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QUALIFICATIONS

1. Purpose of consultancy

    

The purpose of this national consultancy is to support the mental health program within WCO Jordan, in particular, providing technical support to the work plan for UNICEF and WHO Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing and Development of Children and Adolescents in Jordan and relevant activities.

2. Background 

The added burden on health services in Jordan due to the influx of Syrian refugees extends to mental health (MH) services. Exposure to severely distressing events related to conflict, violence or displacement may undermine the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of refugees. In addition, many are suffering from pre-existing mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions that require treatment and care. People suffering from crisis induced and pre-existing MH problems (including addiction) and intellectual disabilities are considered a vulnerable population and should be provided access to appropriate services and support. The providers of these services must be knowledgeable, skilled, well-trained and supervised. In addition, strong governance for mental health supported by policies, strategies, and legislation is essential to enhance access to quality mental health services on a national scale.

While children and adolescents experience poverty more than other age groups, UNICEF estimates that more than 20% of children in Jordan are multidimensionally poor. Their lives, and caregivers are limited by poor mental health and well-being, and yet they are not getting the support and services that they need. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the extent and severity of the global mental health crisis, highlighting the need to invest and act now. Furthermore, Child and adolescent mental health and psychosocial well-being and development are significant priorities for both UNICEF and WHO, integral to realizing both agencies’ commitments to realizing the human rights of children.

The WHO-UNICEF Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing and Development of Children and Adolescents will leverage the strengths of both agencies and build on ongoing collaboration and learning between UNICEF and WHO, consolidating partnerships with national governments, civil society – including organizations representing those with lived experience – the private sector, and other stakeholders to accelerate action for children and adolescents’ mental health and psychosocial well-being.

To build on the aforementioned mental health projects and achievements in Jordan aligned with National Mental Health and Substance Use Action Plan (2022-2026), with the Regional Framework to Scale Up Action on Mental Health (EM/RC62/R.5) and with Strategic Development Goals (SDG) targets. The Joint Programme will result in concerted action for evidence-based mental health promotion, prevention and care for children, adolescents, and their families, to increase efficiencies in collaboration and greater impact. It is an ambitious, ten-year action plan to realize a bold vision for children, adolescents, and their caregivers: By 2030, children and adolescents living in countries targeted under the Joint Programme will experience reduced suffering and improved mental health and psychosocial well-being, and development.

WHO Jordan is seeking to contract an expert national consultant to provide technical advice to WHO-UNICEF Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being and Development of Children and Adolescents aiming to expand capacity to deliver for children and adolescents at all levels. In coordination with WHO Jordan National Mental Health Officer, MOH, and stakeholders

3. Work to be performed

Output 1: Expand MOH capacity to provide leadership for Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), with a focus on children and adolescents by the end of 2024.

Deliverable 1.1:Update the workplan/ToR for mental health, well-being and psychosocial support of children and adolescents for the Directorate of  Disability and mental health. 

Deliverable 1.2: Provide hands-on support and mentoring to the team operating at the MOH disability and mental health directorate in line with the deliverable 1.1.

Deliverable 1.3: Develop progress reports to be shared with the National Technical Committee (NTC) and to support its meetings. Ensure representation of all relevant stakeholders including essential representation of service users, disabled people organizations and tertiary care through the National Center for Mental Health, including representation of children and adolescents’ mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.

Output 2: Report on the progress of the implementation of the UNICEF and WHO Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing and Development of Children and Adolescents in Jordan

Deliverable 2.1: Conduct technical meetings/ field visits with main Mental Health stakeholders (e.g. National Center for Mental Health, Disabilities and Mental Health Directorate) to discuss progress and challenges in implementing the Joint Program

Deliverable 2.2:provide monthly M&E reporting measuring relevant indicators (e.g. number of beneficiaries, number of PHCs targeted, number of professionals trained ..)

Deliverable 2.3:Follow up on progress made and provide the needed coordination between MOH and WHO to support scale up.

Output 3: Evaluate the progress of implementation of the National Mental Health and Substance Use Action Plan 2022-2026

Deliverable 3.1: Perform a rapid assessment of the status of implementation of national action plan in coordination with all relevant stakeholders.

Deliverable 3.2: Provide an evaluation report based on the national action plan framework.

Deliverable 3.3: Provide recommendations that will base the foundation for the next Action Plan based on evidence. 

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Requirement: First-level university degree in medicine, psychology or health-related field.

Desirable: Master’s degree in public/community health, global mental health, health policy and planning or another relevant field.

Experience: 

Five years’ experience in the field of public health, mental health and psychosocial support, and child and adolescents’ health.

Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:

• Good knowledge with the ministry of health strategies, action plans, and coordination mechanisms. 
• Good knowledge in the public mental health approach, prevention and treatment models in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). 
• Good knowledge of WHO mental health technical packages and relevant regional and global frameworks, action plans and guidance. 
• Skills and demonstrated activity in the area of planning for public health and/or community-based interventions, as well as multi-stakeholder work and coordination. 
• Good knowledge of and experience working with the Jordanian public health system at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care, as well as related referral and social care system. 
• Good report writing and presentation skills. 
• Good knowledge of WHO procedures and policies is highly desirable. 
• Experience with the UN system or other international organizations is an advantage.  

Languages and level required:

Excellent knowledge of  Arabic and English

5- Location 

Consultancy work can be completed remotely. Consultant may be required to attend the WHO Jordan Country Office as needed.

6. Planned timelines (Subject to confirmation)

(initially 56 working days)

Start date:  20 March 2024

End date: 20 October 2024

7.    Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8.    Trave

Travel costs are excluded from this contract. 

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. 

·         The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to  [email protected]

·         An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates. 
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. 
• WHO shall have no responsibility 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. 
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