Staff Counsellor, Staff Counsellor, Juba, South Sudan

General

Description of assignment title: Staff Counsellor

Assignment country: South Sudan

Duty stations: Juba

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 08/03/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility ofextension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health andwell-being

Host entity: UNICEF

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Expert UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• About us
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the driving forcethat helps build a world where the rights of every child arerealized. We believe that nurturing and caring for children are thecornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with thispurpose in mind - to work with others to overcome the obstaclesthat poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in achild's path. We advocate for measures to give children the beststart in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms thestrongest foundation for a person's future.
• UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly toadvocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meettheir basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach theirfull potential. It is guided by the Convention on the Rights of theChild and strives to establish children's rights as enduringethical principles and international standards of behaviour towardschildren.
• UNICEF provides long-term humanitarian and developmentalassistance to children and mothers in 191 countries through countryprogrammes and National Committees.
• What We Do
• UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in SouthSudan

Context:

• South Sudan continues to face a complex humanitarian anddevelopment context characterized by recurring conflict,large-scale displacement, food insecurity, and limited access tobasic services. UN agencies, funds, and programmes workcollectively in support of the Government of South Sudan tostabilize communities, strengthen institutional capacity, andadvance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The UN system in South Sudan operates under an integrated approachguided by the United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF) and theHumanitarian Response Plan (HRP). Within this framework, UNVolunteers play a critical role in expanding programmatic reach,supporting capacity development, and strengthening operationaleffectiveness across offices. The duty station in Juba serves asthe central coordination hub for programme implementation,partnerships, supply, and support services across all fieldlocations. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund(UNICEF) operates from Juba including seven different fieldlocations across the country.
• The International UNV Staff Counsellor will support theimplementation of the organization's staff well-being framework byproviding counselling services, stress management support, andpsychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing staff resilience andoverall mental health. The role will include conducting individualand group counselling sessions, facilitating stress-reduction andwell-being workshops, and supporting critical incident response incoordination with the Regional Staff Counsellor and Global StaffWellbeing Unit. The Counsellor will collaborate closely withmanagement, People & Culture, security teams, medical services,and field colleagues to identify emerging wellbeing risks,recommend preventive measures, and strengthen organizationalmechanisms that promote a healthy and supportive workplace. Theassignment will also involve capacity-building of Peer SupportVolunteers, monitor staff welfare trends, and contribute toduty-of-care reporting and Analysis.
• The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administeredby the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Task description:

• Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of theRepresentative or his/her designated mandated representative(s),the Staff Counsellor will be responsible for the following threebroad areas:
• 1. Preventative and protective psychosocial support:
• Provide psychosocial support to managers and staff to mitigatestress and strengthen protective factors through individual orgroup sessions (assessment, short-term intervention, referral) in asafe and confidential environment.
• Advise leadership and managers on healthy work practices,resilience-building, and staff support strategies during and afteremergencies or crises.
• Deliver preventative programs and training, includingpsychoeducation, tailored workshops, webinars, and anti-stigmainitiatives to address systemic issues and promote mental healthawareness.
• Conduct mandatory pre/post-deployment briefings for new andsurge staff.
• Develop and maintain a network of external mental healthproviders to ensure access to specialized services.
• Develop and produce engaging wellbeing resources, such asvideos, pamphlets, toolkits, and digital content, to raiseawareness, provide practical guidance, and support staff inmanaging stress and promoting mental health.
• Coordinate the Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) Programme for thecountry office.
• 2. Critical Incident Stress Management:
• Provide support to individuals and groups following criticalincidents, using a holistic approach that integrates multiplesupport strategies. Interventions may include practical assistance,psychoeducation, psychological first aid, strategic guidance forleadership, family support, and tailored individual or groupsessions.
• Both proactive and responsive measures must align with theStaff Care in Emergencies Framework to ensure consistency andeffectiveness.
• 3. Monitoring and oversight:
• Regularly compile and share aggregated statistics and trendsrelated to staff wellbeing, ensuring strict confidentiality.
• Partner with relevant wellbeing stakeholders as needed toanalyze data and coordinate appropriate actions.
• Promptly alert the Regional Staff Counsellor and/or CountryOffice Management to emerging concerns or offices requiringtargeted support or managerial intervention.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices for continuousimprovement and disseminate them as appropriate.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by thesupervisor.
• Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept ofvolunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications andtake active part in UNV activities (for instance in events thatmark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local formsof volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that theyare undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflectionactivities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitthem for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases,etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UNVolunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of onlinevolunteering or encourage relevant local individuals andorganizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenevertechnically possible.
• Results/expected outputs:
• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive,client-friendly, and high-quality support is rendered to UNICEF andits beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions,including:
• Confidential psychosocial support services delivered - Regularindividual and group counselling sessions provided to staff andmanagers, resulting in timely support, reduced stress levels, andstrengthened coping mechanisms.
• Enhanced managerial capacity for staff wellbeing - Managers andleaders receive guidance on healthy work practices,resilience-building, and staff-care strategies, leading to improvedsupportive management behaviors.
• Preventative mental health programs implemented - A calendar ofpreventative interventions, trainings, psychoeducation sessions,workshops, webinars, and anti-stigma activities conducted topromote wellbeing and address systemic stressors.
• Deployment staff adequately briefed and supported - Mandatorypre-deployment and post-deployment psychosocial briefings conductedfor all new and surge staff, ensuring preparedness and safereintegration.
• Functional network of external mental health providersmaintained - A regularly updated and accessible referral networkestablished to enable staff to access specialized mental healthservices when needed.
• High-quality wellbeing materials developed and disseminated -Videos, pamphlets, toolkits, and digital content produced andshared with staff to increase awareness and support self-carepractices.
• Peer Support Volunteer (PSV) Programme effectively coordinated- PSV members trained, supported, and mobilized to providepeer-to-peer assistance and enhance the office's internal supportcapacity.
• Effective post-incident psychosocial interventions delivered -Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) support such aspsychological first aid, group support sessions, leadershipguidance, and family support—provided in line with the StaffCare in Emergencies Framework.
• Regular wellbeing monitoring and reporting completed -Confidential, aggregated statistics, trends, and risk indicatorscompiled and shared with relevant stakeholders, informingdecision-making and targeted interventions.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematicallyapplied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughoutthe assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism forpeace and development during the assignment, such as reporting onthe number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, andcapacity developed.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 7 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a countryother than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 7 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Master's degree in counselling, clinical psychology,organizational psychology or a field related to mental health.Country specific licensure or membership with a certifyingauthority authorizing the incumbent to deliver mental healthservices is considered an asset

Competencies and values:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability
• Core Competencies
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
• e)
• Additional Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operationsrelevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant ortransferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, politicalsensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability toapply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a rangeof different actors, especially in senior positions; whereappropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative andability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness toaccept wide responsibilities and ability to work independentlyunder established procedures; ability to manage informationobjectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive andclient-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of theUN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviors while actingwithout consideration of personal gains; resist undue politicalpressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in theorganization's interest even if they are unpopular; take promptaction in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does notabuse power or authority;
• Cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment withsensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptabilityto culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment toimplementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equalparticipation and full involvement of women and men in all aspectsof UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provideguidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingnessto learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area ofexpertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing effective organizational andproblem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of workin an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish prioritiesand to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to workunder pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multipleconcurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken andwritten communication skills, including ability to prepare clearand concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulateoptions and positions concisely; ability to make and defendrecommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff(including national staff), military personnel, volunteers,counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diversebackgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to awide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work inpotentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physicalhardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austereenvironments for protracted periods; willingness to travel withinthe area of operations and to transfer to other duty stationswithin the area of operations as necessary;

Skills and experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience,including three years at the international level in psychologicalcounselling and training with special emphasis on managing criticalincident stress.
• Additional training experience in a broad range of relatedfields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, andcross-cultural communication, is an asset.
• Work experience in developing and delivering online andface-to-face workshops and webinars on a range of well-being andmental health topics is desirable.
• Experience working in a hardship location or providingcounselling services to staff operating under very difficult andinsecure environments is an asset.
• Experience in the United Nations System or the internationaldevelopment/humanitarian aid sector is desirable.
• Other desired/mandatory technical knowledge:
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting,formulation, and reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production andediting;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and sociallysensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with arange of partners, including grassroots community members,religious and youth organizations, and authorities at differentlevels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications fordevelopment;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in achallenging environment; ability to work effectively in amulticultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency invarious Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) andemail/internet; familiarity with database management and officetechnology equipment;
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work with minimumsupervision and tight deadlines;
• Ground security awareness;
• Affinity with or interest in UNICEF's mandate for children,volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UnitedNations (UN) System.
• Ability to travel and provide support to field-basedstaff.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Health

Driving license:

Other information