The Staff Health and Welfare Service is a part of the Division of Human Resources Management (DHRM) responsible for ensuring that the workforce of UNHCR has a safe and healthy work environment, in the interests of good functioning and productivity. The Head of the Staff Health and Welfare Service reports to the Director of DHRM. The Service includes some 20 professional and support staff providing medical and psychosocial support to the staff. Their work is further supported by regional functions providing medical and psychosocial support which are technically supervised by the Service.
The UNHCR workforce includes some 7000 staff members and 2000 affiliates. Around 40% work in non-family locations. UNHCR has a strict rotational policy resulting in highly mobile staff and family members. In addition to rotation, the frequent travel, high workload and field assignments in environments with limited resources add further challenges to staff health and well-being. The Head of the Service is responsible for ensuring that the health and psychosocial needs of staff are addressed through sound medical and psychosocial strategies.
The main activities of the Service includes health hazards assessment, physical and mental health pre-mission and pre- recruitment assessments, preventative measures (i.e. pre mission or assignment briefings and psychological preparation, first aid training, HIV in the workplace), crisis interventions, stress management and support to work life balance, ergonomic conditions, staff accommodation in the field including personal and accommodation hygiene maintenance, and the psychosocial aspects of working conditions and team dynamics. The Service addresses the concerns of staff members and, in some aspects, affiliated workforce, family members and retirees.
The Service works in close collaboration with other Sections of DHRM, respecting the professional code of ethics and confidentiality. The collaboration also extends to the Bureaux and other Sections and Services outside DHRM that are involved in supporting the staff health and psychosocial welfare such as the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office of the Ethics Director, the Field Safety Section and others.
In addition to work with individual staff and teams in direct person-to-person service, the Service is responsible for overall implementation of the UNHCR’s Duty of Care commitments as well as for the development of relevant policy documents that promote staff health and psychosocial welfare.
For details on how to apply for this vacancy, please consult the UNHCR website at www.unhcr.org. – Employment -Career Opportunities – International Professional Category.
UNHCR aims for workforce diversity. Women are encouraged to apply for positions
Closing date for receipt of applications: 3 January 2012
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