Staff Counsellor

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, color, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status, physical or mental disability.

Job Title: Staff Counsellor

Type of Contract: Consultant

Division:  Wellness / Staff Counselling (WELLC)

Duty Station (City, Country):Rome HQ, Italy

Duration: 6 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. The core policies and strategies that govern WFP activities are save lives in emergency situations; improve the nutrition and quality of life of the most vulnerable people; and to help build assets and promote the self-reliance of poor people and communities, particularly through conditional food for work and training programmes.

The challenges of working in difficult conditions to bring much needed food and support to our recipients while inherently rewarding, can place a great deal of pressure and stress on WFP staff. As a part of a multidisciplinary team under the Staff Wellness Division, the Staff Counselling Unit is committed to the promotion of psychological and physical health in the broadest sense so staff can continue to function at high levels to meet the mandate of the organization. We do this by identifying and addressing psychological risk factors in the workplace, and through the provision of counselling services to staff members and their dependents.

The UN WFP is looking for a highly qualified Staff Counsellor to join the Staff Wellness Division in Rome to cover for a maternity leave.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Staff Counsellor will report to the Chief of Staff Counselling. A key requirement of the position will be the ability to summarize data and trends to develop programs and policies that are designed to support staff. Travel is required from the Staff Counsellor often on short notice, and at times to remote and difficult locations to provide support/coverage to regional Staff Counsellors.

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

• Provide empirically supported and culturally sensitive counselling services to WFP 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.
• Based on data trends and requests from other divisions/units 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.
• 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.
• Support and maintain the Wellness Support Volunteer Network (WSV) through training and 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 ensure continuity of care.
• Work as a part of a team to ensure 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
• Be proactive in building partnerships 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.
• Supervise the Psychology Walk in Clinic
• Maintain and update the HQ page of the Wellness Platform.
• Complete administrative duties such as maintain statistics on activities and completing reporting requirements as per the requirement in the Staff Wellness Division.
• Participate and collaborate in UNSSCG, CISMU activities and working groups.
• Maintain the highest ethical standards related to the provision of psychological services.
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: Advanced university degree (Doctorate, master’s 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: Minimum 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.

Knowledge and Skills: 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.

Languages: Proficiency in writing and verbal communication in English, with intermediate knowledge of another UN language advantageous.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 15 March 2022

Ref.: VA No.831864

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.