Elizabeth Openshaw

Senior Staff Welfare Officer at IOM - UN Migration

Elizabeth Openshaw serves as the Head of Staff Welfare at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - UN Migration. In her role, she oversees various initiatives aimed at supporting the mental health and well-being of IOM staff, particularly in high-stress environments typical of humanitarian work.

Professional Background

Previous Experience: Before joining IOM, Openshaw worked as a Regional Staff Counsellor for UNICEF in West and Central Africa, where she gained significant experience in providing psychological support and counseling services.4 5
Qualifications: She is a qualified counsellor and clinical supervisor, as well as an accredited online therapist. Openshaw is also known for her expertise in training related to mental health and staff welfare.5 6

Responsibilities

In her current position, Openshaw focuses on:

Developing programs that address mental health challenges faced by staff during crises.
Providing individual and group counseling sessions.
Implementing training sessions aimed at enhancing staff resilience and coping mechanisms.2 3

Contact Information

Elizabeth Openshaw can be contacted via email at eopenshaw@iom.int for inquiries related to staff welfare and mental health support within the organization.1 2

Her commitment to staff welfare underscores the importance of mental health in humanitarian settings, reflecting IOM's dedication to supporting its personnel effectively.

Highlights

Nov 7 · emergencymanual.iom.int

Psychological Coping in Emergencies and Crises

Experience

Senior Staff Welfare Officer at IOM - UN Migration (June 2021 - Present)

Regional Staff Counsellor for West and Central Africa at UNICEF (January 2017 - June 2021); Therapist - psychotherapy and counselling at Psychosynthesis and Education Trust (March 2014 - January 2017); Associate Trainer at REDR UK (March 2014 - January 2017); Training Manager at REDR UK (April 2013 - March 2014); Capacity Building Consultant at peace brigades international - pbi (November 2015 - April 2016); Psychosocial Support Specialist at International Rescue Committee (September 2015 - November 2015); Volunteer Counsellor at METRO Centre - gay, lesbian and bisexual community centre (March 2014 - February 2015); Curriculum Developer and Training Specialist at Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (November 2012 - December 2012); Training Specialist at International Service for Human Rights (October 2007 - November 2012); Curriculum Advisor at Ministry of Education, Ethiopia (January 2007 - August 2007); Head of Young Learners at The British Council, Thailand (August 2003 - August 2005); Head of Young Learners at The British Council, Spain (1999 - July 2003)

Education

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Modern Languages (German and English) at University of Westminster (1993 - 1997); Master of Arts (M.A.) in Human Rights at Birkbeck College, University of London (2005 - 2006); French Studies at United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) (2007 - 2012); Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Counselling at Middlesex University (2012 - 2015)