Staff Counsellor

The mandate of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) was established by the Security Council in its resolution 1244 (1999). The primary and overarching objectives of UNMIK are to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo, strengthen and consolidate peace, security, and stability, and promote and protect human rights for all people.

All reference to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999.

Under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for: Counselling: Assessing the wellbeing and psychosocial needs of personnel (including all mission personnel: civilian and national staff; UN Volunteers; contractors; UN Police; Military; and Agencies, Funds, and Programmes personnel in emergency cases) and making recommendations to the Chief, Staff Counselling or designated officer; Conducting individual or group defusing and emotional first aid following critical incidents or other traumatic events as well as for secondary trauma; Providing appropriate referrals following critical incidents to Medical Counselling, HIV/AIDS, Security, Human Resources, or Conduct and Discipline offices as appropriate; Acting as a clinical counselling resource to personnel requiring psychological assistance via self, supervisor, or medical referral; Performing clinical follow-up; Ensuring all personnel have access to counselling services. This will include traveling to municipalities and County Support Bases in Kosovo and Belgrade where UNMIK staff are deployed; Collaborating with the Medical, Administration, Conduct & Discipline, Gender, Security, HIV/AIDS, Human Resources, or other Sections by providing supportive intervention on individual cases upon request and developing strategic relationships with Senior Management; Coordinating clinical activities with Civilian and Military Staff Counselors, Contingent and Sector Civilian/Military/Police/Staff Clinical focal points; Providing conflict resolution/mediation sessions upon request in coordination with the Ombudsperson. Wellbeing: Implementing preventative and mitigating stress management/wellbeing activities such as sports events and competitions, tours/trips, recreational clubs, café/bar, exercise and meditation classes, speaker series, play readings, game nights, choir or karaoke, training, and other wellbeing activities and events in collaboration with the Welfare Committee; Attending and actively participating in meetings of the Welfare Committee and Subcommittees; Assisting the Welfare Committee in establishing and maintaining exercise, sport, and recreational facilities for eligible UNMIK personnel, including maintaining equipment and membership; Helping the Welfare Committee in developing and maintaining a library, including arranging the loan and rotation of books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs, and DVDs whenever necessary; Liaising with other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs ) under the Department of Safety & Security(DSS) umbrella in the State regarding upcoming training, events, or activities. Training: Facilitating greater use of peer support within the organization through the establishment, training, and empowerment of peer support groups, such as Peer Helpers; Compiling and/or developing informational resources that can be made available to staff, including online and PowerPoint training material, self-help materials, and information on other local services available; Providing an induction/briefing to new personnel in the mission, e.g., introduction to local culture, wellbeing/recreational activities and facilities, local markets, and restaurants, in collaboration with the Welfare Committee; Creating and distributing wellbeing pamphlets, posters, and materials; Administrative: Monitoring the stress management program implementation via data collection, including compiling daily clinical statistics, analysis, and documentation; Reporting to the Chief Staff Counsellor on all activities; Performing other related tasks assigned by the Chief Medical Officer or designated officer.