DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

26 March 2025-23:59-GMT+03:00 East Africa Time (Addis Ababa)

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.

ABOUT WFP

The 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, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• 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 training, 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 the 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 an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION:

JOB TITLE: Staff Counsellor

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term NOB

UNIT/DIVISION: Deputy Country Director Office

DUTY STATION: Addis Ababa

DURATION: 12 Months with the possibility of extension

JOB PURPOSE:

Managing the challenges of working in difficult conditions to bring much-needed food and support to our recipients can place a great deal of pressure and stress on WFP staff.

In collaboration with and under the Wellness Division, the Staff Counselling Unit is committed to preventing and alleviating stress to improve the overall health, performance, and morale of staff. We do this by identifying and addressing factors that contribute to stress in the workplace, promoting good employment and management practices, and providing counseling services that help to mitigate or avoid the negative effects of workplace stress.

The Staff Counsellor will provide efficient and effective psychological counseling to staff requiring support related to workplace difficulties or personal issues. A large emphasis will be placed on extensive engagement with staff and promotion of staff well-being.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Provide culturally sensitive counseling services to WFP staff and dependents. This may include case management, individual sessions, group sessions, emergency/critical incident support, and referrals to other resources as required;
• With oversight from the Regional Staff Counsellor, deliver in-person and online psychosocial workshops, briefings, and training for management and employees across a wide range of issues (e.g. stress management, communication, leadership, culture & diversity, conflict resolution, etc.);
• Provide in-person and remote training and mentoring for Wellness Support Volunteers to facilitate their role in supporting staff.
• Frequently travel to WFP Ethiopia’s various offices throughout the country promoting wellness and delivering counselling services.
• Liaise, collaborate and proactively maintain relationships with relevant parties including Medical, Regional Bureau Nairobi, Family Liaison Officer, PSEA Officer, Wellness Committee, National Staff Association, Security Unit, Human Resources, Ombudsman, etc.
• Support and collaborate with the Wellness division of WFP in delivering online and in-person training, facilitating groups, translation, representing the Staff Counselling Unit in meetings, etc.
• Input and further develop WFP Ethiopia’s Wellbeing platform (website & application), focused on information on each of WFP Ethiopia’s offices and wellness resources.
• Support and further develop the WFP Ethiopia family network to help families transition, adjust, learn about resources, and thrive.
• Actively engage with management and staff to establish relationships based on trust, respect, and empowerment.
• Increase awareness regarding important themes, policies, and guidelines to promote staff wellness and a safe workspace.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, and training, and plan and implement other staff counseling activities to ensure the provision of cohesive counseling services.
• Always maintain a 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.
• Complete administrative duties such as maintaining statistics on activities and completing reporting requirements as per the requirement in the Staff Wellness Division.
• Other accountabilities, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: University degree in a relevant subject such as Psychology, Psychiatry, Counselling, or another related field. Registration/license as a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Counsellor or equivalent in the country of origin is preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of three years of professional relevant progressively responsible experience in the field of mental health.

Experience in hardship duty stations providing counseling or wellness services to staff working in difficult and hazardous environments is desirable.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Theoretical understanding of all facets of the field of counseling and ability to provide an environment in which others can talk confidentially and act without fear or repercussions within a climate of established trust;
• Ability to analyse and 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.
• Technical knowledge of mental health counseling and excellent communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) including the ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff at all levels;
• Excellent multicultural awareness and competence, including skills to work with cultures different than one’s own and knowledge of how visible and invisible cultural power structures can affect well-being and work performance;
• Ability to identify clients’ needs and, if required, suggest internal or external resources to support.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.
• Skilled in taking the initiative to promote and organize wellness activities.
• Very good working knowledge of technology tools such as Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, if different.

Special recommendation:

Before you apply, please confirm that both (i) your online profile and CV are accurate and up to date, and (ii) your CV should include all your relevant employment history, awarded academic qualifications, and language skills. Please indicate full dates for your employment history in the format dd/mm/yyyy to enable us to accurately calculate your relevant years of experience.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they have attached both a CV and a Cover Letter.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: global.inclusion@wfp.org

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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 global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.