Consultant, Counsellor Psychosocial Support - Geneva

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the largest humanitarian organization in the world and has undertaken a HR strategy which focuses on the importance of the Mental Health at workplace and well-being of its staff. A key component of that strategy reinforces the progress to date of the existing Psychological Support Program (PSP) as part of the Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Unit - HRMD.

The Occupational Health Safety and Wellbeing Unit provides a professional service of health management for all staff during their employment life cycle and ensure that staff health and wellbeing is included in the daily work of the employees.

The overall purpose of the PSP is the direct support to the staff by offering a variety of services such as briefing and debriefing, individual counselling sessions, information sessions, workshops and webinars; all in the best interest of their welfare.

Following the strengthening of the different regions, the aim of the PSP has been to provide services globally and within all regions through engaging with consultants in different locations. While the primary support functions are provided at the regional level, the support and coordination of the program is based in Geneva.

The Federation's psychological support programme for staff has been well established nearly 20 years and is much appreciated by delegates, national staff and the National Societies who use the services.

Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy

Ensure safety, health and wellbeing of all engaged staff and volunteers.

Deliverables

1. Ensure individual counselling upon request under strict confidentiality.
2. Provide PSS briefings/ debriefings to staff, either individually or as a group using the identified SoP.
3. Reinforce and support self-assessment on mental health subjects and knowledge of such methods.
4. Provide critical incident debriefings to staff upon request.
5. If needed, and agreed upon, undertake missions to the field according to an identified ToR.
6. Develop together and assist in maintaining, with the OHSW unit, a file management system that:
   • ensures absolute confidentiality,
   • assigns a dedicated provider for staff members,
   • ensures continued support during the staff member’s contract term, and
   • allows for coordination with the OHSW unit.
7. Provide training, webinars or workshops on a variety of topics including stress management and psychological support elements for larger groups on request.
8. Contribute to the PSS reporting schedule which will be shared with the HRMD highlighting the major general issues while maintaining confidentiality of the clients.
9. Complete statistics as per the developed system.
10. Attend regular and ad-hoc meetings on HR request
11. Support development of guidelines and SOP related to staff wellbeing
12. PSS counsellors will be expected to abide by the IFRC Code of Conduct in their dealings with all staff and volunteers

Responsibilities

1. Present at the regular PSP Virtual meetings. At least one representative of each region should be present.
2. Statistics must be uploaded into the designated system in a timely manner.
3. Response to request from staff and/ or OHSW unit must be provided within a day verbally or in written.
4. Input to Annual Report must be submitted before the end of February the following year.
5. PSP related issues that are communicated with HR at regional office should include OHSW unit in cc if not otherwise indicated.
6. If not available for services for a period longer than 3 days OHSW unit need to be informed and an out of office message for the professional IFRC email address needs to be placed.
7. Share articles / papers /trainings presentation of workshop etc with the team through the designated IFRC website.
8. Co-host / co-work with one and another PSP colleague when required.
9. Duly complete the ID number form for confidential invoicing and audit purpose.

Consultancy Timeframe

12 months from 01 January 2027 with possible annual extension.

Required

• Psychologist or Psychotherapist (university degree and professional qualifications required, licensed).

Preferred

• Trained in psycho- traumatology or critical incident debriefing.

Required

• Psychological management of trauma cases and/or critical incidents.
• Counselling in non-mother tongue language.

Preferred

• Work experience in the international humanitarian world, operating in emergencies.
• Working in multi-cultural context.
• Experience within the RCRC movement.

Required

• Self-supported in computing systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with multi-discipline and multi-cultural teams in a cross functional environment.
• Able to perform presentations for larger groups.
• Ability to work under stressful situations.

LANGUAGES

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred

• Fluent spoken and written French is highly desirable.
• Good command of other languages.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Availability for short visits to surrounding countries at short notice.
• Being available to provide psychological support outside regular working hours as the situation requires.

Application Instruction

• Please submit your application in English only.

The closing date and time for this vacancy are based on Geneva time. Applications must be submitted by 23:59 (11:59 PM) Geneva time on the advertised closing date.