STAFF COUNSELLOR

THE ROLE

The Staff Counsellor will administratively report to the Country Director and technically report to the Regional Staff Counsellor based in Nairobi. A key responsibility will be developing and implementing a wide range of Wellness initiatives and programs consistent with the five pillars of the Wellness Strategy and the ability to summarize data and trends to develop programs and policies designed to support staff. Frequent travel is required to support the sub and field offices, at times on short notice based on operational needs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The Staff Counsellor will be responsible for performing the following duties:

• Provide empirically supported and culturally sensitive counselling services to staff and if requested their dependents; this may include case management and referrals to other resources as required;
• Provide pre and post deployment briefings to staff being deployed to emergency or hardship duty stations;
• Using the WFP Wellness Strategy work closely with partners to develop a broad range of Wellness initiatives that fit the context and needs of the operation;
• Based on data trends and requests from other divisions/units/offices develop and provide a range of trainings and programs including but not limited to team building, resilience, harassment, and cross-cultural sensitivity to improve morale, health, and team dynamics;
• As part of a multidisciplinary team work closely with individuals and teams to address psychological risks at the individual, unit and organizational level;
• When requested work closely with managers/supervisors towards improving the working atmosphere in their units;
• Manage the content of the Wellbeing Platform relevant to South Sudan.
• Provide counselling services to individuals and/or groups during emergencies; provide services in a timely and sensitive manner to staff and dependents after critical incidents, and ensure follow up support for staff and dependents following critical events;
• In conjunction with country management and the Wellness Division, develop an innovative Wellness Support Volunteer Program (WSV) that focuses on Wellness in the broadest sense of the term with a mandate to deliver tangible mechanisms to support staff; Support and maintain the existing WSV Network through supervision; disseminate training materials and related protocols;
• Identify and liaise with high quality local and regional mental health resources that can be used for referrals or in times of crisis;
• In the best interests of staff members and the organization work in a collegial and professional manner with all units in the Staff Wellness Division to insure continuity of care;
• Work as a part of a team to insure WFP divisional priorities are implemented consistent with the yearly divisional work plan and the Wellness Division Strategic Plan;
• Develop and participate in multidisciplinary programmes in the Staff Wellness Division as well as Regional and Country Offices;
• Be proactive in building partnerships with but not limited to HR and security that support staff within the agency and with other agencies or relevant organizations;
• Contribute to the development of policies and guidelines, as well as written and visual materials to increase awareness regarding important themes and topics related to Staff Wellness;
• Complete administrative duties such as maintain statistics on activities and completing reporting requirements as per the requirement in the Staff Wellness Division;
• Work closely with the Regional Staff Counsellor in Nairobi to coordinate on regional initiatives and provide support as required;
• Participate and collaborate in UNSSCG, CISMU activities and working groups;
• Maintain the highest ethical standards related to the provision of psychological services and adhere to the Wellness Division Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct;
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Doctorate, Masters or equivalent) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry or demonstrably equivalent studies from a recognized institution.
• The candidate must hold active licensure/registration as a mental health professional with a recognized governing association and be a member of that organization in good standing.
• Additional training or certification in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, resilience, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, mediation, trauma etc. will be an advantage.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional post graduate experience relevant to the field is required.
• Experience either working in a hardship location or providing counselling services to staff working under very difficult and insecure environments is an asset.

Language:

• Proficiency in writing and verbal communication in English is required.
• Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or Portuguese (A WFP’s working language).

MORE ABOUT YOU

• Broad knowledge of all facets of the field of counselling and ability to provide an environment in which others can talk confidentially and act without fear or repercussions within a climate of established trust.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentations) including the ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff at all levels.
• Ability to identify clients' needs and suggest appropriate solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.
• Ability to contribute to the strategic vision of the Wellness division based on trends identified using a population health model.
• Must be an excellent team player and value working with a multidisciplinary and culturally diverse team.
• Very good working knowledge of technology tools such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Ability to 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.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Leads by Example with Integrity

Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments

Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork

Applies Strategic Thinking

Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships

Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others

Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change

Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth

Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things

Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is an International Professional position and candidates must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The selected candidate will be required to relocate to Khartoum, Sudan to take up this assignment.