Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)C
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA8
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateNovember 12, 2023
Terms of Reference1. General Background
Displacement has a profound impact on people and their communities. People who flee their homes are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress. Displacement can exacerbate pre-existing conditions and create new ones, as it has a profound impact on individuals, families, communities, and societies in general. To address the mental health needs of refugees approaching Iranโs operation, each office has contracted one Psycho-Social Counsellor, to provide individual counseling services to refugees and asylum-seekers in need. Priority for the counseling is given to survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), but also survivors of torture and trauma, cases of attempted suicide, survivors and perpetrators of child abuse, substance users, and others are included in the service.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
a) Providing individual and group counselling services to Afghan and Iraqi refugees in need of psychosocial assistance particularly to survivors of GBV, but also to survivors of torture and trauma, cases of attempted suicide, survivors and perpetrators of child abuse, addicted persons and etc. (hereinafter โthe persons of concern โ PoCs โ);
b) Report in writing to UNHCR on the situation of the PoCs referred to him/her at the end of each month containing the psychological and mental status of the refugees and their needs;
c) In consultation with UNHCR and whenever required, making referrals to and liaising with Social Welfare Organization and external psychiatrists and social workers of special hospitals/centers for further medical treatment of PoCs;
d) Referring cases to weekly multifunctional case-management meetings and if need be, participate in case management meetings and other forums to present and discuss cases as a member of a multi-functional team;
e) Referring cases to weekly case-management meetings and to Education and Livelihoods Focal Points within UNHCR for empowerment and self-reliant purposes and monitoring the effect of such referrals;
f) Providing psychological assessment of individual cases, as required by UNHCR to support RSD and RST cases;
g) Analyzing the information available from group counselling through systematization forms and other tools and updating it on a regular basis;
h) Supporting UNHCR in developing prevention and response mechanisms to GBV;
i) Providing individual and psycho-social group counselling to UNHCR.
The Psycho-Social Counsellor is inter alia expected to:
a) Find the most appropriate treatment for the PoCs by using all psycho-social means and ways accessible to her/him and by following the case up;
b) Inform PoCs to UNHCR that Psycho-Social counselling service is free of charge,
c) Actively participate in a network of Psycho-Social Counsellors dealing with cases of the PoCs, established and supervised by UNHCR;
d) Refrain from requesting or receiving any payments from the PoCs for the rendered services to them;
e) Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNHCR and the United Nations and avoid engaging in any activity which would be incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations or the Mandate of UNHCR to ensure the protection of the PoCs, by observing provisions included in the UNHCR Code of Conduct;
f) Participate in all meetings and gatherings she/he has been invited to by UNHCR, whether for training or for any other purposes;
g) Share with UNHCR any relevant information related to the government policies and legislation;
h) Provide monthly and annual reports of his/her activities.
i) Report any case of fraud and sexual exploitation and abuse that will come to her/his attention according to UNHCR procedures.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
3. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
b. Work Experience
Minimum 3 years of experience as a psycho-social counsellor
c. Language Requirements
Basic/working knowledge of English
d. Key Competencies
Previous experience with refugees will be considered an asset.
Previous experience with GBV/CP cases is preferred.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
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,
Desired Languages
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationShortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test and/or Interview.
No late application will be accepted.This position doesn't require a functional clearance