United States of America: Consultant to conduct a review of the implementation of the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 20 Sep 2013

TERMS OF REFERENCE Five Years of Inter-agency Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings – A Review

A consultancy for conducting a review of the implementation of the IASC Guidelines on MHPSS

1. BackgroundThe Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) are the key policy guidelines on psychosocial support. In the past, the field of MHPSS was characterized by diverse and sometimes contradictory approaches. The differences in approach often created substantial barriers to quality programming and effective coordination and cooperation in the field. The development of the IASC Guidelines to a great extent brought about a broader consensus on MHPSS programming. For the first time, major international organizations working in this field agreed to a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect and improve people’s mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in the midst of an emergency.The roll out and implementation of the Guidelines is facilitated by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG). Established in December 2007, MHPSS RG is made up of some 100 individuals from more than 30 organizations. The Reference Group has played a very important role in the dissemination of the Guidelines and in promoting common approaches in psychosocial support. The Reference Group advocates for the integration of MHPSS in clusters and IASC bodies, and is actively involved in cluster coordination meetings, including the Global Cluster Coordinators Group, the Protection Cluster and the Child Protection Working Group. As a platform for supporting field coordination in humanitarian situations, the RG has proved its effectiveness. UNICEF has provided a co-chair and financial support to the Reference Group since 2008. Currently, UNICEF and War Trauma Foundation co-lead the MHPSS RG. Mental health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is a composite term used to describe local or outside support that aims to protect or promote psychosocial well-being and/or treat mental disorder. A number of MHPSS RG partners provide crucial psychosocial support for children and family members during emergency situations to help them overcome difficult experiences. These efforts include safe and stimulating activities that are culturally and age appropriate, such as sports and games to develop life skills and coping mechanisms, and support resiliency. The interventions work towards strengthening the ability of community members to support their children, families and neighbors on how to cope with emergency situations through a variety of channels including religious organizations, existing community structures and youth groups, as well as through social networks and media. Agencies also provide specialized referral services for children and family members with behavioral issues or for those in need additional support, so that appropriate networks of care may be engaged.
   Introduced in 2007, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) complete five years of existence. There is now a need, as well as an opportunity to review the implementation and relevance of the IASC Guidelines as a whole. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support proposes to undertake a review of the implementation of the guidelines. This will be done through a consolidated review of the practices on mental health and psychosocial support over the last five years across agencies that are members of the MHPSS Reference Group. This process will also draw on similar review processes undertaken by member agencies of the Reference Group. PurposeThe consultancy aims to conduct a review of the impact of the Inter-agency Guidelines on MHPSS programmes in the field, looking at practice and lessons learnt. The review will look at the level of institutionalization of the Guidelines, the effectiveness of mainstreaming, and the relevance and overall usefulness of the Guidelines. This consultancy will produce a review document that consists of the following: an overview of how the Guidelines have been implemented; 15-20 brief case studies/snap shots from different emergency contexts that offer promising examples of experience in the field; and a framework of comparative analysis of MHPSS as implemented by a group of agencies associated with the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Reference Group.
   The review process is not intended to lead to a review and revision of the Guidelines, however, specific tools and guidance may be developed to address significant gaps in the Guidelines that emerge during this review process. Feedback from the review process will inform the future implementation of the Guidelines. Scope of the ReviewThe scope of the review process will include – but is not limited to – the following:• Institutionalization of the Guidelines: determine to what extent have agencies succeeded in institutionalizing the Guidelines; what are the specific measures taken by agencies to mainstream MHPSS; ascertain why agencies are not using the Guidelines.• Inter-sectoral buy-in: analyze if other sectors such as Education, Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) have referenced the Action Sheets in furthering their understanding of the usefulness of the Guidelines. • Coordination groups: assess the role of MHPSS Coordination groups and how they have used the Guidelines in their work. • Buy-in by States: examine whether the Guidelines have been integrated into ministries, government policies and national level work with governments. • Funding for MHPSS work: assess whether organizations allocate sufficient funding for mainstreaming MHPSS. • The relevance of the Guidelines: determine whether the Guidelines address the current challenges associated with MHPSS. • Practicality: Are the Guidelines practical enough? Do they provide concrete guidance on what to do in the field?• The review process will consider the Guidelines in entirety, including specific Guidelines related to health, protection, and camp managers. • Recommendations: the review process will develop recommendations to guide agencies in improving the use of Guidelines, including specific recommendations for INGOs, CBOs, policy makers etc. about gaps and opportunities of implementing the Guidelines. This will also inform plans for better advocacy, training and dissemination of the Guidelines. • Snapshots of good practices: the review process will compile snapshots of good practices from the field that will serve as a useful reference for agencies looking to improve their MHPSS programming.

DeliverablesThe key deliverables of the consultancy will be the following:

1) Overview of the implementation of the Guidelines in the 5 years since they were adopted, with focus on institutionalization, mainstreaming and implementation (20 pages).

2) Compendium of 15 to 20 case studies/snap shots. Rather than focussing on one particular agency or a project, the case studies will focus on a range of interventions in countries selected (20 pages).

3) Comparative analysis of how MHPSS has been implemented in a few critical emergencies guided by the IASC Guidelines (30 pages).

1. Key Tasks and methodologyKey tasks of the consultants will include the following:

1) Review existing programme documents, reports, evaluations and other relevant documents from countries where MHPSS was a significant component of programme response. Existing studies and evaluations will be used to substantiate the case studies and related materials. The consultants will refer extensively to the IASC Guidelines and related tools available.

2) Conduct interviews with key staff in MHPSS RG partner agencies. Interviews will also be conducted with people associated with government systems, both in programme/service units and in administrative units. Conduct surveys as appropriate to gather views from a diverse group of actors.

3) Reach out to member agencies and obtain existing frameworks of implementation for comparative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of diverse approaches.

4) The consultants will work with the MHPSS RG Co-Chairs – UNICEF and War Trauma Foundation – to gather global experience, engage with key actors in the sector and be informed of the latest tools available. The consultants will be guided and supported in their work by a Task Force established within the MHPSS RG for this purpose.

Timeline for the deliverables:

No Deliverable Date of completion Comments1 Draft of the 20 page Overview November 30,2013
2 Draft of the case studies - December 30 3 Draft of the Comparative Analysis January 30 4 Consolidated Report – 1st draft February 30
5 Consolidated Report – 2nd draft March 30
6 Final Document April 30, 2014

1. Supervision, Roles and Responsibilities

The Review process is being undertaken by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. UNICEF in its capacity as the Co-Chair of the MHPSS Reference Group will monitor and advise this consultancy. The entire review process will be supported by a Task Force that will be convened under the Reference Group.

1. Location

The team of consultants may be located anywhere in the world; there will be no travel required.

1. Duration

140 days’ work over 7 months, proposed to start from 1st October, 2013 and end by April 30th, 2014.

1. Key competences, technical background, and experience required

UNICEF seeks to engage the services of a team of 2 consultants – one with a strong background in community-based psychosocial programming and the other with a strong background in mental health, with requisite qualifications in psychology/psychiatry. Other criteria will include the following:

• 10 years of experience in the design, development, evaluation and implementation of psychosocial support programmes. • Experience in compiling good practices documents on development issues. • Familiarity with MHPSS Reference Group will be an asset.
• Good writing and analytical skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to promote collaboration and consensus building.• Knowledge of languages like French, Spanish or Arabic.

Joint applications are welcome and will be considered on a priority basis. You may also send in your applications in your individual capacity.

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal StatusThe individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.
2. ObligationsThe Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.3. Title rightsUNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.4. TravelIf UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis: (a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

1. Statement of good healthBefore commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.

2. InsuranceThe Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

3. Service incurred death, injury or illness If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

4. Arbitration(a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.
   (b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

5. Penalties for UnderperformancePayment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.

6. Termination of ContractThis contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.

7. TaxationUNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be retrieved at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Consultants – Review of MHPSS Guidelines” by 20 September 2013.. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a monthly rate will not be considered.