MHPSS Consultant – Abra (Filipino Nationals Only)

Project Title: REACH 3: Response to the Unmet Humanitarian Needs of the Most Vulnerable Populations in Mindanao and the Province of Abra Affected by Conflict, Disasters and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose:

This Action aims to contribute in addressing the unmet basic needs and reducing the suffering of the most vulnerable, at risk and underserved populations affected by conflict, natural hazards and COVID 19 pandemic in Mindanao, and in the poorest worst hit municipalities in the Province of Abra, which was affected by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake and accompanying aftershocks.

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support will provide crucial support to the technical team and overall Project Team by providing technical inputs and guidance in the MHPSS component of the project. The MHPSS will also serve as a first responder for identified beneficiaries of mental health and psychosocial support in the project area.

Location: Abra

Reporting to the Head of Project/Project Officer for MHPSS

Duration: 3-5 months

Contract start date: ASAP (on or before 01 September 2022)

Other requirements: This position is open to all interested applicants with preference given to applicants who are from the project areas and who know the language and culture. For a successful application, Action Against Hunger will not cover the cost of airfare, accommodation, COVID-19 testing, and in-land travel cost to Abra.

• ABOUT ACTION AGAINST HUNGER’S TY ODETTE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

For the Abra earthquake, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) identified the following impacts: structural damage, liquefaction, landslide, landslide (tension cracks). These impacts cause damages to infrastructure, houses and agricultural crops affecting both living and livelihood conditions of people affected. Earthquake- and rain- induced landslides arecauses is the hazards to look out for the most in areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). More than 2,000 aftershocks were recorded 5 days after initial impact, as per NDRRMC reports. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported a total of 65,858 individuals displaced in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Ilocos Regions (as of 4 August 2022). Majority of the IDPs (95 percent) were camping out in open spaces or are hosted by friends/relatives while the rest were in evacuation centers. The Province of Abra accounts for over 98 percent of the IDPs. All 27 municipalities in the province of Abra were categorized under areas of very strong intensity (6.5 to 7.0-magnitude).

Due to the earthquake, cases of mental distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were identified among the residents of Abra. Interviewees during the initial assessment reported shock, trauma, and anxiety, especially among children, because of the intensity of the earthquake and continuous aftershocks. People were also reported camping outside their homes and being scared of aftershocks. This situation is further exacerbated by existing threats COVID-19 and other diseases. According to the reported interview with Dr. Rio Magpantay, Director of DOH-CAR Center for Health Development (CHD), Abra appeals for psychosocial support for its residents to recover from trauma caused by the earthquake. Currently, the Cordillera Administrative Region has 44 functional and 21 non-functional health facilities for mental health and psychosocial support. Medical teams and specialists from other regions are also being deployed to the earthquake-stricken area because aftershocks were still being felt in the area.

• SCOPE OF WORK

The MHPSS consultant will be working closely with the Head of Base, Head of Project-based in Abra, as well as the Health/Nutrition Coordinator based in Manila. The scope of work are:

1. Conduct a review of key MHPSS related documents including policies and referral systems in Abra, and in CAR.
2. Provide technical guidance on planning and design of the community based MHPSS missions.
3. Prepare and deliver skill-building MHPSS module for the community and for AAH staff.
4. Co-facilitate MHPSS consultation in the community.
5. Collaborate with AAH technical team in output production around MHPSS in emergencies.

• COORDINATION

1. Coordinate with the HOP on the schedule of planned activities.
2. Coordinate with HOP and project staff when interviewing identified beneficiaries.
3. Coordinate with Communications Officer on project visibility guidelines.
4. Coordinate with Technical Coordinators for MHPSS modules or manuals for the project.

• TIMELINE OF ENGAGEMENT

Total consultancy days: 3-5 months either consecutive or intermittent, depending on the work plan agreed upon between Action Against Hunger and the consultant.

• OBLIGATION OF ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

Action Against Hunger will provide:

1. Relevant documents, primer, code of conduct, PSEA, security in the field relevant program documents
2. Consultant will be integrated as part of the project implementation team
3. Basic logistic support (area-to-area field visits/activities)
4. Oversight to consultant
5. Payment of the consultant upon successful completion and submission of agreed outputs
6. Basic PPE during visits/activities

• KEY COMPETENCY OF CONSULTANT

The consultant (individual or group) has/have preferably the following key competencies:

1. At least 5 years of experience in MHPSS in emergency and humanitarian settings (with some experience on Protection and Gender Based-Violence)
2. Master’s degree in Psychology
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, Tagalog, and Ilocano
4. Experience individual consultations for MHPSS concerns
5. Experience in capacity-building on MHPSS and protection
6. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher.
7. Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams

CONDITIONS

• Consultant will provide for their own accommodation, transportation, and equipment needed for the conduct of the consultancy such as laptop and mobile phone.
• All outputs must comply with Action Against Hunger Branding and Visibility Guidelines, and policies on Data Protection, Child Protection, Safeguarding, Gender, and other related policies.
• The consultant should be available to work on weekends if needed.

Payment Terms are as follows:

1. 25% upon signing of the contract
2. 40% upon validated submission of:

• 1 Inception Report
• 1 MHPSS Policy
• 1 MHPSS Training conducted

1. 35% upon completion of all validated deliverables required