Stress Counselor

Job Title: Stress Counselor

Organization: UNDP

Job Identification: 13482

Location: Sana'a, Yemen

Apply Before: 09/21/2023, 06:59 AM

Job Schedule: Full time

Grade: P3

Vacancy Type: Fixed Term

Practice Area: Crisis management / Country Management Support

Bureau: Regional Bureau for Arab States

Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience: Master's Degree - 5 year(s) experience

Required Languages: Proficiency in Oral and written English Language.

Desired Languages: Proficiency in Oral and written Arabic Language.

Vacancy Timeline: 2 Weeks

Mobility required/no mobility: mobility required

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support, and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) globally.  As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. 

Yemen is currently a critical and complex context. The level of stress among the national staff and the international staff as well is very high. An international Stress Counsellor is needed for Yemen to implement an annual work plan of the stress counselling unit under the technical supervision of UNDSS/CISMU according to the activities described below for mitigating the impact of the stressful factors on the staff’s mental health and wellbeing. The stress counsellor is being sought to support the psychosocial and organizational behavior of UN staff in Yemen. 

Position Purpose

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Security Adviser (CSA)/ Deputy CSA and the technical guidance of the CISMU Regional counsellor, counsellor will administrate a wide range of stress management activities, actively participating in emergency preparedness in the country in collaboration with UNDSS, Crisis Management Team, HR and UN medical services, the stress Counsellor will develop and maintain a sustainable stress management system applicable to all UN Agencies operating in Yemen and improve the critical incident stress management preparedness of the UN security system in case of emergencies and provide efficient and effective psychological counselling to staff requiring support related to work-place difficulties or personal issues. A large emphasis is placed on extensive engagement with staff and promotion of staff well-being.

The challenges of working in difficult conditions to bring the much-needed support to our recipients while inherently rewarding, can place a great deal of pressure and stress on UN staff particularly those working in challenging environments. 

Duties and Responsibilities
Plan, develop, and implement stress management training programs for UN staff in the country:

• Prepare stress management training strategy and develop the specific training program to include the curriculum, modules, and support materials. 
• Develop and implement a stress management plan applicable to all UN Agencies in the country.
• Act as principal instructor, when necessary, coordinate appropriate resource support, establish procedures for identifying training deficiencies and provide appropriate corrective actions as well as stress management briefings to staff proceeding on assignment. 
• Plan and facilitate preventative stress management training on a variety of stress related is applicable to UN staff in the country and circulate useful reading resources related to stress periodically.
• Assist in establishing the Critical Incident Stress Intervention Cells (CISICs) including selecting Peer Helpers and family focal points; facilitating peer helper training sessions (jointly with UNDSS CISMU); and coordinating and following up on all relevant activities.

Coordinate, plan and implement stress management programmes for UN staff in the country:

• Undertake assessment missions in the field to evaluate measures for reducing stress and make appropriate recommendations and arrangements for the improvement welfare and wellbeing of the UN staff in UN field offices. 
• Consult with Security Management Teams and discuss stress management arrangements to be taken in each specific case. 
• Undertake missions as required to provide emergency, on-the-spot stress management assistance; and advocate before Security Management Teams to implement the CISMS strategic framework.
• Liaise with local experts and institutions in the country for referral purposes. Collaborate with UN managers, medical doctors, and local physicians on psychosocial issues with the objective of establishing a network of professionals ready to support and intervene in case of need.

Research, assess and monitor factors which could lead to stress related problems of UN staff in the country:

• Closely monitor and assess stressful situations; identify and study stress related problems and emerging trends; research documentation related to resolutions, decisions, personnel directives, administrative instructions and incidents in the area of stress management.;
• Identify developments that have had a positive effect on reducing stress and keep abreast of technical literature in the area stress management.
• Advise UN Management System in the country on stress mitigating strategies and activities.
• Perform ongoing assessments and monitor the determinants of stress in the UN staff to include activities such as data collection, analyses and related documentation.

Follow up activities of UN stress counsellor unit the country:  

• Identify, address and follow up on critical incident stress cases among the UN staff and the dependents in the country.
• Promote welfare activities for UN staff in the country in collaboration with the existing Staff Association.
• Provide individual, group and critical incident counselling sessions to the staff and dependents as/when needed.
• Provide monthly/ Quarterly reports to the Chief Security Adviser/ Security Management teams in the country with copies to UNDSS CISMU on all its activities.
• Manage the stress counsellor unit on a day-to-day basis.
• Other tasks and duties deemed necessary by Chief Security Advisor (CSA)/ Deputy CSA. 

The incumbent of the position should avoid any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that: 

• Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions.
• Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”.
• Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender is respected within all implementations including data production.
• Differentiated needs of women and men are considered.
• Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created.
• Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced 

Competencies 

Core Competencies: 

Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands. 

Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Managment-Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Business Managment-Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Digital & Innovation-Behavioural insights: Knowing when it is appropriate to use behavioural insights, having theoretical knowledge and a basic understanding of principles of human behaviour; being aware of both the benefits and limitations of Behavioural Insights and adhere to ethical standards and guides when using them. Being able to define specific behavioural goals (what to change), explore and understand barriers and contextual factors to desired behaviours, use principles from behavioural science to generate ideas for nudges and interventions, use experimental methods to improve ideas (prototyping) or evaluate impact (trials). Use these results to develop a scaling strategy for interventions that work or inform policy design. 

Digital & Innovation-Design thinking: Solving problems by putting people at the center, visualizing ideas and making them tangible in order to improve them through and iterative process of developing and testing. Strong empathy skills, being able to put yourself ""in someone else's shoes"", understand needs, abilities, preferences, motivations, (everyday) experiences from different perspectives as well as their cultural, social, economical and political contexts. Ability to identify and challenge assumptions, (cognitive and social) biases and dominant mental models by generating new perspectives and frames that help redefine the problem, solution and opportunity space. Being able to work with incomplete information, ambiguity and opposing views, needs and constraints and synthesise them into solutions that are viable, technically feasible and useful. 

Ethics-UN policy knowledge: Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity. 

Communications-Creative direction and copywriting: Ability to creatively communicate concepts in an engaging and simple way.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master in a relevant discipline, such as psychology or psychiatry is required. 

Experience:

• A minimum of five (05) years of progressively responsible experience in clinical psychology, psychiatry, or related fields with at least three years at the international level or at a national level with cross-border experience is required. 
• Experience in crisis or emergency psychosocial support is an asset.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in managing, planning, and organizing mental health programmes or projects is an asset.
• Experience in providing stress counselling within the United Nations system or any other International Organization is an asset. 
• Field experience in crisis and post-crisis countries is an advantage, and experience in and knowledge about Yemen is an asset.
• Certification or country-specific licensure authorizing the incumbent to deliver mental health services is an asset. 
• Additional training or experience in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, critical incident stress and cross-cultural communication is an asset.

Language:

• Proficiency in Oral and written English Language is required. 
• Proficiency in Oral and written Arabic Language is an asset.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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