The key role of the Stress Counsellor will be to build a sustainable stress management system in the UN Offices operating in the country and to improve critical incident stress management preparedness, response and recovery of the UN security system.

Under the administrative supervision of the UNDSS Security Advisor and the technical supervision of the CISMU Headquarter Regional Counsellor, the locally based counsellor will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Knowledge management

• Implement a wide range of stress management activities, including the UNDSS CISMU strategic framework on critical incident stress prevention and management; the United Nations Standard Operating Procedure on critical incident stress;
• Perform an ongoing assessment and monitor the determinants of stress in the UN Offices, as well as stress levels among the UN staff
• Develop and implement a stress management plan for the UN Offices in the country;
• Liaise with EMHP  and institutions in the country for referral, as well as with UN line managers, medical doctors, and local physicians in order to build a network of professionals ready to support and intervene in case of need;
• Advise the UN Management on stress culturally and gender sensitive mitigating strategies, decisions and activities;
• Provide monthly reports to the Security Advisor and to the UNDSS CISMU on all activities.

2. Training and Counselling

• Conduct individual and/or group counseling sessions to the UN personnel;
• Identify, respond and follow up on critical incident stress cases among the UN personnelf in the country;
• Organize and conduct training sessions on stress and stress related issues for UN staff;
• Travel regularly to the UN Offices/Sub-Offices in the country in order to implement preventative and mitigating stress management activities;

Other duties

• Identify and train with CISMU Regional Stress Counsellor, Peer Helper network and supervise them.
• Attend the yearly Regional Cell meeting /Certification training and monthly webinars organised by CISMU.
• Support CISMU research plan.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Leadership: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to removes barriers * Creates awareness of substantive opportunities and risks among others * Navigates complex circumstances thoughtfully and is solution-minded
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection.  Ability to undertake research, analyze data, make recommendations and write draft reports on sustainable development issues.  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.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• 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.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Psychology (Clinical Psychology or Counselling Psychology Master’s Degree after a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counselling or Psychoeducation) or a Doctor of Medicine Degree in Psychiatry ( MD )

or

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or Counselling with at least 3 supervised clinical internship in a mental health setting and or UN certified training in psychosocial service provision can be accepted in the absence of an advanced degree on an exceptional country specific basis where there is a dearth of qualified mental health professionals with post graduate qualifications.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in psychological counselling, clinical psychology, psychotherapy.
• Additional certification, training and or experience in a broad range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, psychosomatic disease, behavioral problems, psychosocial programming would be an asset;
• Well-developed communication, leadership and team-building skills;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and the local language (Portuguese);

​Other:

• Prior experience with the United Nations is desirable.

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Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

All applicants must be inscribed on Social Security System (INSS)

For candidates living in another city than the duty station (Brasília), removal allowance will not be granted by UNDP.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 6 MONTHS