CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT ANALYSIS OF INTERSECTIONS BETWEEN CLIMATE, MHPSS AND GENDER EQUALITY

Section 1. Background

Women and children are uniquely and increasingly affected by the devastating consequences of climate change. Children are affected due to their unique social, physiological and developmental characteristics, their limited decision-making power and dependence on caregivers and the repercussions on their health (including mental health and well-being), development and education can be lifelong and irrevocable. Climate change acts as a risk multiplier, and interacts with poverty, inequality and conflict, in a way that disproportionately affects women, boys and girls, exposing them to increasingly complex challenges, such as food insecurity, displacement, gender-based violence, forced early marriage etc. This significantly hampers their ability to cope with- and adapt to climate impacts. The climate crisis not only amplifies existing risks, but also reveals new threats, increasing inequality, violating rights, hampering education, impacting access to basic services, affecting their mental health and wellbeing and threatening their futures.

All sectors that have traditionally been supported by Save the Children Denmark and the MHPSS Collaborative are affected by climate change, jeopardizing important development gains obtained thus far. While the more visible consequences of climate shocks (e.g. livelihood losses and infrastructure damages) are receiving increased attention through policy and programming, the noneconomic (and less visible) impacts to mental health- and psychosocial well-being, remain largely unexplored and unaddressed. In its Sixth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that Climate Change has with ‘very high confidence’ already contributed to adverse mental health outcomes; impacts that are expected to worsen in the future. Additionally, the mental health consequences of climate change on women are of special concern, because of the disproportionately negative effects from climate-related events that women experience.

The impacts of the climate crisis on mental health and wellbeing are many, varied and have complex causal pathways. Climate change and the increased frequency of disasters may force people to move, lead to economic and non-economic losses and damages, harm social cohesion, disrupt natural environments etc., all of which are stressors that affect mental health and well-being, and may lead to diagnosable mental health conditions, as well as disruptions to normal functioning of mood, behavior, and cognition.

Recognizing the interconnectedness between climate change, gender, mental health and wellbeing, building an understanding of these interconnections and ensuring increased integration in programming and policy is therefore critical, as highlighted in the 2nd Nordic Conference on MHPSS pledges (Pledge 4 and 5, March 2024). This calls for an urgent and nuanced response in programming and policy that acknowledges and addresses these multifaceted interrelations, ensuring that women and children are not left to bear the brunt of climate change alone.

Although the domains of mental health and psychosocial well-being clearly overlap with climate resilience (e.g. regarding coping and adaptation capacities) and gender, there is currently limited research and evidence on how these areas intersect, and a lack of shared vocabulary, tools, available data and indicators; all of which are essential for a joint coherent approach and more inclusive programming. Increased focus is therefore needed on providing more transparency and shared approaches, tools and language, to help promote knowledge on the mental health and gendered impacts of climate change and develop effective and scalable approaches.

Section 2. Objectives, Tasks & Deliverables

Against this background, this consultancy aims to provide a desk review to:

a) Provide an in-depth analysis and improved understanding of the intersections, rationale and potential synergies in climate, MHPSS and gender programming, tools and concepts.

b) Suggest preliminary indicators that address all three components (i.e. mental health outcomes, gender outcomes, and climate adaptation outcomes) building on exiting resources in each area and describe implications for MEAL frameworks.

c) Provide evidence-based and experience-based recommendations for strengthened integration of climate adaptation/MHPSS/gender equality in programming and policy, including key barriers and opportunities.

This analysis will assist Save the Children Denmark and the MHPSS Collaborative in laying the groundwork for developing common indicators, harmonizing terminologies, integrating tools and methodologies, and guiding the improved integration of these elements into current and future programming and policy initiatives.

The tasks planned under the consultancy will include:

1. A brief state of play of existing knowledge on climate/MHPSS/gender interlinkages, drivers and key gaps – scientific & grey literature review & interviews with key actors (e.g. climate and health team in WHO), Tentative research questions: What are the main intersections, potential synergies and gaps in climate/gender equality/MHPSS programming? What are the key umbrella theories/frameworks and boundary terminologies that allow for integration of climate/MHPSS/gender in programming/advocacy, what has proved successful to date? How are mental health impacts of climate change for women/boys/girls measured?
2. Providing key recommendations for what to consider when developing an integrated framework, streamlining and shared vocabulary – review of selected approaches (e.g. resilience framework, social justice framework etc.)
3. Conduct a brief mapping of relevant existing tools and methodologies applied to climate-, MHPSS- and gender assessments that have integration potential and provide concrete suggestions for integration.
4. Review of current indicators and suggest preliminary indicators to track the integration of climate change, gender, and MHPSS in programming in different contexts and describe implications for MEAL frameworks – e.g. how existing frameworks for MHPSS monitoring and evaluation could be adapted to include climate change and gender indicators and vice versa.
5. Provide recommendations and highlight opportunities for action for the wider humanitarian and development sector for better integration of climate/MHPSS/gender equality in programming effectiveness and policy development in these areas and identify areas for further research to strengthen integration.
6. Recommend opportunities for integration of key MHPSS messages into climate, SRHR and education priorities for the next Danish Development Policy Strategy 2026-30

Deliverables:

The deliverables planned under this consultancy will be developed in close consultation with key subject matter experts (SMEs) in the wider Save the Children movement and the MHPSS Collaborative, a global hub for MHPSS research, innovation, learning and advocacy, and include:

• Detailed workplan and report outline (week 1)
• Review of scientific and gray literature & consultations with relevant stakeholders (week 1 & 2)
• Draft report for inputs by SMEs, including draft analysis and key recommendations (week 3 & 4)
• Final report (week 5)
• Power point presentations of key findings and recommendations (week 5)

Section 3. Qualifications and Experience

Essential qualifications and experience:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field such as Climate Change, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Psychology/Mental Health, Public Health, Social Sciences, or International Development.
• At least 7-10 years of experience in conducting research, policy analysis, and/or program evaluation in areas related to climate change adaptation, MHPSS, and gender.
• Demonstrated experience in integrating cross-cutting issues such as gender, climate, and MHPSS into program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Proven track record of working with international organizations, NGOs, or research institutions on multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong understanding of the intersections between climate change, MHPSS, and gender and ability to conduct comprehensive literature reviews and synthesize complex information from various sources.
• Experience with the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including indicator development for cross-cutting issues.
• Strong qualitative research skills, including the ability to design and conduct interviews with key stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured reports and recommendations

Additional desirable qualifications:

• Familiarity with the work of the Save the Children movement and the MHPSS Collaborative or similar organizations.
• Experience with conducting desk reviews