of progressively responsible professional post-graduate experience relevant to the field is required.

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

Knowledge & Skills:

Specialist expertise in the assessment of mental health needs and the assessment of risk.
Broad knowledge of all facets of counselling services and demonstrated skills to create a trusted environment in which others can talk confidentially.
Ability to manage crisis situations which involve diverse actors and stakeholders.
Ability to identify clients’ needs and suggest appropriate solutions.
Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentation).
Conflict resolution and mediation skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of both genders and diverse national and cultural backgrounds.
Skills in designing and delivering trainings/information sessions on a number of subjects and ability to adapt those to different audiences.

Languages: Fluency in English language. Arabic (duty station’s language) is a plus.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements