MHPSS Arts-Based Interventions Consultant

at  UNICEF

Job no: 576591
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: New York
Level: Consultancy
Location: United States
Categories: Child Protection
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.

EDUCATION:

• Masters Degree in Psychology, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Child Protection, or related fields.
• Advanced degree in psychology, public health, social work, art therapy, or a related field.

Work experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• A minimum 5 years’ experience in MHPSS and Child Protection in humanitarian and development settings
• Proven experience in developing resources and toolkits, preferably in the mental health or humanitarian sector.
• Proven experience in conducting scoping reviews or exercises, understanding research findings, and knowledge management practices.
• Good knowledge of global mental health issues, psychosocial support, and common intervention and programming approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, including ability to work independently and productively with multiple stakeholders in fast-paced environment across time zones.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; the ability to effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

REQUIREMENTS:

Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials

• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
• travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
• Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
• Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. 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.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is an institutional priority for the UN, and for UNICEF. The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 identifies MHPSS as a priority area, building upon existing programming through child protection, education, and health.
UNICEF plays a key role on the global stage in driving developmentally and contextually appropriate MHPSS programming for children and their families, including leading both the Child and Family, Community-Based MHPSS thematic groups, within the Interagency Standing Committee MHPSS Reference Group structure. In collaboration with both of these groups and member organisations, UNICEF is leading a new initiative – “Evidence-Based Approaches to Expression through Art”- which aims to curate pre-existing evidence informed arts-based interventions, resources, and methodologies into a package developed for at risk children that can be utilized across sectors and delivery platforms (including educational settings, child friendly spaces, and other community settings). The package will respond to discernible demand by implementing partners across different areas of work (e.g. Education, Child Protection, Health) for an easily accessible repository of relevant guidance, resources and tools that can inform MHPSS program planning. Through the package, agencies working with children, in humanitarian and other low resource and fragile settings, will be able to more effectively build MHPSS arts-based interventions into their programming. The package will also include other approaches used to promote the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children, such as sports and play-based structured group activities, as well as guidance for stronger M&E frameworks that more adequately link core MHPSS activities with intended outcomes.
This initiative aims to support the transition of community and school-based activities, such as Child Friendly Spaces and others, towards more high quality and sustainable models of care. The significance of this package lies not only in its innovative approach but also in its potential to counteract the harm sometimes induced by ill-informed or misguided art therapy practices, particularly within the challenging circumstances of emergencies where specialist resources might be scarce. By offering a meticulously designed repository of evidence-informed interventions that can be implemented by non-specialists, the package mitigates the risks associated with poorly implemented art therapy, ensuring that vulnerable children are provided with safe and effective avenues for emotional expression and healing.
The development of the package will include a desk review of existing interventions, resources and approaches, and will reflect the evidence available in the field of expression through art. Given that culture is a fundamental component to consider in arts-based programming and the wide range of contexts in which UNICEF operates, a call for contributions will be made through global channels (e.g. IASC MHPSS Reference Group mail-out, Child Protection Area of Responsibility, INEE, UNICEF MHPSS Community Of Practice, United for Global Mental Health, Mental Health Innovation Network) to ensure the package comprises a comprehensive selection of evidence-based approaches and is relevant in different contexts. Regular consultation with relevant working groups and global initiatives will ensure optimal relevance and incorporation of latest developments in research and practice.