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                                                                                TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background and Justification

Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing is a regional priority within UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and investment into strengthening data and evidence an area of work being intentionally scaled as part of the regional cross-sectoral workplan.

Adolescence and early adulthood are formative periods for mental health, and many mental health challenges often emerge during these years which have devasting impacts across the life course. Mental health among adolescents and youth is an urgent public health issue globally. In Africa approximately 37 million adolescents and young people are living with a mental health disorder, and it is the number one cause of morbidity among 14-19 yrs old . Research on trends in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) published by UNICEF indicates that 12.6% of boys aged 10-19 and 11.5% of girls aged 10-19 have a diagnosable mental health condition, with depression and anxiety being the leading causes of mental health conditions . Poor mental health is a main risk factor for suicide, one of the leading causes of death for adolescents aged 15-19 globally. It is estimated that almost 90% of adolescents who die by suicide are from low-and –middle income countries . From evidence available nearly 20 adolescents are known lose their lives every day to suicide in Africa and more concerning is what is not documented or evidenced due to social and cultural norms in the region as well as the limitations in mental health services and associated information management systems.

Within the region mental health is highly stigmatised, mental health literacy is poor and there are many misconceptions about mental health and mental illness. Against this backdrop, the issue of suicide is often highly taboo and not spoken about, least of all invested in. Across countries, data that is available differs dramatically, but consistently countries are reporting through formal and informal mechanisms increasing concern for the mental health of their young citizens with particularly worrying trends being noted in suicide ideation, attempt and completion. Adjunct to this is the concerning raise in alcohol and substance use reported across the region especially among adolescent boys.

There are numerous risk factors for children’s and adolescent mental health in the region including economic drivers and poverty, exposure to violence, highest global HIV infection rates which, adolescent pregnancy and emerging issues such as recurrent public health emergencies and climate related impacts and emergencies. In addition to this cultural norms and values linked to gender and social status can contribute significantly to stress and inform help seeking behaviours or poor coping mechanisms.
It is very well understood that protective factors and supportive environments play a significant role in mitigating the adverse impacts of mental health challenges however the role and extent that they impact in addressing suicidality in ESA is less clear.
Many of the well-known and researched suicide prevention strategies have been developed in / for adult populations and /or in the global north where there are less limitations in national infrastructures (e.g. policies, health and social care & education systems) and generally greater resources.

In line with this, strategies are often based on models of wellbeing/nosology's from within this context and do not necessarily tap into the rich resource in communities or collectivist cultures or address the pervasive social drivers seen within the ESA region.
To be able to ensure that UNICEF programmatic responses including advocating for suicide prevention strategies are feasible, evidence-based and evidence driven further exploration of the social and cultural drivers as well as protective factors and successful examples of suicide prevention strategies are needed.

Scope of Work

UNICEF ESARO is looking for an individual consultant to conduct a study on adolescent suicide in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region with particular emphasis on understanding the drivers and potential protective factors within this context to inform cultural and age sensitive Suicide Prevention strategies that can be applied across settings.

Working under the supervision of the Regional Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programme Specialist and in collaboration with the Regional MHPSS Technical Working Group (TWG) members, the consultant will use data available from various sources to undertake a comprehensive desk/literature review and then develop a series of study questions to be able to gather additional insights. Through different approaches including key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders and undertaking innovative approaches e.g social listening/mining, using data from Child Helplines supported by UNICEF etc, the consultant will provide an overall regional understanding of the drivers and potential protective factors for adolescent suicide to inform suicide prevention strategies for adolescents and young people (10-19 year olds).

Goals and Objective:

To gain a thorough understanding of the potential drivers and protective factors for adolescent suicide in Eastern and Southern Africa incorporating an ethnographic lens and socio-emotional model and considering new and emerging trends. 

Bringing together available evidence, the study outcomes will be developed into a series of recommendations and products that can be used to guide and strengthen MHPSS programming, systems and country level efforts for suicide prevention for this population. 

Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered:

The consultant will support work to strengthen the scale up and acceleration of multi-sectoral MHPSS programming across ESAR, with a particular focus on producing new evidence and recommendations. This area of work falls under the Child Protection Section, AWP Output: Contribute to advancing MHPSS in the region.

The consultancy contributes directly to three of the six the Regional MHPSS Cross Sectoral Workplan priority areas as follows:

Data and Evidence

Addressing social determinants of mental health

Adolescents and Adolescent Engagement

Activities and Tasks:

The consultant will:

1. Conduct an in-depth desktop review of the available research and data on risk factors, drivers and protective factors for adolescent suicide in East and Southern Africa Region with the aim of identifying trends, including high or at-risk populations, and considering region specific and emerging factors e.g. recurrent public health emergencies, climate events, HIV and SRHR etc. Results should include reference to specific gender issues and data as is available. The desk review should also ascertain the presence or absence of suicide prevention strategies in the (21) UNICEF ESAR counties of operation and which of these is adolescent specific or is inclusive of children and adolescents.
2. (based upon the desk review) develop research questions, methodology and undertake a deeper dive study into a (minimum) of 6 countries in the region using innovative methods to expand evidence ensuring the inclusion of key stakeholders. Stakeholders should represent subject matter experts from health, protection and social service sectors (programmatic, policy and academic), representatives from community-based organizations and youth association/groups.  The study should seek to identify, address and document:
   1. Deeper understanding of cultural norms and help seeking and coping practices of adolescent boys and girls (both negative and positive).
   2. Concrete case examples of successful suicide prevention strategies for adolescents in the region.
   3. Potential barriers for suicide prevention strategies within the region and the possible causation considering the whole ecosystem from policy, system, community to individual level.
   4. Potential approaches for culturally and gender appropriate and acceptable mental health and suicide prevention interventions, including entry points at the health, education and social care systems.
3. Using the evidence collected, the consultant will present a report and resource package including the products as specified in the table below for use by UNICEF Country Offices, UNICEF ESARO and partners (including youth advocates for mental health) in developing and advocating for suicide prevention programmes at country level. These should include concrete recommendations for potential suicide prevention approaches and methodologies that can be used programmatically across sectors and at different levels political, system and community level. The final report should include reference to data gaps and further research priorities as relates to suicide prevention strategies for adolescents.
4. The consultant will present these findings to the MHPSS Technical Working Group, Regional MHPSS Community of practice and one other regional event (yet to be determined)

Work relationships: The consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Specialist (MHPSS) and will collaborate with members of the UNICEF ESARO MHPSS Technical Working Group and UNICEF Youth Advocates for mental health. She/he will also collaborate with other key stakeholders as identified during the inception phase.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

Education: Advanced degree from a recognized academic institution in related field (Mental

Health, Public health, Medical Sciences, Social Sciences/Anthropology, Psychology, or related field) A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional research experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Required:

• Minimum 8 years of professional experience working experience in Health or social care programmes with, with desired experience in Mental Health and/or Adolescent Health
• Research experience in LMIC on the topic of adolescents or youth health, mental health and/or psychosocial wellbeing
• Previous experience of qualitative interviews and thematic analysis
• Ability to analyse technical information quickly and present it simply for audiences as well as
• demonstrating fast, accurate, and versatile writing skills
• Experience working in a multicultural environment
• Previous experience working with/collaborating with young people is an asset
• Language: Excellent English oral and written communication skills.

Desired 

• Previous experience with UNICEF
• Previous experience working on the topic of suicide
• Previous experience working within an academic institution
• Experience in ESAR region.

Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:

1. Care
2. Respect
3. Integrity
4. Trust
5. Accountability
6. Sustainability

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. 

Administrative Issues

• The consultant is expected to be remote/home based and does not include any missions. The consultant is expected to use his/her own IT equipment (laptop, cell-phone etc.), where operating communication costs long-distance calls, internet, interpretation if any should be part of the overall quoted fees (no reimbursement will be applied).
• In consultation with UNICEF consultant is responsible for ensuring and securing any ethics approvals needed to undertaken this study in line with international standards of practice.
• The consultant will remain in regular contact with the supervisor to review progress on the implementation of the deliverables.

Conditions

• The consultant will use personal IT equipment.
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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.
• 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.
• Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.
• 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.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and their technical (including financial) proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily) expressed in US$ for international consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi (if relevant)

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

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.