International Consultant – Strengthening School Health and MHPSS Programming – Eastern and Southern Africa

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates the commitment of children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

Background and Justification

Schools offer a unique entry point and the means to reach children, both in and out of school, on a large scale, with a range of services that support their holistic development, strengthen their resilience and enhance their learning. As children and adolescents spend a considerable proportion of their time in schools, various sectors have the opportunity to reach a large number of learners and their families with essential multi-sectoral services (including health, HIV, water and sanitation, nutrition, child protection and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)) and to identify vulnerable children who may require specialist care and support. In emergency settings, education should be part of the first response since it helps to restore a sense of routine and normality for children as well as provide an entry point for other services. In practice, the education sector is often overlooked, especially in the early emergency response, and remains chronically underfunded. In both development and humanitarian contexts, investment in schools as integrated service platforms (SISP) can help to ensure that children and adolescents learn and develop, as well building the resilience of the wider community.

In 2018, WHO and UNESCO announced an initiative to “make every school a health-promoting school”. The concept of health-promoting schools (HPS) is a whole-school approach to promoting health and educational attainment in school communities by capitalizing on the organizational potential of schools to foster the physical, social–emotional and psychological conditions for health as well as for positive education outcomes. The HPS approach and related whole-school approaches to health have been associated with considerable improvements in many domains of student health, well-being, nutrition and functioning. Global Standards for Health Promoting Schools, Implementation Guidance and Case Studies have been developed and provide a resource for education systems to foster health and well-being and strategies for country-specific adaptation.  

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is an institutional priority for the UN, and for UNICEF. The UNICEF Strategic Plan (SP) 2022-2025 identifies MHPSS as a priority area for children, caregivers and parents and young people building upon existing programming through child protection (GA3), education (GA2) and health (GA1) with a focus on addressing inequities related to gender, and disabilities.   The SP also includes Community engagement, social and behaviour change as a key change strategy for accelerating action on all goal areas and targets.

UNICEF’s Global Multisectoral Operational Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support of Children, Adolescents and Caregiver’s across settings provides UNICEF Staff and partners with a MHPSS theory of change, strategies and approaches for developing MHPSS programming. The global framework, coupled with UNICEF’s global capacity in the field of Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and community engagement, have been foundational in thinking and strategizing around how to enhance the integration between cross sectoral MHPSS programming and SBC approaches. One area of acceleration is to address cognitive and behavioral drivers of mental health (e.g., low self-esteem, impulsivity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, substance abuse, unsafe sex, violent behavior) along with sociological and environmental factors – by considering people-centered and behaviorally-informed tactics, focusing on self-care and community-based care, and championing social justice approaches, among other relevant initiatives. By addressing these drivers, the aim is not only to promote positive mental health outcomes among children, but also prevent the consequences of poor mental health, including problems at home, in school, and in forming and maintaining relationships.

Building upon these institutional frameworks and initiatives coupled with regional situational analyses, in 2023 the ESARO MHPSS Regional Working Group developed the first ever MHPSS Programme Note and Consolidated Cross Sectoral Workplan. Within this developing ‘educational setting as integrative platforms for MHPSS service delivery’ was identified as one of 6 key priorities for the region. The ambition of this is to increase the level of integrated and cross sectoral MHPSS activity within education settings for learners (and/or teachers) will along with improvement in national policy for addressing mental health and wellbeing in the education system.

It is against this background that UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Office, the UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Office is looking for an international consultant to conduct a thorough analysis of policies, initiatives, tools, plans, and evidence related to mental health, psychosocial support (MHPSS), and school health in the ESA region. The consultant will use the findings of the analysis to develop recommendations and create a resource toolkit. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical assistance to countries on school health and MHPSS matters.

Scope of work

Conduct a thorough analysis of CSI reports, desk reviews of policies, initiatives, tools, plans, and evidence related to mental health, psychosocial support (MHPSS), and school health in the ESA region. The consultant will use the findings to develop a series of recommendations for strengthening school health services and integrating cross-sectoral MHPSS into education settings and within health interventions for UNICEF staff. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical assistance to countries on school health and MHPSS matters.

Activities and Tasks: 

The consultant will work closely with the Maternal and Newborn Health Specialist and Education Specialist and the MHPSS Programme Specialist, in undertaking the following tasks:

• Working with the Health and Education sections specialists and collaborating with the Regional MHPSS Programme Specialist and MHPSS regional working group, the consultant will conduct a desk review and analysis, develop a series of recommendations for strengthening integrated cross-sectoral MHPSS into education settings and within health interventions and school heath services for UNICEF staff. The consultant will also support, integrating cross-sectoral MHPSS into education and health settings considering the continuum of care efforts, using a life cycle approach and lifesaving interventions both in development and humanitarian contexts.
• Building further on the existing regional MHPSS and NCD mapping, undertake a situation analysis on MHPSS within schools and school health and, considering the evidence, initiatives and programmes, school health and MHPSS curricula, policies, plans, partnerships, (key stakeholder analysis), and implementation tools for school-based multi-sectoral services (health, MHPSS, HIV, WASH, nutrition, child protection), taking into consideration gender dimensions, disability inclusion and age appropriateness of the response.
  • Develop an analytical framework of UNICEF ‘s initiatives to make sure the recommendations are actionable and in line with UNCEF’s capacities.
  • Develop methodology for and undertake a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative analysis), including primary data collection thought KIIs and FGDs to gain a better understanding of the landscape of school-based health and multi-sectoral/integrated services within ESA region, including policies, promising practices, approaches and implementation tools.
  • Identify the perceptions, perceived barriers and enablers for the uptake MHPSS into existing health and education programmes both internally and externally, including MoE and MoH key stakeholders
  • Provide recommendations on best approaches to scale, monitor and evaluate MHPSS within education and health settings in ESAR region taking consideration of all relevant contextual factors and regional priorities.
  • Based on the findings review schools as integrated service platforms (SISP) and incorporate the findings
• Develop a ‘catalogue option’, recommendation and relevant resources on programming for UNICEF staff, on how to integrate MHPSS into existing continuum of care efforts, using the life cycle approach and covering interventions both in the development and humanitarian context.  Additionally, identify 2-3 countries which demonstrate readiness to scale and adopt integrated MHPSS and Schools as health-promoting schools with learning environments.
• Incorporate feedback from RO, HQ and COs and prepare the final version
  • Disseminate findings and recommendations and snapshots of the guidance with RO and COs via a webinar
  • Based on the feedback from RO, HQ and COs, update the ESARO regional concept paper on ‘Schools as Integrated Service Platforms’ including the health components, and integrate MHPSS and missing components of health promoting schools
  • Disseminate findings and recommendations and snapshots of the guidance with RO and COs via a webinar
  • Based on the feedback from RO, HQ and COs, update the ESARO technical reference document on integration of MHPSS in health interventions across the continuum of care.
  • Gather brief examples from CO programmes
• Provide remote and on-site technical support to COs as needed.
  • to ESARO health and education team, including on the monitoring of MHPSS programming across the region, and
  • to countries for MHPSS related work, including – but not only – the MHPSS 7% set aside funding country recipients.

• Keep a resource repository for resources gathered in the consultancy

Work relationships: 

Consultant will work closely with the Health Specialist, Education Specialist and MHPSS Programme Specialist in collaboration with focal persons across all relevant sectors in carrying out this assignment. The consultant will also collaborate with the Regional MHPSS Working Group and MHPSS Community of Practice

Outputs/Deliverables:  

The consultant is expected to deliver the following key results mentioned in the below table

An additional reference group made up of Program Specialists within UNICEF HQ, Regional and Country Offices will provide technical inputs and review of the consultant’s work.

Payment Schedule

Payment will be made in line with the deliverables noted below.

*Payment will be based on the number of days TA was provided to COs, including onsite and remote – consultant will maintain an activity log for reporting.

For every child, reimagine the future.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Public/Mental Health, Education, Psychology, Sociology/Social Work, Gender, or other related degree.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience including at international level, with field experience and expertise of working on health & education and MHPSS programming
• Prior work experience with a multi-lateral or international health and development agency, and experience supporting Adolescent Health or Education programs in any of UNICEF’s key geographic regions, including Eastern and Southern Africa.
• A set of strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills and a good understanding of translating theoretical concepts into programmatic implementation will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to working in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships, including with national-level stakeholders.
•  Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:
  • Care
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Trust
  • Accountability
  • Sustainability
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Strong ability to multi-task and a drive for on-time delivery required.
• Competencies: Drive to achieve results for impact, Thinks and acts strategically, Works collaboratively with others

Application must include:

• Detailed curriculum vitae incl. a description of main achievements
• 1 page covering letter, expressing main accomplishments related to this TOR
• Minimum three references that include the name of contact person and title
• A detailed financial proposal quoted in United States Dollars (USD) which must outline fees for one hundred? (165) working days

Administrative issues

UNICEF will provide logistics support and cover the costs of transportation for field missions when reliable commercial passenger operations is not readily available.  This includes support with any special UN assisted flights and UN ground transportation (waiver applies). UNICEF in coordination with UNDSS will provide the consultant with security guidance and relevant risk mitigation measures as per UN policies (refer to Risks section).

The consultant is expected to use their own IT equipment (laptop, cell-phone etc.), where operating communication costs – long-distance calls, internet if any should be part of the overall quoted fees (no reimbursement will be applied).

Conditions

The consultant will use own equipment (computer, digital voice recorder, etc.) to produce deliverables. Office space will be provided in ESARO.

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

For international consultant outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email.  Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel Authorization is issued.

The selected candidate will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts and the consultancy will be conducted in accordance with the UN Evaluation Group Code of Conduct and ethical standards.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV or P11 form and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international contract to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel or subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.