Result of Service

The UN MHS Team is supported in coordinating psychosocial risk management through evidence-based tools and capacity-building measures.

Organizational capacity to manage psychosocial risks is enhanced across UN system entities.
Staff and managers are equipped with the skills and tools to integrate psychosocial risk management into daily operations.
Policies, training, and practical guidance are embedded to sustain psychosocial risk management practices over time.

Work Location

Home based (Working remotely)

Expected duration

5.5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: The UN System Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy for 2024 and beyond was approved and launched in late 2023. The Strategy emphasizes a preventive and systemic approach to mental health. The Strategy presents a comprehensive framework aimed at:

Preventing mental health risks in the workplace
Promoting well-being and safeguarding mental health
Supporting staff experiencing mental health conditions To drive accountability and measure progress, the Strategy introduces clear success indicators for each of its three pillars. A scorecard has been developed, featuring three indicators per pillar, and UN organizations are expected to report annually on their progress. The first indicator under the Prevention pillar is Risk Assessment, which calls on organizations to evaluate psychosocial risks and implement practical mitigation plans to address identified concerns. There is currently no standardized methodology across the UN system for assessing psychosocial risks, and existing data highlights the need for stronger preventive measures. In response, the MHS Team is developing a unified psychosocial risk management model to ensure consistency in approach while allowing for contextual adaptation across the UN system. This model reinforces the Strategy's core principles of collaboration, shared responsibility, and system-wide alignment, enabling organizations to proactively identify and mitigate risks while fostering a culture of well-being. In alignment with this commitment, a Psychosocial Risk Management Capacity Building Consultant is required to support the implementation of the Mental Health & Well-being Strategy with the specific aim of implementation of a Psychosocial Risk Management tool that can be scaled and utilized across the UN system to assess mental health risks to personnel, prevent risks more effectively, and assess the return on investment of mitigation measures. The duties and responsibilities of the Psychosocial Risk Management Capacity Building Consultant: This consultancy seeks an expert trainer in psychosocial risk management to lead capacity-building initiatives and support the MHS team and its consultants in designing and implementing a comprehensive psychosocial risk management tool across UN system entities. Positioned at the intersection of organizational and staff development, data analytics, and well-being, the consultant will provide technical leadership to assess existing practices, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote sustainable approaches to psychosocial risk management. The assignment will contribute to broader organizational transformation by generating actionable insights, fostering evidence-based decision-making, and embedding a culture of psychological safety and resilience. The consultant will be responsible for:
Reviewing and analyzing existing policies (including HR, Health and Safety, and Enterprise Risk Management), along with employee support services and practices, and synthesizing staff survey findings to identify systemic trends and organizational vulnerabilities.
Designing and delivering targeted training modules to strengthen organizational competencies in psychosocial risk management.
Developing an implementation toolkit, including user manuals, operational guidance, and role-specific protocols for staff, managers, and support personnel, and providing expert advisory support to integrate psychosocial risk management into broader well-being strategies and governance frameworks.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (PhD) in Occupational Health Psychology, Occupational Psychology, Organizational Psychology, or Management is required. A minimum of 10 years of combined experience in psychosocial risk management, training and capacity building is required. Experience of implementing multiagency psychosocial risk management projects with international organizations is required. Experience in designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives for multi-agency psychosocial risk management projects with international organizations, including developing training materials and facilitating sessions is required. Expertise in evidence-based research and complex data analysis, with the ability to synthesize survey data and produce actionable recommendations, is required Experience in facilitation and presentation with a strong track record of conducting interactive training or workshops for diverse, multicultural audiences, and experience advising senior leadership and contributing to organizational and staff capacity building, are required. Prior experience working with the UN system or other international organizations is desirable. Experience drafting technical reports, policy briefs, and strategic documents for diverse audiences, including senior leadership, inter-agency stakeholders, and external partners is desirable Active membership in a recognized professional body or relevant licensure/certification in Organizational Psychology, Occupational Psychology, or Management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Capacity Building Consultant (Psychosocial Risk Management)