International Consultant–Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist (MHPSS) (Home-based/Remote)

Consultant Programme & Policy

Contract

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For every child, Protection

UNICEF Myanmar

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Since the military takeover in February 2021, Myanmar has shifted into an increasingly deteriorating and complex humanitarian crisis. The onset of the military takeover has ignited civil unrest and has led to widespread violent crackdowns by the military and armed conflict leading to mass displacement, loss of life and human rights violations including in previously stable areas. The economic and political crisis of 2021 and onset of countrywide armed conflict combined with the impact of COVID-19 has driven almost half the population (25 million people) into poverty. People are facing daily protection risks, have limited access to services and increased food insecurity leading to extreme stress. Nationwide there are severe disruptions to routine health services and millions of children are facing an education crisis with disruptions to schooling. An estimated 17.8 million people, including 5 million children, across the country have humanitarian needs nationwide. The crisis has exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities of the most vulnerable in Myanmar and has changed the lives and routines of children, parents and caregivers. The protection risks for children in particular have increased with the limited availability of and access to child protection services. Children separated from family members, in need of victim assistance as survivors of violence and landmine incidents are particularly in acute need of MHPSS services. MHPSS can support to reduce risk and strengthen protective factors and plays a critical role in creating social environments that support optimal development, well-being, and future potential through engagement and participation of families, caregivers, communities, and children themselves.

UNICEF Myanmar has developed a Multi-sectoral and Multi-year strategy for MHPSS (2022-2025) to guide holistic and integrated MHPSS services to support and protect the wellbeing of children, adolescents, parents and caregivers in Myanmar. The MHPSS interventions provided through implementing partners have include all levels of MHPSS support of the Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS intervention pyramid to ensure a stepped care approach that includes integrated services and capacity strengthening of the humanitarian sector workforce including community-based MHPSS support in safe spaces and CFS, and focused non-specialized support which is critical to develop in low resource and low access areas, and specialized services to mental health practitioners providing support in ethnic languages. This achievement of multisectoral implementation of MHPSS in 2022 included a total reach of 210,595 individuals and a training of over 500 field responders in MHPSS capacity building training including in child focused psychological first aid and training in providing targeted psychosocial activities for children and caregivers. Furthermore, the first half of the year of 2023 has included a reach of 2 million through digital awareness and advocacy campaign in a range of Ethnic languages. The continued expansion of integrated MHPSS remains a core aspect of the CP programme.

UNICEF Myanmar will continue with the implementation of the MHPSS Multi-Sectoral Strategy 2022-2025 to guide the implementation of scaled-up and mainstreamed MHPSS programming. UNICEF and implementing partners will provide MHPSS interventions through Child Protection, Education, and Health & Nutrition programmes and through close coordination of each UNICEF MHPSS Sector Focal Point and with the technical support of a MHPSS technical specialist to ensure quality in design and in addressing sector-specific MHPSS gaps and needs.

The MHPSS Multi-Sectoral interventions of 2023 aim to: i) Strengthen community-based MHPSS interventions in safe spaces, educational settings and through health and nutrition services to ensure a supportive environment is provided for children and their mental health and psychosocial well-being; ii) Provide targeted MHPSS to reduce distress in caregivers, including focused non-specialized support and specialized services iii) Strengthen integrated MHPSS into child protection case management support, particularly children affected by grave violations including victims of landmines, explosive remnants of war and explosive ordnances and children receiving legal aid and assistance iv) Strengthen referral support to specialized MHPSS services in Ethnic languages

The multi-sectoral and multi-layered MHPSS interventions aim to expand the protection reach and increase the identification of protection concerns and multi-sectoral linkages to protection case management support. This expansion is achieved through MHPSS capacity strengthening of field responders and volunteers in child-focused psychological first aid (PFA) and the provision of community-based MHPSS activities by PFA trained field responders that can identify children in need of protection and case management support and capacity strengthening of youth through peer-to-peer support training in PFA. Additionally, community-based MHPSS targeted interventions provided through multi-sectoral activities will include awareness raising sessions that will include storytelling and key messages that normalize stress reactions, offer interactive coping strategies and activities that promote self-care actions that promote child and family wellbeing during times of crisis. Key messages for parents and caregivers will include supportive information as well as positive parenting messages on supporting children during crisis events. These key messages and storytelling will be provided in the form of an interactive group activity with two-way discussions and will also include distributed materials and information leaflets/pamphlets for caregivers and families.

Focused non-specialized MHPSS services will be provided through CP case management support to improve access to MHPSS. Additionally, when needed, referral support to specialized services in a range of Ethnic languages will be provided. The integration of focused MHPSS services into CP case management has been a critical identified need and response of the MHPSS programming of UNICEF. Additionally, UNICEF will continue to promote MHPSS awareness raising through digital campaigns involving youth and volunteers through the digital U-Report platform, and the “Internet of Good Things” platform under the “Shii Nay Mal” youth-led brand to expand its reach. This collaboration will ensure participation and accountability of affected populations by involving them on the development process of MHPSS stories, scripts and digital content, while supporting the local delivery of key MHPSS messages to affected communities. All messaging for advocacy and awareness raising will be made accessible and available in Ethnic languages as well as adapted for persons with disabilities including physical, sensory and intellectual impairments where possible.

UNICEF is seeking the support of a technical expert to roll out the implementation of the key action points of the UNICEF Multi-sectoral and Multi-year MHPSS strategy (2021-2025) and lead capacity building of national staff and partner organizations that deliver MHPSS services to children and families affected by the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.

Scope of Work: Under the supervision of the Child Protection Manager, the consultant will be responsible for:

1. Design a comprehensive national capacity development plan to support the mainstreaming of the standardized MHPSS minimum services package for implementing partners and UNICEF child protection colleagues including the provision of MHPSS through child protection case management services, WaSH, education and health sector.

2. Lead the multi-sectoral coordination between the UNICEF MHPSS team and the UNICEF MHPSS Sector Focal Points to ensure sustainability and continuation of integrated and multilayered MHPSS interventions and provide technical support and guidance in the implementation of the developed MHPSS interventions and action plan.

3. Provide technical support on the design, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF MHPSS services for children, adolescents and caregivers in need and expand on MHPSS services that provide focused support for people impaired by distress or mental health conditions including through specialized and community-based services.

4. Provide MHPSS technical support and lead the process of the handover of the mental health advocacy and awareness social media campaign from the communications agency, BRIDGE to youth leaders of U-Report to sustain the development of appropriate information, education, and communication (IEC) materials on MHPSS, to build awareness and promote key messages.

Duty Station:

Home-based/ Remote

Proposed Timeframe:

Total 120 days over 6 months period

Description of Assignment:

Month 1

Task 1:

Provide technical support to the CPiE team and partners to design a comprehensive national capacity development plan to support the mainstreaming of the standardized MHPSS minimum services package for child protection implementing partners and UNICEF child protection including the provision of MHPSS.

Deliverable 1:

1 x MHPSS capacity building plan developed and shared with CP team. The plan should include training, orientation, mentoring of specialized non focused MHPSS skills building to be delivered to child protection national staff and case managers.

Timeline: 20 days

Month 2

Task 2:

Develop Capacity building plan for MHPSS training for sectors of WaSH. Education, Health and Nutrition sector and provide technical support and guidance in the implementation of the developed MHPSS interventions and action points.

Deliverable 2:

• 1 x MHPSS capacity building plan developed for WaSH. Education, Health and Nutrition sectors. • Monthly report on technical support provided to UNICEF MHPSS Sector Focal Points provided

Timeline: 20 days

Month 3

Task 3:

Provide technical support MHPSS and CPiE team to design, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF MHPSS services for children, adolescents and caregivers in need and expand on MHPSS services that provide focused support for people impaired by distress or mental health conditions including through specialized and community based services.

Deliverable 3:

• 1 x Plan of Action on the delivery of capacity building initiatives and workshops designed by UNICEF IP and with the support of the MHPSS specialist on youth led MHPSS focused support through digital technologies • 1 x Monthly report on technical support provided to UNICEF MHPSS Sector Focal Points provided

Timeline: 20 days

Month 4

Task 4:

Provide MHPSS technical support to national MHPSS team to lead the process of the handover of the mental health advocacy and awareness social media campaign from the communications agency, BRIDGE to youth leaders of U-Report to sustain the development of appropriate information, education, and communication (IEC) materials on MHPSS, to build awareness and promote key messages

Deliverable 4:

• 2 x workshops developed on youth led MHPSS focused support through digital technologies • Monthly report on technical 1 x support provided to UNICEF MHPSS Sector Focal Points provided

Timeline: 20 days

Month 5

Task 5:

Develop and provide a capacity building training for UNICEF MHPSS Sector focal Points on and provide technical support and guidance in the implementation of the developed MHPSS interventions and action points.

Deliverable 5:

• 1 x training/workshop of 9 MHPSS Sector Focal Points on do no harm and programme development within MHPSS based on IASC and UNICEF global guidance • 1 x training report • 1 x Monthly report on technical support provided to UNICEF MHPSS Sector Focal Points provided

Timeline: 20 days

Month 6

Task 6:

Deliver a final report on the social media campaign handover including outcomes of workshops and coordination between communication agency and youth leaders as well as suggestions moving forward throughout the end of 2025 for the continuation of the multisectoral activities.

Deliverable 6:

• 1 x Final report on the MHPSS multisectoral strategy achievements, outcomes and suggestions moving forward including for the digital awareness campaign expansion • 1 x Presentation to CP team on the recommendations of the final report • 1 x Presentation to MHPSS Sector Focal points on the recommendations of the final report

Timeline: 20 days

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

• Master’s Degree. The qualified candidate will be a mental health professional with MA, MSW, RN, Ph.D., MD or equivalent degree (e.g. psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work)
• At least 6+ years of clinical and/or programming experience in the field of MHPSS and leading MHPSS through child protection and/or education programmes in development/humanitarian context. Previous professional experience in LDC or fragile context preferred.
• Knowledge on MHPSS actors and programming context in Myanmar a great asset.
• Experience in child-focused as well as community- based MHPSS.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience in using the IASC MHPSS guidelines and relevant IASC endorsed and promoted tools (e.g. WHO UNHCR Assessment toolkit, 4Ws Mapping Tool, Interagency Referral Tool, etc.)
• Experience in capacity building, coaching and staff care, strengthening various duty bearers’ understanding and implementation of MHPSS, including training in clinical psychological skills.
• Strong people and communication skills, diplomatic and assertive as needed
• Culturally sensitive and able to adapt to difficult contexts
• Good team player, enjoys being part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Applicants are required to fill in the following "Expression of Interest" form and attach in the online application: 2. Sample EOI latest Template 7 August 2023 - Final.doc

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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.

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Added 11 months ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: unicef.org