STAFF COUNSELLOR

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Staff Counseling and Welfare Unit, Human Resources Management Service, Division of Administration, United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). The incumbent reports to the P4 Staff Counsellor, under the general guidance of the Chief, Human Resources Management Service, UNOG.

Responsibilities

The incumbent develops and delivers comprehensive employee assistance services and provides staff members and/or their family members with counselling services and assistance on matters of personal concern which affect and/or may affect the level of their performance, health and/or quality of life. Within delegated authority, the Staff Counsellor will be responsible for the following duties: Preventive and protective psycho-social support – Identifies and recommends prevention measures for systemic issues and trends adverse to good mental health and psychosocial wellbeing as well as the resolution of problems impairing staff members’ well-being and mental health; identifies other professional or personal issues with a view to promoting personal welfare and enhancing effectiveness and motivation; facilitates interface with the various services and resources of the Organization. – Provides expert consultation in the identification and resolution of issues related to staff members’ well-being and mental health by assessing the nature and extent of the problems presented, exploring options and developing a course of action with the staff member/supervisor to resolve problems, with a view to promoting personal welfare and enhancing effectiveness and motivation. – Provides a safe, confidential, respectful environment where staff members are able to address professional and personal problems; ensures access for staff to individual counselling either internally or externally for work related issues and/ or personal issues by providing referrals for appropriate diagnosis, treatment and assistance; and maintains the connection between workplace and community resources that provide such services. – Delivers preventive psychoeducational programmes /training to address systemic issues and/or recurrent problems within teams and entities; develops and delivers tailored workshops and webinars for staff at all levels; prepares individual detailed care plans or refers to the specialists outside the UN; raise awareness and importance of self-care, building resilience, impact of stress and burn-out. – Collaborates closely with colleagues from Human Resources, the Staff Coordinating Council, Medical Services, Ombudsman, Centre for Learning and Multilingualism, Knowledge and Learning Commons, Safety and Security Services and other services within the Organisation to provide training, share knowledge and increase awareness on issues related to the work environment and well-being. Development of guidance and procedures – Contributes to the development of guidance and procedures governing employees’ wellbeing; makes recommendations related to workplace issues (time and stress management, resilience, etc.); contributes to the implementation of global mental health projects and takes part in developing new initiatives. Overall Management – Backstops the P4 Staff Counsellor in the management of the Staff Benevolent Fund; including assessing requests, working with staff members on financial issues, ensuring annual reporting, requesting services of auditors as needed, publishing reports. – Shares administrative responsibilities of the Staff Counsellor’s Office such as participation in newcomer’s induction training, pre-retirement programmes, memorial ceremonies, coordination of procedures following the death of active staff members and their family members, as well as retirees. – Performs other duties as directed by the supervisor.

Competencies

Professionalism: Expert knowledge in the field of counselling/psychotherapy, counselling methods as well as treatment and assistance ways and methods. Sound knowledge of United Nations rules, regulations and procedures is desirable. Proven ability to provide counselling services to effectively assist with crisis or difficult situations which involve diverse actors and stakeholders and to treat sensitive and confidential information appropriately. Ability to coordinate and consult with other relevant specialist services in the Organization involved with staff support and well-being, including Human Resources, Office of the Ombudsman, Medical and Safety and Security Services. Ability to make target team interventions and to develop and deliver briefings/trainings on mental health and staff wellbeing issues to diverse audiences within Organization. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements. 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. 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 the 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in clinical psychology or counselling psychology, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Additional training or certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse; stress management, cross-cultural communication, and psychological assessment is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the counselling/clinical psychology domain or related area is required. Out of these, a minimum of three years of relevant work experience within the United Nations Common system or comparable international organization is desirable. Work experience with developing and delivering online and face-to-face workshops and webinars on a range of well-being and mental health is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English or French and knowledge of the other is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The appointment against this position is limited to the United Nations Office at Geneva. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.