Job Title: MHPSS Consultant

Job Description

Job Overview/Summary : This is a short-term mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) consultancy focusing on perinatal depression and positive parenting practices in conflict or crisis settings. The objective of the consultancy is to develop a training package and facilitator s guide using already existing curriculum such as the IRC s Families Make the Difference and WHO s Thinking Healthy program to utilize during group sessions with caregivers. There is evidence demonstrating that perinatal depression is associated with compromised parenting behavior, non-responsive caregiving practices, and lower likelihood or shorter duration of breastfeeding. [1] The MHPSS Consultant will responsible for designing the sessions for the group-based intervention that will form part of the IRC s Brighter Futures Model - an integrated child protection and nutrition intervention that aims to improve developmental, behavioral and safety outcomes of children at-risk of malnutrition and/or children receiving treatment for moderate or severe acute malnutrition.The training package and facilitator s guide is aimed at child protection case workers working in nutrition facilities. The child protection team will have one case worker collaborating with nutrition to address the short and long-term implications of acute malnutrition on a child s growth, motor, and cognitive development through the Brighter Futures model. This approach moves away from more traditional medical treatment models and focuses on the overall safety and development of the child through improved parental practices, decreased perinatal stress, and individual interventions for high risk protection cases.Consultancy Outputs:1) Design a group-based psychosocial support program for caregivers of young children, incorporating psychosocial stimulation and parenting techniques to improve mental health outcomes and optimal caregiving behaviors (# of sessions TBD in collaboration with the consultant) using already existing MHPSS curriculum and evidence-based interventions2) Develop a concise, structured, easy-to-use facilitator s manual for the sessions with caregivers delivered by child protection caseworkers3) Create a training package for the technical Child Protection team to build the capacity of local caseworkers that will be delivering the group-based psychosocial support program (powerpoint presentation with detailed facilitators notes)4) Develop baseline/endline impact measurement indicators and corresponding data collection toolsKey Working Relationships:Position Reports to: Child Protection Coordinator and Senior Program Coordinator, YemenIndirect Reporting: Child Protection Advisor, HQ[1] Rayes, D., Letzelter, A, Bizouerne C., Mental Health and Care Practices Aspects of Stunting, January 2017.QualificationsSkills, Qualifications, and ExperienceMaster s degree or PHD in clinical psychology, counselling psychology, developmental psychology or clinical social workMinimum 5 years of relevant MHPSS work experience in humanitarian settingsDemonstrated experience in designing and implementing MHPSS interventions, including training MHPSS front-line staff in conflict or crisis contextsExcellent interpersonal, communication and writing skillsExceptional understanding of core MHPSS interventions utilized in emergency settingsAbility to use good judgment when making decisions and to take accountability for decisions madeDisplays cultural, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, and age sensitivity and adaptabilityExperience with programs focused on preventing and responding to maternal and paternal depression is highly desirableWorking Environment : Home-based consultancy with good access to internet for consultations with Yemen child protection team and HQ-based staffNumber of Working Days : 15 working daysApplication Process:Qualified candidates are requested to submit:A curriculum vitae showing how the consultant meets the required qualifications, experience and related assignments conducted in the past. This should include contact details of organizations where the assignments were conducted.A technical proposal of not more than 6 pages:Highlighting how the applicant s previous experience in this kind of work, understanding of TORs and how they will address each of the objectivesA more elaborate methodology that the consultant will utilize and the proposed survey planA financial proposal will also be required and should not be longer than one page.

Keyskills :
MHPSS Consultant