Individual Consultancy (Maldivian National) Research, Data and Knowledge Management Consultant for Centre for Mental Health

UNICEF Maldives is seeking a Research, Data and Knowledge Management Consultant for Centre for Mental Health, Maldives.

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Research, Data and Knowledge Management Consultant for Centre for Mental Health

Purpose of assignment & Background:

The socioeconomic impact of the pandemic has implication on mental health and well-being. Numerous employees have lost their job or are on no-pay leave. These families are losing their income and some are at risk of falling further into poverty. People from all walks of life are experiencing stress and anxiety from direct and indirect effects related to COVID and the restriction measures, and mental health services have become a critical service.

Those with pre-existing mental health issues are especially vulnerable, and their symptoms or issues can further increase. Some are showing psychological distress. Substance abuse, violence against children and domestic violence can also increase during these times. Current service providers and mental health sector inform that more people are seeking mental health services. Psychosocial helplines have been set-up, and any case with mental health history, or showing signs of it, or indicating urgency as well as high risk is referred to the national Centre for Mental Health (CMH), that has been established within the main hospital (Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital). The current initiatives are contributing to address the long-time gap in MHPSS services outside the capital Male', and the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating innovative and e-approaches, such as tele-MHPSS services. The CMH is the nodal entity providing remote support to the psychiatrists in the designated regional hospitals.

With the increased service uptake, and likely effects of Mental Health on COVID, there is a need for systematic management and analysis of data and additional research to give insights and that can help further improve services.

In this regard, UNICEF is seeking a national consultant to provide technical expertise and support the evidence generation and data management of CMH, and contribute to research initiatives in the area of mental health and psychosocial support.

Purpose of the Assignment:

With the overall aim is to improve knowledge, data and research on mental health psychosocial services

The purpose of the assignment is to provide technical support, through a consultancy, to strengthen data analysis, research and knowledge management of the Centre of Mental Health.

The specific objectives of the consultancy are:

1. To improve information management including data analytics, monitoring and research on MHPSS.

2. To support improved documentation, use of data and strengthen knowledge management within the

Centre for Mental Health.

3. To build capacity in conducting research and develop a research culture at Centre for Mental Health.

Duty station: The consultancy is based in Male' and will be working as a core team member of the Centre for Mental Health, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital. Minimal travel anticipated.

Supervisor: Under the direct supervision of the head for Centre for Mental Health, in close coordination with the UNICEF Programme Specialist for Health & Nutrition.

Major tasks of the Assignment:

Under the overall supervision of Centre for Mental Health management team and UNICEF, the consultant will support the team, and contribute to the below key tasks:

1. Provide advice and directions in areas of potential research at CMH.

2. Conduct capacity building sessions on conducting research.

3. Provide technical assistance in research initiatives of CMH; planning, writing proposals, ethical

approval, data analysis, synthesis and writing up of research.

4. Deliver data analytics on the case management process, providing information on the support type,

number, frequency, country location, professional/caretaker profile of clients accessing the service.

5. Support to improve monitoring of information and knowledge management of CMH, including

effective ways of documentation and record keeping.

6. Synthesis information and data and share updated reports, data profiles with CMH and UNICEF on

monthly basis and deliver presentations on data and profiles, as and when needed.

Deliverables:

Progress report 1 with:

• Inception report
• With Proposal for managing information and data related to MHPSS, and identification of possible research areas
• Presentation and Brief on data to be submitted when required

Progress report with deliverable (monthly research profile, data analytics and indicators)

• Progress report 2
• Progress report 3
• Progress report 4
• Progress report 5
• Presentation and Brief on data to be submitted when required

Final report:

• Final research findings, summary sheet and raw data sets
• Final documents
• Final report with recommendations

Estimated duration of contract: The assignment will be spread to 60 working days within a 12 months period between July 2020 – June 2021.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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 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.

Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required:

An advanced degree in area of Health research. In addition, training in the area of Masters of mental health, such as psychology, psychotherapy or other relevant area.

• At least five years working of experience in data and research, preferably in areas within public health or mental health.
• Experience in similar work will be an asset, particular experience in knowledge management and data analytics.
• Ability to simplify complex ideas and use of visuals. Able to adapt and present data according to need, communicate these well to diverse audience.
• Demonstrated project management skills, and /or program design, monitoring and evaluation skills, including designing pathways to sustainable impact at scale.
• Able to generate and use data and evidence to innovate, deliver, learn and share what works and what doesn't work for children.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required.
• Excellent written and spoken Dhivehi and English; demonstrated high level of professional communication skills (oral and written).

Deadline for Applications: 12 July 2020, 4:00pm (Maldives time)

Application link: 

https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=532635&SourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us 

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.