Consultant to support finalization of a mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) toolkit and programme for women and men in Caribbean SIDS

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) Caribbean covers 22 countries and territories in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, which are part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Strides towards gender equality in the countries covered by the MCOs have resulted in gains for women and girls, relating primarily to high education rates and increases in employment rates. However critical gaps remain. These gaps are further exploited during hazards like COVID-19 and other environmental hazards.

UN Women applies the approach of Women’s Resilience to Disasters where a comprehensive package is proposed to render prevention, preparedness and response systems gender-responsive, and to provide targeted action enabling women and other at-risk groups to withstand natural hazards, recover fully from disasters and increase their resilience to future natural hazards and climate change impacts.

The Return to Happiness programme developed by UNICEF to support children’s mental health and well-being has been a good model of support to build children’s resilience, as well as recovery from situations where psychological wellbeing is affected as a consequence of hazards. Similarly, the Problem Management Plus (PM+) by PAHO/WHO provides psychological guidance and low-intense interventions for people impaired by distress in communities exposed to adversity. However, in spite of the psychological impact experienced by men and women in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the aftermath of the Category 5+ Hurricanes, volcano eruptions and other disasters, there is no consistent programmatic approach to providing mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) to affected population, or to support the first responders, community leaders, teachers, counsellors, social service workers and other non-medical professionals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UN Women MCO - Caribbean Representative, with direct supervision by Programme Officer - Humanitarian, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Resilience, the Consultant will be contracted to:

1. Finalize the Self-care MHPSS toolkit by UN Women.
2. Support the rollout of MHPSS Programme, consisting of the Self-care toolkit by UN Women and Problem Management Plus (PM+) toolkit by PAHO for taking care of others.

The MHPSS Toolkit and Programme are aimed for women and men in the Caribbean SIDS to reduce post-disaster anxieties and re-establishing a sense of emotional well-being, security and confidence. The programme should be relevant to adults (persons ages 18 years and older).

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

• Organize a consultation/workshop with key partners and stakeholders (in collaboration with PAHO/WHO) to validate the Self-care MHPSS toolkit and to identify necessary additional content for its finalization
• Conduct a desk review of existing MHPSS programmes, services and tools in the Caribbean, gender-based violence (GBV), GBV in Emergencies (GBViE), counselling, Mental Health First Aid, and trauma support to other vulnerable populations, to further identify additional components to be included into the final Self-care MHPSS toolkit
• Finalize the Self-care MHPSS toolkit, inclusive of peer review by key partners and stakeholders
• Develop a train-the-trainer guide
• Develop a strategic dissemination and sustainability plan for the rollout of the MHPSS Programme and Self-care MHPSS toolkit in four Caribbean countries, namely Antigua and Barbuda (ANU), Grenada (GRD), Saint Lucia (SLU) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in collaboration with key partners
• Conduct pre-assessment of capacities and needs in the four listed countries for implementing the MHPSS programme and Self-care MHPSS toolkit
• Develop M&E tool to track enhanced capacities and uptake of the Self-care MHPSS toolkit and the MHPSS programme in the Caribbean
• Support and coordinate series of Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions with accredited psychologists and counselors on the Self-care MHPSS toolkit in the four listed Caribbean countries to collect user feedback, support MHPSS programme rollout and to build capacities of first responders, health care workers, community leaders, teachers, counsellors, social service workers and other non-medical professionals
• Support strengthening of referral pathways process in the selected four Caribbean SIDS by identifying gaps and potential for their strengthening by developing a referral document

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity;
• Integrity;
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Functional Competencies:

• Integrity and Fairness: Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
• Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.
• Strong networking capacities for constructive relationships with humanitarian actors (e.g. UN agencies, NGOs), Donors and relevant Government Ministries

Required Skills and Experience

The consultant should meet the following criteria:

Experience:

• At least 7 years of work experience in MHPSS responses in humanitarian contexts.
• At least 5 years’ experience working in the Caribbean region or with SIDS.
• Experience working in complex Emergencies / Humanitarian settings is required.
• Experience working with humanitarian actors (e.g. UN agencies, NGOs), Donors and relevant Government Ministries is an asset.
• In-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of the IASC Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings guidelines and associated products (e.g., IASC Assessment toolkit, the 4Ws mapping tool, and M&E framework) is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required

Education:

• Advanced university degree in clinical psychology, psychiatry, or social work.

LOCATION AND DURATION

• The consultancy will be home based
• The consultants will be engaged for a maximum of 30 working days during the period 18 April 2022 – 30 September 2022

REMUNERATION

• The consultancy fee will be negotiated before contracting. Each payment will be based on a predefined and formal agreement between UN Women and the consultant and will be disbursed based on satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables.

• The remuneration for this contract type is an all-inclusive fee, the organization will not be liable for additional cost or benefits. Hence, it is the responsibility of the consultant to take out adequate medical insurance for the duration of the contract and it is recommendable that the policy includes coverage for COVID-19 related illness. The medical coverage should be international when the contract requires missions or international assignment.

• If selected for this vacant post, proof of medical coverage should be presented within the first two months of the contract.

HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND COMMUNICATION:

• The consultant must be equipped with a fully functional laptop, which must run at least Windows 7. The consultant must be reasonably accessible by email and telephone (preferably mobile). The use of reliable, internet-based (Skype or equivalent) is required.

REFERENCES:

• Minimum of three client references that include the name of the contact person, title and contact information.

OTHER:

Note:

Submissions to UNDP Jobs are limited to a maximum of 10 MB, virus-free or corrupted contents to avoid rejection, and no more than 1 email transmission. All applications must be submitted through UNDP jobs. Please do not send applications to UN Women staff as they will not be accepted.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel 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).