National Consultancy - Psychologist

Job Advertisement

Position Title: National Consultancy - Psychologist
Location: Turkmenistan
Country: Turkmenistan
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to advocate for the rights of children and to help meet their basic needs. The organization focuses on providing support in some of the world’s toughest places, aiming to reach the most disadvantaged children. UNICEF's mission is to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. The organization employs thousands of staff members globally and collaborates with various governments and organizations to enhance child protection and welfare.

Job Overview:
The National Consultancy - Psychologist position at UNICEF involves developing and implementing psychological support services for children and families in Turkmenistan. The role requires the consultant to create methodological guides for social service psychologists, develop ethical guidelines for professionals involved in child investigative interviews, and provide consultations on psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support across various regions. The consultant will facilitate training sessions to enhance the skills of psychologists and social work specialists, ensuring they can effectively support children and families in need. The position also entails conducting psychological diagnostics, individual and group counseling, and providing psychosocial services as part of diversion programs. The consultant will work closely with interdisciplinary teams to assess situations and plan assistance for children and families, maintaining records of psychological assistance provided and developing programs to raise public awareness about service users' issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop a methodological guide for social service psychologists, including tools and reporting formats.
• Collaborate with UNICEF international consultants to create ethical guidelines for pedagogues and psychologists involved in child investigative interviews.
• Consult with social work specialists on primary psychosocial support for service users across all five velayats and Ashgabat.
• Facilitate cascade training sessions to enhance the capacity of psychologists, social work specialists, and local police representatives.
• Organize workshops for professionals to ensure their participation in child victim interrogations.
• Provide psychological support to families and children, conducting diagnostics and counseling to address various issues.
• Assist in the inclusion of children with disabilities and support their families.
• Participate in the professional self-determination of young people, providing information about career options and labor market needs.
• Support the reintegration of children from orphanages and boarding schools. 1
• Maintain records of psychological assistance provided and develop programs for public awareness. 1
• Conduct professional supervisions to prevent burnout among social work specialists.

Required Qualifications:

• University Degree in Professional Psychological education; a Master's degree is an advantage.
• Practical experience in providing professional psychological support.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly families with children and children with disabilities.
• Experience in providing methodological supervision, preferably in the social sector or UN system.
• Experience in state social institutions or public organizations providing social services is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Russian and Turkmen languages; knowledge of English is an advantage.
• Understanding of the social services system and workforce in Turkmenistan is beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a University Degree in Professional Psychological education. A Master's degree in a related field is considered an advantage, indicating a higher level of expertise and knowledge in psychology and social services.

Experience:
The position requires practical experience in providing psychological support, particularly to vulnerable groups. Candidates should have experience working with families and children, especially those with disabilities. Experience in methodological supervision and familiarity with state social institutions will enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Languages:
Mandatory languages include Russian and Turkmen. Knowledge of English is considered an advantage, facilitating communication and collaboration with international teams and resources.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy position is not classified as a staff member under UN regulations, meaning it does not come with benefits such as leave entitlements or medical insurance. The selected candidate will be responsible for their tax liabilities and must ensure that their visa and health insurance are valid throughout the contract period. Candidates must confirm their fully-vaccinated status against COVID-19 before starting the assignment, although this requirement does not apply to remote consultants. UNICEF promotes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities.