Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located within the Department of Operational Support/Office of Support Operations/Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health. The Staff Counsellor reports to the Deputy Medical Director within the Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Staff Counsellor will be responsible for the following duties: Programme Management (Operations): • Serve as the Programme Manager for the Staff Counsellor´s Office (SCO) and assure that the SCO Operations are implemented appropriately and that all outputs and budget spending is aligned appropriately with strategic plans (SCO/MHS/DHMOSH) and that all GA outputs are met accordingly; • Provide preventative services and promote mental health through wellness initiatives and training for UNS staff with direct support to teams in HQ, Offices Away from HQ and Regional Commissions as needed (resources permitting); • Budget Management: Assure Budget is fully utilized within the UN Staff rules and regulations for RBB with completion of all GA outputs; • Provide clinical oversight to assure evidence-based interventions (including training) from all team members including consultants; • Assure monthly reports are maintained with SCO activities and outputs and that budget needs are assessed as needed to meet operational needs; • Assure that regular clinical and non-clinical team meetings are held with focus to assure quality of services delivered by the SCO’ • Serve as an agile leader and make changes in SCO Organizational Structure as needed to support our Strategic and Operational objectives • Continuously monitor the demographics of training participants when tools allow to adjust outreach and advertising to assure inclusiveness. Monitor gender trends of participants. Work with team to identify ways to balance gender in workshops (advertising, topics, graphics, etc); • Serve as the President of the Staff Emergency Fund to ensures annual reporting, appropriate and fair review & distribution of loans. Leadership Role • Make programme management changes as needed to assure program success of SCO interventions (i.e. Change Management within the Organization, Lessons learned reports, JIU audit recommendations, etc.); • Serve as the lead manager of the SCO earthmed module to assure functionality, confidentiality and usefulness of the system; • Develop & advice on policy proposals related to mental health in the UN system as needed; • Support the systemwide work around Staff Counselling role, psychosocial services ad and MHS Implementation through various leadership roles: • Participate in the MHLT for UNS MHS Implementation, including steering committee and the NY planning sub-committee; • Serve as a non-voting board member on the MHSIB; • Serve on the UNSSCG Coordination Committee for systemwide role; and • Collaborate with OSH team and serve on risk assessment projects as needed. Performance Management & Professional Development of Team: • Managing the performance of the SCO team members in line with Organizational guidelines through the implementation of ST/AI 2010/5 in area of responsibility. • Research, design and develop a flexible workplan for SCO programme in line with mental health strategies and evidence-based practices. Clinical (Mental Health) Case Management and Supervision: • Support the DHMOSH Medical Directors as requested on mental health case by directly providing or assigning cases to clinical team members for assessment and support; • Provide direct counselling services to UN Personnel in NYHQ and case management support to personnel across the globe as requested by DHMOSH Medical Director or designee; • Provide clinical case management and counselling services as needed for highly complex and high-level cases as needed; • Provide clinical supervision and case guidance on SCO counselling cases delivered by the NY based Staff Counsellors, including P-3 Staff Counsellors and Consultants. • Performs other duties as required

Competencies

Professionalism: Expert knowledge on the interventions related to the prevention, protection/promotions and support of mental health at work; Knowledgeable on a wide range of theories & techniques and methods to promote mental health and wellbeing at work individuals, managers and teams. Knowledge of current treatments of mental health and substance disorders for assessment, referral and case management. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education

An Advanced/Postgraduate University Degree or equivalent in psychology, counselling, psychology, clinical psychology, psychiatry (medical or nursing), marriage and family therapy, or social work with evidence of training in mental health counselling is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

A valid and unrestricted licenses or certifications to practice in a mental health specialty is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of Psychiatry (nursing or medical), Psychology or mental health related field is required, of which 5 years at the international level. Experience working in the development and delivery of training programmes to support mental health at work is required. Experience in administration and management of staff, including budget and performance evaluation is required. Proficiency in using the modern medical information technology, such as electronic medical records, is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.