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.

For every child, health

A model of care rooted in the biomedical ‘disorder’ approach to mental health has been pervasive in Europe and Central Asia Region (ECAR), resulting in clinical care and treatment often being prioritized over interventions aimed at promoting mental health or preventing distress. This has resulted in the region having the highest proportion of mental health service users in institutionalized psychiatric care globally over a community-based approach focused on addressing the entire spectrum of mental health needs. High stigma along with the traditional (medicalized) approach to mental health and wellbeing has negatively affected demand for mental health services, including where such services are available.

Research indicates that language used to describe mental health and substance use conditions can negatively impact help seeking behaviour (Volkow, et al., 2021). Language is one of the multiple ways in which stigma manifests itself, alongside behaviours and attitudes that isolate and marginalize people suffering from mental health distress. Research also sheds light on the contexts under which stigma emerges, and the underlying social processes and dynamics driving marginalization. On the other hand, a shift in language and development of new vocabulary could be used to speak about mental health differently, addressing subjects that were not previously palatable to discuss.  This has potential to change attitudes, behaviours and social dynamics and policies.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall oversight and direct supervision of SBC Officer, the consultant will work closely with Health Specialist and relevant Programme Leads at the UNICEF Turkmenistan CO on mapping and identification of the current language used in the country around mental health and its impact on general perceptions and beliefs around mental health and  MHPSS: explore who, when, where (in what context) and how this language is used; and creating new de-stigmatising language.

The objective of the assignment is to support the UNICEF CO in mapping out derogative and stigmatizing language, identifying and creating/enhancing positive language on mental health by:

–  Undertaking a review of relevant available country publications, reports etc. on mental health stigma, mental health promotion and behavioral change initiatives, including analysis of social media and networks, popular culture products and other relevant sources, related to mental health and stigma.

–   Organizing workshop(s) with key stakeholders (approved by the Advisory Board) to reflect on current language used around mental health and MHPSS and its impact and identify and propose a new positive, supportive and non-stigmatizing language/set of terms.

– Undertaking data collection and reporting/summary from all the workshops.

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

–  Ability to work with diverse groups and adapt methodologies to different cultural contexts.

–  Minimum of 5 years of experience in facilitation, SBC or related projects.

–  Experience using participatory approaches (e.g. human centred design) with populations in the context of social and behavioural change. Experience conducting consultations and evidence generation activities with adolescents and young people will be an asset.

–  Experience using a variety of tools for qualitative and quantitative data collection.

–  Experience working with marginalised populations is an asset.

Skills:

– Facilitation and working with/running sessions with youth

– Strong analytical and report writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.

– Excellent working knowledge and communication in Turkmen and Russian languages required. Working knowledge of English is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

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.

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.