The KonTerra Group

04/01/2025

As we navigate this season of political uncertainty and change, many of us are facing elevated levels of . Whether it’s the ripple effects of recent policy changes or challenges related to organizational restructuring and resourcing, these events can take a significant toll on our wellbeing.

With April marking , it’s a timely moment to focus on the impact stress can have on our health and resilience. During times of instability, stress can affect not only our mental and emotional states but also our physical wellbeing. It’s important to recognize stress reactions early and practice effective self-care to manage its effects.

Click here to find one of our resources exploring Common Stress Reactions and Effective Self Care.https://www.konterragroup.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Common-Stress-Reactions-and-Effective-Self-Care.pdf

This resource outlines common signs of stress and explores actionable strategies for managing stress in healthy ways. A French translation is also available in the KonTerra Staff Care Library on our website.

Here are some for how you might use this resource during April to support your colleagues.

➡️ 1. Dedicate some time during to discussing the resource. Share the key takeaways with your staff and encourage an open conversation about their experiences.

➡️ 2. Distribute the resource in segments by email or during staff meetings. Share one key point or tip each week and invite staff to reflect on their own stress reactions and how they can manage them.

➡️ 3. Host a virtual or in-person for World Health Day on April 7th focusing on the provided resource and use the questions on page 8 to structure discussion.

02/07/2025

KonTerra recently concluded a global organizational review of OCHA’s Information Management and Analysis function. The review team, led by Jantzi, interviewed more than 200 stakeholders at global, regional and national levels and conducted in-person data collection in five countries. Recommendations included the creation of a governance mechanism to ensure strategic oversight, coherence, and accountability, the development of a strategy and a roadmap for IM and Analysis function, a unified resourcing strategy and a strengthened inter-agency coordination. To learn more about the outcomes: https://www.konterragroup.net/2025/02/05/completed-review-ocha-ima/
Gonzalez Peterson Rojas Romat

KonTerra recently completed the global review of OCHA’s Information Management (IM) and Analysis function. The purpose of the review was to evaluate whether the IM and Analysis tools and products met the needs of humanitarian decision-makers. Over 200 interviews were conducted, and visits were mad...

10/30/2024

During times of political or social change, it's natural to feel uncertain about what the future may hold and to experience a range of intense emotions, including anxiety, anger, and grief. This is especially true when political or social changes challenge core beliefs, conflict with your values, or raise concerns about your safety.

The KonTerra Group has released a new in-depth resource outlining strategies you can use to manage anxiety, reduce rumination, and regain a sense of calm and control during unpredictable or volatile times.

Use the link below to download the full resource and find:
➡️ Four grounding practices to help you manage strong anxiety
➡️ Ways to defuse stress reactions
➡️ Tips and related resources on crafting a safety plan... and more.

https://www.konterragroup.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Tolerating-Uncertainty-and-Managing-Anxiety-When-Political-Events-Feel-Threatening-ENGLISH-2024.pdf

01/15/2024

As we celebrate international Thank You Day this month, we're talking about how feeling and expressing gratitude during work can boost your own MOOD, strengthen RELATIONSHIPS, and improve TEAM CULTURE.

Here are practical ways to practice gratitude at work, even in high-pressure environments.

Five quick and powerful ways you can boost your own wellbeing and improve team culture by practicing gratitude at work.

12/04/2023

In light of current events in Israel and Gaza, we are sharing a series of videos (now available in Hebrew as well as 7 other languages) that The KonTerra Group created in partnership with DisasterReady. We hope these are helpful for all those responding to the current crisis, as well as those directly affected. Please share these free videos widely.

https://buff.ly/484sNtR

👉 Follow the link above for videos on:
- Coping with Grief and Loss
- Coping with an Insecure Environment
- Understanding and Coping with Vicarious Trauma
- Maintaining Wellbeing During Displacement
- Ways to Stay Calm in an Emergency
- Understanding and Coping with Burnout
- What Is Counseling and How Can it Help Me?
- 10 Tips for Supporting Staff After a Traumatic Event
- Supporting Staff During Evacuation, Displacement and Shelter in Place

10/10/2023

World Mental Health Day is a day to recognize the importance of caring for our mental wellbeing and to challenge the stigma and discrimination around seeking mental health support. As the World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has said, “Everyone's life touches someone with a mental health condition.”

In honor of , we’re sharing a video we created with DisasterReady titled “What is Counseling and How Can It Help Me?” Share it with a friend or colleague, or watch it yourself, to help challenge some widespread myths about counseling.

https://youtu.be/R27Jc9wsJfQ?si=hrf4TwmqOu3DvDDG

12/11/2017

http://www.konterragroup.net/staff-care-budgeting/

We all face difficult situations from time to time in our personal lives, work lives and even with regard to our deepest motivations, beliefs and values.

11/27/2017

http://www.konterragroup.net/coaching-marshall-goldsmith-way-stakeholder-centered-coaching/

I have had the privilege of coaching high potential executives for 16 years. Over that time I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t.

10/02/2017

http://www.konterragroup.net/critical-incidents-point-whole-person-security/

As aid groups and other international organizations operate in more high-risk environments, critical incidents like violent attacks and natural disasters have taken on added importance in terms of duty of care.

09/15/2017

http://www.konterragroup.net/manager-self-care-organizational-performance/

Caring for oneself is important, especially when working in high-risk environments. It’s especially important if you’re a manager.

08/28/2017

http://www.konterragroup.net/duty-care-goes-local/

The ratio between local staff and ex-pats working for international NGOs has shifted over the past decade, with increased number of local staff employed.