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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise, facilitate coordination and contribute to monitoring of the implementation of the WHO-UNICEF Joint Programe on the mental health and psychosocial well-being and development of children and adolescents.

Background 

Across the world, it is estimated that 1 in 7 adolescents (or 14%) experiences a mental disorder at some point, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group. Child and adolescent mental health is a significant priority for WHO, integral to achieving the SDGs and to implementing the WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030.

In 2020 WHO and UNICEF jointly established a Joint Programme on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing and development of children and adolescents (hereafter, the “Joint Programme”) to accelerate efforts for child mental health at global, regional and country level. Country stakeholders in 13 countries engaged in the process of developing and implementing multisectoral action plans on child and adolescent mental health for 2023-2025, with support from UNICEF and WHO. UNICEF and WHO, at the three levels of the organizations, are contributing to supporting the implementation of workplans with attention to monitoring of quality of interventions delivered and strengthening of capacities in countries. In the context of the Joint Programme implementation, countries are demanding technical support that requires further development/adaptation of programming and implementation tools.

Deliverables: 

• Deliverable 1:  Enhanced strategies and mechanisms to monitor quality and timeliness of the Joint Programme implementation in selected countries.
  Outputs:
  • 1.1 Facilitate quarterly UNICEF WHO Joint Programme Technical Teams meetings (involving HQ and Regional Offices).
  • 1.2: Consult with WHO and UNICEF across the three levels of the organizations to identify training and development needs and requirements for technical support in countries. 
  • 1.3: Review and enhance mechanisms to monitor quality of implementation of the Joint Programme action plans in selected countries, in coordination with WHO and UNICEF Country and Regional Offices. 

• Deliverable 2: Progress report on the implementation of UNICEF WHO Joint Programme on the mental health and psychosocial development of children and adolescents in selected countries.
  Outputs:​
  • 2.1 Review and provide technical feedback on protocols, strategies and policy documents developed by countries and facilitate WHO and UNICEF technical inputs. 
  • 2.2: Facilitate strategic dialogues with country teams on child and adolescent mental health programming.
  • 2.3: Facilitate capacity building sessions with Joint Programme country teams to enhance competencies in child and adolescent mental health programming and monitoring.
  • 2.4: Write annual progress report on UNICEF WHO Joint Programme implementation in selected countries.
  • 2.5: Write up of feature stories emerging from the Joint Programme implementation in countries and facilitate dissemination through WHO dedicated webpage.

• Deliverable 3: Technical advice towards the development of technical products related to the Joint Programme.
  Outputs:​
  • 3.1: Develop research grant and research protocols to facilitate planning for the field testing of a psychological intervention for children aged 5-10 years, in coordination with UNICEF and WHO relevant regional and country offices.
  • 3.2: Provide technical expertise towards the development and update of technical products for the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental health conditions and integration of child mental health at primary health care level, in schools and other community settings.
  • 3.3: Develop advocacy materials and facilitate advocacy events on child and adolescent mental health. 

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in development studies/ social studies/mental health/public health.

Experience

Essential:

• Over 10 years of  work experience in child and/or adolescent mental health. 

Desirable: 

• Experience in development and/or evaluation of psychological interventions for children.
• Experience working in low- and middle-income settings.
• Experience working with WHO or UNICEF.

Skills/knowledge

Essential:

• Strong writing, editing and verbal skills for communicating with broad and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to build trust and consensus.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, ability to multi-task and pay attention to detail. 
• Strong ability to analyze data and information and produce coherent reports.
• Knowledge of WHO strategies and tools relevant to child mental health.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of other UN official languages.

Location 

Off-site – Home based. 

Travel 

The consultant is not expected to travel. 

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level C-USD 10,000 – 12,500 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract: 

11 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice. 
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html