Details
Mission and objectives
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Context
Due to the nature and location of their work, UNICEF Afghanistan County Office (ACO) staff are frequently exposed to high levels of day to day, cumulative stress, including those stressors related to their workload as well as the demands related to living and working in multicultural, often unstable, and insecure environments. These have a debilitating impact on staff members’ mental health and well-being, adversely impacting the efficiency of service delivery. The National Staff Counsellor, in collaboration with the International Staff Counsellor, will focus on the interplay between the work environment and the individual and aim to improve organisational and work conditions while strengthening staff members’ resilience and psychological flexibility.
Task description
• Individual psychosocial support for personnel and their dependents • Host group sessions for staff, and for dependants • Design and deliver in-person and online workshops in Pashto and English (and Dari if possible) • Travel to the various offices of UNICEF (within Afghanistan) to provide in-person counselling support and to run groups and in-person workshops (approximately every 2 months) • Provide psychological support after a critical incident or emergency for a staff member
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in • Minimum 3 years of professional experience in staff support, mental health, cross cultural communications, counselling, and related areas, preferably gained within the UN system or international developSment/humanitarian aid sector. • Resourcefulness and keen social awareness and sound judgement pertaining to common counselling areas of intervention, including, but not limited to burnout, anxiety, depression, self-care., addiction, domestic violence. • Non-judgmental clinical approach, with strictest adherence to staff’s confidentiality. • Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. • Working knowledge of English is required. Fluency in written as well as oral in Pashto is required. Working knowledge of Dari is desirable (not mandatory) • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
Area(s) of expertise
Crisis and emergency response, Health, Social work
Driving license
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Pashto, Level: Fluent, Required Dari, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Psychology, Counselling, Psychiatry or Social Work
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.