International Consultant - Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use

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Area of expertise

International Consultant – Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use

Purpose of consultancy:

Mental health remains a neglected part of global efforts to improve health. Currently it is estimated that almost a billion people live with mental disorders globally. People living with mental health conditions are more likely to face other physical health problems (e.g. HIV, TB, noncommunicable diseases), causing early mortality of 10-20 years. Suicide mortality is high, close to 800 000 deaths per year of which approximately 200 000 occur in SEAR, disproportionately affecting young people and elderly women in low- and middle-income countries. Mental health conditions are especially common for people affected by humanitarian crises and other forms of adversity (e.g. sexual violence).

The WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health was launched with the aim to ensure all people achieve the highest standard of mental health and well-being. Anchored by a clear goal, the initiative seeks to ensure universal health coverage involving access to quality and affordable care for mental health conditions. The aim of the initiative is to advance mental health policies, advocacy and human rights, and scale up quality interventions and services for individuals with mental health conditions, including substance use and neurological disorders. This initiative has been taken at the backdrop of a situation where more than 80% of people experiencing mental health conditions, including individuals experiencing neurological and substance use disorders, are without any form of quality, affordable mental health care.

The initial plan under this initiative was to select 12 countries, two from each Region. For SEA Region the Regional Director had given approval for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Due to lack of funding support, the initiative was scaled down to one country per Region and Bangladesh was the country to be the first Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) country from the Region. In March 2020, SEARO and WR Nepal received communication from HQ, informing on the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) interest to support Nepal as a Special Initiative Country. Hence Bangladesh and Nepal are the two SIMH countries in the Region. Globally, now there are a total of 12 countries where the Special Initiative has been launched.

The initiatives will call for adaptation and dissemination of WHO normative guidance and technical packages to local contexts and training for human resource development. SEARO will provide support to these two Member States in collaboration with WHO HQ.

Background 

The global mental health crisis remains a critical but neglected priority, with 1 in 7 people in the South-East Asia Region living with a disorder. Over 80% of individuals with mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) conditions currently lack access to affordable care, leading to $1 trillion in annual economic losses and a 10–20 year reduction in life expectancy.

WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) aims to extend community-based care to 100 million more people globally, focusing on Bangladesh and Nepal within the SEAR. By utilizing a Regional Consultant to drive policy reform and capacity building, the initiative integrates MNS services into primary health centers and general hospitals, ensuring that quality, rights-based care reaches the most vulnerable populations.

Deliverables

The consultant will work under the guidance of RA-MH, WHO Regional Office, for Mental Health, Brain Health, and Substance Use, and expected to perform the following work:

To support RA-Mental Health SERO in supporting and Region and assisting Member States in:

For the WHO Special Initiative on Mental Health:

1.Provide technical cooperation to Bangladesh and Nepal to -

• Support the adaptation of WHO normative guidance, tools, and technical packages for the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) to the national and sub-national contexts in Bangladesh and Nepal, including the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for mental health service delivery at the district level

• Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plans for SIMH and provide technical support to Bangladesh and Nepal to monitor implementation progress, report on country-level indicators, and contribute to global reporting requirements under the initiative.

• Provide technical assistance for the development of policy briefs, technical documents, and evidence-based materials to support advocacy, policy dialogue, and implementation of the Special Initiative for Mental Health

• Support the regular documentation and reporting of progress on SIMH implementation, including preparation of progress updates, summaries of country achievements, and lessons learned to inform regional and global reporting.

• Share progress reports on SIMH countries

• Undertake field visits to districts to support service rollouts as required by Bangladesh and Nepal.

2.Support the prevention and reduction of mental and psychosocial disorders by promoting healthy lifestyles across genders and all population groups, strengthening community-based mental health services, and contributing to suicide prevention initiatives.

3.Participate, help facilitate and support preparing the reports of:

• Regional meetings organized by SEARO

• Any online meetings attended by consultant as per RA-MHS instructions

4.Undertake any other tasks related to mental health and substance required by RA-MHS.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University Degree in medicine from a recognized university with a post graduate degree in psychiatry, mental health, psychology or related health sciences.

Desirable: PhD in Mental Health, Clinical Psychology or Psychiatric Social Work

Experience:

Essential:At least 10 years' experience at senior level in mental health and substance use policies and programs, including five years of experience at international level.

Desirable: Experience in community based public health programme management in developing countries

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Communication skills and ability to coordinate between multiple stakeholders, strong advocacy and coordination skills to engage with country officials, ability to work independently and collaboratively with the remote team and align with strategic goals.

Languages and level required:

Expert knowledge of English both in writing and speaking. Intermediate knowledge of any of the WHO South -East Asia regional languages

Location

The consultants are expected to work on-site / off-site as per need basis (Preferably within 3 hours of India Standard Time Zone).

Travel

On-site for insurance purposes consultancy based on country needs and specific TORs of the consultancy

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

Remuneration: Pay Band Level B - Daily range of USD 350 - 499 (depending on the experience and the nature of work).

Living expenses

Travel expenses and per diem will be covered as per WHO rules applicable to consultants for approved official travel during the contract period.

Expected duration of contract

Full time : for 11 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

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