Stress Counsellor

Key Points  Two stress counsellors need to be recruited so that they can back each other up in their work  They will be hired on a retainer basis with specific charges per session being billed to IFRC and charged to the relevant project code.  Once identified the stress counsellors are expected to undergo one week technical training provided byGenevabased stress counsellors.  The counsellors will be expected to abide by the IFRC code of conduct in their dealings with all staff and volunteers.  The stress counsellors will report to the Zone Human Resources Manager.  Tasks and responsibilities: Provide stress management briefings orientation to new or recently-contracted staff, either individually or as a group. Reinforce self-assessment and knowledge of types of stress, through on-going orientations and distribution of stress-management brochures. Disseminate the components and key contacts of the PSP system. Develop and maintain a support network, to include emergency availability and. As needed, short-term deployment to emergency operational sites.  (For example, xenophobic violence,South Africa). Develop a file management system that (a) ensures absolute confidentiality, (b) assigns a dedicated provider for staff members, (c) ensures continued support during the staff member’s contract term, and (d) allows for coordination with the Geneva-based stress counsellors and health officer. Provide de-briefing at end-of-contract on an individual basis, as a means to monitor individual issues as well as identify issues – in confidence – for management consideration e.g. insufficient administrative support, security support provide, etc. As indicated, develop with the Geneva-based stress counsellors a mechanism for follow-up support, either during the contract term or after termination. Develop site-specific guidance as relates to support to locally-recruited staff.  (Note that each location employs local and expatriate staff, at an average ratio of 4:1). As indicated, provide training on stress management and psychological support elements for larger groups, either staff or meeting participantsThe International Federation is a lead humanitarian organisation in the world, and has undertaken a HR strategy that focuses on the importance of its paid and volunteer staff.  A key component of that strategy reinforces the progress to date of the existing psychological support programme (PSP), currently provided by a team of Geneva-based psycho-therapists /stress counsellors.  Following the decentralisation of some human resources tasks to the zones early this year,  development of a zone based support network to ensure the continued effectiveness of PSP needs to be rolled out before the end of the year.  Support from the Geneva-based counsellors will continue, but it is expected that the primary support functions be provided at the zone level.