Child Protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a culture of belonging and growth among its employees. UNICEF is known for its attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of its work in serving children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to support UNICEF in responding to Government-identified priorities within the national Ebola preparedness framework. The role is designed to enhance UNICEF's capacity to deliver timely, high-quality technical support to Government counterparts, focusing on child protection and mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support in the context of Ebola. The consultant will be responsible for delivering specific, measurable technical outputs that strengthen the capacity of UNICEF and Government partners to prevent, prepare for, and respond to Ebola-related risks affecting children and families. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing internal capacity gaps and ensuring effective collaboration with Government institutions and other stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support to UNICEF and Government partners in the areas of child protection and mental health and psychosocial support related to Ebola preparedness and response.
• Develop technical tools, guidelines, standard operating procedures, and training packages for child protection and mental health and psychosocial support.
• Facilitate multi-sectoral technical consultations and stakeholder coordination to enhance collaborative efforts in addressing child protection and mental health issues.
• Conduct assessments and analyses to identify gaps and needs in child protection and mental health services in the context of Ebola.
• Support the implementation of UNICEF's strategies and initiatives related to child protection and mental health in emergency settings.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Engage with Government institutions, UN agencies, and NGOs to strengthen the overall response to child protection and mental health challenges during public health emergencies.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, or public health emergency response.
• Demonstrated experience in public health emergency preparedness and response, particularly related to Ebola or similar infectious disease outbreaks.
• Proven ability to develop technical tools and guidelines for child protection and mental health services.
• Experience working with Government systems and institutions, particularly in social services and health sectors.
• Strong stakeholder coordination and facilitation skills, with a track record of engaging diverse partners in technical discussions.

Educational Background:
A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, Child Protection, Social Policy, or related fields is required for this position. Advanced degrees in relevant fields are preferred and may enhance the candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least 8 years of relevant professional experience, with a focus on child protection, mental health and psychosocial support, and public health emergency response. Experience in developing technical tools and guidelines, as well as working with Government institutions and UN agencies, is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is mandatory for this position. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is 6 months, and the working arrangement is office-based with mission travel. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of every child. Candidates are required to submit a detailed technical proposal, financial proposal, and an up-to-date CV through the online recruitment portal.