Stress Counsellor

Host entity: UNDP

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Communication, advocacy, public information, Emergency preparedness, crisis response, Mental health

Application deadline: 11/11/2026

Mission and objectives

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments, and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law.

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security, and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centers, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts, and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods, and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

Assignment 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) 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.

Under the overall leadership and management of the Principal Security Adviser (PSA), the national 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 their eligible family members, 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).

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:

• 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 and monitor determinants of stress among UN including data collection, analysis, resource mapping, and coordinating collective psychosocial capacity across agencies and partners.
• Deliver Training Programs; 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, security focal points, agency counsellors, and medical doctors,
• Conduct Outreach: Liaise with the existing Staff Association and SLT partner focal points to advocate for and organize welfare activities. Advise UN 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 personnel and their eligible dependents.
• Regularly visit UN Offices 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 and maintaining confidentiality and UN data protection principles.

Skills and experience

• A valid license to practice as a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or a mental health care professional in Afghanistan, or recognition by a national or international formal professional organization in the absence of a professional board is required i.e. (the Medical Council of Afghanistan for Psychiatrists and the Psychology Association of Afghanistan for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists).
• Additional certification in alcohol/substance abuse, family counselling, critical incident stress management, or cross-cultural communication is desirable.
• 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.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism
Demonstrates sound knowledge of UN operations and applies professional expertise with discretion, neutrality, accountability, confidentiality, and a client-oriented approach.
• Integrity
Upholds UN values and ethical standards, acts impartially, and uses authority and resources responsibly.
• Teamwork and Respect for Diversity
Works effectively in multicultural environments, promotes inclusion and gender equality, and builds positive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
Demonstrates initiative in professional development, remains updated on relevant developments, and adapts to changing work environments.
• Planning and Organizing
Plans and prioritizes work effectively, manages multiple tasks under pressure, and applies strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Communication
Communicates clearly and effectively, demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and empathy, and produces concise reports and presentations.
• Flexibility and Adaptability
Demonstrates resilience and adaptability in challenging environments and is willing to travel and work in different duty stations as required.

Living conditions

This assignment is open for local applicants and UNDSS will not provide any accommodation facilities.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.