Short Term Consultant- Health Care and Rehabilitation (DHCR)

BACKGROUND

In 2018, the heavy rain overwhelmed an auxiliary dam of a hydroelectric project in Attapeu province, releasing a large volume of water that caused catastrophic flash flooding affected 13 villages in Attapeu province. Additionally, flooding has expanded to 17 out of the 18 provinces in country and caused many household homeless, shortages of water, food and health facilities damaged.

The flooding displacement coupled with the loss of homes and livelihoods, the Ministry of Health (MoH) identified the need for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for the community. Initial assessments revealed severe distress reactions and increased reporting of anxiety related disorders and depression from the displaced population. WHO supported MoH to plan the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support response in affected areas and build the capacity of a team of Mental Health clinicians from Mahosot Hospital. Outreach activities have been organized to provide Psychological First Aid and manage mental health conditions, a need was expressed to provide ongoing psychosocial support to the affected population, as well as to scale-up mental health services in the affected areas.

To ensure that the government of Lao PDR is well-prepared for the disaster responses particularly provision of psychological first aid and manage mental health conditions, WHO was requested to support the development of mental health guideline including psychological first aid and management of mental health conditions for affected population. This initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Health Care and Rehabilitation, Mental Health Division of Mahosot hospital with the support from non-health sectors and development partners.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

Provide technical support to the Department of Health Care and Rehabilitation (DHCR), Ministry of Health of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, in collaboration with UN partners, international and bilateral organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) review existing policy, action plan and training package on mental health in order to develop a mental health guideline including psychological first aid (PFA) and mhGAP.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at wproungm@who.int by 23 September 2019. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 96581 as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted. Attached is the Terms of Reference.