Consultancy – Support with strengthening mental health capacity in the Pacific Island Countries and territories

BACKGROUND

In the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS), the Pacific Noncommunicable Diseases and Health through the Life Course (PNH) assists the Pacific island Countries and territories (PICs) Ministries of Health with mental health. WHO mental health activities are led by country requests and two WHO regional mandates:

1. The Regional Agenda for Implementing the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 in the Western Pacific (endorsed by Member states during the sixty-fifth session of the Regional Committee). The Regional Agenda guides WHO and Member States in implementing the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 through a series of implementation options for core, expanded and comprehensive actions.
2. For the Future (endorsed during the seventieth session of the Regional Committee) articulates WHO’s vision for public health and provides guidance on new ways of working through operational shifts and advocates for a people-centered and systems-oriented approach to promoting and protecting mental health across the life-course. It highlights mental health as a significant public health issue.

Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs in the PICs are high due to multiple factors, including the after effects of natural disasters like cyclones, floods and tsunami, the COVID-19 pandemic, high rates of gender based violence and child protection needs, and socio-economic factors. Mental health resources to support the high MHPSS need are not sufficient.

To support the capacity and scale-up of mental health services in the PICs, WHO works with PIC mental health focal points to implement the mhGAP programme and conducts WHO and IASC trainings such as Basic Psychosocial Skills, Psychological First Aid and Trainer of Trainer trainings.

 To coordinate and support the health sector COVID-19 response, WHO set up the Joint Incident Management (JIMT). The MHPSS cell under the JIMT includes representation from UNICEF, UNFPA, UNWomen, the Pacific Community and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This group meet on a regular basis to coordinate and plan the MHPSS health sector support in the PICs for MHPSS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this activity is to support capacity building of mental health in the PICs, through mental health trainings, supporting COVID-19 and other emergency MHPSS response, enabling information learning and exchange between PIC mental health focal points and supporting with research activities.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

WHO is looking for a short term consultant to support capacity building for mental health in the PICs through the following activities:

1. Support mental health system strengthening in at least 3 PICs, by providing and evaluating mental health trainings (including mhGAP, BPS, PFA, Problem Management Plus, TOTs, both face to face and online) to staff as requested by mental health focal points in the PICs. Provide ongoing supervision and implementation support as needed. WHO will responsible for coordination of the training (including online training links), the consultant will be responsible for preparing materials needed (printing) and carrying out the training in collaboration with WHO Technical Officer.
2. Alongside the Technical Officer for mental health, to attend meetings and provide input into mental health coordination and planning for COVID-19 and other emergency response (e.g. MHPSS Cell meetings, MHPSS emergency response). To conduct follow-up and related work after meetings (e.g. disseminating resources, documenting meeting content, planning next meeting).
3. Support with information learning and exchange between PIC mental health focal points through set up of monthly webinars, set up and up-keep of an online document repository, evaluation of learning and exchange sessions, and support country focal points with preparations for PIMHnet meeting in November 2021 (sharing good practice and future directions for mental health). Identify and write-up at least four case studies of good practice from the information learning and exchange sessions, for dissemination to PIC mental health focal points.
4. Support with the mental health team’s research activities, for example through performing basic literature reviews, situation analyses and other activities as needed. 

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Output 1: Provide, support and evaluate at least 3 mental health trainings to staff from at least 3 different PICs (e.g. mhGAP, BPS, PFA, PM+, ToTS).

Deliverable 1:

• • Document outlining evaluation of at least 3 mental health trainings.

Output 2: Alongside the Technical Officer for mental health, to attend meetings and provide input into mental health coordination and planning for COVID-19 and other emergency response (e.g. MHPSS Cell meetings, MHPSS emergency response). To conduct follow-up and related work after meetings (e.g. disseminating resources, documenting meeting content, planning next meeting).

Deliverable 2:

• • Attendance at regular MHPSS cell/ other MHPSS emergency meetings.
• • Conduct follow-up and related work after meetings.

Output 3: Support with information learning and exchange between PIC mental health focal points through set up of monthly webinars, an online document repository and input into PIMHnet meeting in November 2021.

Deliverable 3.1

• •  At least 3 webinars to have taken place, to support information learning and exchange between PIC mental health focal points.
• • At least 3 case studies of good practice from the learning and exchange sessions, written up for sharing with mental health focal points.
• • Document outlining evaluation of the learning sessions with suggestions for future direction.
• • Online document repository for PIC mental health focal points.

Output 4: Support with the mental health team’s research activities, for example through performing basic literature reviews, situation analyses and other activities as needed. 

Deliverable 4.1

• • A document outlining brief introduction, method and results of at least one research activity (e.g. literature review, situation analysis, programme evaluation, theory of change model).

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential: A degree in psychiatry, psychology, mental health or similar.

Desirable: A post graduate degree in psychiatry, psychology, mental health, health or similar.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Experience working in mental health to support low and middle income countries. Experience providing WHO mental health trainings to non specialized providers.

Experience working in emergency MHPSS.

Desirable: Experience working in mental health across multiple Pacific Island Countries and territories. Experience with supporting MHPSS in COVID-19 pandemic response.

LANGUAGES

Written and spoken fluency in English (Read – Write – Speak / "Advanced" level) is essential.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Place of assignment

There is no determined place of assignment. The contractual partner can be based anywhere and conduct work remotely where required. The contractor will be required to work Fiji hours.

Travel

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no travel is planned for this time period.

Contract Duration

1 July 2021 - 31 December 2021

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > and < wpfjidpsprocurement@who.int > by 28 May 2021

• • Curriculum Vitae (for individual contractors) or Company Profile (for institutional applications)
• • Expression of Interest (cover letter). The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily fee/quotation and availability.
• • Portfolio of previous works in relation to TOR

Please use Tender Notice No. 128801 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.