Staff Counsellor

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established in 1949 and is dedicated to providing assistance and protection to a population of over 5 million Palestine refugees. The agency operates in five fields: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza. UNRWA's mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development, while also providing them with essential services such as education, health care, and social services. The organization employs thousands of staff members across its various operations, working tirelessly to support the needs of the refugee population.

Job Overview:
The Staff Counsellor position at UNRWA is a critical role that focuses on providing psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support to staff members and their dependents during emergencies and critical incidents. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Chief of Staff Care and Wellbeing Division and the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Operations). This role requires a proactive approach to mental health, ensuring that staff members receive the necessary support during challenging times. The Staff Counsellor will be responsible for developing and implementing psychoeducation materials, resilience-building programs, and coordinating with various stakeholders to ensure comprehensive mental health support. The position also involves advising management on strategies to enhance staff welfare and resilience, as well as maintaining detailed records of psychosocial activities and providing regular reports on staff wellbeing.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Staff Counsellor will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Providing psychosocial support during emergencies and critical incidents to staff members and their dependents, including psycho-education and psychological first aid.
• Responding to critical incidents by assessing their impact and developing appropriate interventions, while coordinating with UN agencies and peer helpers.
• Developing psychoeducation materials and implementing resilience-building programs in line with the Staff Care and Wellbeing Division Plan.
• Advising management on stress mitigation strategies to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of UNRWA personnel.
• Collaborating with the Health Services Department to ensure a continuum of services for staff suffering from serious illnesses.
• Maintaining detailed records of psychosocial activities and providing comprehensive reports on staff wellbeing.
• Supporting the capacity building of peer support groups and providing guidance to group coordinators.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the technical supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Staff Counsellor position should possess the following qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Masters' or equivalent) in Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Clinical/Psychiatric Social Work, or another mental health-related field.
• Additional training or certification in traumatic/critical incident stress and related fields such as alcohol/substance abuse and stress management is strongly desired.
• Certification or country-specific licensure to deliver mental health services is strongly desired.
• At least five years of relevant experience providing professional counselling services, with experience in managing mental health and psychosocial support programs being an asset.
• Familiarity with emergency or hardship duty stations is preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced university degree (Masters' or equivalent) from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, or Clinical Social Work. Additional training or certification in areas related to traumatic stress and mental health is highly desirable, as is certification or licensure to provide mental health services.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in providing professional counselling services. Experience in managing or coordinating mental health and psychosocial support programs, as well as conducting training in humanitarian settings, is considered an asset. Additionally, candidates must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside of UNRWA and their country of citizenship, unless they are already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System.

Languages:
The position requires an excellent command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with staff members and enhance the effectiveness of psychosocial support provided.

Additional Notes:
The position does not specify a contract duration or seniority level, and it is not indicated whether the role is full-time or part-time. The recruitment process is conducted without any fees, and the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage of the recruitment process.