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Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Mental Health Measurement Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station:  Health and HIV Unit, Data and Analytics, DAPM - NYHQ

Duration: August to November 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ/ Remote 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

UNICEF’s Division of Data, Analytics, Planning, and Monitoring (DAPM) works in 190+ countries to ensure data and evidence drive results for children. Within DAPM, the Health Unit leads measurement and analytics for maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (MNCAH), including mental health. The team supports countries to strengthen data systems, produces global databases, and leads initiatives to support country monitoring and data use. This work underpins UNICEF’s broader goal to promote health equity and improve outcomes for women, children, and adolescents.

UNICEF and the MNCAH team is now launching the second phase of its flagship mental health measurement initiative, Measuring Mental Health Among Adolescents and Young People at the Population Level (MMAPP) to address critical data gaps and inform national response. This consultancy will support the design and strategic framing of this second phase, helping establish a strong technical foundation and ensuring alignment with emerging global and country priorities. This assignment is part of a broader effort to strengthen UNICEF’s institutional capacity in mental health measurement and support the development of future systems, tools, and partnerships in this area. The consultant will provide focused and time-bound technical input and strategic guidance necessary to launch the next phase and support internal planning processes and knowledge generation during this critical period.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the MNCAH Advisor in DAPM’s Health and HIV Unit, and in collaboration with relevant Programme Group colleagues, the consultant will provide strategic and technical guidance to support the development and early implementation of Phase 2 of mental health measurement at UNICEF:

•           Provide technical input to 1–2 country offices piloting or planning implementation of the MMAPP module, with a focus on contextual adaptation and documentation of early experiences.

•           Support the development of a strategic workplan for the mental health measurement portfolio (2025–2028), including scoping of technical activities, milestones, and institutional arrangements.

•           Draft terms of reference and advise on the structuring of technical support and advisory mechanisms for UNICEF’s mental health measurement work.

•           Assist in the coordination of a global community of practice on adolescent mental health measurement, including planning activities and supporting knowledge exchange.

•           Participate in technical partner calls and working-level meetings to provide technical input on measurement-related issues.

•           Support the design and planning of a UNICEF-led technical working group on mental health measurement, including agenda development and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

•           Contribute to the design and launch of a research call for proposals using MMAPP tools to generate policy-relevant evidence.

•           Develop content and provide technical input for a special session on MMAPP at the Bold Ideas for Brighter Futures conference. 

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

Provide technical support and guidance for countries to implement the MMAPP module

• Guidance note on the MMAPP module

Prepare a workplan for the mental health measurement portfolio for 2025-27      

• Workplan for the mental health measurement portfolio 2025-27

Develop TORs and SOPs developed for advisory support for the mental health measurement portfolio,

• One TOR and One SOP developed for the advisory support

Develop a research call for proposal on using MMAPP to conduct research to guide policy and programmatic action

• A call for proposals for research on using MMAPP developed

Assist in selecting the research call for proposal

• Recommendations for selection prepared

Develop a plan for a special session on MMAPP at the upcoming Bold ideas for Brighter Futures Conference

• Conference Session plan on MMAPP

Qualifications

(1) Education

At minimum an advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in mental health, epidemiology, statistics, public health, psychology, or social sciences is required. A first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

(2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

•      At least three years of relevant experience in mental health, epidemiology, statistics, public health, data science, psychology, or social sciences is required

•      Experience in diverse contexts across the development-humanitarian nexus, especially in low- and middle-income countries is preferred

•      Experience or training in psychology or mental health is preferred, and experience in child and adolescent mental health is an advantage

•      Excellent technical writing skills are required, and a portfolio of research in related fields is an advantage

•      Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in quantitative data analysis software (R or Python preferred, Stata or SPSS accepted)

•      Experience in data and measurement approaches, especially psychometric analysis, relevant to child and adolescent mental health is an advantage

•      Experience with managing technical portfolios in collaboration with partners in the mental health space is an advantage.

•      Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language 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.

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

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UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

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Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, are encourage to apply are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

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