Consultant to provide technical expertise to the implementation of the WHO-UNICEF Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing and Development of Children and Adolescents in J

Overview

Support mental health initiatives for children and adolescents.

You have:

• Master’s degree in clinical psychology, psychiatry or related field.
• 7 years’ experience in the field of child and adolescents mental health.
• Excellent knowledge in the public mental health approach, prevention and treatment models in MHPSS.
• Expert level in English and Arabic.
• Experience with UN system or other international organizations is an advantage.

1. Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the mental health program within WCO Jordan, providing technical expertise to the implementation of the WHO-UNICEF Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing and Development of Children and Adolescents in Jordan

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. Adults 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.

While children and adolescents experience poverty more than other age groups, UNICEF estimates that more than 20% of children in Jordan are multidimensionally poor. Their lives, and caregivers are limited by poor mental health and well-being, and yet they are not getting the support and services that they need. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the extent and severity of the global mental health crisis, highlighting the need to invest and act now. Furthermore, Child and adolescent mental health and psychosocial well-being and development are significant priorities for both UNICEF and WHO, integral to realizing both agencies’ commitments to realizing the human rights of children.

The WHO-UNICEF Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing and Development of Children and Adolescents will leverage the strengths of both agencies and build on ongoing collaboration and learning between UNICEF and WHO, consolidating partnerships with national governments, civil society – including organizations representing those with lived experience – the private sector, and other stakeholders to accelerate action for children and adolescents’ mental health and psychosocial well-being.

Previously, Jordan has been selected as one of 7 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).

To build on the aforementioned mental health projects and achievements in Jordan aligned with National Mental Health and Substance Use Action Plan (2022-2026), with the Regional Framework to Scale Up Action on Mental Health (EM/RC62/R.5) and with Strategic Development Goals (SDG) targets. The Joint Programme will result in concerted action for evidence-based mental health promotion, prevention and care for children, adolescents, and their families, with the aim of increasing efficiencies in collaboration and greater impact. It is an ambitious, ten-year action plan to realize a bold vision for children, adolescents, and their caregivers: By 2030, children and adolescents living in countries targeted under the Joint Programme will experience reduced suffering and improved mental health and psychosocial well-being, and development.

WHO Jordan is seeking to contract an expert consultant to provide technical advice to WHO-UNICEF Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being and Development of Children and Adolescents aiming to expand capacity to deliver for children and adolescents at all levels. In coordination with 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. Work to be performed

Output 1: Expand MOH capacity to provide leadership for the Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), with focus on children and adolescents by the end of 2024. (30 days)

Deliverable 1.1: Develop of workplan for mental health, wellbeing and psychosocial support of children and adolescents for the Directorate of disability and mental health.

Deliverable 1.2: Provide Support to the national mental health programme in implementation of the workplan developed as part of deliverable 1.1.

Deliverable 1.3: Develop TORs for the revised National Technical Committee (NTC) and to support its meetings. Ensure representation of all relevant stakeholders including essential representation of service users, disabled people organizations and tertiary care through the National Center for Mental Health, including representation of children and adolescents’ mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.

Output 2: The most vulnerable boys and girls in Jordan have equitable access and utilization of quality health and nutrition services for improved survival, cognitive development, physical and mental wellbeing. (44 days)

Deliverable 2.1: Develop of a national cohort of trainers for child and adolescent mental health using the mhGAP-IG v2.0 suite of materials including THP and Care for the child development material. This will include training on mhGAP and THP over (5 days) to 25 health workers, a TOT on Care for the Child Package for selected potential facilitators (8-10 participants), and a roll-out of training on Care for The Child for 25 participants over (5 days).

Deliverable 2.2: supervise the newly trained national cohort for child and adolescent mental health following mhGAP, THP and Care for Child Development trainings. update of mhGAP, THP, Care for Child Development registry following any training or supervision activity.

Output 3: Community structures (including schools, PHCs, youth centers, CBOs) and community members (including parents and children) have benefited from promotion and prevention measures to reduce the stigma and discrimination related to MHPSS (30 days)

Deliverable 3.1: Design and implement anti-stigma and awareness initiatives on mental health and substance use, targeting health care providers, health, and education professionals.

Deliverable 3.2: Draft the awareness initiatives core messages targeting different groups and covering topics such as (but not limited to) signs & symptoms, risky behaviors, stigma, suicide prevention, rights to confidentiality and privacy, rights to treatment and medicine prescription. Ensuring the inclusion of MHPSS service users in implementation of awareness activities.

Deliverable 3.3: Provide training for school professionals on the WHO mental health in schools package, including substance-use prevention targeting 25 schools.

Output 4: The information system, Jordan Integrated Electronic Reporting System (JIERS), have integrated MHPSS core indicators by the end of 2024. (10 days)

Deliverable 4.1: Conduct 2 refresher training on JIERS to 50 health providers and Directorate focal points.

Deliverable 4.2: Conduct Mapping on maternal, child and adolescents’ mental health available services and capacities using the child, adolescents and maternal mental health ATLAS questionnaire.

Output 5: Reporting (2 days)

Upon completion of the above consultation period, the contractor will provide a technical report outlining:

• A summary of the consultation completed
• Challenges

Recommendations

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Master’s degree in clinical psychology, psychiatry or related field.

Experience:

7 years’ experience in the field of child and adolescents mental health.

Demonstrated experience in mental health.

Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:

• Previous experience in conducting mhGAP training including Training of Trainers (ToT)
• Excellent 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
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills
• Experience with the UN system or other international organizations is an advantage

Languages and level required:

Expert level in English and Arabic

5. Location

Off-site

6. Planned timelines (116 working days – Dates are subject to confirmation)

Start date: 1 June 2023

End date: 30 April 2024

7. Medical clearance

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

8. Travel

The Consultant is not expected to travel, but will be required to travel within governorates to support national activities.

Additional Information

• 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.
• 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int