Staff Counsellor Consultant
UNICEF
Total years of experience :8 years, 2 Months
•Individual Consultation: Provided confidential counseling and guidance on matters relating to the restructuring, career planning and development, traumatic stress, burnout, or other concerns. Consultations were carried out in person, via e-mail, phone or Skype, as well as Field Mission visits.
•Consultation to Managers: Consultation with senior management, supervisors, and Staff Union representatives to explore appropriate staff support interventions around: restructuring, career options, managing crisis, and other issues related to well being.
•Training: Facilitated group discussions for sections most impacted by the restructuring. Conducted workshops on stress management, career planning and development, traumatic stress and resilience.
•Peer Support Volunteer Network: Provided supervision to the Peer Support Volunteers
•Conducted need assessment and in-depth discussions with managers to formulate wellbeing workshops.
•Provided individual and group counseling to employee on work related stress.
•Proposed career assessment through different strategies including self-assessment.
•Completed performance reviews on staff members, analyzing areas of strengths and weaknesses.
•Conducted motivational and job satisfaction workshops.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Provided counseling and follow-up to over nine hundred Staff Members.Organized and conducted individual and group trauma debriefings for UNMIS Staff including major Critical Incidents to over four hundred Staff Members.Responded to critical incidents for UN Agencies, as well as National and International NGOs.Developed referral networks in collaboration with mental health professionals in hospitals and private practice. Established effective communication to support medical, security, and HR sections on psychiatric referrals.
TRAINING AND WELFARE EXPERIENCE
Developed and delivered Self-Enhancing Training programs.
Delivered Stress Management Presentation during the weekly Induction Training for year 2005-2009.Assigned as the coordinator of the Peer Helper’s Network; Facilitated as well as coordinated Five Peer Helpers Training Workshops (64 hours per workshop), for UNMIS Staff, UN Agencies, INGO, and Sudanese Professionals. Developed Peer Helper Network to prepare for multi-site or mass casualty Critical Incidents.Developed and delivered range of adaptive strategies aimed at assisting UNMIS Staff during the transitional period of scaling down as well as shifting of the mission to South of Sudan.Supported The National Staff in exploring career options during downsizing and closure of UNMIS: Developed career reflections surveys and workshops on dealing with change, as well as self assessment tools, including transferable skills and values.
Coordinated with The Training and Human Resources Sections a comprehensive package to support career planning process of UNMIS National Staff including; dressing for success, entitlements, writing resumes, and concluding with a two days Job Fair.Collaborated with Human Resources, and administration Sections to broadcast vacancies, as well as to market UNMIS Staff to other UN agencies and private companies at a national and international level.Planned in collaboration with Staff Association and Human resources the provision of job market information as well as job search assistance.Directed with other two primary members of the organizing committee the execution of two days Job fair.Contributed to a comprehensive “After Action Report” as part of the Best Practices Guidance Team in NY to share UNMIS experiences regarding the Job Fair. The report included; objectives and deliverables, methodology, best practices, areas of improvement, recommendations, and follow-up.Coordinated Wellness & Self Care, and Quit Smoking health campaigns composed of one day training for UNMIS Peer Helpers, and one day awareness campaign including: Art and drumming therapy, book Exhibition, Self Help material, HIV awareness, healthy recipes and diet products, aroma and herbal therapy, massage and Reiki therapy, and discussion lunch group. Provided alternative coping mechanisms: such as Drumming Therapy, Art Therapy, and meditation classes.Coordinated multiple social and charity events jointly with Field Staff Union, and National Staff Association: Bazaars, exhibitions and performances on special days; Ramadan iftars, Christmas Bazaars, Valentine Days, HIV Awareness Days, and Women Day events. Organized multiple events mission-wide to raise funds for Charity Event including a sponsored running race, walk-a-thon and draws for various items raised over $18, 000 USD. All money was disbursed to orphanages and Special Needs Canters.Created Networking opportunities with Staff Counselors and Welfare Staff from other missions.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Compiled and edited monthly sectional reporting for year 2007-2009.Managed and supervised entire Staff Counseling and Welfare Section in the absence of Chief of Section. Assisted Chief of Section in the development of Terms of References and recruitment of staff, budgeting and other administrative aspects. Monitored job performance of supervised Staff Members.
•Responded to welfare needs of UNMIS personnel by organizing and delivering welfare events; Initiated welfare activities at UNMIS HQ including organized trips outside and within Khartoum, movie nights, recreational programs, culture and special events, UN celebrations; Took a major role in planning and organizing for World Aids Day as well as the opening of UNMIS H.Q.
•Delivered the Stress Management Presentation during Induction Training.
•Attended Section Chief meetings to report on welfare activities from December 2004 until February 2005.
•Assisted in the initial proposal for the Military staff officers’ recreational facilities.
•Attended with the Chief of Counselling and Welfare Clinical briefing meetings, with the Medical section and Chief Administration Officer.
•Assisted in the Proposal for Debriefing and welfare services for Human Rights Officers in Darfur.
•Prepared posters, flyers, broadcasts and other marketing materials announcing visits, trainings and welfare activities.
•Maintain database systems for tracking participation in counselling, training, and welfare programs.
•Performed brief counselling to individual staff requiring psychological support.
•Managed and planed own work in a multicultural environment, especially in initiating and encouraging participation in welfare /social activities.
•Placed students with mild retardation and Down syndrome in the appropriate classes.
•Responded to welfare needs of UNMIS personnel by organizing and delivering welfare events; Initiated welfare activities at UNMIS HQ including organized trips outside and within Khartoum, movie nights, recreational programs, culture and special events, UN celebrations; Took a major role in planning and organizing for World Aids Day as well as the opening of UNMIS H.Q. •Delivered the Stress Management Presentation during Induction Training. •Attended Section Chief meetings to report on welfare activities from December 2004 until February 2005. •Assisted in the initial proposal for the Military staff officers’ recreational facilities. •Attended with the Chief of Counselling and Welfare Clinical briefing meetings, with the Medical section and Chief Administration Officer. •Assisted in the Proposal for Debriefing and welfare services for Human Rights Officers in Darfur. •Prepared posters, flyers, broadcasts and other marketing materials announcing visits, trainings and welfare activities. •Maintain database systems for tracking participation in counselling, training, and welfare programs. •Performed brief counselling to individual staff requiring psychological support. •Managed and planed own work in a multicultural environment, especially in initiating and encouraging participation in welfare /social activities.