Staff Counsellor, Consultant at World Food Programme (WFP)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

• The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  WFP Kenya Country Office operations are extremely complex in nature with high reputational risks. The challenge of working in difficult conditions to bring much needed food and support to beneficiaries, while inherently rewarding, can place a great deal of pressure and stress on WFP staff.
• As part of a multidisciplinary team under the Staff Wellness Division, the Staff Counselling Unit is committed to the promotion of psychological and physical health in the broadest sense so staff can continue to function at high levels in order to meet the mandate of the organization. This is done by identifying and addressing psychological risk factors in the workplace, and through the provision of counselling services to staff members and their dependents.
• WFP Kenya Country Office, Nairobi is looking for a highly qualified Staff Counsellor to provide efficient and effective psychological counselling to staff requiring support related to workplace difficulties or personal issues.  A large emphasis is placed on extensive engagement with staff and promotion of staff wellbeing.
• JOB PURPOSE
• To provide efficient and effective psychological counselling to staff requiring support related to work-place difficulties or personal issues. A large emphasis is placed on extensive engagement with staff and promotion of staff well-being.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Provide empirically supported and culturally sensitive counselling services to staff and if requested their dependents; this may include case management and referrals to other resources as required.
• Provide pre and post deployment briefings to staff being deployed to emergency or hardship duty stations.
• Using the WFP Wellness Strategy work closely with partners to develop a broad range of Wellness initiatives that fit the context and needs of the operation.
• Based on data trends and requests from other divisions/units/offices develop and provide a range of trainings and programs including but not limited to team building, resilience, harassment, and cross-cultural sensitivity to improve morale, health, and team dynamics.
• As part of a multidisciplinary team work closely with individuals and teams to address psychological risks at the individual, unit and organizational level.
• When requested work closely with managers/supervisors towards improving the working atmosphere in their units.
• Manage the content of the Wellbeing Platform relevant to Kenya.
• Provide counselling services to individuals and/or groups during emergencies; provide services in a timely and sensitive manner to staff and dependents after critical incidents, and ensure follow up support for staff and dependents following critical events;
• Support and maintain the existing WSV Network through supervision; disseminate training materials and related protocols.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (cont.)

• Identify and liaise with high quality local and regional mental health resources that can be used for referrals or in times of crisis.
• In the best interests of staff members and the organization work in a collegial and professional manner with all units in the Staff Wellness Division to ensure continuity of care.
• Work as a part of a team to ensure WFP divisional priorities are implemented consistent with the yearly divisional work plan and the Wellness Division Strategic Plan.
• Develop and participate in multidisciplinary programmes in the Staff Wellness Division as well as Regional and Country Offices.
• Be proactive in building partnerships with but not limited to HR and security that support staff within the agency and with other agencies or relevant organizations.
• Contribute to the development of policies and guidelines, as well as written and visual materials to increase awareness regarding important themes and topics related to Staff Wellness.
• Complete administrative duties such as maintain statistics on activities and completing reporting requirements as per the requirement in the Staff Wellness Division.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Advanced University degree in Psychology, Psychiatry, Counselling or other related field. Registration as a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Counsellor or equivalent in the country of origin is required.
• Experience: Typically five years or more of relevant experience in the field of mental health including experience in working in UN or other humanitarian organizations. Experience in hardship duty stations providing counselling services to staff working in difficult and hazardous environments is required.
• Language: Proficiency in written and verbal communication in English is required. Knowledge of intermediate knowledge of another UN language is advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Broad knowledge of all facets of the field of counselling, and ability to provide an environment in which others can talk confidentially and act without fear or repercussions within a climate of established trust.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentations) including the ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff at all levels.
• Ability to identify clients' needs and suggest appropriate solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.
• Ability to contribute to the strategic vision of the Wellness division based on trends identified using a population health model.
• Very good working knowledge of technology tools such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Ability to operate effectively, and establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Conflict resolution and mediation skills