Staff Counsellor
Organizational Context
This position is within the Health Services Section of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Juba. The Staff Counsellor reports to the Chief Staff Counsellor, supporting the management and delivery of mission-wide mental health, psychosocial support, and staff wellbeing programs. This includes supervising personnel and coordinating critical incident response activities.
Job Purpose
The Staff Counsellor provides confidential counselling, psychological support, and referral services to UNMISS personnel, addressing psychological distress, adjustment difficulties, and mental health conditions. The role involves conducting assessments, designing and implementing psychosocial interventions, and contributing to a psychologically safe workplace. Key responsibilities include delivering critical incident stress management, collaborating with various mission entities for a holistic approach to wellbeing, and facilitating workshops on stress management and resilience. The incumbent also participates in needs assessments, analyzes trends, and supports program development and evaluation to enhance staff wellbeing across the mission.
Responsibilities
Conduct psychosocial and mental health assessments for personnel experiencing distress or operational stressors. Provide confidential counselling, psychological support, consultation, and referrals to civilian, military, and police personnel, adhering to professional standards. Liaise with stakeholders for multidisciplinary interventions, workplace accommodations, and conflict resolution. Design and implement psychosocial support and resilience-building initiatives. Contribute to a psychologically safe and inclusive work environment through consultations and preventive interventions. Deliver critical incident stress management services, including psychological first aid and crisis interventions. Collaborate with Health Services, Human Resources, and Security for a coordinated approach to staff wellbeing. Develop and facilitate workshops and training on stress management, resilience, burnout prevention, and related mental health topics. Participate in psychosocial needs assessments and analyze trends to support program development and evaluation. Prepare reports and educational resources related to counselling and psychosocial support activities.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in clinical psychology, mental health, psychotherapy, clinical social work, or employee wellbeing programs is required. Experience in psychosocial support within hardship, conflict, or multicultural settings is desirable, as is experience in critical incident response, trauma-focused interventions, or employee assistance programs.
Skills
Professionalism, advanced knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support, psychological assessment, sound judgment, ethical practice, effective communication, client orientation, and accountability.