Counsellor

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women operates globally, merging the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, employing individuals regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or other characteristics, and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. UN Women has a significant presence in various countries, working on initiatives that support women's rights and gender equality.

Job Overview:
The position of Counsellor at UN Women is crucial in addressing the growing need for psychosocial and mental health support in the context of Myanmar's ongoing crisis. The Counsellor will provide essential emotional support to participants, ensuring that they receive the necessary psychological first aid and coping strategies during times of distress. This role requires a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards while facilitating information sessions on mental health and psychosocial support. The Counsellor will work closely with the Programme Specialist and the Programme Assistant, who will assist with contract and payment matters. The position is remote but requires the Counsellor to be based in Thailand, with travel within the country as part of the responsibilities. The Counsellor will be engaged on a retainer basis for up to 70 working days over a 12-month period, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of participants.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Counsellor will be responsible for delivering confidential one-on-one emotional support sessions for participants, either online or in person, as requested. Key responsibilities include providing immediate psychological first aid, employing active listening techniques, and offering basic coping strategies for individuals experiencing distress. The Counsellor must maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to professional ethical standards in all support provided. Additionally, the Counsellor will conduct information sessions on mental health, psychosocial support, and secondary trauma as needed. The role also involves submitting brief reports summarizing the duration of sessions provided and noting any urgent issues that may arise during counselling, which will support payment processing and ensure accountability.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s Degree in psychology, counselling, social work, mental health, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Certification or accreditation as a counsellor or psychologist is considered an asset. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to work with discretion, sensitivity, and respect for confidentiality. Familiarity with survivor-centered, trauma-informed approaches is essential, as is the ability to remain calm and grounded under pressure.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s Degree in psychology, counselling, social work, mental health, or a related field. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must also have two additional years of qualifying experience to meet the educational requirements. Certification or accreditation as a counsellor or psychologist is highly desirable and will enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in providing counselling, psychosocial support, or psychological first aid, particularly in community, humanitarian, or crisis-affected contexts. Experience working with women affected by conflict, trauma, displacement, or gender-based violence is highly desirable. Additionally, experience in delivering training or capacity-building in counselling, mental health, or psychosocial support is an asset. Familiarity with supporting civil society actors, frontline workers, or vulnerable communities in Myanmar will be advantageous, as will experience working with UN agencies or international NGOs.

Languages:
Fluency in Burmese and English is mandatory for this position. Candidates who can communicate in an additional ethnic language spoken in Myanmar, such as Karen, Chin, Shan, or Kachin, will be considered favorably, as this will enhance communication with diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as remote, but the Counsellor must be based in Thailand and will be required to travel within the country as part of their duties. The engagement will be on a retainer basis for up to 70 working days over a 12-month period. Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications electronically through the UN Women website, ensuring that all required documents, including the P11 form and a cover letter, are completed and uploaded. UN Women emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.