Job Vacancy, Consultant, IASC MHPSS Reference Group, Tuesday 24, January 2012

Globaljobscareer... Terms of Reference Co-Chair and Secretariat for IASC MHPSS Reference Group

1. Background: UNICEF has been supporting the implementation of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergencies Settings since their launch in 2007. Implementation has involved a number of strategies including: widespread dissemination, advocacy and mainstreaming into global and organizational policies/guidance, using the guidelines to develop country based policies and planning, capacity building, and implementation at the community level. Since 2008, UNICEF has co-led the IASC MHPSS Reference Group under the Cluster system. In 2009/2010 the group was co-chaired by UNICEF & World Vision. In 2011, the Reference Group was co-chaired by Church of Sweden (based in Sweden) / ACT Alliance (an alliance of 125 churches in Geneva working on humanitarian issues) and a consultant hired by UNICEF (based in Ireland). To help the Reference Group continue its very important global advocacy role on psycho social support, UNICEF needs to continue supporting the co-chair’s position based in Ireland. UNICEF has played a key role in keeping the Reference Group active so far and it’s essential that this support be continued. In 2011, the Reference Group has made good progress in developing a number of tools on Psychosocial Support and on advocating with Governments on mainstreaming the issue.
2. Purpose:
   The purpose of the contract is to provide secretariat support to the IASC MHPSS Reference Group which is co-chaired by UNICEF and ACT Alliance.
3. Expected results: (measurable results) The consultant will support the IASC MHPSS Reference Group to roll-out of the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies and other associated activities as outlined in the 2012 Work plan and the ToR of the IASC MHPSS Reference Group. The incumbent’s success will be measured in terms of reported successes based on the 2012 Work plan.

a. Support regional and country level implementation activities  Support IASC MHPSS Reference Group member organisations to coordinate MHPSS responses in emergencies including supporting the establishment of MHPSS coordination mechanisms, update and share information on activities to implement MHPSS by reference group members in all relevant countries  Field testing and evaluation of the MHPSS Assessment tool, 4Ws (Who is Where, When, doing What?) tool and MIRA (multi-cluster initial rapid needs assessment) in new emergencies throughout 2012.  Establishment of 15 focal points in 10 cluster activated/ emergency prone countries.  Identify and update list of focal points for interagency coordination/collaboration on MHPSS in all clusterised countries and facilitate involvement of these focal points in the work of the MHPSS Reference Group  Provide support for the implementation of the IASC MHPSS Guidelines in selected countries in collaboration with Reference Group members.
 Finalise and disseminate guidance on country implementation of MHPSS guidelines among reference group members and country focal points.
 Provide support, as required, to the advocacy campaign to increase governments engagement with and use of the MHPSS guidelines in selected countries  In collaboration with AoRs (Area of Responsibility), finalise community messages on child protection, MHPSS and GBV.

b. Support ongoing field-based training in the guidelines and MHPSS  Training, dissemination and evaluation of the Psychological First Aid Guide in 5 countries.  Training of 50 ‘MHPSS Advocates,’ in total, from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Pacific Region.

 Support and coordinate training materials through ongoing collation, review and dissemination of training materials through IASC MHPSS Reference Group on psychosocialnetwork.net  Support members of the IASC MHPSS to conduct and follow-up interagency Advocates Training programs in selected countries/regions.  Ensure IASC MHPSS Guidelines Orientation seminars are disseminated further.

c. Support the mainstreaming of MHPSS and the guidelines within the UN Cluster System  Working with relevant Reference Group organisations, provide support to the integration of MHPSS into the following clusters: Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition and Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM), as well as engaging with other interagency humanitarian initiatives as they arise through the cluster system (for details see deliverables below).  Where relevant, attend key cluster meetings and review cluster products to ensure the inclusion of MHPSS in policy and tools and provide training/orientation as required

d. Support the dissemination of the Guidelines to key stakeholders and institutionalise them  Support reference group members to ensure the printing and physical dissemination of the IASC MHPSS Guidelines and its other key ‘products’, including various language versions  Use the institutionalization surveys to document and monitor the progress of institutionalisation at organizational levels  Communicate with member organisations to re-engage inactive members, support acting members in their activities according to the 2012 Work plan and reach out to new potential member organisations.  Organize the implementation of orientation seminars on the guidelines to different audiences including at least 2 orientations to donors

e. Support the development of tools and resources for MHPSS and those that support the implementation of the guidelines  Keep up to date on tools and resources being developed by MHPSS Reference Group members MHPSS and the implementation of the IASC MHPSS Guidelines, share quality tools with reference group members and facilitate collaboration among members on common tools  Provide input to interagency tools being developed through comments and technical knowledge. Support – as appropriate – the input to and use of these tools by MHPSS Reference Group members.

f. Support MHPSS assessment, mapping and information management  Ensure a functional working space for the RG members and others to share and interact about the Guidelines and their implementation (www.psychosocialnetwork.net)  Support MHPSS reference group members to use assessment guide for MHPSS, to develop and integrate MHPSS into the NAFT and other cluster assessment tools.  Support WHO and reference group members and country offices to use the 4W mapping tool

h. Support coordination and information sharing among members of the MHPSS reference group  Disseminate messages to MHPSS reference group members (at least every 2 months)  Organise conference calls among MHPSS reference group members including at least 1 general call every three months + one conference call and email communication among reference group members following all major rapid onset emergencies  Support members of the IASC MHPSS reference group to organise the annual face-to-face meeting for the IASC MHPSS Reference Group  Reengage old members of the reference group and reach out to at least 2 new members in 2012.  In consultation with UNICEF, Act Alliance and other Reference Group members, make required changes to the IASC MHPSS 2012 Work plan throughout the year.

1. Location: based in or near Geneva
2. Duration: The consultancy is for 96 days – or an average of 4 days per week – from 13 February to 17 August 2012.
3. Activities and time allocation The consultant will work under the supervision of UNICEF (Child Protection Specialist, MHPSS) and will work closely with ACT Alliance as other Co-Chair. They will work in collaboration with ACT Alliance and Reference Group members to complete the tasks below.

Outputs/deliverables Estimated Time Allocation Deadline • Focal points for MHPSS within clustered countries are identified • Technical support is provided (with the MHPSS RG) to at least 3 countries • Field testing and evaluation of the MHPSS Assessment tool, 4Ws tool and MIRA in new emergencies throughout 2012. • Establishment of 15 focal points in 10 cluster activated/ emergency prone countries. • Joint messages are developed on MHPSS, GBV and Child Protection • Support is provided to the joint initiative on cross-cutting issues 20 days 17 August 2012 • Information is collated and regularly disseminated on implementation of MHPSS guidelines by reference group members • Training of 50 ‘MHPSS Advocates,’ in total, from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Pacific Region. Support is provided to MHPSS indicator and assessment development and field testing (including MHPSS into NATF and other cluster assessment tools) 20 days 17 August 2012 • Support is provided to the Education Cluster including: represent MHPSS Reference Group in Child-Friendly-Spaces project; disseminate INEE psychosocial toolkit and the “what education actors need to know” materials; integrate MHPSS into education cluster trainings • Support is provided to the Protection Cluster: integration of MHPSS into protection, GBV and CP cluster coordination training; dissemination of “what protection actors need to know”, integration of MHPSS into the RPAT; support implementation of joint GBV and MHPSS project.
• Technical support is provided to at least 3 countries for the implementation of IASC MHPSS guidelines in collaboration with MHPSS Reference Group members 20 days 17 August 2012 • Reach out has taken place to the Nutrition Cluster including: delivering one orientation seminar, including presentation of field experiences; and reviewing nutrition cluster training materials to strengthen integration of MHPSS • Support is provided to the Health cluster including: support involving MHPSS reference group members in the interagency meeting for organisations doing MHPSS in the health sector; work with WHO to draft product for emergencies and how MH Gap can be implemented by health actors • Support is provided to the CCCM Cluster: including working with IOM to create an ad hoc chapter of the guidelines for camp management on MHPSS and/or practical checklist • MHPSS is integrated into inter-cluster missions and other key cluster initiatives 10 days 17 August 2012 • Input is provided to the MHPSS assessment toolkit for health sector • Support is provided to the, field testing and implementation of the 4Ws mapping tool by MHPSS Reference Group members • The IASC MHPSS Reference Group on the Psychosocial Network is managed 10 days 17 August 2012 • A system exists to print, store and disseminate the guidelines and its corresponding ‘products’ • The institutionalization checklist is distributed, analysed and reviewed with Reference Group members • Inactive members and new members are (re)engaged in the reference group • MHPSS tools and resources are developed and monitored (e.g. staff care recommendations etc.) • Annual meeting of IASC MHPSS Reference Group is organized in collaboration with reference group members 16 days 17 August 2012 7. Key competencies, technical background and experience required: • At least 5 years’ experience in humanitarian and or development programming, including programming on child protection in emergency or health in emergencies • Experience in interagency initiatives • Masters-level degree in social studies, psychology or similar area • Knowledge of psychosocial support , the humanitarian reform and the cluster system • Excellent communication and management skills, including in facilitating interagency collaboration • Proven writing and editing skills in English and a second UN language • Based in or near Geneva • Knowledge of the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings and the MHPSS Reference Group and experience with implementation of the IASC MHPSS Guidelines

How to apply: 

1. How to Apply: Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be retrieved at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Consultant, IASC MHPSS Reference Group” by 03 February 2012. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.