Stress Counsellor, Kabul, Afghanistan

General

Description of assignment title: Stress Counsellor

Assignment country: Afghanistan

Duty stations: Kabul

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 07/05/2026

Expected end date: 04/30/2027Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being

Host entity: DSS AFG

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• The Department's mission is to enable United Nations system operations through trusted security leadership and solutions. To achieve the mission, the Department focuses on doing the following:
• Coordinate and advise on safety and security for the UN in the field
• Support the UN's peace, humanitarian, development, and human rights operations
• Analyse threats and risks
• Advise on physical security and protective services
• Manage security at major conferences
• Provide security at UNHQ and offices away from Headquarters
• Collaborate with NGOs
• Provide a security decision-making framework

Context:

• The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support, and oversight of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments.
• This assignment is located in the Critical Incident Stress Management Section (CISMS) within the Security Information and Operations Centre (SIOC) in Kabul, Afghanistan, which is affiliated with the CISMS, UNDSS Headquarters (New York), the global coordination body for the management of stress and critical incident stress for the UN system.
• The assignment is funded under a European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) humanitarian project titled \"Scaling up Security Support to Humanitarian Operations in Afghanistan\". The project reinforces UNDSS presence across all eight Security Areas (Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, Kunduz, Gardez, Bamiyan) and strengthens coordination with over 200 humanitarian organizations under the Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework. Under the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), funded project, the position introduces a psychosocial duty-of-care component to sustain staff resilience, mitigate and prevent long-term consequences of trauma, and support operational effectiveness in a crisis-prone environment.
• Under the overall leadership and management of the Principal Security Adviser (PSA), the International UN Volunteer, Stress Counsellor, will report directly to the Lead International Stress Counsellor of CISMS UNDSS Afghanistan. The primary role is to provide confidential psychosocial support to UN personnel and SLT partner staff (including INGOs), assisting in maintaining a sustainable stress management system and enhancing Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) preparedness across the humanitarian community in Afghanistan, as mandated by the policy on Stress and Critical Incident Stress (MSCIS, 2015; Chapter 1V; Security Policy Manual).
• This is a non-family duty station designated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) as an \"E\" hardship duty station.

Task description:

• Under the overall guidance of the Principal Security Adviser (D1) and direct supervision of the Lead Stress Counsellor of CISMS UNDSS Afghanistan, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for the following duties, with a specific focus on supporting the Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) funded outcomes for UN personnel and SLT partners:
• Deliver confidential individual and /or group counselling, services for critical incident stress, and workplace-related stress, and any other stressful concerns.
• Assist the lead stress counsellor in UNDSS in designing and developing Stress Prevention and Management Plans aligned with the project's duty-of-care objectives.
• Conduct psychosocial needs assessments for humanitarian personnel and monitor determinants of stress among UN and SLT partner personnel, including data collection, analysis, resource mapping, and coordinating collective psychosocial capacity across agencies and partners.
• Deliver Training Programs under SLT Coordination; Plan and facilitate training programs on stress and critical incident stress management coping mechanisms and resiliency building, based on psychosocial needs assessments.
• Design and circulate context specific psychoeducational material.
• Assist in establishing critical incident stress management support structures for the humanitarian community including Critical Incident Stress Intervention Cells (CISICs) in CISMS UNDSS Afghanistan.
• Assist in building a Multi-Agency Support Network: Collaborate and consult with UN managers, SLT partner security focal points, agency counsellors, and medical doctors,
• Conduct Outreach and Liaison within the SLT Framework: Liaise with the existing Staff Association and SLT partner focal points to advocate for and organize welfare activities. Advise UN and SLT management on stress-mitigating strategies.
• Manage Critical Cases Across the humanitarian community: Identify, address, and follow up on high-stress and critical incident stress cases among UN and SLT partner personnel and dependents.
• Regularly visit UN Offices and SLT partner locations across Afghanistan's eight Security Areas (Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, Kunduz, Gardez, Bamiyan) to implement preventative stress management training, respond to critical incidents, and offer technical consultations.
• Liaise with local experts within Afghanistan and regionally, to establish referral pathways for specialized mental health care services.
• Provide regular reports to the lead Stress Counsellor of CISMS UNDSS Afghanistan on all activities, with aggregated data on interventions delivered to UN and SLT partners (maintaining confidentiality and UN data protection principles).

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Master's degree in
• Master's degree in clinical psychology, Mental Health Care, or a closely related field of mental health or psychology; or a Medical Doctor degree with at least four (4) years of validated postgraduate training/residency or a formally recognized specialization in Psychiatry.
• In addition, a valid license to practice as a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or a mental health care professional in the country of origin or residence, or recognition by a national or international formal professional organization in the absence of a professional board.
• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional four (4) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. This is subject to the technical clearance by the UN-accredited technical assessment board (CISMS), UNDSS Headquarters, New York.

Competencies and values:

• Professionalism: Demonstrates expert knowledge in stress management, counselling, and critical incident stress management, with a strong understanding of humanitarian operating contexts. Shows demonstrated adaptability to work in austere, insecure environments and adjusts rapidly to varying social, organizational, and geographic settings. Possesses proven ability to provide counselling on stress-related issues and to treat sensitive and confidential information appropriately. Maintains an in-depth understanding of strategic directions in critical incident stress management and duty-of-care obligations for humanitarian personnel. Takes pride in work and achievements, demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter, and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Remains calm in stressful situations and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues, UN agencies, and SLT partners to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Skills and experience:

• (Qualifying years of experience are calculated after the receipt of an accredited advanced-level degree recognized by the United Nations.):
• 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 specialization) or mental health care is required after a master's degree.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience after a first-level university degree (bachelor's degree)
• subject to the technical clearance by the UN-accredited technical assessment board (CISMS), UNDSS Headquarters, New York.
• 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.
• Experience in stress and traumatic (critical incident) stress management, counselling, and other psychosocial services and cross- cultural communications,
• Experience in employees' assistance programmes or organizational interventions.
• Non-judgmental clinical approach, with strictest adherence to staff's confidentiality.
• Additional Assets:
• Training in alcohol/substance abuse, working with vulnerable groups (women, children), and suicide prevention is desirable.
• Resourcefulness and keen social awareness and sound judgement about common counselling areas of intervention, including, but not limited to, burnout, anxiety, depression, self-care, addiction, and gender-based violence.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Health, Education, Crisis and emergency response

Driving license:

• -

Other information