National consultancy to provide TA to UNICEF Tajikistan CO in mapping and identification of the current language used in the country around mental health and creating new de-stigmatizing lan

Contract

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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, Health

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

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. 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. Research indicates that language used to describe mental health and substance use conditions can negatively impact help seeking behaviour (Volkow, et al., 2021). Language is one of the multiple ways in which stigma manifests itself, alongside behaviours and attitudes that isolate and marginalize people suffering from mental health distress. Research also sheds light on the contexts under which stigma emerges, and the underlying social processes and dynamics driving marginalization. On the other hand, a shift in language and development of new vocabulary could be used to speak about mental health differently, addressing subjects that were not previously palatable to discuss. This has potential to change attitudes, behaviors and social dynamics and policies.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall oversight and direct supervision of Health Specialist, the consultant will work closely with the UNICEF Tajikistan CO on mapping and identification of the current language used in the country around mental health and its impact on general perceptions and beliefs around mental health and MHPSS: explore who, when, where (in what context) and how this language is used; and creating new de-stigmatizing language.

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

Duration: 60 working days between June 2024 - December 2024

Supervisor: Health Specialist, UNICEF Tajikistan

The objective of the assignment is to support the UNICEF Tajikistan CO in mapping out derogative and stigmatizing language, identifying and creating/enhancing positive language on mental health by:

• Undertaking a review of relevant available country publications, reports etc. on mental health stigma, mental health promotion and behavioral change initiatives, including analysis of social media and networks, popular culture products and other relevant sources, related to mental health and stigma.

• Organizing workshop(s) with key stakeholders (approved by the Advisory Board) to reflect on current language used around mental health and MHPSS and its impact and identify and propose a new positive, supportive and non-stigmatizing language/set of terms.

• Undertaking data collection and reporting/summary from all the workshops.

Consultant will conduct desk reviews in consultation with the Country Advisory Board and will complement them by the analysis of social media and networks, popular culture products, key informant interviews (KII) with key stakeholders (at least 10 participants) 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.

• existing initiatives similar/synergistic to the mental health stigma reduction.

To ensure the successful preparation, execution, and documentation of workshop outcomes, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Review the proposed methodology, approaches and tools developed by ECARO and adapt and refine them, ensuring cultural and contextual appropriateness.

• Prepare all necessary materials for workshop(s) delivery.

• Facilitate the workshop(s) to gather insights on (1) current language use and perceptions around mental health/stigma, (2) new proposed language and terminology, and (3) approaches to promote and socialize the new language.

• Work with a diverse group of participants, including MHPSS service users, healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders and ensure the workshop is delivered in a participatory manner, ensuring the voice of each participant is heard.

• Analyze workshop outcomes to propose a set of positive, non-stigmatizing terms and language recommendations.

The consultant will be required to take the course on ethics and with CO support will obtain parents’ approvals for minors participating in the workshop(s).

Tasks/Milestone: (in line with the scope elaborated in section-III)

Deliverables/Outputs:

Anticipated Timeline

% of payment (maximum up to 5 payments)

1. Conduct desk review of relevant resources and KIIs on mental health stigma, mental health promotion and behavioral change initiatives in the country.

Del. 1: Summary of the desk review of the relevant resources related to mental health stigma in the country.

10 working days.

30 % of the total budget

2. Review the proposed methodology, approaches and tools developed by ECARO and adapt and refine them, ensuring cultural and contextual appropriateness.

Del. 2: Refined for cultural context workshop methodology, approaches, tools and materials on the base of methodology proposed by the RO.

10 working days.

3. Take the course on ethics and with CO support obtain parents’ approvals for minors participating in the workshop(s).

Del. 3: Documented proof of completion of the ethics course and evidence of parental approvals obtained.

5 working days

40 % of the total budget

4. Prepare all necessary materials for workshops delivery and run local consultative workshops with adolescents/young people and service providers; and KIIs.

Del. 4: Workshop materials/presentations and any tools required for findings and collection.

10 working days.

5. Consolidate outcomes of the consultation workshops and formulation of a new proposed language around mental health following the local workshops.

Del. 5:

Data collection and reporting/summary from all the workshops.

A comprehensive report summarizing the findings from the workshops.

10 working days.

6. Analyze workshop outcomes to propose a set of positive, non-stigmatizing terms and language recommendations. Validate new terminology through a workshop with experts and authorities.

Del. 6: A set of recommended language and terms for use in MHPSS contexts.

10 working days.

30 % of the total budget

7. Completion report (that includes PPT as one of the attachments) with incorporation of UNICEF Technical Lead and the Country Advisory Board feedback and with outlining recommendation for creating new de-stigmatizing language.

Del. 7: Final report is submitted to UNICEF

5 working days

Total: 60 days

100 %

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

• Education: Advanced degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Public Health, or other relevant fields.
• Ability to work with diverse groups and adapt methodologies to different cultural contexts.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in facilitation, SBC or related projects.
• Experience using participatory approaches (e.g. human centered design) with populations in the context of social and behavioural change. Experience conducting consultations and evidence generation activities with adolescents and young people will be an asset.
• Experience using a variety of tools for qualitative and quantitative data collection.
• Experience working with marginalized populations is an asset. Skills: Facilitation and working with/running sessions with youth. Strong analytical and report writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.
• Languages: Excellent working knowledge and communication in Tajik and Russian languages required. Working knowledge of English is an asset.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• Cover letter/application/CV.
• A technical proposal with proposed approach to managing the consultancy deliverables, showing understanding of tasks.
• Financial proposal specifying consultancy fee, per day of work, requested for the tasks described in the Terms of Reference in TJS as well as travel and subsistence costs: 6 trips. DSA for 15 days.

• Applications without technical and financial proposals will not be considered.

  Applications must be received in the system by 23 May 2024 on UNICEF website.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.