Consultancy- Technical support to strengthen regional capacity in MHPSS

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

Countries of South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) have relatively high needs for mental health and psychosocial services.  Data from pre-COVID-19 found that in South Asia amongst students 13 to 17 years of age common symptoms of mental health problems.  UNICEF ROSA commissioned a real-time assessment of mental health programming support during COVID-19.  A key finding was a gap in understanding of children and adolescent mental health and psychosocial needs with very little information available about the situation of vulnerable children including children with disabilities and children with mental health conditions.

How can you make a difference?

The ROSA Child Protection section is seeking specialist technical support to strengthen regional MHPSS capacity, including designing and delivering training for UNICEF South Asia country office staff and key partners.  This includes the following key outputs:

1. Technical support to the country office for mapping, analysis, and support for multisectoral MHPSS planning and implementation.
2. Development of a regional training strategy, identifying gaps, opportunities, and resources, including regional resources to inform and support capacity development of UNICEF and partners.
3. Implement a region training program for UNICEF and key partners to build capacity across sectors (including health, education, child protection) to strengthen the response to MH during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Develop a regional community of practice amongst UNICEF and its partners to contextualize MH support; build knowledge and awareness on MH, and support surge support in humanitarian situations.

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

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, preferrable in mental health, child rights or public health
• Over 10 years of experience in mental health and psychosocial support
• Experience in the design and delivery of training programs in cross-cultural settings.
• Experience in developing partnerships in the field of MHPSS.
• Experience in working in both development and humanitarian settings in MHPSS.
• Strong English report writing skills and a proven record of producing high-quality reports.
• Experience in working in South Asia an advantage.
• Good communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills and working in partnerships

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 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.