Consultant - Capacity building in mental health and psychosocial support, and preparedness and disaster risk reduction

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to the implementation of activities in the Mental Health and Emergencies (MHE) Unit in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, specifically in the topics of child and adolescent mental health and MHPSS Preparedness.

Background

The mission of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MSD) is to promote mental health, and human rights for all across the lifespan; to prevent harmful use of alcohol and other substances, to prevent mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions; and to reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with MNS conditions. One of the objectives of the Department is to increase access to affordable, good quality services and supports for people with MNS conditions, their families and communities within the context of UHC and across the life-course, including in humanitarian contexts. Activities to support this objective include the development, dissemination and implementation of potentially scalable psychological interventions for children and adolescents and MHPSS Preparedness.

The Mental Health Unit of the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use is preparing for the publication and dissemination of Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE)- a psychological intervention developed by WHO which is expected for publication in 2023.

Deliverables

1. Capacity Building EASE.

• Activity 1.1: Contribute to the organization of 1-2 global capacity building events for EASE, including facilitating the identification of trainees, organizing logistics for the events, designing the agenda, and preparing to deliver the agenda alongside collaborators and key stakeholders.
• Activity 1:2: Contribute to the delivery of post-capacity building mentorship for guiding trainees’ and organizations’ implementation of EASE.
• Activity 1.3: Provide technical advice and guidance for the implementation of EASE by external partners, liaising with other agencies on the dissemination of EASE; delivery of training requests based on country needs.

2. MHPSS preparedness and risk management.

• Activity 2.1: Develop new and revise existing MHPSS preparedness and risk management training materials and tools based on consultation feedback and feedback following global workshops.
• Activity 2.2: Coordinate the development and integration of additional MHPSS preparedness training material content currently underway and strengthening existing content specifically focused on community-based MHPSS preparedness and considerations for children and families in MHPSS preparedness.
• Activity 2.3: Contribute to the facilitation of in-person and online MHPSS preparedness and risk management capacity building and other events and missions, as requested.
• Activity 2.4: Develop a training module on community based MHPSS for the OpenWHO platform.

3. Interagency MHPSS guidance.

• Activity 3.1: Participate and report on meetings of the IASC MHPSS Thematic Group on Children and Families.
• Activity 3.2: Contribute to IASC MHPSSS RG engagements and activities related to children and adolescents in collaboration with Education Cluster, CP Alliance and CP AOR.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in psychology, mental health or related field.

Desirable:

• Ph.D in clinical or counselling psychology.

Experience

Essential:

• Over 10 years of relevant experience supporting MHPSS programs in international humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in children and families’ mental health care, particularly in humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in writing or adapting psychological interventions and trainings.
• Experience in delivering capacity building and mentorship for scalable psychological interventions.
• Experience in providing evidence based psychological interventions to different populations.
• Experience in MHPSS preparedness or integration with disaster risk reduction.

Desirable:

• Experience in implementing WHO psychological interventions.
• Experience with WHO or other UN agencies.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Good writing skills.
• Strong organizational and conceptualization skills.
• Ability to work within and contribute to a team.
• Strong interpersonal and written skills, and cross-cultural competency.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of additional UN languages.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level C - USD 10,000 - 12,500 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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