Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 05 Mar 2019
- Title: Regional Staff Counsellor
- Duty Station: Kinshasa, DRC
- Duration: 9 months
- Contract Type: Temporary Appointment
- Closing date: 5 March 2019 (midnight Geneva time)
- Start date: 1 April 2019
Operational context
The Regional Representation of UNHCR in Kinshasa is seeking a mental health professional for the temporary assignment in Kinshasa, DRC, on the position of the Regional Staff Counsellor, P3, to start on 1 April 2019 until 31 December 2019. The Regional Staff Counsellor provides support to UNHCR operations in DRC, Gabon, Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic employing together close to 600 staff and affiliate workforce across 28 duty stations. The incumbent will report directly to the Regional Representative in Kinshasa and will be technically supervised by the Chief, Psychosocial Wellbeing Section.
The Regional Staff Counsellor supervises the Wellbeing Associate based in Kinshasa.
Duties and responsibilities
The major tasks/responsibilities include:
- Implementation of the psychosocial support programs for the operations under the coverage based on the psychosocial risk assessments in close collaboration with the 2 operational managers and the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section. The activities included in such programs include but are not limited to individual or group counselling, psychological preparation session and end of assignment debriefings, trauma interventions, workshops/training, raising awareness and sensitization meetings, team building or other professional forms of support.
Specific projects in DRC include:
a. In DRC, strengthening and shaping the occupational health and safety program by supervising the wellbeing associate in charge of the physical training and raising awareness through publications and various group activities, in Kinshasa and the field offices.
b. Working closely with the management, heads of offices and the protection unit to strengthen the prevention on Sexual Harassment and Abuse in the workplace for the operations of coverage.
c. Launch of the psychological preparation for national staff in DRC (as a pilot project).
Ensuring access for staff and family members to individual counselling either internally (with Staff Counsellors in UNHCR) or externally (by providing referrals and information about the available resources) for work related issues (stress, trauma, interpersonal conflicts, harassment, and job insecurity) and personal issues (family, marital, children or finance related problems).
Providing timely response to critical incidents in the operations under the coverage in accordance with the UNHCR SOP on Support to staff affected by critical incidents. Organizing the psychological first aid (personally, through the Peer Advisors Network or other UN Staff Counsellors available in the country), assessments, referrals and necessary follow-up is undertaken and coordinated with the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section, Snr. Regional Medical Officer and relevant HR functions in the operation. Providing the guidance to the operational managers as required.
Undertaking regular travels to the operations under coverage to implement the psychosocial wellbeing programmes or respond to the punctual needs. A minimum of two missions in CAR in accordance with the implementation of the framework for psychosocial support to staff in High risk duty stations.
Maintaining regular contact with the counselling resources in the countries under the coverage including the members of the UN Staff/Stress Counsellors Group and other local/regional mental health professionals/ resources outside the UN system, e.g. NGOs, private practitioners.
Training, supervision and coordination of the UNHCR Peer Advisor Network in the region through monitoring of their activities and supervising their work with the staff.
Maintaining a record of individual staff welfare actions and interventions in the confidential folder of the MSRP or in the separate confidential database in accordance with the UN Confidentiality Guidelines for Staff/Stress Counsellors and relevant UNHCR policies on confidentiality of SW data. Provide monthly statistics to the PWS, HQ. Ensure timely reporting on field missions, general staff wellbeing assessments and related recommendations to the Representative and the Heads of Offices and the Chief PWS. Provide input in global reports by the PWS as required
Actively participate in the initiatives initiated by the Psychosocial Wellbeing team aimed at further development of the staff wellbeing approach in UNHCR.
Any other duties agreed in consultation with the Chief PWS and the Regional Representative.
Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
• Education: Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master’s) in mental health (Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counselling, and Psychiatry).
• Job experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Relevant work experience in the humanitarian field is an asset.
• Proficiency in French and English is essential.
4 Location
The temporary assignment will be offered at the P3 level and will be based in Kinshasa.
How to apply:
To apply
Interested applicants should submit their application to the hqsw00@unhcr.org, highlighting in the Letter of Interest that they are applying to the Regional Staff Counsellor, Kinshasa, (P3), Temporary Appointment.
Deadline for applications: 5 March 2019 (midnight Geneva time).
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.