Consultant - Support the mental health program within WCO Jordan, providing technical support to the WHO Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health

Overview

Provide technical support for mental health programs in Jordan

You have:

• Minimum first-level university degree in psychology or mental health related field, or Master’s degree in public/community health, global mental health, health policy and planning.
• From 5 to 10 years’ experience in the field of mental health and substance abuse.
• Good knowledge in the public mental health approach, prevention and treatment models in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).
• Good knowledge of WHO mental health technical packages and relevant regional and global frameworks, action plans and guidance.
• Skills and demonstrated activity in planning for public health and/or community based interventions, as well as multi-stakeholder work and coordination.
• Good report writing and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English is required.
• Good knowledge of and experience working with the Jordanian public health system at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care, as well as related referral and social care system.

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

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1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the mental health program within WCO Jordan, providing technical support to the WHO Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health and to relevant projects on mental health and disabilities funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) the Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF).

2. Background

The added burden on health services in Jordan due to the influx of Syrian refugees extends to mental health (MH) services. Exposure to severely distressing events related to conflict, violence or displacement may undermine the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of refugees. In addition, many are suffering from pre-existing mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions that require treatment and care. People suffering from crisis induced and pre-existing MH problems (including addiction) and intellectual disabilities are considered a vulnerable population and should be provided access to appropriate services and support. The providers of these services must be knowledgeable, skilled, well-trained and supervised. In addition, strong governance for mental health supported by policies, strategies, and legislation is essential to enhance access to quality mental health services on a national scale.

To this end, Jordan has been selected as one of 6 countries worldwide – and the only in the Eastern Mediterranean Region – to be part of the WHO Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, which aims to improve access, quality, and human rights of mental health services. WHO Jordan Country Office has also received support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) to implement two projects; “Strengthening the mental health system, improve access and services for vulnerable Jordanians and refugees” and “Strengthening community mental health and disability services for vulnerable populations.” Most recently, WHO has also initiated activities related to the adaptation and pilot-implementation of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training (CST) program for children and adolescents with developmental delays, disabilities, and disorders (supported by the Bernard van Leer Foundation).

The aforementioned projects are aligned with the National Mental Health and Substance Use Action Plan (2018-2021), with the Regional Framework to Scale Up Action on Mental Health (EM/RC62/R.5) and with Strategic Development Goals (SDG) targets. They also build on previous achievements of the mental health program in Jordan.

WHO Jordan is seeking to contract an expert consultant to provide technical support, guide project implementation, and work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and focal points including the Ministry of Health (MOH) Directorate for Disabilities and Mental Health, WHO Jordan National Mental Health Officer, WHO/EMRO Regional Advisor for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and WHO/HQ Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department.

3. Planned timelines (3 months – 25 working days)

Start date: October 1, 2021

End date: December 31, 2021

4. Work to be performed

Output 1: Support the implementation of the WHO Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health in Jordan (8 working days)

• Coordinate with the Special Initiative Jordan M&E and provide technical inputs on the measurement of all-country global indicators (Access, Coverage, Human Rights).
• Provide technical support for the development of the Jordan M&E framework, including the selection of country-specific indicators, targets, and timelines.
• Lead the finalization of the internal country technical implementation report based on progress of work within the Special Initiative country log frame (Due on December 10, 2021).
• Lead the development of the Special Initiative log frame for Jordan, providing technical inputs on the design of outputs, strategic interventions and activities to complement the goals of the National Mental Health & Substance Use Action Plan (2022-2026).

Output 2: Assess the implementation of the AICS-funded projects on mental health and disabilities (8 working days)

• Develop internal activity-specific technical reports on the implementation of project outputs, including liaising with implementing partners for contributions.
• Develop donor progress reports for each of the AICS-funded projects (1 MH project, 1 DISAB project), with coordination with the WCO M&E and Communications Officers as needed (Due to Donor October 31, 2021).
• Evaluate and provide feedback/recommendations to improve the implementation of Outputs 3 and 4 of the AICS mental health project and Output 1 of the AICS disabilities project (e.g. MOH Directorate TORs and workplan).

Output 3: Assess the implementation of the Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF) project (5 working days)

• Develop donor progress report on the pilot implementation of the Caregivers Skills Training (CST) package.
• Evaluate and provide feedback/recommendations to improve the pilot-implementation of the CST package in Jordan, in line with global evidence and process/outcome evaluation standards.

Output 4: Provide technical support to local, regional, and global mappings and coordination of services (4 working days)

• Complete regional and global mental health and substance use surveys and country assessments (e.g. Mental Health Atlas) in coordination with relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Technical support to MHPSS group co-chairs and members on sector-wide coordination for service provision, including the completion of the 4Ws (Who is doing What Where and When) mapping exercise.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Minimum first-level university degree in psychology or mental health related field for lower end of range, or Master’s degree in public/community health, global mental health, health policy and planning or other relevant field.

Experience****:

From 5 to 10 years’ experience in the field of mental health and substance abuse.

Skills/ Technical knowledge

• Good knowledge in the public mental health approach, prevention and treatment models in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).
• Good knowledge of WHO mental health technical packages and relevant regional and global frameworks, action plans and guidance.
• Skills and demonstrated activity in the area of planning for public health and/or community based interventions, as well as multi-stakeholder work and coordination.
• Good knowledge of and experience working with the Jordanian public health system at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care, as well as related referral and social care system.
• Good report writing and presentation skills.
• Good knowledge of WHO procedures and policies is highly desirable.
• Experience with the UN system or other international organizations is an advantage.

Language

Proficiency in Arabic and English is required.

Location:

Consultancy work can be completed remotely. Consultant may be required to attend the WHO Jordan Country Office 1 day per week or as needed.

Medical clearance : The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.) All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information section

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• Remuneration is in line with WHO consultant established rates
• Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that: (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated; (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int