Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 25 Nov 2018
Position Title : Consultant - Mental Health & Psychosocial Support - Kabul*
Duty Station : Kabul, Afghanistan
Classification : Consultant, Grade OTHE
Type of Appointment : Consultant, Two months
Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible
Closing Date : 25 November 2018
Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leadingUN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental andnon-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
Context:
Background and Objectives of the Consultancy
For over 40 years Afghanistan has experienced civil war and violence associated with terrorism. Prolonged conflict has left millions dead, thousands with disabilities and massive internal and external population displacement. The ongoing security situation combined with years of protracted crisis has directly contributed to an increase in mental health concerns, further complicated by growing levels of substance abuse and other negative coping mechanisms.
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has taken some steps towards improving access to mental health services and psychosocial support. Mental health was included in the Basic Package of Health Services in 2003 and the provision of psychosocial counselling was included in 2010. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has taken steps to strengthen national capacity and has set up a specific Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Division. In addition, the Ministry of Social Welfare and Development (MoLSAMD) has established Afghanistan’s first formal, university-level Social Work program.
However, the National Health Strategy (covering until 2020) identifies a range of challenges that impeded access to mental health services and psychosocial support. There are few mental health services in country, and those that do exist have limited capacity and low levels of coverage. In addition, socio-cultural norms and stigma inhibit people from accessing appropriate services or support. There is also low level of investment in health, poor planning, a low budget execution rate, a lack of trust towards service providers, and a lack of qualified health care providers (particularly women.) The World Bank also noted that the paucity of high-quality data on mental health and a lack of qualified human resources have hampered the development of cost-effective strategies and interventions.
IOM Afghanistan is engaged in a broad portfolio of activities designed to support Afghans during their immediate return from Pakistan, Iran and other countries (i.e. at the zero point and in transit centres); Afghans who have returned to their place or origin or other provincial destination; persons displaced internally by drought; and victims of trafficking. IOM does not currently provide specialised MHPSS services. However, IOM staff regularly interacts with beneficiaries who have experienced severe stressors, and at a number of transit centres and provinces of return there are protection staff (social workers) who engage in case management and would benefit from acquiring basic skills such as psychological first aid, and basic counselling skills.
IOM now seeks a highly experienced consultant to undertake an assessment and evaluation related to MHPSS services over an 8-week period. The aim of the consultancy is to help IOM to better understand the operational reality of MHPSS service delivery in Afghanistan (including referral pathways to both focussed and specialized services) and to provide advice on how IOM can strengthen its engagement with MHPSS in its programming (country-wide) including staff training, referral pathways, and the potential for increased service provision.
Under the overall supervision of Emergency Response Officer and the direct supervision of the
Protection Officer, the successful candidate will perform the following:
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
1.Develop a work plan with a timeline and template for the final report in close coordination with IOM Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Response Officer and Protection Officer, with input from key external partners including the Protection Cluster, MHPSS Working Group, MoLSAMD and the Mental Health Department in MoPH.
- Undertake an assessment which consists of four parts:
i. Conduct Needs Assessment of IOM’s capacity to engage with MHPSS across all programs, including analysis of if and how services and activities provided at the zero point are psychosocially informed, and how the psychosocial awareness and skills of the staff could be enhanced with appropriate capacity building and systemic measures. Consider also the provision of community and family support including psychoeducation; and identification and referrals to both focused and specialized services. While the consultant should consider the applicability of MHPSS to all IOM Afghanistan programs, the primary focus is upon IOM’s cross-border programming to vulnerable undocumented returnees and other beneficiaries with specific needs in zero points, transit centers, and priority destination provinces.
ii. Conduct mapping of MHPSS services at zero points, transit centers, and priority destination provinces (this could be consolidated to the provincial level).
iii. Establish a protocol to identify and refer persons who need access to focused and specialized MHPSS services (including appropriate forms, and recommendations for a training curriculum)
iv. Provide advice to IOM regarding methods of strengthening its engagement with MHPSS across all programs (this should include staff training needs; different tiers of engagement; and options for IOM to develop the skills of staff in specific programs).
Develop a final MHPSS assessment report that includes the four elements above, namely: (1) findings and analysis of needs assessment; (2) provincial-level MHPSS mapping; (3) provincial-level referral pathways and protocols; and (4) recommendations for IOM programming.
The final report should reflect on the findings of Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes’ (ECHO) MHPSS evaluation report, details of which will be shared with the consultant, upon arrival in-country.
Perform such other duties as may be required.
Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment
• Review internal and external grey literature, documents, research, assessments, mapping, reports and analysis related to MHPSS in Afghanistan.
• Conduct a minimum of 30 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and at least four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with government, UN, NGO and community stakeholders, plus at least four FGDs with community members and/or beneficiaries in Transit Centers and in destination areas, regarding experiences with MHPSS needs, resources and referrals.
• Conduct spot checks of IOM programming in order to identify gaps and capacities.
• Undergo field level assessments for MHPSS related post-arrival, humanitarian protection and reintegration assistance in priority locations agreed with IOM (should include at least 1 border point, 1 transit centre and 1 destination area).
Realistic delivery dates and details as to how the work must be delivered
• Final report, including findings and analysis of needs assessment; provincial-level MHPSS
mapping; provincial-level referral pathway; and recommendations for IOM programming.
• Prepare and deliver initial findings and recommendations to government, partners and IOM staff. This may need to be fulfilled in 3 different presentations, depending upon agreement with IOM.
Work plan:
• By end week 1, agree a work plan with IOM’s Humanitarian Response Officer and Protection
Officer
• Upon completion of the in-country portion (week 8), deliver a presentation(s) outlining draft findings and recommendations to government, partners and IOM staff as outlined above
• Upon completion of the in-country portion (week 8), submit a draft report to IOM’s Humanitarian Response Officer and Protection Officer for review, in coordination with the global MHPSS Section.
• After satisfactory review, within 2 weeks the final version of the report should be submitted.
Performance indicators for evaluation of results
• Upon satisfactory completion of work plan and data collection for needs assessment (including literature review, key informant interviews, FGDs and field visits, as set out in Methodology section above) 50% of consultancy fee will be paid to consultant
• Upon finalization of final report and two presentations to key stakeholders (in country, prior to the end of the in-country component) the remaining 50% will be released for payment.
• IOM will cover the cost of flights (to / from Afghanistan) as well as internal flights.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education
• Master’s degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
• Knowledge of the Afghan conflict and return/displacement dynamics and the impact on the affected population;
• Experience in provision of clinical support to migrants or conflict affected populations;
• Sound knowledge of clinical constructs and community based MHPSS systems;
• Experience in design, implementation and delivery of MHPSS programming in emergency/conflict settings;
• Experience conducting MHPSS needs assessments, evaluations and consultancies;
• Experience in the fields of migration and humanitarian protection specific to IDPs, returnees
(refugees, deportees and spontaneous returnees) and victims of trafficking;
• Experience in emergency operations and liaison with humanitarian, reintegration and development UN, non-government and government actors;
• Experience writing reports, policy documents and strategic analysis;
• Understanding of complex social-political environments;
• Working experience in Afghanistan is an asset.
Languages
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Dari or Pasto is advantageous.
Desirable Competencies:
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:
Values
• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences;
encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators
• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Other:
The appointment is subject to funding confirmation.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
No late applications will be accepted.
IOM Project to which the Consultancy is Contributing: DP 1943, CBRR, “Humanitarian Protection in Afghanistan,” DP.1938, Protection, “Strengthening National and Cross-border Humanitarian Protection Assistance, Accountability and Advocacy in Afghanistan” which will spearhead mainstreaming throughout other projects including RT 1329, RADA “Reintegration Assistance and Development for Afghanistan”
* This position requires field travel
How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by 25 November 2018 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
For further information, please refer to:
http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/about-iom-1/recruitment/how-to-apply.html
In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application on your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.
Posting period:
From 12.11.2018 to 25.11.2018
Requisition: CON2018/58-Consultant- Mental Health & Psychosocial Support - Kabul*,Afghanistan
(55722146) Released
Posting: Posting NC55722155 (55722155) Released