Consultant to mainstream MHPSS into CP in UNHCR operations

TEAM/PROGRAM: SC USA – assigned to a CP mainstreaming project with UNHCR

LOCATION: Home based

BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT/BACKGROUND OF THE ASSIGNMENT: 

UNHCR places the highest importance on the provision of effective protection to children of concern. This includes attention to their psychosocial wellbeing. Many forcibly displaced children may have witnessed or experienced violent acts and, in exile, are at risk of abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation. In recognition both the vulnerability as well as the resilience of the displaced children and their communities, UNHCR uses a rights-based and community-based approach, with a strong emphasis on inclusion of refugee children within national child protection systems and services, to address the protection needs and psychological wellbeing of refugee and other children of concern. 

The insecurity experienced by internally displaced and refugee children can have profound   physical, social and psychological consequences affecting their well-being and development. In contexts of forced displacement, parents and caregivers may have difficulties in caring adequately for their children when livelihoods options have diminished, and essential services are no longer operational. Parental distress greatly affects and impacts the well-being of their children.

Therefore, it is essential for UNHCR operations to take actions to preserve and improve the well-being of displaced and refugee children, by mainstreaming mental heath and  psychosocial support (MHPSS)  in all aspects of its work as well as implementing dedicated MHPSS  support interventions.  This requires strong collaboration between specialists and sectors to ensure a holistic and child-centered response that fosters the well-being of all children.

Save the Children USA is seeking for a MHPSS consultant under the program “ Building Cross-sectoral Innovation to Centre Children’s protection and Well-being in Humanitarian Action”, to support UNHCR efforts in mainstreaming CP in MHPSS, in line with the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action” 

Supervision: the MHPSS Consultant will be working under the supervision of the Child Protection Mainstreaming and Integration Senior Specialist seconded to UNHCR’s global Child Protection and Youth Unit (CYP).

SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY: 

Under the direct line supervision of CP Mainstreaming and Integration Specialist in the CP Unit with technical support from the Senior MHPSS  Officer at UNHCR HQ, the consultant will work closely with the Child Protection Unit  and the and Snr MHPSS officer at UNHCR Headquarters to strengthen child protection mainstreaming and integration in UNHCR’s MHPSS programing and strategies.

The MHPSS Consultant will: 

1. Review and update the UNHCR’s Child Protection Issue Brief on Mental Health and Psychosocial well-being of children (2014) (more detailed provided in section 4)
2. Review and analyze how UNHCR’s MHPSS activities in Child Protection programming in refugee settings can be strengthened, using the MHPSS Minimum Service Package (MSP) and develop “road map” for CP and MHPSS staff on what to prioritize. This will be done in  consultations with CP and MHPSS workforce at global level and in 3 selected field operations (more detail provided in section 4) 
3. Develop and deliver capacity building (webinars, workshops) on the MHPSS  road map for CP and MHPSS staff in countries and regions. (more details provided in section 4) 

REPORTING LINES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Reports to:  Child Protection Mainstreaming and integration Senior Specialist  

Budget responsibility:  N/A

The Key deliverables of the consultancy are: 

1. A revised and updated UNHCR Issue Brief on MHPSS well-being of children (tentatively 3 days) 
2. An Analysis Framework including a road map for the prioritization and integration of MHPSS MSP into CP programming (tentatively 10 days )
3. Develop and deliver a Capacity Building Package (webinars, workshops) on the MSP road map for CP and MHPSS staff. (tentatively 15 days)

Estimated 28 days’ work

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TASK, METHODOLOGY/TASK AND ASSOCIATED DELIVERABLES (estimated 28 days):

1. Review and update the UNHCR’s Mental Health and Psychosocial well-being of children Issue Brief. 

• Compilation and analysis of relevant available literature and resources on MHPSS (i.e. the Strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in 2021, UNHCR Child Protection/ MHPSS issue brief and the MHPSS Minimum Service package among others) and conduct consultations with Senior Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Officer and CP colleagues at the CP Unit.
• DELIVERABLE: Issue Brief Updated (4-6 pages) 
• NUMBER OF DAYS: 3 working days 

2. Review and analyze how UNHCR’s MHPSS activities in Child Protection programming in refugee settings can be strengthened, using the MHPSS Minimum Service Package (MSP) and develop “road map” for CP and MHPSS staff on what to prioritize.

• The consultant is expected to have experience with the MSP methodology in all selected areas: Inter-Agency Coordination and Assessment, Essential Components of all MHPSS Programmes, MHPSS Programme Activities, Strengthen self-help and provide support to communities, provide focused support for psychological distress or mental health conditions, Activities and considerations for specific types of emergency settings etc.) 
• Conduct consultations (KIIs) with MHPSS and CP colleagues in 3 selected countries where UNHCR runs operations using the MSP gap analysis to determine/assess the level of knowledge/awareness and use of the MSP. 
• Conduct consultations (KIIs) with MHPSS and CP colleagues at HQ and Regional levels to discuss on how they can best use the MSP to strengthen their work.
• Based on analysis of the consultations and the gap analysis- the consultant will produce an analysis determining what are the most relevant/priority components of the MHPSS MSP to integrate into CP programming. 
• The analysis will also include a phased implementation “road map” defining the core activities and actions to be mainstreamed into CP programming. 
• DELIVERABLE: MHPSS MSP analysis of priority actions  for CP programming  in UNHCR operations + implementation road map for implementation of core activities. (20 pages’ maximum) 
• NUMBER OF DAYS: 10 working days 

3. Develop and deliver a Capacity Building Package (webinars, workshops) on the MSP road map for CP and MHPSS staff. 

• Design and delivery of a training on the components and priorities to be implemented from the MHPSS MSP (including tools) to CP Officers across field offices. Including the Implementation operation Plan.  (2/3 days training)  
• DELIVERABLE: Training materials 
• NUMBER OF DAYS: 15 working days (including preparation of materials and delivery) 

EXPERTISE REQUIRED 

• A university degree (MA, MSc) in Clinical psychology and or social sciences and social work
• At least 5 years of experience in MHPSS and Child Protection 
• Experience on integration of Child protection and MHPSS integrated approaches and methodology 
• Experience with MHPSS MSP. The consultant is expected to have experience with the MSP methodology in all selected areas: Inter-Agency Coordination and Assessment, Essential Components of all MHPSS Programmes, MHPSS Programme Activities, Strengthen self-help and provide support to communities, provide focused support for psychological distress or mental health conditions, Activities and considerations for specific types of emergency settings etc.) 
• Experience providing psychosocial support to displaced children  
• Experience in developing capacity building materials for practitioners 
• Training experience in facilitating group support sessions is valuable
• Advanced knowledge in psychosocial interventions (Child protection, Sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), etc...)
• Experience working on UNHCR refugee and mix settings operations
• Experience working in NGOs and/or in emergency context.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English 
• Good clinical interviewing skills with children/ adults 
• Cultural sensitivity
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team 
• Excellent communication, problem solving, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to adhere to ethical considerations and principles with regard to work with vulnerable populations
• Commitment to Save the Children values and Child Safeguarding.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

• Demonstrate strong commitment to Save the Children’s Mission, Vision and Values. Previous experience with child protection
• Adhere to Child Safeguarding policies & procedures 
• Computer literacy including Internet, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) 

Date of issue: 17 August 2022. Deadline for applications: 4 September 2022, 11:59 pm CEST

Author:  Monica Martinez; CP Mainstreaming and Integration Specialist

CVS to be sent to: mmartinez@savechildren.org and hoshang.schiwa@rb.se