Duration: January – April 2025 (50 working days)
Workplace: Mixed (remote and in-country, Astana and site visits)
Modality: part-time

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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.
For every child, a fair chance

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 Background (IMHPSSC).docx

Purpose of Activity/Assignment
The International Consultant will provide technical assistance to the Government of Kazakhstan, Orken Institute and CPSs to strengthen the system of psychosocial support and protection of children and adolescents, including capacity building of professionals working with vulnerable groups.

Scope of Work
The International consultant on MHPSS will be responsible for the following key tasks:
1) Analyze the current organization and functioning of the CPS both internal and multisectoral, the overall role of Orken Institute and CPSs in “establishing a unified system of psychological services aimed at maintaining and strengthening the psychological well-being of participants of the educational process” (CPS Methodological recommendation , and the multisectoral coordination and cooperation between services from different sectors for MHPSS. With support and involvement of national consultants to guide and conduct a review of the first year of CPSs’ operation, draw lessons learned and best practices, and provide recommendations for further institutional development of Orken Institute and CPSs, strengthening role of Orken Institute in supporting and development of CPSs, capacity building needs and areas, strengthening sector based and multisectoral case management systems. Based on the analysis done to provide policy recommendations for draft National Concept on Mental Health.
2) With support and involvement of national consultants to guide and conduct review of approaches, psychometrics tools, communication materials and training packages to be applied by four providers selected by the Project Office “on CPSs and implementation of anti-bullying programmes”. Identify commonalities and potential discrepancies in proposed approaches, suggest to the extent approaches are relevant and/or evidence based or proven. Present findings to the Project Office, UNICEF and propose recommendations for orientation and building capacity of involved providers to bring a common ground for further activities which is based on general principles, minimum MHPSS standards, and evidence-based and child-oriented approaches, with specific attention to particularly vulnerable groups, case management process and tools by the psychologists and multisectoral case management involving the different frontline workers from various sectors at service delivery level (teachers, GP, mental health workers.).
3) Develop training content and conduct training of providers, including Orken Institute, on common ground and general principles, minimum MHPSS standards, and evidence-based and child-oriented approaches for promoting child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing for providers and Orken Institute, and advise participants on recommended changes and adjustments for planned activities.
4) Identify needs and develop recommendations for capacity building of CPS’ psychologists in providing online-mental health psychosocial support services through uSupport platform. Based on needs identified develop training content and conduct training of CPS’ psychologists and involved staff of Orken Institute and the National Center of Mental Health (https://mentalcenter.kz)
5) Review monitoring and evaluation framework for activities planned by the Project Office and providers, advise on baseline, and assessment framework for testing/piloting stage and further scale of up interventions. Provide technical assistance to Orken Institute (and other involved stakeholders) for building capacity in coordination, monitoring and technical oversight of CPSs, as well as advise on division of responsibilities for coordination and oversight between other stakeholders at the central (the Ministry of Education) and local level (local government authorities/local departments of education).
6) Provide recommendations and support policy dialogue and advocacy upon needs with key ministries and decision makers on MHPSS policies and system strengthening.

The international consultant will work with the supervision and support of Youth and Adolescent Development Officer. He/she will work closely with the national consultant on MHPSS, UNICEF Health specialist and Child protection specialists, Orken Institute, and other key national stakeholders.
The international consultant will provide technical support from remote with two in-country missions. The estimated number of working days is 50 days between January and end of April 2025.

 Work Assignment Overview (IMHPSSC).docx

2 international travels, 4 national travels, DSA for 10 days

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
• Education: an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Mental health, Psychology, Education
• Experience:
- At least three (5) years of relevant professional work experience in mental health and psychosocial support systems strengthening
- Technical expertise on health and MHPSS policies, programme, services, especially targeting children and adolescents
- Experience in the development, planning and management of strategies and programmes in the area of MHPSS
- Experience in research and institutional analysis in the areas of MHPSS
- Practical experience in providing MHPSS services
- Knowledge/experience on child and adolescent mental health related policies and services in education sector.
- Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
- Ability to design, coordinate and facilitate consultations with various stakeholders at central and local level
- Ability to design, prepare and facilitate trainings
- Fluency in Russian and English
- Knowledge of Kazakh language is an advantage.
- Highly developed communication skills.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner.

Evaluation criteria
Technical criteria weighs 70%
The quality of technical proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the award criteria and the associated weighting as detailed below.
Technical evaluation:
- Expertise in child related MHPSS areas - 40
- Experience in research, institutional analysis, and policy advise and technical support for the development of national policies, plans, programmes, standards, regulations, policy dialogue with the government related to MHPSS systems - 30
- Experience in designing and organizing training programmes, including the development and use of training materials to meet the needs of the target audience – 30

FINANCIAL CRITERIA
Candidates must submit a financial proposal for the whole assignment based on these Terms of Reference. The financial proposal should clearly state the cost of the services for each Deliverables/Outputs.
Financial proposal is maximum 30 points. The lowest financial proposal will receive the highest score during financial assessment. This is the main principle because saved funds will be directed towards other activities to aid children in Kazakhstan. Only financial proposals that fully cover all deliverables outlined in the terms of reference will be considered.
The Office selects the individual with the lowest best and final offer, based on best value for money.

Application requirements
The consultancy is open to individual international applicants.
Applicants are required to provide:
- A short cover letter, highlighting relevant experience with similar type of assignments (max 300 words).
- CV of the individual applicants
- Financial proposal including number of days for undertaking the assignment, daily fee, travel costs. Travel costs will be pre-approved by UNICEF as per the UNICEF rules and regulations for travel for consultants i.e., irrespective of the distance and duration of the flight, most direct and economy flight ticket shall apply.
- Samples or links to at least 2 related pieces of work previously conducted by the consultant. The shortlisted applicants will be contacted by UNICEF with a technical discussion and interview.
Interested candidates should submit the following documents through the link: https://www.unicef.org/careers/

For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (https://www.unicef.org/about/unicef-culture)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

Remarks:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the contract.

All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and that UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. This ToR is an integral part of the contract (SSA) to be signed with the consultant.

Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable