Regional Staff Counsellor

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners. IOM's mission is to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, saving lives and protecting people on the move. The organization drives solutions to displacement and facilitates pathways for regular migration while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various aspects of migration and humanitarian assistance, and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to its mission.

Job Overview:
The Regional Staff Counsellor position is a critical role within IOM, responsible for implementing staff welfare activities aimed at assessing and addressing the psychological needs of IOM’s staff in the Regional Office and Country Offices in the Region. The position requires the individual to work under the direct supervision of the Chief Staff Welfare Officer at Headquarters, with overall supervision from the Director of the Staff Health and Welfare Division. The Regional Staff Counsellor will provide effective psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support to managers and individual staff, particularly in emergency operations locations, to mitigate stress and enhance protective factors. The role involves creating a safe and confidential environment for staff to address their professional and personal problems, either individually or in groups. The counsellor will also support senior leadership in promoting healthy work practices and resilience among staff, recommend suitable support strategies during crises, and deliver preventative psychoeducational programs to address systemic issues within teams. The position requires a proactive approach to developing a network of external mental health providers and ensuring adequate psychosocial support during emergencies, as well as maintaining records and producing regular reports on staff well-being.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Staff Counsellor include providing effective psychosocial support to managers and individual staff, prioritizing emergency operations locations. The counsellor must create a safe and confidential environment for staff to discuss their issues, provide support and advice to senior leadership on healthy work practices, and recommend staff support strategies during emergencies. They will deliver psychoeducational programs and workshops, raise awareness on mental health themes, and advocate for anti-stigma programming. The role also involves developing a network of external mental health providers, providing Critical Incident Stress Management support, coordinating with UN agency counsellors, and developing tools for data collection and reporting on staff well-being. The counsellor will undertake regular duty travels to Country Offices, capture lessons learned, facilitate interface with various organizational services, and participate in relevant meetings and training activities. Additionally, they must adhere to professional standards and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in clinical psychology, counselling, psychiatry, or a related field from an accredited institution, along with five years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a university degree in the same fields with seven years of relevant experience is acceptable. Candidates must have an active license or certification in a relevant professional organization and experience in counselling and psychosocial interventions. Familiarity with the impact of working conditions on humanitarian workers' well-being and experience with UN agencies or international humanitarian organizations is essential. Excellent communication and writing skills, familiarity with diversity, and knowledge of Microsoft Office are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in clinical psychology, counselling, psychiatry, or a related field from an accredited academic institution. Candidates with a university degree in these fields must have additional relevant professional experience. Accreditation from recognized institutions listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database is necessary, and candidates must possess an active license or certification in their field of expertise.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant counselling experience post-licensure or certification. Candidates should have experience in counselling and psychosocial interventions, particularly within the context of UN agencies or international humanitarian organizations. Familiarity with the challenges faced by humanitarian workers and previous working experience in the region is desirable, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to address the specific needs of staff in the Regional Office and Country Offices.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is required for this position, both oral and written. Additionally, working knowledge of another official UN language such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish is considered an advantage. Proficiency in the required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
The position is internationally recruited, and candidates are required to be mobile. The appointment is subject to funding confirmation and all necessary clearances, including medical and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security checks. The selection process may be used to fill similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in similar roles for a period of 24 months. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding children. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system.