National Consultant on MHPSS in Kazakhstan

Duration: from 15 January 2025 to 15 December 2025

Workplace: office-based

Modality: full-time

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Background (MHPSS Consultant).docx

Purpose of the assignment

The National Consultant will provide technical assistance for strengthening the system of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services to children and adolescents in Kazakhstan, including particular focus on Youth Health Centers. He/she will work under the direct supervision of UNICEF Health and Nutrition Specialist, and in close collaboration with UNICEF Education and Child Protection teams and the International Consultant on Mental Health. He/she will ensure a close dialogue and support to key line ministries and partners to advance children and adolescents’ mental health agenda.

Scope of Work:

The National consultant on MHPSS will be responsible for the following key tasks:

1) Technical assistance in piloting, refinement based on the pilot results, and integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) standards and guide into the Youth Health Center (YHC) service framework, Including a referral system for services to the MHC and referrals from the MHC to other mental health organizations, referral system from/to Centers of Psychological Support and schools, in consultation with relevant authorities, professionals and experts to ensure alignment with best practices and the evolving needs of adolescents and young people;

2) Technical assistance in advocating for the Youth Health Center’s (YHS) capacity assessment results with the Ministry of Health, including targeted efforts to address identified weaknesses in resource allocation optimization, service delivery, and the evolving healthcare needs of adolescents and young people;

3) Facilitate official launch of the adolescent’s portal for online services on the Damumed platform, including national round table with participation of MoH, YHCs network and other key national stakeholders;

4) Review the capacity and experience of the YHCs to provide online services through uSupport platform, facilitate and support the deployment and use of the uSupport platform in the provision of mental health services by YHCs and Psychological Support Centres;

5) Support policy dialogue with Ministry of health, other line ministries, the project office for launching mental support centers and implementing adolescents suicide prevention programs and key counterparts, and provide technical assistance regarding reforms of the system of services and capacity building, that contribute to strengthen children and youth’s access to MHPSS, especially on law and policy reforms including development of the new MH concept, PHC facilities, Family support centers and Psychological Support Centers reforms, and the collaboration and cooperation between services and sectors.

6) Technical assistance in formulating recommendations for MoH on overcoming barriers, including stigma and discrimination, for provision of MHPSS to PLWHIV as part of guaranteed package and compulsory insurance (drawing upon experiences from other countries);

7) Technical assistance to the YHCs in increasing their capacity to provide MHPSS for the GBV prevention and reduction of its consequences among adolescents and young people, including those LWHIV; Results to be achieved with the support of this consultancy:

1) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) standards and guide are piloted, refined based on the pilot results, and integrated into the Youth Health Center (YHC) service framework;

2) Youth Health Center’s (YHS) capacity assessment results and recommendations advocated for with the Ministry of Health, in form of recommendations for modifying the appropriate regulatory and methodological documents provided, including targeted efforts to address identified weaknesses in resource allocation optimization, service delivery, and the evolving healthcare needs of adolescents and young people;

3) Adolescent’s portal on the Damumed platform officially launched, national round table with participation of MoH, YHCs network and other key national stakeholders organized;

4) uSupport platform utilized by YHCs and Psychological Support Centers to provide online services for youth and adolescents

5) Analysis, recommendations, briefs and advocacy notes for strengthening access and quality of MHPSS services to children and adolescents, with dialogue engaged with key line ministries and national counterparts. Recommendations on overcoming barriers, including stigma and discrimination, for provision of MHPSS to PLWHIV formulated;

6) Trainings on empowerment, sexual consent and preventing gender-based violence for adolescents and young people, including those LWHIV, conducted in selected regions of the country

Work Assignment Overview

1. Task/Milestone:

• Interpret Health Insurance Fund data on YHCs financing to assess its impact on provision of MHPSS services and integrate in Youth Health Center’s (YHS) capacity assessment report
• Present the Youth Health Center’s (YHS) capacity assessment to MoH in close cooperation with National Center for Public Health
• Provide technical assistance in developing the work plan with the National Center for Public Health to pilot MHPSS standard and guide and ensure they are part of YHC services framework
• Provide technical assistance in redefining YHC role and objectives in cooperation with educational organisations, especially with Centers of Psychological Support and schools/colleges for management of adolescents in need of MHPSS services
• Facilitate 3 focus groups with psychologists of YHCs to quality assure the draft YHC standard and guide on MHPSS

Deliverable/Output:

• Health Insurance Fund data on YHCs financing disaggregated, interpreted and integrated in YHCs capacity assessment report, including recommendations for the MOH
• Meeting with MoH organized, presentation, agenda, LoP developed and approved by UNICEF. Roadmap for study’s recommendations follow up is jointly developed with Ministry of Health
• Work plan to pilot MHPSS standard and guide developed/signed with the NCPH
• Presentation and consensus building with Ministry of Education, Orken and Ministry of Health. Detailed recommendations for YHC, Centers of Psychological Support and schools/colleges
• 3 focus groups with YHCs representatives conducted, feedback including technical recommendations generated/recorded and integrated in the draft YHC standard and guide on MHPSS

Date: by February 2025

2. Task/Milestone:

• Establish and coordinate jointly with the MoH national working group (WG), and in consultation with relevant authorities, professionals and experts, pilot and finalize the YHC standard on MHPSS
• Expand the MHPSS Guide by incorporating UNICEF/WHO latest methodologies, including stigma, gender aspects in counseling adolescents, algorithms for YHC psychologist on gender-sensitive therapy with adolescent girls, algorithms for counseling adolescents in emergency situations, WHO/UNICEF EQUIP assessment and monitoring tools for psychologists
• Facilitate official launch of the adolescent’s portal on the Damumed platform, including national round table with participation of MoH, YHCs network and other key national stakeholders
• Facilitate and support the deployment and usage of the USupport platform in the provision of mental health services by YHCs and Psychological Support Centres

Deliverable/Output:

• YHC standard for MHPSS discussed and finalized drawing upon the findings of the piloting, ToR for WG developed, WG membership formed, WG schedule developed, 5 regular meetings organized, final report on WG activities and results prepared
• Desk review conducted, UNICEF/WHO latest methodologies integrated in the MHPSS Guide
• Adolescent’s portal on the Damumed platform launched; national round table organized, program, presentations, a list of participants available and approved by UNICEF
• uSupport platform utilized by YHCs and Psychological Support Centers to provide online services for youth and adolescents

Date: by May 2025

3. Task/Milestone:

• Facilitate training of psychologists of YHCs as part of piloting of MHPSS service delivery in selected regions
• Facilitate dialogues, finalize and validate with national stakeholders including MoH the MHPSS standard and guide based on the feedback inputs and recommendations received during piloting
• Provide technical support in formulating recommendations for MoH on overcoming barriers, including stigma and discrimination, for provision of MHPSS to PLWHIV

Deliverable/Output:

• Trainings of psychologists on MHPSS for 15 YHCs in 4-5 selected regions conducted. Concept, agenda, training materials and training report finalized and approved by UNICEF
• MHPSS standard and guide finalized, approved by UNICEF and officially submitted to MoH
• Analytical report (including detailed recommendations) available, discussed and approved by UNICEF

Date: by August 2025

4. Task/Milestone:

• Conduct coordination meeting with the MoH to approve MHPSS standard and guide
• Provide technical support in developing partnership agreement with one of CSOs to implement activities on prevention of gender-based violence among adolescents and young people, including those LWHIV with focus on MHPSS services via establishing/training of adolescents LWHIV and their parents
• Facilitate MHPSS trainings for adolescents and young people, including those LWHIV, on empowerment, sexual consent, gender norms in selected regions
• Analyze and provide recommendations for policy dialogue and advocacy upon needs with key ministries and decision makers, including the project office for launching mental support centers and implementing adolescents suicide prevention programs, regarding national reforms and capacity building programmes for improved access to quality MHPSS for children and adolescents, including special attention to Youth health centers, Family support centers, and Psychological Support Centers reforms, multisectoral coordination between services and sectors. Provide assistance to the Republican Center for Mental Health by offering suggestions and contributions on the new mental health care concept being developed at the moment

Deliverable/Output:

• Coordination meeting with the MoH conducted; protocol of the meeting prepared
• Partnership agreement to implement activities on prevention of gender-based violence signed with one of CSOs
• Trainings for 100 adolescents and young people, including those LWHIV, in 4-5 selected regions conducted. Concept, agenda, training materials and training report finalized and approved by UNICEF
• Analysis and recommendations available with policy dialogue ensured with key national players for Children and adolescents’ MHPSS system strengthening

Date: by December 2025

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education: Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems, Social sciences or related field.
• Experience:
• At least three (3) years of relevant professional work experience in mental health and psychosocial support systems strengthening
• Technical expertise on health and MHPSS policies, programme, services, especially targeting youth
• Experience in the development, planning and management of strategies and programmes in the area of MHPSS
• Experience in research and institutional analysis in the areas of MHPSS
• Practical experience in providing MHPSS, psychological/ psychotherapeutic and psychiatric services
• Knowledge/experience on youth related policies and services is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Ability to design, coordinate and facilitate consultations with various stakeholders at central and local level
• Ability to design, prepare and facilitate trainings
• Fluency in Russian and English
• Knowledge of Kazakh language is an advantage.
• Highly developed communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skillsAbility to work in an international and multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner.
• Competencies:
• Expertise in MHPSS related areas, especially children and youth related MH
• Experience in research, institutional analysis, and policy advise and technical support for the development of national policies, plans, programmes, standards, regulations, related to MHPSS systems
• Experience in designing and organizing training programmes, including the development and use of training materials to meet the needs of the target audience

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (https://www.unicef.org/about/unicef-culture)

Evaluation Criteria

Technical evaluation weighs 70%, while Financial evaluation – 30%

A) Technical Evaluation (maximum 100 scores)

• Expertise in MHPSS related areas, especially children and youth related MH – 40 scores.
• Experience in research, institutional analysis, and policy advise and technical support for the development of national policies, plans, programmes, standards, regulations, related to MHPSS systems – 40 scores.
• Experience in designing and organizing training programmes, including the development and use of training materials to meet the needs of the target audience – 20 scores.

B) Financial Proposal (e.g. maximum of 30 scores)

Candidates must submit a financial proposal for the whole assignment based on these Terms of Reference. The financial proposal should clearly state the cost of the services for each Deliverables/Outputs.

Financial proposal is maximum 30 points. The lowest financial proposal will receive the highest score during financial assessment. This is the main principle because saved funds will be directed towards other activities to aid children in Kazakhstan. Only financial proposals that fully cover all deliverables outlined in the terms of reference will be considered.

The Office selects the individual with the lowest best and final offer, based on best value for money.

The financial proposal should include all possible costs related to the implementation of the tasks under the present TOR including in-country travel expenses. UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage.

The financial proposal must be submitted in a separate file of non-editable format (e.g. PDF). Consultancy fees should be broken down to show the details for the below-mentioned deliverables.

Application requirements:

The consultancy is open to individual national applicants.

Applicants are required to provide:

• A short cover letter, highlighting relevant experience with similar type of assignments (max 300 words).
• CV of the individual applicants
• Financial proposal including number of days for undertaking the assignment, daily fee, travel costs. Travel costs will be pre-approved by UNICEF as per the UNICEF rules and regulations for travel for consultants i.e., irrespective of the distance and duration of the flight, most direct and economy flight ticket shall apply.
• Samples or links to at least 2 related pieces of work previously conducted by the consultant. The shortlisted applicants will be contacted by UNICEF with a technical discussion and interview.

Remarks:

• Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the contract.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and that UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
• UNICEF will only make milestone payment based on achievement of specific deliverables. Also note that UNICEF does not make advance payment and UNICEF is exempted from paying VAT and any other form of taxes. Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. Four payments will be made based on the deliverables outlined in the Work Assignment Overview. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

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