Jobs - 59261- Stress Counsellor

Stress Counsellor

Location :

Sana'a, YEMEN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2015

Application Deadline :

25-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year, renewable

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Yemen is currently a critical and complex context. The level of stress among the national staff and the international staff as well is very high. We need urgently an international Stress Counsellor who has to implement an annual work plan under the technical supervision of UNDSS/CISMU according to the activities described below for mitigating the impact of the stressful factors on the staff mental health and wellbeing.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Under the administrative supervision of the Chief Security Adviser and the technical guidance of the CISMU Regional counsellor, counsellor will administrate a wide range of stress management activities, actively participating in emergency preparedness in the country in collaboration with UNDSS and the UN emergency coordination group as per the UNDSS CISMU standard operational procedures on critical incident stress.
Develop and implement a stress management plan applicable to all UN Agencies in the country.
Provide individual, group 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 to UN staff in the country and circulate useful reading resources related to stress periodically.
To 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); and coordinating and following up on all relevant activities.
Promote welfare activities for UN staff in the country in collaboration with the existing Staff Association.
Identify, address and follow up on critical incident stress cases among the UN staff and dependents in the country.
Be willing to visit & travel regularly to the UN Offices/Sub Offices in the country in order to implement preventative stress management training activities and offer technical consultations when needed.
Liaise with local experts and institutions in the country for referral purposes. Collaborate with UN managers, medical doctors, and local physicians on psychosocial issues with the objective of establishing a network of professionals ready to support and intervene in case of need.
Advise UN management on stress mitigating strategies and activities
Perform ongoing assessments and monitor the determinants of stress in the UN staff to include activities such as data collection, analyses and related documentation.
Overall Management of the Department and to provide monthly reports to the Chief Security Adviser with copies to UN Headquarters UNDSS CISMU on all its activities.

Competencies

Functional 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:

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University Degree in psychology, psychiatry;
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.
Certification or country specific licensure authorizing the incumbent to deliver mental health services is required.

Experience:

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in clinical psychology, psychiatry, two of which at the international level. Qualifying years of experience are calculated after the receipt of an accredited advanced level degree recognized by the United Nations.
Experience in crisis management or emergency response is required.
Experience in providing stress counselling within the United Nations system or any other International Organization is desirable.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English is required, Arabic is highly desirable.

Note:

This post is funded from the locally cost-shared security budget and not from core UNDSS budget.