Mental Health Promotion and Caregiver Care Consulting with Professionals from Adolescent-Friendly Clinics, Asunción, Paraguay, Duration approx. 6 months.
For Every Child, Mental Health
Working with professionals from the Public Health system (USF and selected Adolescent Friendly Clinics) in promoting key concepts regarding adolescent mental health and promoting an internal strategy of self-care and peer care.
How can you make a difference?
Background:
Adolescent Mental Health focuses on providing opportunities and tools to promote development and participation and expression, which in turn impact on the creation of a state of well-being in which adolescents can cope with the normal stresses of life, act in a productive and fruitful manner, and contribute to their families and community. It includes the development of emotional and social skills, as well as the ability to cope with challenges and adversities.
It is determined, at different levels, by biological, psychological, social and external (economic and cultural) aspects, so it is important to take all of these factors into account as part of the work experience.
Promoting mental health, from a positive perspective, is essential for the comprehensive development of adolescents, including their academic performance, social relationships and personal growth, for the prevention of mental health problems, since addressing the problem of mental health at an early age increases the chances of preventing the development of more serious disorders in adulthood, as well as self-harm and suicide. And finally, building resilience and coping skills helps adolescents manage stress and adversity effectively.
It is therefore considered important to instill knowledge about mental health in healthcare settings or in contact with vulnerable populations.
Self-care UNICEF refers to the practices and strategies that professionals who work directly with children and adolescents implement to maintain and improve their physical, mental and emotional well-being while providing support to others. This concept is essential, since professionals who are overburdened or experiencing burnout will not be able to offer the best possible support to the people under their care.
Therefore, processes based on promoting “care for caregivers” consist of actions that help individuals take measures to prevent burnout, general well-being, improve the quality of care, and above all, learn to emotionally manage the daily challenges inherent in direct care.
UNICEF has developed various tools and resources to address adolescent mental health and caregiver care globally. However, there is a need to adapt and enrich these resources for the specific context of Paraguay, with a focus on public health professionals working in adolescent care, such as Adolescent-Friendly Clinics and Family Health Units. These centers are supported by UNICEF’s initiative partner, the Juan Rassmuss Echecopar Foundation.
Consulting Objective:
Adapt and develop training content and specific methodologies that address local needs in adolescent mental health and caregiver care, and subsequently implement this content through training and support sessions.
Expected products of the consultancy:
First Product: Development of Training Content – Approximate delivery in October 2024 – Cost: 25% of the total value of the product.
In collaboration with UNICEF Paraguay representatives, the consultant will develop specific training content based on UNICEF and WHO materials, addressing local needs in adolescent mental health and caregiver care. These contents will not be published, but will be used exclusively for implementation during the consultancy.
Second Product: Implementation of Training Processes at USF – Approximate delivery in November 2024 – Cost: 35% of the total value of the product.
Implementation of three 4-hour meetings, throughout the contracting process with coordinators of Family Health Units (FHU), to train them in methodologies that allow them to create spaces for caring for caregivers within their units. The FHUs will be selected by the Rassmuss Foundation based on their direct support. 12 total hours of work distributed in 3 meetings.
Third Product: Training in Adolescent-Friendly Clinics – Approximate delivery in January 2025 – Cost: 30% of the total value of the Contract.
Conducting 5 training sessions, each lasting 2 hours, on adolescent mental health and caregiver care in each of the 6 Adolescent-Friendly Clinics in Asunción and Central, coordinated by the Rassmuss Foundation. These training sessions will be distributed monthly during the contract period. In total, 30 training sessions are expected to be implemented (60 hours in total).
Fourth Product: Reflection and Professional Care Sessions – Approximate delivery in March 2025 – Cost: 10% of the total value of the contract.
Implementation of 45-minute follow-up meetings during the hiring months with professionals from the Friendly Clinics in Asunción and Central (6 in total) based on team availability. These meetings, called “Professional Care and Reflection Sessions,” will serve as a complement to the third product. The sessions will focus on the review and discussion of recent cases (respecting ethical and privacy care), and on providing a supportive environment for professionals, promoting self-care and preventing burnout. In total, the implementation of a maximum of approximately 72 meetings is expected during the hiring period.
The selected friendly clinics are:
• ÑANGAREKO HOSPITAL FERNANDO DE LA MORA.
• ÑANGAREKO HOSPITAL OF LUQUE.
• ÑANGAREKO CLINICAL HOSPITAL.
• ÑANGAREKO SAN LORENZO CALLEÍ HOSPITAL.
• ÑANGAREKO HOSPITAL WORKER NEIGHBORHOOD.
• ÑANGAREKO SAN PABLO HOSPITAL.
Planning and Coordination
The consultant will have to hold regular meetings with UNICEF institutional representatives and coordinate the implementation processes and dates directly with the Rassmuss Foundation and health services.
For products 2, 3 and 4, a timetable will be drawn up in agreement with representatives from the Rassmuss Foundation and health services, prioritising the availability of service representatives.
Those interested in consulting only need to budget for professional fees and travel; the rest of the costs will be covered by UNICEF.
To qualify as an advocate for all children you must have…
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- University degree in Psychology, Medicine with specialization in psychiatry or other social sciences. Mental health professionals (psychology and/or psychiatry).
- Experience working in private clinical or public health settings
- Experience working with adult teams, preferably in support groups or group or narrative therapies.
- Proven experience working with self-care professionals.
- Previous work with adolescents (in different contexts and topics), preferably in adolescent development and mental health
How to apply:
Complete the application form correctly and attach the following documents:
- Resume, including three (3) verifiable work references from your previous work experience (Include contact information, telephone number and email).
- Copy of the diploma that proves compliance with the training criteria.
- Attach Economic Proposal indicating the amounts per product including travel amounts as stipulated.
- Attach technical proposal.
- All UNICEF contractors and consultants are required to have valid medical insurance.
For every child, you show…
UNICEF values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Responsibility and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here .
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and UNICEF policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their terms of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Engagement for Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax obligations and the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible for ensuring that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the obligations of the contract are valid for the entire term of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of their full vaccination status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to starting the assignment. This does not apply to consultants who will be working remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF campuses, programme sites, or interact directly with the communities UNICEF works with, or travel to perform duties for UNICEF during the term of their consultancy contracts.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodations for consultants with disabilities, which may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal assistants. We ask that you indicate your disability during the processing of your application in case you require reasonable accommodations during the selection process and subsequently during your assignment.
