Staff Counsellor – Fixed Term (P-4) – Kabul

About the role

The Staff Counsellor provides confidential mental health and psychosocial support to UNICEF Afghanistan staff and eligible dependents. Reporting to the Chief of People and Culture, the role leads the design and delivery of a comprehensive wellbeing programme aligned with UNICEF’s Duty of Care and MHPSS strategy.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement a staff mental health and psychosocial support programme covering prevention, early intervention, critical incident response and recovery.
• Provide individual counselling, leadership consultation and team‑based interventions.
• Conduct psychosocial risk assessments and develop organisational wellbeing initiatives.
• Lead mental health preparedness and response during emergencies, security incidents, evacuations and organisational transitions.
• Coordinate with senior management, Security, Medical Services, Peer Support Volunteers and external specialists to ensure timely, confidential support.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in psychology, counselling, social work or a related field.
• Extensive experience delivering mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian or complex emergency settings.
• Proven ability to work with senior leaders and multi‑disciplinary teams under high‑stress conditions.
• Strong understanding of UNICEF’s Duty of Care framework and MHPSS best practices.

Required skills

• Confidential counselling and psychosocial support techniques.
• Critical incident stress management.
• Psychosocial risk assessment methodology.
• Program design and implementation for staff wellbeing.

What we offer

• Opportunity to contribute to UNICEF’s mission in a challenging humanitarian environment.
• Professional development within a global organization.
• Competitive fixed‑term contract with benefits aligned to UN staff standards.