Staff Counsellor, Kabul, Afghanistan

General

Description of assignment title: Staff Counsellor

Assignment country: Afghanistan

Duty stations: Kabul

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 08/16/2026

Expected end date: 12/31/2026Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity: UNAMA

Modality: Onsite

Type: National

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNAMA was established in 2002 as a Political/ Peacebuilding Mission, exceptionally) directed and supported by the UN Department of
• Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).

Context:

• The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan was established in 2002 as a political Peace Keeping mission, directed and supported by the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Missions - DPKO. Staff Counselling provides counselling services to cope with crises, manage relationships and develop better ways of relating to others. What can we help with is stress, depression, anxiety, anger, alcohol or substance problems, balancing work and personal life. Decision making & managing change, adjusting to new circumstances and parent/child/partner/colleague conflict.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Medical Staff Counselling and Welfare Section, and within delegated authority, the national UN Volunteer will perform the following duties:
• Assess the well-being and psychosocial needs of personnel, including international and national staff, UN Volunteers, contractors, in emergency situations, and provide recommendations to the Chief, Medical Staff Counselling and Welfare Section, or designated officer.
• Provide confidential counselling to UN personnel: Deliver individual and /or group counselling in a safe environment for critical incident stress, work-related concerns, and personal concerns
• Facilitate appropriate referrals to Medical, Counselling, Security, Human Resources, Conduct and Discipline, or other relevant services as required.
• Serve as a counselling resource for personnel seeking psychological support through self-referral, supervisor referral, or medical referral.
• Conduct clinical follow-up and monitor client progress as appropriate.
• Develop and disseminate e-bulletins, psychoeducational materials, and awareness-raising resources.
• Prepare reports and maintain accurate records and statistical data related to counselling activities.
• Ensure personnel have access to counselling services, including through travel to field offices across Afghanistan where UNAMA personnel are deployed.
• Collaborate with Medical, Security, Human Resources, Administration, and other relevant sections to provide supportive interventions for individual cases and contribute to staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders to promote staff wellbeing and psychosocial support services.
• Support the implementation of staff wellbeing initiatives, including healthy living activities, mindfulness sessions, awareness campaigns, speaker series, and other resilience-building programmes.
• Promote and strengthen peer support mechanisms through training, and support of peer helper networks and other peer support initiatives.
• Compile, adapt, and develop training materials and information resources, including online learning tools, presentations, posters, newsletters etc on mental health, stress management, resilience, and well-being related topics, and self-help resources. Facilitate workshops and awareness sessions. Monitor the implementation of staff counselling and stress management programmes through data collection, analysis, documentation, and maintenance of clinical statistics.
• Prepare periodic activity reports and updates for the Chief, Medical Staff Counselling and Welfare Section.
• Maintain confidential records in accordance with professional ethical standards and UN policies.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Chief, Medical Staff Counselling and Welfare Section, or designated officer.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Dari, Level: Fluent, Required
• Pashto, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Master's degree in Advanced university degree in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Mental Health Care, psychology or Medical Doctor with at least four (4) years of validated postgraduate training/residency or a formally recognized specialization in Psychiatry.
• A Valid certificate (Licence) to practice at national level in clinical psychology, psychiatry or clinical social work or recognition by a formal professional organization

Competencies and values:

• - Professionalism
• - Integrity
• - Teamwork and Respect for Diversity
• - Commitment to Continuous Learning
• - Planning and Organizing
• - Communication
• - Flexibility and Adaptability

Skills and experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in clinical psychology, psychiatry (Medical Doctor with 4 years of validated residency in Psychiatry or a certificate of specialisation) or mental health care is required after a master's degree.
• Experience in crisis or emergency psychosocial support in a high-risk or humanitarian setting is required.
• Experience working with or supporting humanitarian organizations (INGOs, UN agencies) under security coordination frameworks such as Saving Lives Together (SLT) is highly desirable.
• Experience in a multicultural environment is an asset.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Health, Communication, Crisis and emergency response

Driving license:

• -

Other information