Consultant, Implementation of the Mental Health Platform for Adolescents, Brasilia, Brazil

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, make a difference.

Since 2018, UNICEF has been discussing with a national group of experts the topic of mental health and how it impacts the life of adolescents and young people. The increase in the number of suicides and self-harm was the initial concern, mainly among young indigenous people. According to the Pan American Health Organization - PAHO (2018), approximately 10% to 20% of adolescents have mental health issues; depression is the 9th cause of disease among adolescents; anxiety is the 8th cause; half of all mental health issues start at the age of 14.

The current context of the new coronavirus pandemic has even more acute impacts on the emotional health of adolescents, who reported feelings related to depression, sadness, anguish, grief, among others, in U- Report and adolescent networks meetings supported by UNICEF. According to U-Report poll on mental health conducted in September 2020 responded by over 3,900 people the main challenge faced by adolescents during the pandemic was the concern and anxiety with the coronavirus.

This unprecedented scenario especially impacts adolescents who are in social isolation, without in-person encounters with their peers, teachers and other people from their protection network in schools, community centers, reference centers for social assistance, among others.

To respond to this demand, UNICEF started the implementation of a mental health support platform for adolescents including mental health materials tailored to adolescents; testimonials of adolescents who overcame difficult situations and individualized care services provided by UNICEF partners with expertise in mental health issues. The name of the platform is Pode Falar and it can be accessed on www.podefalar.org.br.

The implementation of this platform requires coordinating activities in different areas including IT, Digital communications, planning and managing the contact with contractors and implementing partners. In order to avoid delays in providing mental health services, which is an urgent need for adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic, the Adolescent Programme is contracting a consultant to coordinate all partners’ activities needed to implement the digital mental health platform for adolescents, strengthening and consolidating activities initiated in February 2021 by establishing MoUs and cooperation agreements with new partners.

How can you make a difference?

This consultant is expected to provide support to the management and technical assistance to guarantee an efficient implementation of the project Pode Falar, which is a virtual platform that aims to improve mental health and well-being for adolescents and young people from Brazil. The consultant must provide the necessary means to strengthen and consolidate Pode Falar project, by assisting in partnerships within different organizations. Furthermore, the consultant must provide effective communication and cooperate among UNICEF staff and strategic partners.

E****XPECTED RESULTS:

The consultant will carry out the following activities:

1 – Interview Pode Falar assistants and compile the main demands to improve the system, addressing these issues with Weni, responsible for providing technical support for the helpline platform.

Deadline: 30 days

2 – Monitor the implementation of Pode Falar in the municipalities enrolled at UNICEF Seal initiative, providing assistance to implementing partners when needed.

Deadline: 30 days

3 – Implement Pode Falar communication strategy, in association with the implementation of the self-esteem chatbot.

Deadline: 30 days

4 - Implement a training course for professionals responsible for assisting adolescents on mental health issues and another one for young people acting as peer-supporters.

Deadline: 30 days

5 - Strengthen the networks of partners engaged in Pode falar platform in all Brazilian regions.

Deadline: 30 day

6 - Evaluate the implementation of Pode falar platform in coordination with UNICEF and partners teams and in dialogue with adolescents (using focus groups or other tools)

Deadline: 30 days

7 – Propose an intersectional approach to link Pode Falar with mental health promotion activities as part of

UNICEF’s initiatives in the semiarid, the amazon and in large urban centers.

Deadline: 30 days

8 – Monitor the implementation of audiovideo channels as part of the services provided by Pode Falar platform.

Deadline: 30 days

9 – Edit testimonials of adolescents published on Pode Falar website.

Deadline: 30 days

10 – Select new materials on mental health for adolescents to be published on Pode Falar website, including the chatbot on self-esteem and body confidence and propose a menu to present these materials on the website and offer them as tools to be used by Pode Falar assistants, when interacting with adolescents.

Deadline: 30 days

11 – Collect data with implementing partners and UNICEF Zone Offices, write at least one donor report and two donor proposals to contribute to the sustainability of mental health initiatives in Brazil.

Deadline: 30 days

CONTRACTING MODALITY AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS I****NDIVIDUAL

Payment for the service will be made after the submission and approval of each deliverable.

D****UTY S****TATION

Home based

D****ELIVERABLES (% OF THE CONTRACT LINK TO THE DELIVERABLES)

1. Technical demands presented by Pode Falar assistants resolved within Weni, contractor responsible for technical issues of Pode Falar platform. Payment: 10% of the budget
2. 2,023 municipalities enrolled at UNICEF Seal initiative with appropriate information to implement Pode Falar at the local level, in coordination with UNICEF implementing partners. Payment: 10% of the budget
3. Pode Falar communication strategy implementation coordinated with the implementation of Topity, the self-esteem chatbot. Payment: 10% of the budget
4. A training course for professionals responsible for assisting adolescents on mental health issues and another one for young people acting as peer-supporters implemented. Payment: 10% of the budget
5. Networks of partners engaged in Pode falar platform strengthened in all Brazilian regions. Payment: 10% of the budget
6. Pode falar platform evaluated Payment: 10% of the budget
7. Proposal prepared for the implementation of an intersectional approach to link Pode Falar with mental health promotion activities as part of UNICEF’s initiatives in the semiarid, the amazon and in large urban centres. Payment: 10% of the budget
8. Audiovideo channels implemented as part of the services provided by Pode Falar platform. Payment: 10% of the budget
9. Testimonials of adolescents edited and published on Pode Falar website.Payment: 10% of the budget
10. Ten new materials on mental health for adolescents selected, published on Pode Falar website and distributed to be used by Pode Falar assistants in interaction with adolescents. Payment: 5% of the budget
11. Data on the implementation of mental health activities collected with implementing partners and UNICEF zone offices, at least one donor report and two donor proposals prepared. Payment: 5% of the budget

Performance Indicators

• The activities must be carried out in accordance with the criteria and contents defined above, and the products with technical quality and in accordance with the deadlines established in this Term of Reference;
• If the product delivery date is on the weekend or holiday, it must be delivered on the next business day;
• Immediately after signing the contract, the UNICEF supervisor and selected consultant will meet for a detailed discussion of the Work Plan and quality criteria for delivering the products. Ordinary meetings will still be scheduled to monitor the activities defined in the Work Plan.

Core Values

1. Care
2. Respect
3. Integrity
4. Trust
5. Accountability

K****EY COMPETENCES

Builds and maintains partnerships; Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness; Drive to achieve results for impact; Innovates and embraces change; Manages ambiguity and complexity; Thinks and acts strategically; Works collaboratively with others.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Bachelor’s in communication, social sciences, psychology, social assistance or related fields
• Master’s degree is an asset
• Previous professional and academic experience of at least five years in the area of psychology, communication, human rights and/or the rights of children and adolescents
• Previous professional and academic experience in the areas of gender relations and ethnic-racial relations, preferably with an intersectional and / or decolonial approach is an asset
• Excellent written skills in Portuguese and English
• Excellent negotiation skills in Portuguese
• Native Portuguese and fluency in written English

G****ENERAL C****ONDITIONS: P****ROCEDURES AND L****OGISTICS

• The Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationery. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when needed.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or individual Contractor
• Consultants / ICs will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.

I****NSURANCE AND HEALTH COVERAGE

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

F****INANCIAL P****ROPOSAL

• Final rate shall follow “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants and individual contractors are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
• The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Required documents for the consultancy proposal submission:

Work schedule

Detailed budget

Restrictions

Consultants and individual contractors may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF. Notwithstanding, consultants and individual contracts must complete the applicable mandatory trainings.

In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government​, or unless on leave without pay.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF's policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.