National Staff Counsellor

• Job Identification 20503
• Posting Date 07/21/2026, 12:05 PM
• Apply Before 08/02/2026, 08:55 PM
• Contract Type Special Short Term Graded (Up to 9 months)
• Initial Contract Duration 6 months
• Org Type Country Office
• Vacancy Type Special Vacancy Notice
• Recruiting Type National Officer
• Grade NO-C
• Is this S/VN based in an L3 office or in support to an L3 emergency response? No
  
  

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission, and direct technical supervision of the Senior Staff Welfare Officer in Headquarters (HQ), Geneva, and in close coordination with the relevant units in Country Office as well as the Regional Office, the National Staff Counsellor will be responsible and accountable for implementing the staff welfare activities in IOM Ukraine.

• Provide in-person and online psychological counselling and support, confidential one-to-one and group sessions, to staff members and dependents.
• Provide psychological and counselling support to staff members in post critical incidents and other emergencies.
• Conduct psychosocial risk assessments in the workplace and help, as appropriate, to address highlighted issues.
• Provide reccomendations to the CoM and relevant stakeholders on improvements for the effective implementation of the UN Mental Health Strategy and IOM People Strategy in Country Office.
• Participate in and, when required, coordinate Staff Welfare responses to emergencies and critical incidents; liaise with the Senior Staff Welfare Officer in case of complex emergencies requiring a coordinated response; ensure that Country Office’s security plans include provisions to provide for the psychosocial needs of staff during emergencies and following critical incidents.
• Develop and provide training to all staff on relevant topics including stress management, emotional processing, dealing with critical incidents, wellbeing; provide targeted training to Managers/ Heads of Units to increase their knowledge and skills to create a supportive working environment and increase awareness on mental health issues.
• Produce psycho-educational material for dissemination.
• Work with the Managers/ Heads of Units to develop preventative initiatives (e.g. preparing for critical incidents).
• Offer consultations to the Managers/Heads of Units to address specific needs on request and/or to explore avenues for enhancing humanitarian staff wellbeing and mental health in accordance with the UN Mental Health Strategy.
• Collaborate with colleagues in UN/ international non-governmental organization (INGO) staff in relevant units (e.g. UNDSS, Staff Welfare, Human Resources etc.)
• Identify and liaise with local and regional mental health resources that can be used for referrals or in times of crisis; refer staff members, who are in crisis, and require emergency psychological and/psychiatric support to appropriate external providers.
• Ensure that reports and other administrative duties are carried out to a professional standard; develop tools for data collection, analysis, monitoring and reporting mechanisms at Country Office level while maintaining records and producing regular reports; keep the Senior Staff Welfare Officer updated on numbers and statistics of services provided in Country Office.
• Participate in Staff Welfare team meetings and activities (monthly group supervision, team coordination meetings, team retreats, etc.) Participate to the relevant UN Working Group and other relevant technical fora, and liaise with UN counterparts on matters related to the staff welfare.
• Ensure the adherence to the professional standards of the United Nations Stress and Staff Counsellors Group (UNSSCG) as well as the Code of Ethics for UN Staff Counsellors.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
  
  

EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling, or Psychiatry or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
• Must possess an active license or certification, or demonstrate registered membership in a legitimate professional organization in the field most relevant to their degree, including psychiatry (medicine or nursing), psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or social work.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of five years of relevant counseling experience post licensure/certification/registration, with experience in a similar setting such as an international and/or humanitarian organization is preferred;
• Experience with counselling and psychosocial interventions;
• Experience of working with other UN Agencies, International Humanitarian Organizations or Employee Assistant Programmes is considered essential; and,
• Demonstrated familiarity with the impact of working conditions of humanitarian workers on their well-being.
  
  

Skills

• Excellent communication and writing skills;
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization;
• Familiarity with diversity and its implementation;
• Knowledge of modern technologies, e.g. teleservices; and,
• Readiness to travel and work in emergency contexts.
  
  

Languages

For this position, fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
  
  

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
  
  

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.
  
  

Notes

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies