Home based :Social and Behavior Change Consultant on Mental Health - 135 working days between September 2023 and May 2024 - Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO)

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

Overview

Provide consultancy for mental health stigma reduction.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's) in health.
• At least 5 years of experience on social and behavioral change, including on topics related to mental health and MHPSS.
• Experience in development of social behavior change strategy.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; fluency in Russian is a strong asset.
• Culturally sensitive and able to adapt to difficult contexts.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, an advocate

Scope of work

Background: A model of care rooted in the biomedical ‘disorder’ approach to mental health has been pervasive in Europe and Central Asia Region (ECAR), resulting in clinical care and treatment often being prioritized over interventions aimed at promoting mental health or preventing distress. This has resulted in the region having the highest proportion of mental health service users in institutionalized psychiatric care globally over a community-based approach focused on addressing the entire spectrum of mental health needs. Research indicates that language used to describe mental health and substance use conditions can negatively impact help seeking behavior (Volkow, et al., 2021). High stigma along with the traditional (medicalized) approach to mental health and wellbeing has negatively affected demand for mental health services, including where such services are available. To accelerate the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) priority in Europe and Central Asia (ECAR), dedicated capacity for Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and community engagement (a change strategy in UNICEF programming) to address stigma around MHPSS at the societal and individual levels in a targeted manner is required.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The primary objective of this dedicated consultancy is to support selected CO’s in ECAR in the identification of positive language around MHPSS, as part of a multi-country exercise supported by ECARO. The consultant will provide technical assistance in the identification of attitudes, beliefs, behavioral determinants influencing acceptance and use of MHPSS, the current terms and language associated with that and their effect. The consultant will support country level mapping, consultation workshops, and SBC strategy formation aimed at shifting harmful language, cultural symbols and behavioral attitudes associated with mental health. The consultant will work under the guidance of the Regional Health Advisor and in close collaboration with ECARO SBC Specialist and Adolescent MHPSS Consultant. The consultancy will be home-based, with possible short travel to CO’s (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kirgizstan) and the Regional Office (RO) as needed.

Description of the Assignment

The expected deliverables will be developed and delivered in consultation with UNICEF between September 2023 and May 2024. The scope of work will include the following tasks:

1. Desk review of relevant publications, reports etc. on mental health stigma, mental health promotion and behavioral change initiatives in the selected countries, including analysis of social media and networks, popular culture products and other relevant sources, related to mental health and stigma and key informant interviews with UNICEF and key stakeholders to understand and document:

• approaches to mental health,
• attitudes, beliefs and misconceptions associated to mental health and use of MHPSS,
• types of available services, how they operate and their beneficiaries,
• gaps in knowledge related to the continuum of mental health,
• language and expressions related to the continuum of mental health,

2. Develop a protocol and tools to guide and support local consultative workshops with MHPSS service users and service providers. The six selected countries will organize local workshops to:

a. Explore, understand and validate assumptions on attitudes, beliefs, misconceptions around mental health (for example source of mental health issues; image of people with mental health issues etc.) and MHPSS (type of services available; perception of these services; use of services etc.) and map the language / key terms used in these countries in association with mental health and MHPSS and their (positive, neutral or negative) connotations; and b. explore and define a set of positive, non-stigmatizing and non-threatening terms, expressions and language related to mental health and MHPSS that could be used in the respective countries when engaging with adolescents, young people and the public.

To support and guide these local workshops, the consultant will:

• Support countries in setting up Advisory Boards (one per country) comprised by representatives of key stakeholders (MHPSS service users/people with lived experience, relevant academic and governmental partners etc.).
• Develop and propose a methodology to organize and run the workshops. The methodology will propose the number of workshops to be organized with different audiences, ensuring participants with different profiles are included (rural/urban, boys/girls, men/women, age groups etc.). The consultant is also expected to propose an approach that supports active engagement of participants. Key informant interviews will be considered for specific stakeholders who cannot be included in workshops, not to influence the group dynamics and the opinions of other participants. The methodology will be based on the desk review and key informant interviews conducted under task 1 (inception phase).
• Develop a protocol/guide for running the local workshop. The protocol will contain a proposed agenda/flow, engagement methods/approaches with the participants and tools to be considered. The protocol will contain participatory approaches, encouraging and empowering participants to brainstorm, express opinions, debate, build consensus, along with proposed reflection questions for each session, to guide engagement and discussions around the topics listed above. It will also contain an ethics section for activities involving children. The final protocol will be agreed with UNICEF.

3. Provide support to country teams in adapting the proposed methodology, approaches and tools and conducting the local workshops. The consultant will provide individual support to country teams in preparation of workshops, adaptation and finalization of workshops agenda, flow, methods, approaches and tools. The consultant may be required to travel to some of these countries to provide direct support in preparing and running the workshops.

4. Support country teams in ‘sense-making’ and formulation of new proposed languages around mental health and MHPSS following the local workshops. The consultant will review the workshop outputs and articulate a proposed set of terms/language to be considered in the region/these countries when communicating about mental health and MHPSS. An initial draft will be submitted to the Regional Office and country offices for their review and comments. An online webinar will be conducted to present the final proposed terms/language, in Russian. The country offices will work on developing a similar set of terms/language in their local languages. Develop a SBC/promotion strategy to socialize and promote the new language on mental health, wellbeing and MHPSS. The strategy will identify and propose country-specific platforms, approaches and activities to socialize and promote the new language in the six countries. It will focus on promoting the new language among adolescents/youth, practitioners and the general public, and will explore digital and offline opportunities.

5. Support presentation of the new proposed terminology/language at the sub-regional conference on mental health in 2024. The consultant will support UNICEF in presenting and validating the new terminology/language with the conference participants. Any adjustments following the feedback received from the conference participants will be made accordingly.

6. Help to liaise with WHO, Pan-European Coalition for Mental Health, Academia and other relevant stakeholders at regional level for the identification and dissemination of positive language around MHPSS.

7. Develop end of project report with achievements and lessons learnt in the six countries participating in this effort.

Activity and Deliverables

Tasks/Milestone****Deliverables/Outpouts****Timeline and delivery deadline1. Desk review of relevant publications, reports etc. on mental health stigma, mental health promotion and behavioral change initiatives in the selected countries, including analysis of social media and networks, popular culture products and other relevant sources, related to mental health and stigma and key informant interviews with UNICEF and key stakeholders.One desk review report covering relevant information sources for 6 countries.20 days by 15 October 2023

2. Develop a protocol and tools to guide and support local consultative workshops with adolescents/young people and service providers.Proposed one methodology, one protocol, tools.20 days by 10 November 20233. Provide support to 6 country teams in adapting the proposed methodology, approaches and tools and conducting the local workshops. Support countries in setting up Advisory Boards (one per country).One report on support provided to 6 countries.

25 days

November 2023 to January 20244. Support country teams in ‘sense-making’ and formulation of a new proposed languages around mental health and MHPSS following the local workshops. Webinar to present the new terminology.One report for 6 countries on the proposed terminology/language on the mental health continuum.20 days through February 2024

5. Develop a SBC/promotion strategy to socialize and promote the new language on mental health and MHPSS.SBC/promotion strategy is available.15 days through March 20246. Support presentation of the new proposed terminology/language at the sub-regional conference on mental health stigma in 2024.One report on outcomes of the conference including final proposed terminology and final SBC/promotion strategy.20 days - March through April 20247. Help to liaise with WHO, Pan-European Coalition for Mental Health, Academia and other relevant stakeholders at regional level for the identification and dissemination of positive language around MHPSS.Minimum 4 meetings with relevant stakeholders.8 days October 2023 – May 20248. Develop end of project report with achievements and lessons learnt in the 6 countries participating in this effort.Final Report7 days April-May 2024 Estimated Duration of the Contract

135 working days from September 2023 to 31 May 2024

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home based consultancy.

As part of this assignment, there will be at least 6 travels from the home country to selected countries. The consultant will arrange her/his travel as and when they take place. Travel costs for any travel undertaken from home country will be reimbursed to the Consultant based on actual costs in support for the Activities and Deliverables.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant. Please propose a Professional Fee for 135 working days between September 2023 to 31 May 2024 to undertake this assignment.

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

• Advanced university degree (Master's) in health. Mental health professional with MSc, MSW, RN, Ph.D., MD, MS. Ed or equivalent degree (e.g., psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, public mental health); anthropology, social and behavioural science, behaviour and social change

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required

Technical Expertise and Experience

• At least 5 years of experience on social and behavioral change, including on topics related to mental health and MHPSS.
• Experience in development of social behavior change Strategy.
• Experience in preparing and facilitating participatory/co-creation activities. Knowledge of human centered design approaches and other participatory approaches.
• Experience in capacity building.
• Experience in conducting desk reviews.

Culture and Fit

• Culturally sensitive and able to adapt to difficult contexts
• Strong people and communication skills, diplomatic and assertive as needed
• Good team player that can work as part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team
• Capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Commitment to and understanding of child rights, the aims and principles of UNICEF, and humanitarian standards such as the Sphere Charter and the Code of Conduct.
• A high level of written and spoken English
• Fluency in Russian is a strong asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Please include a full CV, and a Financial Proposal in your application by indicating your availability and a lumpsum based on 135 working days to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org