Programme Specialist (Mental Health & Psychosocial Support)- P4- EAPRO

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 128,723 USD and 165,961 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, protection!

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is an institutional priority for the UN, and for UNICEF. The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018-2021 identifies MHPSS as a priority area, building upon existing programming through child protection, education and health. Furthermore, the recent Mid-Term Review of the Strategic Plan has highlighted the importance of MHPSS across the organization. Worldwide, 10-20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders; half of all mental disorders begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by mid-20s; mental and brain conditions are the leading cause of disability in young people in all regions; and 1 in 4 children is living with a parent who has a mental disorder. Suicide is among the top 5 leading causes of adolescent deaths, with higher rates among adolescent girls. Postpartum depression is reported to occur in 15% of mothers shortly before or any time after childbirth, but commonly begins between one week and one month after delivery of a newborn. In humanitarian settings, it is estimated that nearly one fifth of people living in and displaced by conflict will need mental health and psychosocial support – with an additional 5% likely to experience a severe mental disorder1. Nearly one person in five (22%) living in an area affected by conflict is estimated to have depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia2 - with treatment gaps of over 90%. Mental health is also a key driver of foundational learning and one of the key pillars of UNICEF’s strategy to end the learning crisis in EAP.

UNICEF is establishing a global MHPSS project “UNICEF Global Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Acceleration Project”, where UNICEF is already engaged and has ongoing commitments, to accelerate MHPSS priorities. Through this project UNICEF aims to ensure UNICEF HQ and Regional Offices are supported in establishing dedicated technical capacity in MHPSS to support COs and partners in policy level dialogue, field level coordination and advocacy, carrying out MHPSS assessments, setting up training and capacity building activities, and designing, monitoring and evaluating MHPSS activities and programs.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor (Child Protection and MHPSS Technical Team), and in collaboration with colleagues from ECD, Education, Gender-ADAP and other sections, you will map and analyze the MHPSS projects in the region, support the development, coordination, and implementation of a regional MHPSS framework in collaboration with MHPSS specialists in NYHQ, other ROs and selected COs in the region; ensure inter-sectoral and inter-divisional regional coordination; work closely with the Country Office (CO) MHPSS focal points in Humanitarian Action (CPHA) to coordinate and provide technical support to selected countries, in particular, but also to all COs in the region.

Specifically, you will be responsible for the following tasks:

Workplan development: Based on the global workplan developed in HQ, develop an annual project workplan and timeline with clear actions for operationalizing the activities under this project, with clear regional and country level guidance and actions for monitoring progress on the workplan, proposing priorities/targets, activities, budgets and expenses, in coordination with MHPSS specialist and coordinator in NYHQ , and other relevant UNICEF regional units/focal points.

Establish communication channels: develop a comprehensive communication plan, with clear objectives and timeline, between inter-sectoral and inter-divisional regional and country focal points, including upstream communication channels with identified technical focal points in NYHQ.

Coordination: Under guidance and leadership of Regional Advisor Child Protection and the Regional MHPSS TT, assume responsibility of coordinating and implementing regular regional inter-divisional and inter-sectoral consultations and meetings. This includes effective and timely communication and coordination of activities, meetings, and tasks with relevant regional advisors and focal points, and regular communications with MHPSS specialist, coordinator and specific inter-divisional and inter-sectoral focal points in NYHQ.

Mapping: Collect and synthesize regional MHPSS activities, data and information to inform a comprehensive overview of MHPSS programming, interventions and initiatives, across sectors, building on existing Child Protection, Early Childhood Development, Education (Safe to learn) and Health mappings in the region. This synthesis will be used to inform the establishment of gaps & priority areas that will support development of Region specific MHPSS frameworks for subsequent implementation in countries. Support knowledge management on MHPSS.

• Track research developments in the area of MHPSS, collate and analyze data including from country programme experience (lessons learned, best practices, reviews and evaluations) so as to inform the revision of results frameworks, capacity building and reporting.
• Documentation and reporting: Conduct bi-monthly calls with MHPSS coordinator in NYHQ to monitor activity progress and identify technical needs. Produce high quality and comprehensive bi-annual short progress reports using suggested templates in collaboration with regional advisors, UNICEF MHPSS specialist and coordinator in NYHQ, for use in accountability updates to the office of the executive director on use of institutional funds for MHPSS as part of this project.

Technical support:

• Support the implementation of integrated MHPSS programming in the region, in facilitating country and regional consultations, consultations with young people and country engagement, as part of a process for development of a regional MHPSS framework. Consultations will support in establishing region/country specific technical areas of need for integration of MHPSS in Child Protection, Education, and Health, HIV, Disability, ECD, ADAP/Gender (including the Young Persons Action Team), and other areas of work; and in cross-cutting meaningful, safe and inclusive engagement of adolescents in MHPSS policy, advocacy, and programming.
• Provide direct technical support to the region and to selected country offices, with support from regional advisors and MHPSS specialists in NYHQ, for the implementation of inter-sectoral and inter-divisional sustainable and innovative MHPSS programming.
• M&E: In alignment with the Standardized Quality MHPSS Framework and with support from MHPSS specialists and M&E focal points in NYHQ, manage the regional office efforts in integrating monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning as part of the regional MHPSS framework, with clear guidance on adaptation for country-level priority actions, interventions, and indicators. S/He provides technical guidance and operational support throughout the programming process to facilitate the achievement of concrete and sustainable results, according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework

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

• Relevant advanced academic background (holding master’s or higher degree) in Social Sciences; psychology; public health; law; international development; humanitarian action or similar relevant discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years’ professional experience in project coordination and management in relevant area. At least 6 years’ experience with child protection especially MHPSS programming for children, including in humanitarian contexts
• Good knowledge and understanding of humanitarian principles, child safeguarding measures and established international standards on mental health and psychosocial support for children in humanitarian settings ·
• Strong organizational and facilitation skills whether face to face or remotely with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience with programme cycle management, preferably including remote coordination
• Comfortable to work independently while coordinating closely with different teams.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language in EAP Region is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates who are national of Programme Country, are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.