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 fulfilling 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.

For every child, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to undertake research for UNICEF regional office to ascertain the situation of adolescents in EAP in relation suicide and the key drivers of suicide and self harm, in order to inform advocacy and future programming.

Objectives

To gain a thorough understanding of the potential drivers of adolescent suicide and protective factors for adolescents in East Asia and Pacific, and identify potential co-occurrence of climate impact, high levels of sexual and physical violence, and prevalence of mental health disorders, in order to inform research.

Purpose And Activities

Under the supervision of the UNICEF MHPSS specialist, the consultant will carry out the following activities:

DESK REVIEW/ RESEARCH

1. Conduct an in-depth desktop review of available data on adolescent suicide and other indicators on mental health of adolescents, prevalence of sexual violence against and between adolescents, and climate risk and impact.

2. Review available research on risk factors, drivers and protective factors for adolescent suicide in East Asia and Pacific Region with the aim of identifying trends, high-risk populations and region specific and emerging factors e.g. recurrent public health emergencies, climate events, etc.

3. Identify if there are countries with co-occurrence between:

- Adolescent suicide and climate change/ climate induced events

- Mental health issues and disorders and climate change/climate induced events

- Climate change/climate induced events and sexual violence against children/adolescents

- Mental health issues, adolescent suicide and sexual violence against children/adolescents;

And identify if there is evidence on correlation between these areas based on available qualitative research

4. Produce a summary of findings of prevalence, co-occurrence, potential correlations, and drivers for the region/countries in the region.

5. (Based upon the desk review) develop research questions, and methodology to undertake a study using innovative methods to expand evidence ensuring the inclusion of key stakeholders from within the health, protection and social service sectors as well young people and community members

6. Identify up to 3 countries in which to implement the research based on where co-occurrence (or correlations) have been identified, in consultation with UNICEF EAPRO

7. Produce three country briefs based on this research.

8. Produce a two-pager capturing the main findings of the desk research and the country briefs

9. Produce a slide deck capturing the main findings

10. Provide 3 x webinars – one per country to share the country specific findings

RECOMMENDATION, BEST PRACTICE AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES

11. Gather and document concrete examples of successful suicide prevention strategies in the region for adolescents or in similar/comparable context describing achievements, challenges and emerging lessons.

12. Identify potential entry points for culturally appropriate and acceptable suicide prevention interventions

13. Provide recommendations based on the findings from the desktop review, analysis, consultations in relevant countries and study on potential suicide prevention approaches and methodologies that can be used across sectors and at different levels political, system and community level

14. Provide recommendations to inform policy and advocacy dialogue on adolescent suicide.

15. Produce a slide deck capturing the main recommendations

16. Provide a presentation at a regional webinar capturing the main findings on prevalence and correlations and recommendations

DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCE PACKAGE AND GUIDANCE- PART 2 of the consultancy (dependent on UNICEF EAPRO securing additional resources)

17. Using the evidence collected, the consultant will develop a resource package for use by UNICEF Country Offices, UNICEF EAPRO and partners in developing and advocating for suicide prevention programmes at country level. This package will include new materials/guidance along with a list of key resources that can be used by UNICEF country offices and partners in developing suicide prevention strategies and interventions

18. The consultant will present these findings to the MHPSS regional WG and key stakeholders

Work assignment, expected deliverables and delivery schedule:

Assignment 1: remote/ home-based modality

Expected deliverable 1: Inception report (Max 10 pages) with activities and timeline for part 1 of this consultancy

Delivery schedule: 5 days

Assignment 2: remote/ home-based modality

Expected deliverable 2: Desk review of prevalence, drivers and correlations/ co-occurrence of issues in the region. Include existing practices and materials to address adolescent suicide (Max 50 pages) including two rounds of feedback from EAPRO and MHPSS WG colleagues

Delivery schedule: 23 days

Assignment 3: remote/ home based modality

Report on summary of findings of prevalence, co-occurrence, potential correlations, and drivers for the region/countries in the region

Expected deliverable 3:

Consultation with adolescents and key stakeholders in 2-3 country offices facilitated (remote)

Summary report produced

Production of three country briefs based on this research.

Production of a two-pager capturing the main findings of the desk research and the country briefs

Production of a slide deck capturing the main findings

Delivery schedule: 20 days

Assignment 4: remote/ home-based modality

Dissemination of findings

Expected deliverable 4:

Facilitation of 3x Country specific webinars and 1x regional webinar on the main findings to relevant audiences including UNICEF CO and EAPRO health, CP, MHPSS, SBC, ADAP, Climate and other colleagues (TBD)

Delivery schedule: 12 days

PART 2: FUNDING TO BE IDENTIFIED

Assignment 5: remote/ home-based modality

Expected deliverable 5:

Development of resource package and guidance based on collected evidence to support UNICEF country offices, UNICEF EAPRO and partners to address and advocate for suicide prevention strategies in EAP

Presentation of a webinar to MHPSS working group and relevant stakeholders

Delivery schedule: 20 days

Duration of Contract:  May – August 2025

Duty Travel: n/a

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

- 10 years demonstrated experience as researcher, experience in data analysis etc. including in mental health/ psychology/ health/ sociology/ anthropology

- Experience in sharing information to diverse audiences and excellent communication (written and oral) skills

- Experience related to participatory research and participation of adolescents and communities,

- Experience and knowledge of health and social welfare systems in East Asia and Pacific region

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 13 May 2025. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

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. Consultants 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.