Consultant to develop a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) curriculum

Open to Internal and External Candidates

Position Title : Consultant to develop a Mental Health and

Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) curriculum and

manual for CSO staff and Migrant Health

Volunteers to provide support to Myanmar

migrants in Thailand

Duty Station: Home-based

Classification : Consultancy

Type of Appointment : Consultant Contract (5 months)

Desired Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : March 31, 2023

Reference Code : CFA027/2023

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

1. ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT AND SCOPE:

The ongoing political situation in Myanmar, coupled with the mental health challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic such as isolation from friends and family, loss of employment or fear of losing their job, including work-related stressors, Myanmar migrant workers and their families are in need of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to protect and promote their overall well-being. The International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) human rights due diligence operations with Myanmar migrant workers have also highlighted the increasing need for psychosocial assistance. To effectively improve the mental health and well-being of Myanmar migrants and their family members, it is, therefore, crucial that civil society organizations (CSOs), community members, including Migrant Health Volunteers (MHVs), who work closely with migrants, are equipped with MHPSS and Psychological First Aid (PFA) knowledge and basic skills to contribute to improved mental health outcomes in the community. Considering this, IOM recognizes the need to support Myanmar migrants and migrant workers by enhancing the capacities of CSO staff and MHVs to accommodate the increasing demand for quality MHPSS support in the target context.

As part of the “Addressing the Needs of Vulnerable Migrants within the Humanitarian, Development and Peace Nexus (HDPN) in Thailand” project funded by the Embassy of Japan, IOM seeks a consultant who possesses related background, qualifications and experience to develop a MHPSS training curriculum and training manual so that Myanmar nationals who have experienced or fled from violence, as well as Myanmar migrant workers who have other MHPSS specific needs can receive support through the trainers and those who received

training from this curriculum. The developed curriculum will lead to the better overall well-being of this vulnerable population.

The overall objectives of the assignment are as follows:

• Enhance the knowledge and capacity of CSO staff, and MHVs on basic skills and knowledge of MHPSS and PFA support;
• Through the participants who have obtained training using this curriculum and manual, improve the overall well-being and mental health of migrants and migrant workers.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The expected deliverables will be delivered in consultation with IOM between April and August 2023. The scope of work will include the following tasks:

• Hold consultation meetings to gather input and finalize details of the curriculum and manual with IOM team and propose a detailed outline of the products;
• Develop MHPSS training curriculum and manual to enhance knowledge and capacities of CSO staff and MHVs to be able to support Myanmar nationals who have experienced or fled from violence, as well as Myanmar migrant workers who have other MHPSS specific needs;
• Following IOM’s review and any subsequent revisions of the draft, conduct field testing and provide at least two pilot trainings with interpreters and collect feedback from CSO and MHV participants;
• Liaise with IOM team on the revision of the final curriculum and manual according to feedback from field testing and pilot training, as well as from IOM and submit copy-edited final version.

The MHPSS training curriculum and manual package designed for CSO staff and MHVs to support (1) Myanmar migrants who have experienced or fled from violence, and (2) migrant workers, should include but not limited to:

• Fundamental knowledge of MHPSS and PFA;
• Basic screening skills and techniques;
• Basic screening tool kits (basic individual with MHPSS problem assessment and identification of common conditions, stress assessment, etc);
• Knowledge of effective support for those who have mental health needs;
• Self-care and stress management;
• Referral;
• Recreational activities and awareness raising on mental health and psychosocial well-being.

The payment will be disbursed based on the submission of deliverables agreed by both parties as follows:

• First Deliverable – A consultation meeting with IOM, a draft MHPSS training curriculum and manual
• Second Deliverable – field testing and pilot trainings, a copy-edited final report

The following deliverables are key indicators for the evaluation of results:

• A detailed outline of the training curriculum and manual;
• One training curriculum package (in English) designed for at least two-days training. The package should encompass:
• Training modules tailored for targeted context (Maximum 60 pages).
• Training materials including suitable activities and case studies.
• Participant handouts to supplement the training modules and activities tailored to the targeted context.
• Manual providing guidelines for trainers to use the training materials and tools, and conduct training to target beneficiaries effectively.
• Conduct field testing and provide pilot training with interpreters and collect feedback from target participants. To collect feedback, the consultant should design assessment questionnaires for IOM’s review before rolling out.

All deliverables should be developed in consultation with and reviewed by IOM, as well as incorporate IOM’s comments before finalization and submitting copy-edited version.

3. REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with relevant professional experience.

Experience:

Interested parties should demonstrate the following qualifications and submit documentation and references as follows:

• Demonstrated experience of at least five years in designing and developing MHPSS/PFA training package, manuals, publications or similar tasks;
• Proven experience in providing MHPSS/PFA training;
• Excellent communication skills (both verbally and in writing);
• Previous experience in working in the UN system is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
• Proficiency in Thai and / or Myanmar language is an advantage.

4. DESIRABLE COMPENTENCIES

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintain high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

Only candidates residing in either the country of the duty station or from a location in a neighboring country that is within commuting distance of the duty station will be considered. In all cases, a prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station, or in the neighboring country located within commuting distance, and work permit, as applicable.