Staff Counsellor

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Staff Counsellor
Location: Panama City
Country: Panama
Deadline Date: 12 March 2025-23:59-GMT-05:00 Eastern Standard Time (Panama)

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of alleviating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's vision is to create a diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing workforce that operates in a healthy and inclusive work environment, embodying the organization's core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• The organization emphasizes the importance of personal and professional development for its employees, offering various training and mobility opportunities, and fostering a multicultural working environment.

Job Overview:
The Staff Counsellor position is a critical role within the Staff Wellness Unit at WFP, based in Panama City. The primary function of this role is to provide psychological support and counseling services to WFP staff and their dependents across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Staff Counsellor will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to promote psychological and physical health, ensuring that staff can perform effectively under the pressures of humanitarian work. This role involves developing and implementing the Wellness Strategy for 2025-2030, providing culturally sensitive counseling, and delivering training sessions aimed at enhancing workplace morale. The Staff Counsellor will also be responsible for identifying psychological risks and collaborating with other functions within WFP and external institutions to create a psychologically healthy workplace. The position requires travel to support country offices, often on short notice, and may involve working in remote and challenging environments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Staff Counsellor will have a range of responsibilities, including: administratively reporting to the Regional Director and technically to the Chief of Staff Counselling in Rome; summarizing data and trends to develop supportive programs and initiatives; contributing to the development and implementation of the Wellness Strategy; providing psychological support during emergency operations and critical incidents; offering culturally sensitive counseling on various issues; developing and delivering training sessions; conducting pre and post-deployment briefings; partnering with other functions and institutions to address psychological risks; leading initiatives to promote a healthy workplace; maintaining the WFP Wellness Support Volunteer Regional network; developing policies and guidelines related to Staff Wellness; providing guidance to country-based Staff Counsellors; maintaining high standards of professional ethics and confidentiality; completing administrative duties; and participating in UNSSCG and CISMU activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Doctorate, Masters, or equivalent) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry, or a related field from a recognized institution. Registration as a mental health professional in the country of origin is mandatory. Additional training or certification in areas such as alcohol/substance abuse, resilience, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, and trauma is advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate broad specialist expertise in mental health assessment and counseling services, with the ability to coordinate and manage crisis situations effectively. Strong initiative, independent decision-making skills, and knowledge of occupational health and safety strategies are essential. Excellent communication skills, conflict resolution abilities, and the capacity to engage with diverse populations are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Doctorate, Masters, or equivalent) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry, or a related field. Candidates must also be registered as a mental health professional in their country of origin. Additional certifications or training in relevant areas such as trauma, conflict resolution, and resilience are considered beneficial and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of mental health and counseling. Experience working in hardship locations or providing counseling services to staff in difficult and insecure environments is highly valued. The role requires a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by humanitarian workers and the ability to provide effective support in high-pressure situations.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Spanish is required for this position. Proficiency in French is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication with a broader range of staff and stakeholders within the organization.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Panama City, Panama, and is classified as a Consultant level IID contract for a duration of 11 months. Successful candidates will be placed in a roster for two years, indicating potential for future opportunities within WFP. The organization emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. WFP also provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The application process does not require any fees, and candidates are encouraged to submit a complete profile, including their CV and cover letter, in English.