Vacancy Notice No. IC/2022- 006 (Extension)
Terms of Reference
Assignment Title: National Consultants for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Field Officers
Number of Posts: Two Assignments ( One for Rakhine and one for Southern Shan)
Duration: 11 months ( Full time Basics)
Duty Station: The consultants will be based in; Rakhine, will cover both Northern Maungdaw and Central Sittwe,
and Southern Shan, in Kayah and Kayin
Closing Date: 6 July 2022 (5 pm Yangon Time)
Starting date: As soon as possible
Note:
"This is an extension of the vacancy announcement. All applicants who had applied to the prior vacancy announcement, need not re-apply."
1. PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services. Psychological reactions to COV ID-19, such as panic, anxiety, and denial, may occur and need to be addressed both for the communities as well as for the front line workers. Furthermore, the political development since 1 February 2021 has further increased the MHPSS needs, causing widespread uncertainty, disappointment, stress, anger, a sense of hopelessness, etc.
UNFPA, as a leading organization for MHPSS i n Myanmar, is working closely with its partners, providing technical support to integrate and strengthen MHPSS interventions as part of humanitarian response as well as longer-term programming. In order to respond to increasing demand for technical support in a timely manner, UNFPA Myanmar established an MHPSS Roster Team in May 2020. In 2022, UNFPA plans not only to respond to the immediate MHPSS needs and capacity- building support, but also closely work with its implementing partners to carry out MHPSS programme and provide technical support as needed. The MHPSS Field Officer will work closely with UNFPA implementing partners at Field Offices to provide technical and operational support related to MHPSS programme implementation. The incumbent will work in close collabo ration with different stakeholders, including humanitarian and development agencies (UN, NGOs, and INGOs) and civil society organizations at the respective fie ld locations to provide MHPSS technical assistance as required. The MHPSS Field Officer will report directly to GBV/SRHR Programme Specialist at UNFPA Field Off ices, under the technical guidance of MHPSS Programme Specialist based in Yangon.
Considering the increase in MHPSS needs and limited availability of locally trained MHPSS personnel in Myanmar, UNFPA Myanmar seeks to enhance the capacity of its partners through dedicated staff for MHPSS. UNFPA is seeking candidates with a high level of commitment and willingness to learn as MHPSS Field Office r. UNFPA will provide continuous support to MHPSS Field Officer, in the thematic areas of MHPSS, GBV, and SRHR so S/He can provide continuous support to UNFPA implementing partners at the field offices.
2. SUPERVISION AND WORKING ARRANGEMENT
S/h e will directly report to UNFPA GBV Programme Specialist at Rakhine field office and to MHPSS Programme Specialist for technical oversight and progress of the assigned tasks.
3. SCOPE OF WORK AND EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
Under the technical guidance of MHPSS Programme Specialist and the direct supervision of GBV/SRHR Programme Specialist at Rakhine field off ice, the MHPSS Field Officer will undertake a range of activities, such as:
- Support UNFPA partners in integrating a structured package of MHPSS intervention s in their programming on sexual and reproductive health and rights and/or gender-based violence prevention and response.
- Closely monitor the implementation of MHPSS programme for UNFPA partners at field offices and provide technical support as needed.
- Disseminate and orient UNFPA implementing partners at field offices to use, adapt and apply standard guidelines and protocols in their respective programming.
- Use and systematically apply standard guidelines and protocol s such as IASC Guidelines for MHPSS in Emergency Settings, SRHR/ GBV in humanitarian settings, and related instruments during implementation of MHPSS programming.
- Contribute to providing periodic progress and annual reports related to MHPSS programme implementation at the field level together with MHPSS Programme Analyst.
- Liaise and maintain local networks with MHPSS staff in other agencies and organizations at field offices (including NGOs, INGO s, CSOs) for coherent MHPSS programme intervention and to understand what the gaps and challenges are for UNFPA to fi ll the gap and provide necessary support as needed.
- Conduct MHPSS training based on the developed MHPSS curriculum for UNFPA partners to better equip partners with relevant MHPSS ski ll s, followed by mentoring and supervision as needed. S/he will work closely with MHPSS Roster Team and MHPSS Programme Analyst to provide continuous mentoring and supervision for Stepped Care Approach implementation at field offices.
- Provide any other MHPSS-related services/ deliverables depending on the emerging needs of partners as identified by UNFPA.
4. DURATION AND WORKING SCHEDULE
Maximum of 11 months from the starting date, MHPSS Field Officer is expected to deliver above-mentioned tasks under technical guidance of UNFPA MHPSS Programme Specialist. MHPSS Field Officer will be based at UNFPA Myanmar Field Offices in Rakhine, and Southern 3 Shan. MHPSS Field Officer based in Rakhine will cover both Northern (Maungdaw) and Central (Sittwe), and MHPSS Field Officer based in Southern Shan will support UNFPA FO in Kayah and Kayin.
Depending on the COVID-19 situation and working modality applied by UNFPA Myanmar, s/he will be requested to be present at the UNFPA office and/or travel to other UNFPA Field Offices in Myanmar as indicated above.
5. MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROL
S/he will submit a monthly report, indicating the summary of activities conducted as well as challenges and recommendations.
6. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education
- A minimum university degree in social work, sociology, gender studies, medical studies, development studies, public health, and any other relate d field is required.
- For those with a bachelor's degree, a minimum of four years of increasingly responsible relevant profession al experience in MHPSS/GBV/SRHR, humanitarian interventions are required.
- For those with a master's degree, a minimum of two years of increasingly responsible relevant professional experience in MHPSS/GBV/SRHR, humanitarian interventions re required.
- A University degree with a specialization in areas such as clinical psychology, clinical social work, or mental health is preferred.
Professional Experiences
- At least 2 years of experience in community-based psychosocial support interventions, humanitarian response, and training/coaching.
- S/he must demonstrate knowledge of and experience of using IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings.
- Understanding of the UN system in Myanmar and its engagement with local counterparts on MHPSS issues is preferred.
- Strong training, coaching, mentoring, and supervision experiences are preferred.
- Ability to work within a team structure, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources.
- Strong interpersonal skill s and the ability to work within different socio-cultural environments.
- Strong commitment to learning new skill s, especially in the arena of MHPSS, GBV, and SRHR.
Core Value
- Exemplifying integrity.
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system.
- Embracing cultural diversity.
- Embracing change
Language
- Proficiency in English and Myanmar languages.
- Fluency in other ethnic languages (Rakhine, Rohingya) is an asset.
7. PAYMENT SCHEDULE
- Payment Schedule: Monthly basis at the end of each month upon submission of Certification of payment (COP), monthly report and a tracking sheet.
- Terms and conditions will be in accordance with UN individual consultant (ICs) procedures.
HOW TO APPLY
Please mention the location you applied for (eg. Rakhine or Southern Shan). If you are applying for both locations, please list the locations in order of preference (e.g 1st preference - Rakhine and 2nd preference – Southern Shan). Applicants with the required qualifications and experience should submit the application by completing the google form in below link.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScE7_gx7LWEwEEREX0zJZVbsdEGtgmD...
Note: "This is an extension of the vacancy announcement. All applicants who had applied to the prior vacancy announcement, need not re-apply."
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.
