Vacancy Notice No. IC/2021- 01

Terms of Reference

1. PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY 

The recent situation of COVID-19 happening world-wide has increased demand for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services. Psychological reactions to COVID-19, such as panic, anxiety and denial, may occur and need to be addressed both for the communities as well as for the frontline workers. The consequences of this PHEIC (public-health emergency of international concern) includes psychological and financial burden of the illness, death, drastic changes in the socio-cultural and behavioural patterns triggered by virus containment measures (i.e. movement restrictions / closed borders, people wearing masks, decrease of direct inter-personal contacts, changes in the cultural mourning and bereavement processes) that may add on to the distress of the populations and exacerbate the crisis reactions if left unaddressed in a culturally sensitive manner. MHPSS needs of the frontline workers, mainly from the health but also broadly from social service sectors, also need to be properly addressed since they work in challenging and stressful conditions. In this regard, MHPSS should be one of the main considerations as part of the response to COVID-19. 

UNFPA, as one of the leading organizations for MHPSS in Myanmar, is working closely with both the government and non-government partners, providing technical support to integrate and strengthen MHPSS interventions as part of COVID-19 response. In order to respond to increasing demand for such support in a timely manner, UNFPA Myanmar has established MHPSS Roster Team since May 2020.

UNFPA MHPSS Roster Team will assist the MHPSS Specialist in providing MHPSS services to UNFPA partners, including government departments, international and national NGOs and civil society organizations, in term of MHPSS service provision and capacity building amid COVID-19 outbreak in a timely manner. UNFPA is looking for one national consultant to be a member of MHPSS Roster Team.

2. SUPERVISION AND WORKING ARRANGEMENT 

S/he will work closely with UNFPA MHPSS Specialist for technical oversight and will report to Gender Equality/GBV Specialist for the progress of the service delivery.

3. SCOPE OF WORK AND EXPECTED DELIVERABLES  

Under the direct supervision of Gender Equality/GBV Specialist and working closely with UNFPA MHPSS Specialist (for technical oversight), the MHPSS Roster team will undertake a range of activities, such as:

• S/he will support UNFPA partners in integrating a structured package of MHPSS interventions as part of COVID-19 response.
• S/he will support conducting training based on the developed PSS curriculum for UNFPA partners to better equip partners in responding to COVID-19.
• S/he will provide mentoring, supervision or coaching to UNFPA partners based on UNFPA needs assessment.
• S/he will provide any other MHPSS-related services/deliverables depending on the emerging needs in relation to COVID-19 as identified by UNFPA and its partners.
• S/he will provide reports upon completion/delivery of each task.

4. DURATION AND WORKING SCHEDULE 

Duration of Assignment: from February - December 2021

MHPSS Roster team will be home-based. Depending on the nature of the assigned tasks, if the situation allows, s/he may be requested to be present at the UNFPA offices and/or travel to UNFPA Field Offices in Myanmar based on request and needs.

MHPSS Roster team is expected to be on standby to provide above mentioned services with the short notice under technical guidance of UNFPA MHPSS Specialist. UNFPA will contact MHPSS Roster team when particular MHPSS services are required. Detailed schedule and working arrangement will be considered case by case based on the request from UNFPA partners.

5. MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROL

The main outputs of the MHPSS Roster Team are based on the services delivery, providing technical support and/or delivering the training, coaching, mentoring and supervision for UNFPA partners.

After each delivery, Roster Team member is expected to share all the materials/tools used, together with activity report.

Consultant will prepare a report per assigned task at the time of completion of each task.

Terms of Payment

The payment will be made on a monthly basis based on the actual number of working days.                                           

6. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education 

• An advanced degree with a specialization in areas such as clinical psychology, clinical social work or mental health.

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 5 years of experiences in community-based psychosocial support interventions, particularly concerning GBV and Critical Incidents Stress Management.
• S/he must demonstrate knowledge of and experience of using IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings.
• Previous experience as MHPSS emergency roster is an asset.
• Understanding of the UN system in Myanmar and its engagement with national and local counterparts on MHPSS issues is preferred.
• Strong training, coaching, mentoring and supervision experiences.

Languages

• Proficiency in English and Myanmar languages.
• Fluency in other ethnic languages (Shan, Karen, Kachin, Rohingnya) is an asset.

Other Required Skills

• Ability to work within a team structure, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within different socio-cultural environments.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants with the required qualifications and experience should submit the application with the UN P11 form (http://myanmar.unfpa.org/vacancies/un-p11-personal-history-form)​, completed and signed by the applicant along with the education certificates and the names and contact information of three references.

Applications should be addressed to: 

Email:              hr.myanmar@unfpa.org

Attention:        International Operations Manager, 

Room A07, UNFPA, No.6, Natmauk Road, Yangon

Note:

UNFPA reserves the right to offer comparable assignment to those qualified candidates that may not have been selected for this consultancy assignment which they applied for. These offers will be based on the needs of the organization, appropriateness and relevance to the candidate’s educational backgrounds and work experience. Only those candidates in whose qualifications and experience the Office has further interest will be contacted for subsequent interviews.

 (i) This vacancy is open to applicants of either sex.

(ii) There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process.

(iii) UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

(iv) UNFPA regrets its inability to reply individually or to attend to telephone queries on the above advertised post.