Problem Management Plus (PM+) Consultant

Requisition ID: req45865

Job Title: Problem Management Plus (PM+) Consultant

Sector: Health

Employment Category: Consultant

Open to Expatriates: Yes

Location: Yemen

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

GENERAL BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a humanitarian organization that responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Established in 1933 upon the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC delivers life-saving care and transformative aid to refugees who have been forced to flee due to war or disasters. With operations spanning more than 40 countries and 22 cities in the United States, we strive to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions of individuals who have been uprooted and are facing immense challenges. Guided by our mission, the IRC paves the way for individuals to transition from harm to a place they can call home.

In Yemen, the IRC initiated its Health, Nutrition, and Environmental programs in October 2012, directly responding to the consequences of conflicts in the Abyan and Aden Governorates. Operating in seven governorates across the northern and southern regions of Yemen, the IRC implements programs directly and through local partnerships in areas such as Health, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Economic Recovery and Development, Women's Protection and Empowerment (WPE), Child Protection, and Education. These sectors address urgent needs arising from food insecurity, diseases like measles and Rubella, and other humanitarian challenges faced by displaced populations and those affected by conflict.

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is embarking on a Training of Trainers (ToT) program to implement the Problem Management Plus (PM+) intervention developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). PM+ is a mental health package designed to provide psychosocial support to individuals facing distress and mild to moderate mental health conditions in humanitarian settings. It is specifically tailored for delivery by non-specialist providers, such as psychology degree holders without formal counseling training, midwives, nurses, and community workers, with supervision from mental health professionals.

The PM+ package is a structured and evidence-based intervention incorporating cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), problem-solving techniques, and behavioral activation elements. Its primary goal is to empower individuals to effectively manage common mental health difficulties and enhance their overall well-being.

There is a significant prevalence of prolonged disabling distress in Yemen, yet scalable and evidence-based psychological interventions are lacking. PM+ serves as one such scalable intervention to reach a large number of individuals experiencing distress and mild to moderate mental health conditions. Trained health workers at Primary Health Units and healthcare centers will be instrumental in delivering PM+ and providing much-needed support to the affected population.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a Training of Trainers program on implementing the WHO Problem Management Plus (PM+) intervention.

The specific objectives include:

1. Adapt the training materials and supportive supervision tools to the local context
2. Familiarize participants with the PM+ training guide, its contents, and underlying principles.
3. Build participants' capacity to deliver PM+ training to non-specialist providers.
4. Enhance participants' understanding of the PM+ intervention and its application in different humanitarian settings.
5. Develop participants' skills in facilitating interactive and engaging training sessions.
6. Ensure that participants are equipped to provide ongoing support and supervision to trainers they will subsequently train.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Review the WHO PM+ training guide and related materials to comprehensively understand the intervention.
2. Developing a detailed training plan and agenda for the Training of Trainers program.
3. Conducting a comprehensive ToT program, incorporating interactive training methodologies and adult learning principles.
4. Delivering engaging and informative sessions on PM+ content, application, and training techniques.
5. Facilitating practical exercises, case discussions, and role-plays to enhance participants' understanding and skills.
6. Providing ongoing support and guidance to participants during and after the training program.
7. Assessing participants' knowledge and skills through pre- and post-training evaluations.
8. Developing a comprehensive training report highlighting key outcomes, recommendations, and areas for improvement.
9. Conduct remote supervision & support of field practice of training participants for Two weeks.

Deliverables:

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

1. Detailed training plan and agenda for the Training of Trainers program.
2. Conducted Training of Trainers program on the WHO PM+ intervention.
3. Training materials, including presentations, handouts, and group activities.
4. Pre- and post-training evaluations of participants' knowledge and skills.
5. The consultant also supports the team in adapting monitoring, supervision, and reporting formats and setting the plan for rollout
6. Training report summarizing key outcomes, recommendations, and areas for improvement.

Duration and Timeline:

The estimated duration of the consultancy is 20 days, including preparation, training delivery, and reporting.

This includes the following:

1. Five days of review and adaptation of training materials and supportive supervision tools.
2. Eight days of Training for Trainers
3. Five days post-training follow-up supervision
4. Two days preparation of the report

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience:

The consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

1. Master’s degree or Ph.D. in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, or clinical social work
2. Minimum five years of relevant MHPSS work experience in humanitarian settings
3. Demonstrated mental health and psychosocial support expertise, focusing on humanitarian settings.
4. In-depth knowledge and understanding of the WHO Problem Management Plus (PM+) intervention and its training guide.
5. Proven experience in conducting Training of Trainers programs, preferably on mental health interventions.
6. Strong facilitation and training skills, with the ability to engage and motivate participants.
7. Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
8. Experience working with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
9. Fluency in Arabic. Knowledge of English will be an asset.

Reporting and Supervision:

The consultant will report to Position Reports to the Community and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Manager

Indirect Reporting: Health Coordinator and Mental Health Technical Advisor, HQ the Mental Health Manager.

NB: Regular communication and progress updates will be required throughout the consultancy period.

Budget and Payment:

The IRC will negotiate a mutually agreed-upon fee with the consultant, including all costs associated with the assignment, such as travel, accommodation, and training materials. Payments will be made in installments based on the completion of agreed-upon deliverables.

Intellectual Property:

All training materials and resources developed by the consultant for this assignment will be the property of the IRC.

Confidentiality:

The consultant is expected to maintain strict confidentiality regarding any sensitive information encountered during the assignment.

Evaluation:

The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on the quality and timely delivery of the agreed-upon deliverables, participant feedback, and overall adherence to the consultancy's terms of reference.

Application Process:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit the following:

• A curriculum vitae showing how the consultant meets the required qualifications, experience, and related assignments conducted in the past.
• A cover letter not more than one page.
• A technical proposal of not more than three pages:

1. Highlighting the applicant’s previous experience in this kind of work, understanding of TORs, and how they will address each objective.
2. A more elaborate methodology that the consultant will utilize and the proposed training plan
3. A financial proposal that should not be longer than one page.