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, [HOPE]

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: MHPSS MSP Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Child Protection– PG – NYHQ

Duration: 1 December 2024 – 31 March 2026

Home/ office Based: REMOTE

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection, and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is an institutional priority for the UN, and for UNICEF. The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 identifies MHPSS as a priority area, building upon existing programming through child protection, education, and health.

The IASC MHPSS Minimum Service Package (MSP) is an inter sectoral package of high priority MHPSS activities needed during humanitarian crises to address the mental health and psychosocial support needs of affected populations. The MSP was released as an IASC product in December 2022. Technical support to use the MSP and strengthen the MHPSS response across different areas of work has been provided in different emergency settings. To support the implementation of the MSP, a range of operational tools were developed, including: an MSP workshop; the MHPSS key message bank; the MSP Monitoring and Evaluation Indicator Bank; and Sector-specific guides.

The purpose of the consultancy is to continue to enhance the MHPSS response capacity with the MSP through supported implementation, field test and development of operational tools.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will provide training and support to build the capacity of humanitarian actors in using the IASC MHPSS MSP across different sectors and areas of work to strengthen the MHPSS response, including MHPSS Technical Working Groups and implementing agencies. The consultant will also support the field test and further development of MSP operational tools.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

• Support research project on Arts-based MHPSS interventions and advise on alignment with the MHPSS MSP,  and support the field test of the MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit-  1 Review of findings of a desk review of arts-based interventions, 1 Review of findings of key informant interviews on arts-based interventions, 2 Reviews of draft outline of arts-based interventiont to ensure alignment with the MHPSS MSP and other IASC MHPSS best practice guidance documents., At least 4 review discussions per country (4) using the MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit  – By 31/12/2024
• Advise on content of an Arts-based intervention to align with the IASC MHPSS MSP and other IASC guidance, Review the outputs of the field test of the MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit Gather lessons learned on the use of the MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit – At least 3 meetings with art-based intervention consultant,  2 rounds of feedback on the content developed for arts-based intervention manual, Review of 4 MHPSS assessments from different humanitarian emergencies, 1 compiled report of lessons learned and best practices from the field test of the MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit – By 28/01/2025
• Review  zero draft Arts-based intervention manual, Implementation of the MSP Workshop Package – 1 Review of first full draft of arts-based intervention manual, Support the facilitation of 7 inter agency MSP Workshops, Produce 1 written assessment of training needs to inform the development of additional MSP workshop materials. – By 15/03/2025
• finalization of an Arts-based intervention, Revise and supplement MSP Workshop Package materials – 2 Reviews of final draft of the arts-based intervention manual, MSP Workshop materials revised to incorporate participant feedback, At least 1 additional MSP workshop module developed according to identified needs – By 30/04/2025
• delivery of the MSP Workshop Package to inter agency groups and/or implementing organisations – 2 MSP Workshops delivered (in collaboration with MSP team) to inter agency groups and/or implementing agencies, 1 compiled report of lessons learned and best practices from the

implementation of the MSP Workshop Package – By 20/05/2025

•  follow up capacity building to the MSP Workshop Package, Dissemination of the MSP M&E Indicator Bank – 4 follow up sessions to the MSP Workshop provided through online discussions and brief online workshops with inter agency groups and/or implementing agencies, Organization and facilitation of 2 dissemination events for the MSP M&E Indicator Bank – By 27/06/2025
•  Finalization of the MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit – 2 in-depth reviews of final draft of MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit, MSP web platform is updated with revised content of MSP Multi-Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit – By 01/08/2025

• Dissemination of the MSP Sector Guides, Support the development of MSP Training of Trainers Modules – Organization and facilitation of 2 dissemination events for the MSP sector guides (including development of capacity building materials), Training curricula developed for Training of Trainers Modules to add to the MSP Workshop Package  – By 20/09/2025
• Launch of the MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit, Implementation of the MSP Training of Trainers Workshop Modules –  Organization and facilitation of 3 dissemination events for the MSP Multi Sectoral MHPSS Assessment Toolkit,  1 Remote and/or in person implementation of MSP Training of Trainers Workshop Modules m- By 3/10/2025
• Gather lessons learned on the use the MSP Training of Trainers Modules, Review MSP Training of Trainers Workshop Modules – 1 compiled report of lessons learned and best practices from the

implementation MSP Training of Trainers Workshop Modules, MSP Training of Trainers Workshop Modules reviewed and feedback incorporated – By 28/11/2025

• Finalization of MSP Training of Trainers Workshop Modules, Analysis of MSP Workshop package data from field test – MSP Training of Trainers Workshop Modules designed, translated into 2 languages and disseminated, 1 analysis of the MSP Workshop package training evaluations, pre and post tests, lessons learned and best practices produced – By 23/12/2025
• Review and finalization of MSP Workshop package – MSP Workshop package finalized – By 28/02/2026
• Launch of the MSP Workshop package – Organization and facilitation of 2 dissemination events for the MSP Workshop Package – By 30/03/2026

Qualifications

Education:

At least a master’s degree.

Disciplines: Psychology, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Child Protection in Humanitarian action.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in development and humanitarian contexts
• Experience (remote and in country) supporting coordination groups/implementing agencies to implement the MHPSS MSP

Competencies/Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of IASC MHPSS guidelines
• Strong knowledge of MHPSS in Education in Emergencies
• Experience supporting the integration of MHPSS in other sectors and AoRs (e.g. Child Protection, Education, Gender-based violence)
• Experience developing the MHPSS MSP is a strong asset
• Experience developing MHPSS tools and facilitating workshops/trainings
• Proficiency in English is required. Other UN language is a strong added value.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect:
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability.
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

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: 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.