CONSULTANT- To Support Implementation of the Special Initiative for Mental Health in the African Region

Overview

Coordinate and manage the Special Initiative for Mental Health in Africa

You have:

• An Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in relevant disciplines.
• At least seven years of relevant experience in development and management of Mental Health programmes.
• Excellent knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental health.
• Working knowledge of district hospital care and basic health systems in the African region.
• Proven ability to network with partners at all levels.

Background

The Non-communicable Diseases Unit in the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) provides policy guidance and technical assistance to Member States; develops, implements and monitors multisectoral, integrated, evidence-based, and people-centered policies, strategies and plans; and strengthens the capacity of national-health systems to deliver high-quality, integrated Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD), Mental and Neurological and Substance Use (MNS) services at Primary Health Care and all levels of care for Universal Health Care (UHC). These include early diagnosis, screening and treatment of NCDs and mental health conditions and their risk factors; rehabilitation and disability services; promoting and tracking cross-cutting, end-to-end delivery to achieve impact; and support to the building and maintenance of national and regional information systems for NCDs and mental health, neurology, and alcohol and other substance use.

In the area of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, AFRO supports Member States to develop Mental Health Policies and Strategic Plans, supports integration of mental health services into primary health care and provides support for strengthening community mental health services in line with the Framework to Implement the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan in the WHO Africa Region, endorsed by the Regional Committee in August 2022.

The Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) was launched in 2019 and has the goal of reaching 100 million people with mental health services. Two countries, Ghana and Zimbabwe, from the WHO African region have been part of this Initiative. The aim of the SIMH is to provide targeted technical and financial support to these countries, while leveraging the lessons learned to replicate in other countries in the Region.

Deliverables

In the context of the mental, neurological and substance use disorders area of work within the NCD Team in AFRO, the incumbent will coordinate and is responsible for all aspects (operational, technical and programmatic) of the SIMH programme at the Regional level and provides oversight to Ghana and Zimbabwe country level implementation.

Specifically, the consultant will:

• Strengthening Governance and Leadership:

Support the establish of National Mental Health Coordination Committees, and other Technical area working groups in Ghana and Zimbabwe.

• Develop and disseminate technical documents of relevance to the SIMH countries and the Region:

Preparation of a Technical Paper on Community Mental Health services in the African Region, including successes, challenges, innovative approaches, financing of community mental health as well as case studies, and disseminate to the Member States. There will be in depth analysis of the Ghana and Zimbabwe situations.

• Operations and Finance:

Support Ghana and Zimbabwe to develop/regularly review 2023 workplans for the prioritized Regions/Provinces and implementation activities.

Support Ghana and Zimbabwe to mobilise additional funds to implement the workplans, including, oversight to the utilization of the allocated resources.

Determine staffing needs, ensure the mobilization of the required human resources to implement the SIMH in both Ghana and Zimbabwe. Provide leadership, motivation, guidance, and performance management of staff and experts.

• Monitoring and reporting:

Support Ghana and Zimbabwe to finalise the monitoring and evaluation plans, provide oversight for the regular monitoring, prepare regional reports on the SIMH implementation that will be regularly shared at the SIMH monthly meetings. Any learnings relevant to other countries in the region will be disseminated to Member States

Provide oversight and guidance for preparation of briefings to HQ, RO and WCO leadership as required, on the progress and implementation of SIMH in each of the countries in alignment with the Ghana and Zimbabwe national action plans, including financial and implementation tracking, and output/impact monitoring.

• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: An Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Public Health and Global Mental Health, Clinical Psychology, International Health and Mental Health, Global Mental Health policy or development studies, or other closely related field of study to Global Mental Health issues..

Desirable: Post graduate qualification in Social Work or related field, Medical Anthropology or related field is an added advantage.

Experience

Required: At least seven years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in development and management of Mental Health programmes including supporting multi-sectoral coordination, strengthening country capacities and developing and implementing mental health policies and programs.

Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, relevant non-governmental, and Academic Institutions.

Skills/Knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge of the Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental health and the Global Mental Health Action Plan

Working knowledge of district hospital care, UHC, in-service and pre-service training and capacity building, essential medicines, existing surveillance system and primary care systems in the African region.

Authoritative and comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques in mental health policy, planning and financing, in particular, strengthening community mental health services and integrating mental health into primary health care

Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to solve and explain technical issues and take part in meetings with tact and diplomacy.

Knowledge of WHO role, mandates, strategies & action plans (global, regional and country specific).

Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels (ministry, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations).

Languages and level required

Excellent knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French

The above language requirements are interchangeable.

Location & Travel

On-site: Brazzaville, Congo. The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Monthly for 6 months at Band B (8,500)

Currency: US Dollars

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.

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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.

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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

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Potential interview questions

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