Stress Counsellor, SC (United Nations Departament of Safety and Security)

GS5 position

Part Time: 3 days per week 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a stress management plan for the UN offices in the country;
• Perform an ongoing assessment and monitor the determinants of stress in the UN offices, as well as stress levels among the UN personnel;
• Provide individual and group counseling sessions to UN personnel;
• Organize training sessions on stress and stress related issues for UN personnel;
• In order to create the Critical Incident Stress Intervention Cell (CISIC) the locally based Stress Counsellor will organize peer helper training workshops for a selected group of UN personnel jointly with the UNDSS CISMU and to follow up on their activities;
• Identify, address and follow up on critical incident stress cases among UN personnel in the country;
• Travel regularly to the UN offices/sub-offices in the country in order to implement preventative and mitigating stress management activities;
• Conduct missions to other countries in case of need;
• Liaise with local experts and institutions in the country for referral, as well as with UN line managers, medical doctors, and local physicians in order to build a network of professionals ready to support and intervene in case of need;
• Advise the UN management on stress culturally and gender sensitive mitigating strategies, decisions and activities;
• Provide reports to the Chief Security Advisor and to the UNDSS CISMU on all activities at least monthly or as required, including for presentations to e.g. the SMT;
• Other activities as requested. 

Competencies

Core Values

• Integrity - Ability to work honestly, openly, impartially and in accordance with the values of the United Nations.
• Professionalism - Ability to work in a calm, competent and committed manner; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Respect for Diversity - Ability to work effectively, respectfully, and inclusively with people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. 

Core 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; 
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• 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:

• 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.

Qualifications

Education: 

• Advanced university degree in  Psychology (Clinical  Psychology or Counselling Psychology Master’s Degree or equivalent preferred ) or Psychiatry (MD); 
• Certification or country-specific licensure authorizing the incumbent to deliver mental health services.

Experience: 

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in psychological counseling with special emphasis on critical incident stress;
• Experience in providing stress counselling within the United Nations system or any other international organization is desirable.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in verbal and written Ukrainian, Russian and English languages.

Other Skills and Requirements: 

• Additional certification, training or experience in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, critical incident stress and cross-cultural communication, psychologcial programming, mental health policy development would be an asset;
• Well-developed communication, leadership and team-building skills. 

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply. 

If you wish to apply for this or other positions with UNDP please visit UNDP website, section jobs and apply online. More information and application details:

http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=63815

Deadline for applications is 13 march 2016.  

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.