Development of costed strategic action plan for mental health in Nigeria

Abuja

  • Organization: IOM - International Organization for Migration
  • Location: Abuja
  • Grade: Senior Executive level - Assistant Director - General level - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Refugee rights and well-being
  • Closing Date:

Job Description

Project Context and Scope

Nigeria’s mental health system has long suffered from a large treatment gap, only about 10% of individuals diagnosed with mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders receive appropriate care annually. Historically, services were concentrated in a few tertiary psychiatric hospitals and specialist clinics, with minimal integration into primary health care. Community-based services and psychosocial support were limited, contributing to unmet needs, stigma, human-rights abuses, and weak referral pathways.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoHSW), through the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), is leading national efforts to strengthen mental health systems in line with the Mental Health Act (2021), the National Mental Health Policy (2023), and the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework (2023–2030).

While these foundational documents provide a strong policy direction, implementation has been severely hindered by the complete absence of a costed strategic plan that prioritizes interventions, defines stakeholder responsibilities, outlines funding needs, and sets achievable timelines. A critical gap that has persisted across all previous policies and continues to undermine meaningful progress.To address this, the NMHP seeks to engage a consultant to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based, zero draft of costed Strategic Action Plan for Mental Health in Nigeria (2025–2030).

This consultancy will be funded by the European Union (EU) through the project “Support to migration Governance in Nigeria” being implemented by IOM. This intervention aims to strengthen Nigeria’s migration governance at federal, state and local levels. By developing a costed strategic plan for mental health, the assignment complements the project’s broader objectives of improving migration governance structures and coordination. A robust, budgeted mental-health plan will enhance the country’s ability to support returnees, stranded migrants and victims of trafficking or smuggling, while ensuring psychosocial wellbeing is embedded in migration policies and service delivery. In doing so, it reinforces policy development, institutional capacity and the provision of comprehensive social and economic alternatives that underpin effective migration governance.

 

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
 

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

  1. Conduct a desk review of relevant existing mental health policies, legislation, reports, and global best practices, strategies, and data sources in Nigeria, including international obligations under frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

    1. Conduct a situational analysis, assessing service availability, workforce capacity, funding levels, and barriers such as stigma and coercion in care.

    2. Identify key priority areas and interventions for mental health, psychosocial support, and substance use disorder response in Nigeria.

    3. Develop a results framework with clear goals, objectives, outputs, and outcomes.

    4. Estimate cost implications of proposed interventions and develop a comprehensive financing plan.

    5. Produce a zero draft of costed Strategic Action Plan (2025–2030) aligned with the National Health Sector Strategic Development Plan and SDG targets.

    6. Facilitate a 5-day review of the zero draft of National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2025-2030 with stakeholder (government MDAs, CSOs, academia, professional associations, service users, partners, and development agencies).

 
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
 

Activity

Timeline

Start of the consultancy at IOM Nigeria

2 Feb-3 April 2026

 

  1. Inception Report (detailing methodology, workplan, and timelines).

Deliverable: Payment of 25% amount of total consultancy service fees upon submission of inception report approved by NMHP.

1st Deliverable – by 16 Feb 2026

  1. Desk review and Situation Analysis Report (review of current mental health landscape, gaps, and opportunities).
  2. Identify key priority areas of intervention.
  3. Produce zero draft of the Strategic Action Plan (with results framework, costing, and financing strategy).

Deliverable: Payment of additional 50% total consultancy service fees upon submission of zero draft of the Strategic Action Plan and approval by NMHP.

2nd Deliverable – by 13 March 2026

 

  1. Convene stakeholder engagement meeting to review zero draft of the strategic action plan and submit meeting report.

Deliverable: third instalment (25%) of payment for consultancy service fees to be made upon submission of stakeholders review meeting report and approval by the NMHP.

 

3rd Deliverable – by 3 April

 

THE CONSULTANT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

  • All the deliverables as set out in the ToR.

 

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT:

 

Upon the advertisement of the Consultancy Notice, qualified individual consultants are expected to submit:

  1. CV/Resume, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

  2. Technical Proposal (Narrative) detailing methodology approach for the consultancy.

  3. Submission of previous works or consultancies worked on is required.

*Pre-selected candidates will be called for interviews.

*Applications without an adequate set of documents will not be considered in the selection process

 

Qualifications

Education

  • An advanced degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Economics, Mental Health, or related fields.

Experience

  • At least 10 years’ experience in health systems strengthening, policy development, and strategic planning.

  • Demonstrated expertise in costing and developing national strategic plans in health or related sectors.

  • Proven experience in working with government, development partners, and multi-sectoral stakeholders.

  • Strong analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills.

Languages
  • English Language
IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.
Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.
 
Travel required
  • As and when required in line with the contract (to be covered by IOM).

 

Required Competencies

 
IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.
 
Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
  • Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
  • Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
  • Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
  • Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators
  • Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
  • Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
  • Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
  • Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
  • Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
Notes
  1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
  2. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
  3. IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
  4. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
  5. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
  6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies

Required Skills

Job info

Contract Type: Consultancy (Up to 11 months)
Initial Contract Duration: 3 Months
Vacancy Type: Consultancy
Recruiting Type: Consultant
Grade: UG
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
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