The purpose of this engagement is to provide technical support in the development of a National Mental Heath Services Package guidance document. The consultant will be expected to work under the guidance of MOHCC, and in partnership with WHO and other mental health practitioners and partners on this.

Background

Mental health conditions contribute to poor health outcomes particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where the largest treatment gap exists. Mental health conditions are responsible for premature death, human rights violations, global, and national economic loss. Mental health services are an essential component of health care and universal health coverage. Mental health has been identified as an area for accelerated implementation in WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13). One of the five priorities of the Zimbabwe Mental Health Strategic Plan (2019- 2023) is to “Improve Quality of Patient Care and Service delivery”.

There remains much to be done to ensure all people achieve the highest standard of mental health and well-being. While Zimbabwe's mental health care system has several strengths in terms of availability of mental health treatment in psychiatric hospitals, the services that are offered are not available across the various healthcare levels or differentiated according to age of clients or special conditions e.g., for children, adolescents, prisons and people with alcohol and substance use disorders, maternal mental health, older persons, and differently abled people.

Currently, evidence-based mental health services packages are not yet available to be scoped out and explored for potential development, testing and implementation (inclusive of all required services- rehab, day care, schools, GBV, chronic conditions, child & adolescent services ). Under the Universal Health Coverage, some countries like Uganda and Nigeria have developed mental health services packages. It is therefore important to come up with basic mental health services packages (promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation) that cover all levels of the healthcare system (community to tertiary level) and addressing different population groups as well as guidelines for their implementation. Ideally, the mental health services package need to be aligned with the Global Mental Health Action Plan 2013-203 and they should also include the establishment or development of rehabilitative programs to support offenders with mental health conditions . Additionally, the mental health services package need to be strengthened at the community and primary health care levels and also integrated in other health and social care programmes, and in key social & primary health care services external to the mental health system (e.g., workplace mental health programs, integration with HIV, TB and NCDs, maternal and child health). This will enable people across the life course to have expanded access to quality, affordable, rights-based mental health, and allied services, reducing dependence on institutional-based care.

Technical Supervision

The Officer will work closely with cluster lead for communicable and non-communicable diseases under the guidance of the WR

Scope of work

In alignment with the national mental health strategic plan and under the overall guidance of the WHO Representatve in Zimbabwe, the consultant will work closely with local experts, WHO technical team, Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) and other partners in NCDs and mental health to:

To document a predetermined range of mental health services including promotive, preventive, treatment and care services that can be provided when integrated into the health care system, covering all age groups and special conditions through all the levels of the healthcare system
Confirm with the WHO Zimbabwe Country Office, MOHCC and partners a final version of the National Mental Heath Services package.
Document treatment guidelines/protocols/SOPs and Establish a training program to strengthen and intergrate MH into services at primary, community and social care services (e.g. screening for common MH conditions and substance use, multidisciplinary team support, mhGAP, psychological interventions, PFA, FB and Self Help Plus training)
Document a clear referral pathway and an integration strategy
Document minimum knowledge and skills required for each level of care
Concrete deliverables

Inception report
MOHCC validated National Mental Heath Services packages document defining each of the healthcare system level (from community to tertiary) covering all age groups and prioritised health conditions
strategy
Report on the process and engagements

Specific Requirements:

Required Language:

Expert knowledge of both written and spoken English

Desirable Language:

Knowledge of Ndebele or Shona will be an added advantage

Functional Knowledge
Sound technical knowledge on mental health interventions
Health system strengthening knowledge and skills
Technical competence in the field of mental health
Technical writing skills, good facilitation skills, knowledgeable in basic computer programs, efficient organizational and management skills
Educational qualifications:

Essential: A Masters degree in Clinical psychology or Psychiatry or Global Mental Health from a recognized university. Masters level level qualification in Public Health

Desired: PhD will be an added advantage

Experience required:
Minimum of five(5) years relevant work experience in public mental health facilities and at Government level
Familiar with the health system and community system in Zimbabwe or another similar country
Familiar with WHO Health System Building Blocks, Universal Health coverage, UHC Compedium, and Integration of mental health into primary health care
Experience working with the corporate world, UN system or other global/international
The consultant should have proven record of similar assignment with reputable institutions.

Desired Experience

Experience in working with United Nations, bilateral or other multilateral organizations in Zimbabwe will be an advantage.