Consultant, Counsellor Psychosocial Support - Geneva

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC; Genf; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

IFRC is seeking a Consultant Counsellor Psychosocial Support to provide confidential staff counselling, deliver psycho-social support sessions, and lead trainings within a global framework based in Geneva. The role emphasises confidentiality, coordination with the OHSW unit, and support for staff wellbeing across regions.

The consultant will contribute to reporting, data management, and cross‑regional collaboration, with potential field missions and flexibility to respond to critical incidents

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
• Able to present to large groups and manage stress effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential individual counselling upon request.
• Deliver PSS briefings/debriefings for individuals or groups using standard SOPs.
• Offer training, webinars, or workshops on stress management and psychological support to larger groups.
• Contribute to PSS reporting schedule and maintain confidentiality of clients.
• Complete statistics in the designated system and attend HR meetings as required.
• Assist in developing guidelines and SOPs related to staff wellbeing.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Multicultural teamwork

Presentations

Stress management

Education

Psychologist or Psychotherapist degree

Job description

Consultant, Counsellor Psychosocial Support - Geneva

Vacancy No. S18817 Category of Contract Consultant Position Type Consultant Application Deadline 18/10/2026 Job Posted On 02/10/2026 Duty Station Global Country GLOBAL Different Locations Grade Consultant, Not Applicable Duration 12 months, from 01 January 2027 to 31 December 2027

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the largest humanitarian organization in the world and has undertaken a HR strategy which focuses on the importance of the Mental Health at workplace and well-being of its staff. A key component of that strategy reinforces the progress to date of the existing Psychological Support Program (PSP) as part of the Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Unit - HRMD.

The Occupational Health Safety and Wellbeing Unit provides a professional service of health management for all staff during their employment life cycle and ensure that staff health and wellbeing is included in the daily work of the employees.

The overall purpose of the PSP is the direct support to the staff by offering a variety of services such as briefing and debriefing, individual counselling sessions, information sessions, workshops and webinars; all in the best interest of their welfare.

Following the strengthening of the different regions, the aim of the PSP has been to provide services globally and within all regions through engaging with consultants in different locations. While the primary support functions are provided at the regional level, the support and coordination of the program is based in Geneva.

The Federation's psychological support programme for staff has been well established nearly 20 years and is much appreciated by delegates, national staff and the National Societies who use the services.

Job Purpose

Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy

Ensure safety, health and wellbeing of all engaged staff and volunteers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure individual counselling upon request under strict confidentiality.
• Provide PSS briefings/ debriefings to staff, either individually or as a group using the identified SoP.
• Reinforce and support self-assessment on mental health subjects and knowledge of such methods.
• Provide critical incident debriefings to staff upon request.
• If needed, and agreed upon, undertake missions to the field according to an identified ToR.
• Develop together and assist in maintaining, with the OHSW unit, a file management system that:
  • ensures absolute confidentiality,
  • assigns a dedicated provider for staff members,
  • ensures continued support during the staff member’s contract term, and
  • allows for coordination with the OHSW unit.
• Provide training, webinars or workshops on a variety of topics including stress management and psychological support elements for larger groups on request.
• Contribute to the PSS reporting schedule which will be shared with the HRMD highlighting the major general issues while maintaining confidentiality of the clients.
• Complete statistics as per the developed system.
• Attend regular and ad-hoc meetings on HR request
• Support development of guidelines and SOP related to staff wellbeing
• PSS counsellors will be expected to abide by the IFRC Code of Conduct in their dealings with all staff and volunteers

Responsibilities

• Present at the regular PSP Virtual meetings. At least one representative of each region should be present.
• Statistics must be uploaded into the designated system in a timely manner.
• Response to request from staff and/ or OHSW unit must be provided within a day verbally or in written.
• Input to Annual Report must be submitted before the end of February the following year.
• PSP related issues that are communicated with HR at regional office should include OHSW unit in cc if not otherwise indicated.
• If not available for services for a period longer than 3 days OHSW unit need to be informed and an out of office message for the professional IFRC email address needs to be placed.
• Share articles / papers /trainings presentation of workshop etc with the team through the designated IFRC website.
• Co-host / co-work with one and another PSP colleague when required.
• Duly complete the ID number form for confidential invoicing and audit purpose.

Consultancy Timeframe

12 months from 01 January 2027 with possible annual extension.

Education

Required

• Psychologist or Psychotherapist (university degree and professional qualifications required, licensed).

Preferred

• Trained in psycho- traumatology or critical incident debriefing.

Experience

Required

• Psychological management of trauma cases and/or critical incidents.
• Counselling in non-mother tongue language.

Preferred

• Work experience in the international humanitarian world, operating in emergencies.
• Working in multi-cultural context.
• Experience within the RCRC movement.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Self-supported in computing systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with multi-discipline and multi-cultural teams in a cross functional environment.
• Able to perform presentations for larger groups.
• Ability to work under stressful situations.

LANGUAGES

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred

• Fluent spoken and written French is highly desirable.
• Good command of other languages.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Availability for short visits to surrounding countries at short notice.
• Being available to provide psychological support outside regular working hours as the situation requires.