External Consultant

1.Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this engagement is to provide technical support in the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework and Baseline Report and information dissemination for the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health. The consultant will be expected to work closely with MOHCC, WHO and other media practitioners to develop a media and publicity agenda for NCDs and mental health in Zimbabwe.

2.Background

Zimbabwe launched its five-year special initiative for mental health on July 2021 with a logical framework (logframe) to guide country-specific implementation. This initiative comes to fulfill the objectives of the National Mental Health Strategic Plan whose overarching goal is to improve policy, advocacy, services and the upholding of human rights for persons living with mental health conditions. A critical part of the logframe is target indicators intended to form part of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of work in each country. Indicators are combinations of categorical, continuous and qualitative markers of success. At the logframe goal level, and to inform policy making, it is critical to measure the following:

• Access to mental health services (based on a common cross-country methodology);
• Treatment coverage (based on a common cross-country methodology); and
• At least one rights-based indicator (based on common-cross country agreement), among other things

WHO is providing the technical support to MOHCC and other partners in the implementation of the NCDs and mental health programs in Zimbabwe and in generating positive health seeking behaviours through the media.

3.Scope of work

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative in Zimbabwe, the consultant will work closely with local experts, WHO technical team, ministry of health and other partners in NCDs and mental health to support the:

1. Review the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health Zimbabwe logical framework and where necessary, consult with WHO staff and partners (e.g., Ministry of Health) about any indicator definitions. Assign an appropriate means of verification and a schedule for when / how often and in what ways certain indicators should be assessed (i.e., monitored) or evaluated (noting preference for low-effort-low-resource options). This task may require a desk review of what information is currently available to facilitate implementation of the M&E framework.
2. Confirm with the WHO Zimbabwe Country Office a final version of a M&E framework
3. Working online, meet with other WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health M&E partners as well as WHO Regional and HQ experts to agree on a common methodology to assess goal level indicators, specifically about access and treatment coverage. This may require meeting in out-of-office hours.
4. Working with the WHO Zimbabwe Country Office and relevant WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health partners (e.g., Ministry of Health or other local stakeholders), oversee the development and implementation of any surveys or other assessment activities necessary to complete a M&E Baseline Report (including any associated data analyses).
5. Complete drafts for review and finalise a WHO Special Initiative for Mental Zimbabwe Baseline Report, based on the final M&E framework.
6. Provide a handover to the WHO Country Office, briefing them about the M&E systems designed and tasks necessary for its ongoing use every 6 months

1. Concrete deliverables

• National baseline survey report
• Zimbabwe SIMH M & E framework developed and disseminated
• A six months M & E workplan developed, in collaboration with all partners (including data capturing and monitoring strategy)
• Pilot, implement and review M & E strategy for at least two months
• List of potential research areas/topics on the logframe

1. Functional Knowledge

1. Sound M&E and/or research skills and knowledge, including methods development, sampling, data collections, analysis and reporting.
2. With good technical writing skills, good facilitation skills, knowledgeable in basic computer programs, efficient organizational and management skills
3. Technical competence in the field of mental health and MHPSS Experience with community mental health and community development

Specific requirements

Language:

1. Fluency in written and spoken English
2. Another UN language would be anadded advantage

Educational qualifications:

Essential: A Masters degree in Public Health, Mental Health related field, social sciences, journalism or any related qualifications from a recognized university.

Desired: PhD will be an added advantage

- Experience required:

1. Minimum of five(5) years relevant work experience in developing monitoring and evaluation and documenting health issues
2. Relevant experience in population informatics, analytics and demographical studies
3. Familiar with the health system and community system in Zimbabwe
4. Knowledge of the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods including designing data collection tools, analysis and reporting
5. Experience working with the corporate world, UN system or other global/international organizations is an advantage.