Org. Setting and Reporting

The temporary position is located within the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH). Pursuant to Security Council resolution 2793 (2025), UNSOH has been mandated to provide support; primarily to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the Haitian National Police (HNP), and the Haitian Armed Forces in the context of any joint operations with the GSF. Additionally, UNSOH is tasked with delivering technical assistance to the Organization of American States (OAS).

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority of the Chief Medical Officer and with technical guidance from the CISMS Regional Stress Counsellor, the incumbent will perform the following duties: • Provides adequate counseling services within the Mission area (e.g. overall assessment of the psychosocial needs of the staff members, development of the services, etc.); • Performs individual assessments in the case of staff members experiencing difficulty coping and/or presenting with mental health-related symptoms or syndromes; • Advises the chief human resources officer and other staff of the human resources section, as necessary, on individual and /or group cases where an identified problem is likely to have professional, vocational and/or counseling effect (e.g. work-related problem due to a psychological problem, conflict resolution, need oriented medication, etc.); • Advises section chiefs, as necessary, or upon request, with the aim at improving the working atmosphere in their Sections and resolving problems of a work-related or personal nature that adversely affect job performance and productivity; • Performs psychological first aid (e.g. individual and/or group) whenever and wherever required; • Assures in conjunction with the Medical Services, a continuum of services (referral, short-term supportive intervention) to those staff members suffering from serious or chronic diseases or illnesses or drug and alcohol use; • Collaborates closely with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office to organize training sessions on conflict resolution/transformation as needed, including on maintaining a harmonious workplace. • Collaborates closely together with colleagues from Human Resources, and the Medical Services, Security section, Ombudsman, Staff Unions, and other services within the Organization; • Establishes a link and liaises with the members of the Staff Welfare Committee in order to develop programmes designed to improve the quality of life of staff members within the mission area; • Ensures that all aspects of Staff Counselling and Welfare adhere to agreed professional standards including utmost confidentiality, skills, and update in their knowledge and performance; • Provides supervision, guidance, and leadership to the Welfare Officer. Supports the Welfare Officer in preparing and managing the welfare budget; • Provides training sessions on stress and crisis management, conflict resolution and cultural sensitivity as needed; • Monitors environmental factors that could lead to stress, with particular focus on stress related to critical incidents including emergency and crisis situations, with respect to civilian staff members of the mission; • Actively participates/takes the lead in the development of guidance and procedures governing employees' relations within the workplace and identifies potential areas or issues that would benefit from stress-reducing measures and makes recommendations on possible solutions to senior management; • Develops, organizes and implements a resilience building program for all staff. Liaises with National Mental health professionals and other Psych-medical resources; • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Broad knowledge of all facets of the field of counseling and the ability to provide a confidential environment in which others can talk and act without fear or repercussions within a climate of established trust; Ability to effectively manage crisis situations which involve diverse actors and stakeholders. Coordinate and consult with other relevant specialist services in the Organization as per its cross-cutting functional scope which includes staff administration, Human Resources policy as well as Medical Services in respect of emergencies, support and related administrative functions; Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productivity partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in clinical Psychology, Psychiatry or other advanced mental health degree. A valid certification to practice at national level in clinical psychology or psychiatry is required. Additional training or certification in a broad range of mental health related fields, such as alcohol/substance abuse, stress management, traumatic stress, cross-cultural communication or conflict resolution is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in staff counselling, mental health, cross cultural communications, counselling, psychiatry, clinical psychology, and related areas is required. Experience in the management and leadership of a team of Mental Health programs at both National and international level is required. Experience in community mental health and Organizational Intervention is desirable. Experience in Employees Assistance Programme is desirable Qualifying years of experience are calculated after the receipt of an accredited advanced level degree recognized by the United Nations.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This temporary job opening is being advertised for advance planning purposes pending formal approval of the relevant funding and staffing structures. An appointment may be terminated, or post level adjusted in accordance with the Staff Rules for such reasons as abolition of post or reduction of staff or committee funding approvals, for example in the event that the funding for the post is not approved or the mandate of the mission is not extended. The selected candidate will be expected to temporarily deploy until 30 June 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.