Consultant to carry out Research on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Care and Services in Kuwait, Kuwaiti nationals, 40 days

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UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Wednesday 2 Nov 2022 at 12:00 UTC

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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

The Middle East and North Africa/Eastern Mediterranean Region has seen a steady increase in recent years in the burden of disease due to mental, neurological and substance use disorders (MNS), which has risen from 7·0% of all DALYs in 2000 to 9·8% in 2019. Over the last decade, many countries in the region have experienced rapid social, economic and political change, civil unrest and violence, with attendant large-scale population displacements. These have exposed the population to protracted stress and adversity on the one hand and degradation of the health and social care systems to provide for the increased needs on the other. Recent studies in the region show not only widespread emotional and psychological distress, but also increased rates of MNS disorders as well.2,3 Despite this, support for mental health and well-being remains one of the most neglected areas of public health in the region. This situation is compounded by the low level of public investment made in mental health, reflected in the very high treatment gaps for MNS disorders,4 concerns about stigma related to mental health, and a mental health workforce of just 7·5 per 100,000 people on average for the region, compared with the world average of 24·3 per 100,000.5,6

This case study in Kuwait is part of the regional research effort which includes secondary literature review, in-depth analysis and key stakeholder consultations in the selected countries in the Middle East and North Africa region will contribute to a deeper understanding of the MHPSS needs, the available services and critical gaps across the promotion, prevention, and the care and treatment within the primary health care as well as its linkages to social welfare and child protection and the education sectors. The information gathered through this effort will provide specific recommendations to countries to support the integration and delivery of MHPSS for children, adolescents, and pregnant women/new mothers.

In this regard, UNICEF is seeking to contract a local partner to conduct the case study specifically to contribute to the development of the study protocol, undertake the research and data collection, complete the qualitative data analysis, organize country consultations, and prepare the draft and final country report.

How can you make a difference?

It is to be highlighted that case study in Kuwait in “Establishing the foundations for integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in primary health care targeting children and adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa Region” is part of the workplan of the MENA MHPSS Taskforce and the MENA regional PHC Accelerator and the Regional Office Management Plan 2022 – 2025. The case study will include:

Phase 1: Preparation of the study protocol

A detailed study protocol will be developed by the lead research institution, with input from the local partner and UNICEF. This research protocol will detail the methods and analysis of the Kuwait case study.

Phase 2: Country case study: Desk review and in-depth research/analysis

• Desk-based review and analysis of available published data and policies related to MHPSS and in particular the integration of MHPSS in PHC.

• Overview of how MHPSS is integrated into primary health care in the State of Kuwait. The case study will be led by the local partner but with close technical support from the Lead research institution and will be undertaken once appropriate ethics approval is obtained.

• The Lead research institution will provide training around the research aims, data collection methods and analysis, with the local partner then leading two inter-related efforts:

  1. In Kuwait, a workshop will be organized either in person (COVID permitting) or virtually. The local partner, together with support from the UNICEF Gulf Area office and other partners, will facilitate this workshop with a video link in by the Lead research institution. This workshop will:

• cover key concepts of MHPSS;

• introduce the key elements on integration of MHPSS in PHC (based on desk review);

• map existing mechanisms including challenges/barriers around implementation of MHPSS for children, adolescents, pregnant/new mothers in primary health care and the linkages that currently exist with child protection/social welfare and education.

  1. These workshops will be followed by in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, drawing both on participants in the workshop and key stakeholders. These stakeholders should represent the sectors of health, education and child protection and be inclusive of government ministries, UN agencies and NGOs, and service providers. Parents, youth advocates including those from vulnerable communities should be engaged. These interviews will explore in depth existing efforts around MHPSS in primary health care and identify key knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to support effective implementation within PHC as well as its linkages with social welfare and child protection and education. These interviews will seek to gather specific perspectives on the vision and capacity to deliver MHPSS in primary health care and the linkages to child protection/social welfare and education– and what is specifically required to ensure efficient coordination across sectors.

The findings of the workshop and interviews will be analyzed by the local partner and a draft report prepared which will propose a framework for integration of MHPSS in PHC in Kuwait.

The framework will include a set of recommendations for what MHPSS actions should be integrated with primary health care for accessible, acceptable, and quality integrated mental health and psychosocial services for children, adolescents, and pregnant/new mothers. The framework will also capture considerations/recommendations for implementation. Technical support around analysis and interpretation will be provided by the Lead research institution.

Phase 3: Refinement of the regional & country findings

The local partner will lead country consultations and validation of the draft country case study report.

Phase 4: Preparation of reports and dissemination materials

Based on the feedback from the internal and external consultations and validation process, final dissemination materials will be prepared by the local partner, with the support of the Lead research institution– these include: Kuawit case study report, including an executive summary, and Power point presentations summarizing the key findings from the country report.

Activity 1: Literature review and documentation of analytical reports, studies, surveys, policies, plans and programmes

Inception Report

15 Nov 2022

Activity 2: Conduct consultations workshops and interviews of key informants and stakeholders. Produce reports of these engagements

Consultation workshop and in-depth interviews Reports

20 Dec 2022

Activity 3: Data analysis and reporting of the results

Draft country report and consultations

25 Jan 2023

Activity 4: Data analysis and reporting of the results

Final Country reports

25 February 2023

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

UNICEF is looking for a consultant with strong expertise and good track record in public health, and who is respectful to cultural diversities, community values, and is sensitive to gender issues, with zero tolerance to violence, child abuse and neglect and other harmful practices. The following expertise is required:

• Medical background, with a minimum of a master’s degree in public health and/or qualitative research design, data collection and analysis.

• At least 5 years of public health experience supporting qualitative research design, questionnaire design, data collection, analysis and final report.

• Experience of research in the health, social welfare, mental health and service provision in Kuwait

• Professional knowledge and experience in mental health and psychosocial support systems and services in Kuwait or in MENA region

• Experience working with Governments, UN agencies and NGOs, and also preparing high quality research reports or publications

• Expertise in child and adolescent mental health is an added advantage.

• Fluent in Arabic and English

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org