Staff Counsellor

Closing date: Tuesday, 14 March 2023
Posting Title: STAFF COUNSELLOR, P3 (Temporary Job Opening) [Cancelled]

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Sorry, this job opening is no longer available.

Organisational Setting and Reporting
The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions. The Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda (RSCE), was established in July 2010, following the adoption of General Assembly resolution 64/269. The Centre provides efficient, client-oriented and scalable services with the goal of moving transactional, non-location dependent administrative functions to the Centre from its client entities. This includes transactional elements of human resources, finance, multimodal movement and control, personnel and cargo transport and information and communications technology (ICT) support. In addition to these services, the Office of the Director RSCE and support offices through the Deputy Director RSCE provides overall guidance on the operations of the RSCE including strategic planning, communication, budgeting, human resources management, property management, quality assurance and business intelligence, conference services, record keeping and archive management, and audit response and risk management. For more information, please visit https://rsce.unmissions.org. The position is in the Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) in the Human Resources and Talent Management Unit. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Unit, Human Resources and Talent Management.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Staff Counsellor at P-3 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 CHRO and Senior Management, 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 Managers, upon request, with the aim at improving the working atmosphere in their Units 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 suffering from serious diseases or illnesses.
Establishes a link and liaises with the members of the Staff Welfare Committee and staff in Medical Services in order to develop programmes designed to improve the quality of life of staff members within the Entity 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.
Develops, organizes and implements a stress management programme for such staff.
Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: 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. 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. 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) in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry or Clinical social work is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification
A valid certification to practice at national level in clinical psychology or psychiatry or clinical social work is required. Additional training or certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, traumatic stress, cross-cultural communication or conflict resolution is desirable.