Back National Stress Counsellor

Office Description 

In Yemen, UNDSS (United Nations Department of Safety and Security) supports the wellbeing of UN personnel through locally engaged National Stress Counsellors. Their primary responsibility will be to develop and maintain a sustainable stress management system applicable to all UN Agencies operating in the country with a ‘One UN’ approach, and to improve the critical incident stress management preparedness of the UN security system in case of emergencies. Their responsibilities include stress management, resilience building, and mental health support, particularly following critical incidents.

They play a key role in emergency preparedness, response, and follow-up services. National Stress Counsellors actively monitor stressors affecting UN staff, identify emerging trends, and customize psychosocial support initiatives to enhance overall wellbeing.

Their work is closely coordinated with local UN medical doctors, Regional Security Advisors, the HQ Medical Service Division, HR Officers, counsellors from other UN agencies, and UN leadership at all levels to ensure a comprehensive and unified approach to staff mental health and resilience.

Scope of Work 

Under the administrative supervision of the Chief/Deputy Security Advisor and the technical guidance of the Critical Incident Stress Management Section (CISMS) Regional Counsellor, the National Stress Counsellor will administrate a wide range of stress management activities, actively participating in emergency preparedness in the country in collaboration with UNDSS and the UN country team partners as per the UN Policy on the Management of Stress and Critical Incident Stress (MSCIS 2015).

Summary of Key Functions:

1.Provision of Staff Wellbeing Support: 

2.Ensure Crisis Response and Follow Up : 

3.Ensure Management and Peer Support Coordination:

4.Ensure Field Support and Collaboration 

5.Ensure Reporting and Confidential Data Management: 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will report to CSA, UNDSS Yemen. 

Competencies Core 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

People Management:

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  None

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies   Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Communication 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. 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 Direction & Strategy Effective decision making  Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications. Ethics Ethics advice and guidance Ability to quickly analyze complex fact patterns and provide comprehensive, sensitive, and confidential ethical advice and guidance External Relations & Advocacy| Communications Advocacy strategy and implementation Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change HR - Duty of Care Psychosocial support to personnel Ability and certified qualification to provide psychological counselling services to teams and individual personnel HR - Duty of Care

Occupational safety, health and

wellbeing

Knowledge of OSHW concepts and methods and ability to apply them in the development of the OSHW strategies, policies, management systems and quality standards that are consistent with the business strategy. Ability to identity OSHW risks and to develop mitigation strategies and monitoring systems

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA Min. Education requirements

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Social Work, Psychiatry (MD) or relevant field is required.

OR 

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

•  Proven track record of well-developed communication, leadership and team-building skills are desirable

•  Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is desirable

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in addressing cultural sensitivity issues, including the ability to navigate and manage diverse cultural contexts with respect and understanding is desirable.

• Prior experience in advising management of an organization on stress mitigating strategies and activities is desired. 

• Demonstrated experience in conducting preventative stress management training activities is an advantage. 

• Demonstrated experience in coordinating critical incident stress management activities with relevant stake holders, professional bodies and/ or partners is an asset.

• A license to practice as a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist or a Counselling Psychologist by a certified body in country (i.e. psychological council or medical council or equivalent) is required. 

• Additional certification, training and/or experience in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, psychosomatic disease, behavioral problems, psychosocial programming would be an asset

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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