Consultancy: Mental Health Psychosocial Services Technical Support Officer- Migration/Programme Division/Remote-based, with possible travel for field assessment and training to other U.S. locations- REQ#532522

The MHPSS Technical Support Officer will build capacity and establish processes for the provision of targeted MHPSS to children, caregivers and families at the US-Mexico Border and within migrant communities in the United States, in line with UNICEF and IASC guidelines. Emphasis will be on strengthening capacity of frontline workers and para-professionals working with children and caregivers, Staff Care/Caring for Caregivers, monitoring and support to organizations on MHPSS interventions, partner coordination, and procedures for long term & sustainable support, and functioning/safe referral pathways

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,

Consultancy Title: Mental Health Psychosocial Services Technical Support Officer

Section/Division/Duty Station:  Migration/Programme Division/Remote-based, with possible travel for field assessment and training to other U.S. locations.

Duration:  11 months

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

The MHPSS Technical Support Officer will build capacity and establish processes for the provision of targeted MHPSS to children, caregivers and families at the US-Mexico Border and within migrant communities in the United States, in line with UNICEF and IASC guidelines. Emphasis will be on strengthening capacity of frontline workers and para-professionals working with children and caregivers, Staff Care/Caring for Caregivers, monitoring and support to organizations on MHPSS interventions, partner coordination, and procedures for long term & sustainable support, and functioning/safe referral pathways.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables 

In close collaboration and working with the Programme Specialist, Migration, the incumbent is responsible for contributing to capacity building initiatives as follows:

• Needs Assessment & Mapping of MHPSS services in 2-5 communities. Develop local referral pathways for MHPSS in collaboration with partnering organizational staff, based on needs assessment conducted.
• Formal training provided on basic MHPSS support and Psychological First Aid (PFA), including Self-Care for frontline workers, organizational approaches to Staff Care, and others as needed.
• Contribute to the development of MHPSS resources, toolkits, online training modules, etc. to build capacity of volunteers/staff in community-based organizations and other professionals. Ensure resources are made available to a regional and/or global audience where appropriate. 
• Provide technical assistance and support to organizations/partners for the implementation of MHPSS activities and responses, safe spaces and life skills related activities for children and/or adolescents and caregivers as needed.
• Support the training of community health workers on PFA and integration with the MHPSS services for appropriate identification, referrals to MHPSS services, and follow up.
• Facilitate Training of Trainers (ToT) program on PFA and support national trainers to roll out trainings.
• Lead the development, implementation and facilitation of an MHPSS-focused Community of Practice and Coordination group for professionals working with migrant children and families with regularly scheduled peer support, professional development, and coordination opportunities, linked to UNICEF’s global work on MHPSS for children on the move.
• Support the development of regional, national and international functioning and safe referral pathways, strengthening links to available services for MHPSS and Protection more generally, including the creation of local and national directories/mappings. 

Qualifications

(1) Education

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in relevant field (e.g. social work, psychology) 

2) Work experience

• 3+ years in mental health and psychosocial programming (MHPSS) experience for children and youth in humanitarian contexts
• Experience in migration within the U.S. or Latin America. 

3) Competencies

• Familiarity and experience with using relevant global guidelines (e.g. IASC, WHO PFA, CFS)
• Strong background and experience in developing and conducting in-person and remote training and webinars
• Commitment to participatory approaches and supporting the development of staff and partners
• Team building skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English; Oral Spanish fluency.
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.)
• Ability to travel on to project sites (if appropriate). 

Requirements:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials.
• Shortlisted candidates will also be asked to also complete the following:
  • Skills Test involving a short recording of yourself providing a short training lesson on a relevant MHPSS topic.
  • Writing sample.
  • Financial proposal that will include your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference (can be downloaded here: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html . Any duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.  Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.