UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, health

During the Regional Mental Health Focal Points Meeting in May 2023 about 30 UNICEF colleagues from 18 countries, representing sectors such as Adolescent Development and Participation, Child Protection, Education, Health, and Monitoring & Evaluation, developed four sub-regional [^1] Theories of Change (ToCs), UNICEF’s approach to this thematic analysis involved dissecting gathered information into themes, followed by an examination of commonalities across sub-regions. This process enables UNICEF in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region to unveil interconnected cross-cutting themes, revealing shared challenges and potential for impactful cross-country collaboration, thus forming a thematic analysis that can support the action plan for the region.

UNICEF LACRO aims to use these ToCs to craft a Regional MHPSS Roadmap.  The document provides a brief overview of the regional situation on MHPSS, showcases advancements made by UNICEF country offices, sets the regional priorities, and proposes an actional plan aligned with the Global MHPSS Multi-sectoral Framework. This Roadmap will be used as a guiding tool to support UNICEF Country Offices (COs) in their situational analyses, planning, implementation and reporting on mental health and psychosocial activities across the different sectors where MHPSS is integrated. The office already developed a draft of the Roadmap in English, but external support is sought for the finalization of the document so that it can be disseminated and utilized.

How can you make a difference?

The primary objective of this consultancy is to support the finalization of the Regional MHPSS Roadmap by:

1. Editing and revising the document in coordination with LACRO and UNICEF country offices.
2. Designing the document to ensure it is visually engaging, accessible, and aligned with UNICEF’s style and branding guidelines.
3. Supporting the validation process of the document with country teams and key stakeholders.

Key Activities:

1. Editing and revision (8 days)

• Conduct a thorough review of the draft Regional MHPSS Roadmap for clarity, coherence, and consistency.
• Ensure the document is in line with UNICEF’s standards and guidelines.
• Integrate feedback from LACRO, UNICEF Country Offices, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Make necessary revisions to improve the structure, flow, and overall readability of the document.
• Coordinate with LACRO and UNICEF Country Offices for additional inputs and ensure that all feedback is appropriately incorporated.

2. Design (2 days)

• Develop a visually appealing design for the Regional MHPSS Roadmap, ensuring it is accessible and user-friendly.
• Align the design with UNICEF’s style and branding guidelines and the specific needs of the LAC region.
• Create visual elements such as charts, infographics, and tables to enhance the document’s readability and engagement (using simple Microsoft Word apps).
• Prepare the final document for publication in both digital and print formats.

3. Bilateral calls for alignment (1 day)

• Organize and participate in bilateral calls with the Regional MHPSS Specialist and other key stakeholders from the COs to ensure alignment on the document’s content and design.
• Provide regular updates on progress and incorporate feedback as necessary.

4. Deliverables:

1. Edited and revised Regional MHPSS Roadmap: A finalized document that has been thoroughly reviewed and revised, incorporating all feedback from relevant stakeholders.
2. Designed Regional MHPSS Roadmap: A fully designed and visually appealing document ready for publication in digital and print formats.
3. Progress Reports: Regular updates and summary reports after bilateral calls, detailing the alignment process and any adjustments made to the document.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced (Master) university degree in Psychology, Mental Health or Psychiatry.
• Proven experience in editing and revision of technical documents, preferably in the field of public health or mental health.
• Strong design skills with experience in creating visually appealing and user-friendly documents.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s style and branding guidelines and experience working with international organizations is an asset.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

UNICEF competencies: building and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results for impact, innovates and embraces change, manages ambiguity and complexity, thinks and acts strategically and works collaboratively with others.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Administrative details

Supervision: The consultant will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the UNICEF MHPSS Specialist.

Workplace: The consultancy is home-based.

Duration:  2 months, starting in September

How to Apply: Application should be submitted online and should include: TMS application form duly completed, Cover Letter, Study certificates and financial proposal (Daily fee or deliverable fee).

Qualified candidates are requested to indicate an all-inclusive (lump sum) fee for the services to be including all associated administrative and travel costs.

Consultants must have their own equipment, tools and materials needed to perform their services. They will use their own laptops/computers, any application or system needed to complete the assignment. They need to provide the full service without using UNICEF resources. The access to UNICEF email and system is restricted to UNICEF staff therefore consultants should not be granted access unless it is imperative to complete the assignment.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.