Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being Consultant
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
Job Purpose
The consultancy aims to support the evolution and scale-up of the Helping Adolescent Thrive (HAT) methodology within UNICEF Egypt's MHPSS strategic plan. The consultant will provide technical support on the MHPSS agenda, facilitating coordination and engagement with various UNICEF sections and external partners to ensure the effective implementation and scaling up of quality MHPSS programs for children, adolescents, and caregivers through systems strengthening. This role is crucial for advancing the MHPSS agenda by identifying priority mental health issues, guiding implementation with a focus on sectoral roles, and strengthening a multi-sectoral mental health system. The objective is to ensure MHPSS strategies are context-relevant, comprehensive, and sustainable, ultimately contributing to the well-being of children and adolescents.
Responsibilities
The consultant will provide technical support for the development, consultation, and endorsement of a national multisectoral strategy and costed Action Plan on MHPSS for children, adolescents, and their caregivers, informed by national evidence and international standards. They will provide technical oversight for the implementation of HAT activities across UNICEF sections and with external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the agreed strategy. Support will be given to the integration and delivery of MHPSS services through primary health care and other relevant sectors, including education, youth, sports, and child protection. The consultant will participate in regular technical meetings with government entities, academia, NGOs, and other partners. Additionally, they will provide technical support for advocacy, outreach, and communication activities to raise awareness of MHPSS. Participation in monthly coordination meetings with government and implementing partners, along with preparing progress reports, is required. The consultant will also support the Ministry of Health and Population/General Secretariat for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment (GSMHAT/MOHP) in strengthening information systems for data collection and research on MHPSS actions and HAT. Monitoring visits to facilities implementing training packages and MHPSS services will be conducted, with reports detailing progress, challenges, and recommendations. Finally, the consultant will document the implementation process, prepare success stories, and submit a comprehensive final report consolidating activities, deliverables, progress, and challenges.
Work Experience
Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), preferably in a humanitarian or development context. Experience in strategy development, program implementation, and stakeholder coordination is essential.
Skills
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Strategic planning, Program implementation, Stakeholder engagement and coordination, Systems strengthening, Advocacy and communication, Monitoring and evaluation, Report writing, Data analysis, Project management, Cross-sectoral collaboration, Adolescent health