Consultant (Trainer) for Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Training

Background:

AWO International was founded in 1998 as a professional association for development cooperation and humanitarian action within the framework of the German welfare organization, “Arbeiterwohlfart” (AWO). It draws on the expertise and vast experience of AWO in Germany, which has been an integral part of the German welfare state since the last century.

In close cooperation with local non-governmental organizations in Central America, East Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, AWO International is working to ensure that disadvantaged people can sustainably improve their living conditions. The Regional Office in Southeast Asia (RO SEA), under the Development Cooperation program, is currently implementing a program on “Combatting Human Trafficking and Promoting Safe Migration” in Indonesia and the Philippines with funding from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is now in its third cycle, from 2024 – 2026. The overall objective is to capacitate marginalized communities in rural and urban areas so that they become empowered and are protected against unsafe migration and human trafficking. The program also aims to improve their well-being by increasing access to development and livelihood opportunities through self-determined and participatory processes.

Meanwhile, as part of the Humanitarian Action program of AWO International, RO SEA, together with its partner organizations, implements response operations, especially in events where vulnerable groups are severely impacted by a disaster. Specific sectors of interventions, which vary from food and non-food items, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance, emergency shelter, protections, and others, are planned and implemented depending on the needs on the ground. Aside from responding to disasters, AWO RO SEA also conducts measures on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).

With the continuous efforts of AWO International in improving its own and its partners’ preparedness in responding to disasters, capacity building on DRRM was provided to development cooperation partners. This was done to ensure that they are prepared, ready to respond, and can continuously render their service delivery even during disasters. Since 2021, different trainings have been provided. In March 2022, AWO RO SEA conducted an introductory session on disaster response programming for partner organizations. One of the recommendations from the consultants was that there is a need for additional training on WASH in Emergencies (more technical) and Psychological First Aid (PFA) training. The latter is a useful intervention that partner organizations can use, not only during the disaster but also when they deal with their target groups such as distressed migrant workers. It is a supportive response and a psychosocial intervention for people affected by stressful events, including disasters and other traumatic events. It aims to reduce the initial distress and foster immediate adaptive functioning and coping. Among all other response programs, most of the partner organizations are familiar with PFA but only a few are formally trained.

Thus, AWO RO SEA plans to conduct a 5-day training on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). It seeks to contract into service a short-term Consultant (Trainer) to plan and deliver the training.

Training Objectives:

By the end of the 5-day training, participants should be able to:

1. Understand the concept of psychological and mental well-being, stress, trauma, and disaster.
2. Understand the concept, actions, different techniques, and guiding principles of delivering PFA and MHPSS and their importance during and after crisis events.
3. Demonstrate how to apply the principles of PFA and MHPSS, have good communication skills with individuals in difficult situations, and know when to refer for advanced and professional assistance.
4. Be aware of the importance of self-care when helping others and understand how to take care of oneself and prevent burnout.

The training will be held face-to-face in Metro Manila in September 2024. The specific venue and date will still be determined.

Degree of Expertise and Qualifications:

• University degree in Social Science, Social Work, Psychology, Development Studies, or another relevant field.
• Has received PFA Trainer’s training from the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO), Red Cross, or any other DOH-recognized agency or organization is a must.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in PFA and MHPSS program planning, operations, and implementation in a development and humanitarian setting; familiar with the health and community system of the country.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in conducting training/workshops for civil society organizations, including development of training design, syllabus, and other training materials, mainly on MHPSS and related topics.
• With strong knowledge and experience using the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines on MHPSS.

For the full terms of reference, please refer to this link: https://tinyurl.com/AWOROSEA-TrainingonPSAnMHPSS