Consultancy: Adolescent Mental Health, Health Section, PD - NYHQ, Requisition #520097

The purpose of this consultancy will be to conduct a landscape assessment of Adolescent Mental Health programming across UNICEF’s major geographic units (Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), East Asia and the Pacific (EAPRO), Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO), Latin American and the Caribbean (LACRO), South Asia (ROSA), West and Central Africa (WCARO), and Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

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

While adolescence is often seen as the healthiest time of life, it also represents a period of vulnerability for mental health. Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm and suicide are primary causes of disability, disease and mortality among adolescents. It is estimated that 10% of all adolescents have intentionally harmed themselves. Mental health conditions affect one in four over a lifetime and are responsible for more than 10% of the global disease burden. Studies show that half of all people who develop mental health conditions have their first symptoms by the age of 14. The social and financial costs of mental health conditions and associated disabilities are significant. The World Economic Forum estimates mental health conditions will cost the global economy $16 trillion in the next 20 years if not addressed.

Adolescent mental health remains stigmatized, underfunded and underserved in most countries, rich and poor. Less than 1% of governmental health budgets in LIC’s go towards mental health and there are large disparities in access to care and support worldwide, and particularly in LMIC’s.

UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021 outlines a commitment to promote and protect the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of children and adolescents. Adolescent specific results are mainstreamed under all 5-goal areas of the Strategic Plan, including a learning agenda on key emerging issues facing adolescents. Adolescent suicide and mental health are part of this learning agenda and UNICEF is working with partners to build the evidence base for developing appropriate and scalable models for response with programmatic emphasis on prevention and promotion of mental wellbeing. A few key areas of work include:

• Country level technical support in designing, testing and evaluating i) promotive and preventive measures (such as safe spaces for adolescents in schools, youth centres, peer counselling, parenting programmes, and the provision of mental health and psychosocial support interventions; and ii) screening and referral measures (through strengthened health systems and community and school- based mental health services).
• Developing indicators for adolescent mental health with the aim of including these in existing national surveys, such as the MICS, Demographic and Health Surveys and/or Global School-Based Health Surveys (also see:  https://data.unicef.org/topic/adolescents/mental-health/ )
• Joint development (with WHO) of evidence-based guidelines and intervention packages on the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental health conditions and reduction of risk behaviours among young adolescents, 10-14 years old.

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy will be to conduct a landscape assessment of Adolescent Mental Health programming across UNICEF’s major geographic units (Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO), East Asia and the Pacific (EAPRO), Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO), Latin American and the Caribbean (LACRO), South Asia (ROSA), West and Central Africa (WCARO), and Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The landscape analysis will comprise desk reviews and key informant interviews to document and typify the depth and breadth of UNICEF’s programming on Adolescent Mental Health. As part of this work, the nature of UNICEF’s partnerships with other UN agencies at the country level, will be described.  The landscape assessment of UNICEF programming on Adolescent Mental Health will also identify effective and promising practices; identify gaps to be addressed and key research questions; and offer recommendations for UNICEF’s engagement in different contexts, based on the findings therein.

Scope of Work

1. Drawing from multiple data sources, internal and global reports, as well as key informant interviews, document the depth and breadth of UNICEF Country Missions’ engagement on Adolescent Mental Health, with attention to:

1. Documenting UNICEF’s role and technical assistance provided in countries that have initiated and/or who have signalled intent to embark on policy and programme work in the area of Adolescent Mental Health and Psychosocial support
2. Documenting UNICEF’s role and technical assistance provided in countries where Adolescent Mental Health is linked to other services and sectors, including social protection, maternal care, education etc.
3. Documenting UNICEF’s approach to utilizing social media and digital tools for addressing Adolescent Mental Health

2. Collate information on funding sources, government commitment, internal (UNICEF) capacity, inter-agency collaboration, investments in quality, and other critical factors with potential to influence the implementation of Adolescent Mental Health programming;    
3. Complete an in-depth assessment of Adolescent Mental Health programming in a few purposively selected countries, and develop case studies that draw out program models and intervention packages and research opportunities which can inform strengthened Adolescent Mental Health programming in other countries

Please see the Annex 1 for a Case Study Template

Deliverables

The contractor is expected to deliver the following key results, in collaboration with the Adolescent Health Specialist who will provide oversight and support:

• Inception report outlining the methodological approach and timelines
• Draft Landscape Assessment report
• Final report
• Participation in a Global Webinar or meeting for validation

An additional reference group made up of program specialists working in adolescent mental health within UNICEF HQ and Regional offices will provide technical inputs and review of the consultant’s work.

Duty Station: The location of this assignment will be remote.

Timeframe

Start date: March 25, 2019                              
End date: May 30, 2019  

 Payment will be made based on submission of the reports in line with the deliverables noted above.

 Requirements and Qualifications

• Post-graduate training in Education, Public Health, Sociology, Medical Anthropology, Psychology, Social Work, Gender, or other related degree
• 8 - 10 years’ experience as a mid-level professional, with a strong preference for professionals with experience in designing, implementing, documenting and/or evaluating large-scale in-school, out-school, and/or digital Adolescent Health or Mental Health programming
• Prior work experience with a multi-lateral or international health and development agency, and experience supporting national Adolescent Health or Mental Health programmes in any of UNICEF’s key geographic regions
• A native command of the English language is required, with Spanish and French preferred
• Strong ability to multi-task and a drive for on-time delivery required