International Consultant (P3): Assessment of Psychosocial Support Services Gaps and Needs for Children in North-East Nigeria at UNICEF

Job Number: 523652
Location: Nigeria
Work Type: Consultancy

Background

• The humanitarian crisis, which is fundamentally a protection crisis, continues to affect Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in north-east Nigeria. According to the 2019-2021 Humanitarian Strategic Plan, 7.1 million people have been estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of a crisis that is now in its tenth year. Threats and risks to the well-being of girls and boys include family separation, explosive remnants of war, gender-based violence including child marriage and conflict-related sexual violence, recruitment and use of children, abduction and other grave child rights violations. The crisis also has caused psychological distress amongst children and their caregivers.
• An estimated 2.7 million children and adolescents (1.5 million girls and 1.2 million boys) in north-east Nigeria are in need of protection and cross-sectoral services, including psychosocial support services. To ensure that children cope with the effects of the crisis, age-appropriate psychosocial and mental health support services (amongst other child protection services) are required.

Purpose of Assignment
This assessment will inform alignment of UNICEF’s MHPSS program to the contextual needs and gaps, build on evidence for programming and enhance accountability to the affected population in North-East Nigeria. The objectives of this consultancy are to:

• Identify mental health needs of girls, boys and their caregivers in selected locations amongst the affected communities in Borno State;
• Assess the availability and appropriateness of mental health and psychosocial support services in selected locations amongst the affected communities in Borno State;
• Explore community perceptions on mental health concerns including perceptions on persons with mental health concerns (specifically children, adolescents, and caregivers);
• Assess the level of awareness on availability of mental health and psychosocial support services and barriers to accessibility of these services; and
• Map existing individual and community coping mechanisms to mental health and psychosocial distress.

The consultant will be expected to:

• To review and be familiar with UNICEF's programme documents and sector-related MHPSS documents in north-east Nigeria;
• Prepare an inception report based on desk reviews, detailing initial key informant interviews and tools, including a consultancy plan;
• Conduct consultations with key stakeholders (relevant state officials, members of the Child Protection and MHPSS Sub-Sectors, girls, boys and caregivers amongst crisis-affected communities) in selected locations in Borno State to identify MHPSS needs, assess services including gaps in services, and explore and map existing coping mechanisms;
• Visit existing facilities used for the provision of mental health and psychosocial support services in selected locations in Borno State;
• Develop a detailed report on the MHPSS needs, services, gaps and coping mechanisms;
• Propose a set of immediate, medium and long-term recommendations to address gaps in MHPSS services and improve the quality and scale of MHPSS programming for affected children and caregivers in north-east Nigeria.

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required
The preferred candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Advanced Degree with specialization in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Work or Mental Health; a Master's Degree in Public Health is desirable;
• At least five years minimum working experience in mental health and psychosocial support programming with demonstrable experience of community-based programming;
• Proven experience in conducting assessments and report writing;
• Familiarity with the context in north-east Nigeria;
• Proficiency in English; fluency in Hausa will be an added advantage.
• The duration of the consultancy is 1.5 months