Result of Service

The SCU UNSOS works to provide psychosocial support to UN personnel working in Somalia and for Somalia mission Offices in Kenya. She/he develops, organizes and implements stress management Programme.
The incumbent of this position is to demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is 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.

Work Location

Mogadishu

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The position of Staff Counsellor (International individual Contractor) is located in the Medical Services Section within the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) based in Mogadishu and is required to travel to sectors within Somalia. The Staff Counsellor (International individual Contractor) will report directly to the Head of Staff counselling Unit.

Within delegated authority, the Staff Counsellor (International individual Contractor) level will be responsible for the following duties:

• Performs individual assessments in the case of individual staff members experiencing difficulty coping and/or presenting mental health-related symptoms or syndromes.
• Advises the Senior Staff Counsellor and other Personnel Officers, as necessary, on individual cases where an identified problem is likely to have professional, vocational and/or counselling effect (e.g., work-related problem/s due to a psychological problem, conflict resolution, need-oriented medication, etc.).
• Advises Chiefs of Section upon request, with the aim at improving the working atmosphere in their Section and resolving problems of a work-related or personal nature that adversely affect job performance and productivity.
• Performs critical incident stress supportive therapy (e.g., individual and/or group) whenever and wherever there is a need for it.
• Assures, in conjunction with the Medical Services, a continuum of services (referral, short-term supportive intervention) to individual staff members who have HIV/ AIDS or to those staff members suffering from other serious diseases or illnesses.
• Establishes a link and liaises with the members of the Staff Welfare Committee and staff in Medical Services to develop programmes designed to improve the quality of life of staff members within the Mission area.
• Provides training sessions on “crisis and stress management” and “conflict resolution” as needed.
• Monitors environmental factors that could lead to stress, with particular focus on stress related to critical incidents, including emergency and crisis situations, with respect to civilian staff members of the Mission.
• Develops, organizes and implements a stress management programme for such staff.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry or Clinical social work.

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

Additional training or certification is also required in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, traumatic stress, cross-cultural communication or conflict resolution.

A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

A minimum of five years of progressively experience in staff clinical counselling, mental health, cross cultural communications, counselling, psychiatry, clinical psychology, clinical social work, and related areas is required.

International experience in Employees Assistance Programmes or Organizational Intervention is desirable.

Qualifying years of experience are calculated after the receipt of an accredited advanced level degree recognized by the United Nations.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Additional Information

This position is open for international candidates, only.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.