National Staff Counsellor

Position Title: National Staff Counsellor

Duty Station: IOM Philippines Country Office (Manila)

Classification: National Officer Staff, Grade NO-B**

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 25 March 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Internal and external candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, internal candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director, the direct technical and professional supervision of the IOM Staff Welfare Officer at IOM Bangkok Regional Office, and the direct administrative supervision of the Chief of Mission, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

• Provide counselling and support to staff and dependents in IOM Philippines. This will include assessment, confidential one to one and group sessions.
• Carry-out and coordinate counselling and support to staff post critical incidents and other emergencies.
• Coordinate and strategize with IOM regional staff welfare counsellors located at the regional office.
• Assess staff who are in crisis and require emergency psychological and/psychiatric support with IOM Philippines.
• Deliver training as needed on relevant topics including stress management, emotional processing, dealing with critical incidents, wellbeing.
• Organize and disseminate psycho-educational material for dissemination, e.g. vicarious trauma.
• Develop a peer support network for humanitarian community in IOM Philippines.
• Work with colleagues to develop preventative initiatives, e.g. preparing for critical incidents.
• Coordinate with the Security Officer towards including provisions for the psychosocial needs of staff during emergencies and following critical incidents in the Country Office security plans.
• Identify and liaise with local mental health resources that can be used for referrals or in times of crisis.
• Prepare and ensure that reports, case notes and other administrative duties are carried out to a professional standard.
• Refer staff to outside mental health professionals or facilities, as recommended.
• Provide technical supervision with other staff counsellors in Philippines, including staff counsellors at sub-offices.
• Undertake duty travel when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in counselling, social work, or other mental health or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.
• Must be licensed or eligible to be licensed to provide professional counselling in Philippines.
• Additional training, certification, or experience in a range of related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, critical incident stress management, cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, trauma, etc. will also be considered.

Experience

• Minimum six (6) years of relevant experience is required.
• Past supervision experience is preferred.
• Experience with other UN Agencies, International Humanitarian Organizations, or Employee Assistance Programs considered essential.**

Skills

• Proficiency in MS Office and Web based applications.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and writing skills.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a second official UN language is desirable.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:**

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2*

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators **

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example, and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Empowering others and building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment.

This position should be filled only by candidates who are a national (Filipino Nationals) at the country of the duty station.

The position involves onsite work. The working modality will be further discussed during the interviews if candidate is available to work on-site and/or offsite.