Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Consultant

at  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
CONS International
Target Start Date
2024-11-18
Deadline for Applications
October 31, 2024
Terms of Reference
MHPSS Consultancy (18 months - home-based)
Title of project: Embedding Trauma Informed Practice in the provision of Accommodation for International Protection Applicants
Purpose of project: To develop a training framework, materials, and resources for delivery to International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) officials and private service provider staff on trauma informed approaches in the provision of accommodation to international protection applicants; to deliver train-the-trainer capacity-building support to government officials working on the relevant training team.
Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The consultant will play a crucial role in the delivery of a project to be implemented by UNHCR Ireland, funded by the European Commission (DG Reform TSI Instrument), which aims to embed trauma informed practice in the provision of accommodation to applicants for international protection in Ireland. Central to the achievement of this aim will be the development of a training framework, materials, and resources for delivery to government officials working for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and private service provider staff on trauma informed approaches in the provision of accommodation to international protection applicants.
IPAS staff will be responsible for achieving the outcomes contributing to the long-term impact of this Project, by following the necessary actions to ensure the implementation of the outputs linked to this Project and subsequent enforcement of wider policies, which remain outside the responsibility of the European Commission and UNHCR. To support them in this, train-the-trainer capacity-building support will be delivered to government officials working on the relevant training team and training will be delivered jointly with them to all IPAS staff.

The expected long-term effects of this Project (impact) are:

• IPAS and private service providers staff are better prepared and supported when working with applicants with mental health conditions including those related to psychological trauma.
• IPAS residents with mental health and psychosocial conditions are better supported.
• IPAS residents with mental health and psychosocial needs and conditions experience less distress.

In addition, the Project is expected to produce additional effects in short and / or medium term (outcome). The outcomes are the following:

• The impact of adversity, distress and traumatic events is recognised and understood by all IPAS staff and private service providers.
• IPAS residents with mental health and psychosocial problems and conditions, including those related to trauma, are supported in their recovery process.
• Burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and related mental health issues among staff related to working with individuals affected by trauma are recognised and addressed in the workplace.

Tasks and responsibilities of the consultant

• Hold government and stakeholders’ inception interviews: Feb 2025
• Draft an Inception Report: Mar 2025
• Participate in Advisory Group and Expert Advisory Committee meetings (throughout)
• Research and draft a report setting out the academic basis of the training curriculum to be developed and recommendations for its practical application in the specific context concerned: June 2025
• Develop a training framework setting out the expected knowledge, skills and behaviours appropriate to IPAS and private service provider staff by reference to their level of responsibility and the level of direct or substantial contact they have with persons who may be affected by trauma: August 2025
• Develop a comprehensive training curriculum including guidance for trainers and a range of learning tools and resources designed to support the achievement of the learning and performance objectives: December 2025
• Deliver train-the-trainer capacity building sessions to IPAS training team staff: March 2026
• Deliver joint training to IPAS staff members: April 2026
• Draft a final project report: April 2026

The consultant will work closely with UNHCR Mental Health & Psychosocial Support staff based in the Regional Bureau for Europe and in the Public Health Section, Division of Resilience and Solutions in Head Office, as well as a dedicated project manager and protection staff, including community-based protection staff, based in Ireland and the Regional Bureau for Europe.
Required level, qualifications and work experience

Education:

• University degree (minimum Master’s degree) in a relevant field such as psychiatry, psychology or clinical social work.
• Good knowledge of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Humanitarian Settings and Refugee Settings as demonstrated by successful completion of short courses in this field.

Work Experience:

• At least 8 years of relevant work experience for applicants with post-graduate university degree including at least 3 years of experience working with persons in a humanitarian/forced displacement context;
• Very good understanding and previous experience in programming around mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian and/or displacement settings is essential;
• Experience reviewing, developing and delivering training modules.
• Experience in writing accessible, reader-friendly guidance.
• Previous experience in working in conjunction with UNHCR and other actors in the field on MHPSS programming is desirable;

Key Competencies

• Required: Organizational and planning skills, excellent research, writing/drafting skills, analytical thinking, monitoring skills, excellent English; Demonstrated skills in adult learning methodologies.
• Required: conversant with MS Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Excel (data visualization skills an asset) and can competently use platforms to hold online meetings
• Desired: stakeholder management, negotiation, networking and project management skills.

The consultancy will be home-based but travel to Ireland will be essential at different points of the project estimated to accumulate to 3 months in total.
The consultancy fee will be agreed based on prevailing UNHCR rules and procedures depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
Home-Based
Ye

• Hold government and stakeholders’ inception interviews: Feb 2025
• Draft an Inception Report: Mar 2025
• Participate in Advisory Group and Expert Advisory Committee meetings (throughout)
• Research and draft a report setting out the academic basis of the training curriculum to be developed and recommendations for its practical application in the specific context concerned: June 2025
• Develop a training framework setting out the expected knowledge, skills and behaviours appropriate to IPAS and private service provider staff by reference to their level of responsibility and the level of direct or substantial contact they have with persons who may be affected by trauma: August 2025
• Develop a comprehensive training curriculum including guidance for trainers and a range of learning tools and resources designed to support the achievement of the learning and performance objectives: December 2025
• Deliver train-the-trainer capacity building sessions to IPAS training team staff: March 2026
• Deliver joint training to IPAS staff members: April 2026
• Draft a final project report: April 202