UN Development Programme

Job Vacancy

Stress Counsellor

Type of Contract: Fixed Term Appointment

Duty Station: Gaza

Duration of Contract: 12 months

Closing Date:  Apply before 6:59 am 22 July 2022

Background

The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support, and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) globally.  As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work of the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions. 

The primary role of the UNDSS CISMU Stress Counsellor will be to develop and maintain a sustainable stress management system applicable to all UN Agencies operating in Gaza and to improve the critical incident stress management preparedness of the UN security system in case of emergencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the administrative supervision of the Chief Security Adviser and the technical guidance of the CISMU Regional Stress Counsellor, the field stress counsellor will administrate a wide range of stress management activities, actively participating in emergency preparedness in Gaza in collaboration with UNDSS and the UN emergency coordination group as per the UNDSS CISMU standard operational procedures on the Management of Stress and Critical Incident Stress (MSCIS). Specific responsibilities would include:
• Develop and implement a stress prevention and management plan applicable to all UN Agencies in Gaza;
• Provide individual and group stress management and critical incident counselling sessions to the staff and dependents as/when needed,
• Plan and Facilitate preventative stress management training on a variety of stress related issues for UN personnel in Gaza and circulate useful reading resources related to stress.
• Assist in establishing the Critical Incident Stress Intervention Cells (CISICs) including selecting Peer Helpers and Family Focal Points; facilitating peer helper training sessions (jointly with UNDSS CISMU); coordinating and following up on all relevant activities.
• Liaise with existing local Staff Association to advocate for the organization of welfare activities for UN personnel.
• Identify, address, and follow up on high stress cases and critical incident stress cases among the UN personnel and dependents in Gaza.
• Be willing to visit & travel regularly to the UN Offices/Sub Offices in Gaza in order to implement preventative stress management training activities and offer technical consultations when needed.
• Collaborate with UN managers, agency counsellors, medical doctors, local experts, and institutions on psychosocial issues with the objective of establishing a network of professionals ready to support and intervene in case of need.
• Under the guidance of the CISMU Regional Stress Counsellor, coordinate all critical incident stress management activities with relevant stake holders, including UN staff counsellors in Gaza and in neighbouring countries, Peer Helpers, Family Focal Points, Mental Health Professionals etc.
• Advise UN management on stress mitigating strategies and activities.
• Perform ongoing psychosocial needs assessments and monitor the determinants of stress in UN personnel, including activities such as data collection, analyses, resource mapping and coordinating collective psychosocial capacity across UN agencies and partners.
• Provide monthly reports to the Chief Security Adviser with copies to UN Headquarters UNDSS CISMU on all his/her activities.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Expert knowledge in the field of stress management and counselling; demonstrated adaptability and ability to work in austere, insecure environments and to adjust rapidly to varying social, organizational and geographic settings; good conceptual skills in mental health programming and/or public health; proven ability to provide counselling in stress and stress related issues and treat sensitive or confidential information appropriately; in depth understanding of the strategic directions in critical incident stress management. Candidate also shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observes deadlines and achieving results; motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Teamwork: Coordinates and works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Clinical Psychology or Psychiatry.
• A valid certification to practice at national level in clinical psychology or psychiatry is required. 
• Additional training or experience in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, critical incident stress and cross-cultural communication would be an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of experience in stress counselling, clinical psychology, psychiatry, or related field, at a national level with cross border experience is required.  International experience would be an asset.
• Qualifying years of experience are calculated after the receipt of an accredited advanced level degree recognised by the United Nations.
• Experience in crisis coordination and emergency response would be highly desirable.

Language:

• English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required. A second UN language is an asset

TO APPLY:            View the external job posting