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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

Purpose of consultancy:
In September 2018, in view of an emerging mixed migration crisis, UNFPA Bosnia and Herzegovina initiated an emergency response that enabled local institutions to work on the development of SOPs for GBV and provide safe spaces for women and girls refugees/migrants.
In order to improve the situation in the field, provide protection services to affected population and achieve sustainability through building local capacities for work on GBV protection and provision of SRH services, continuation of previously started activities is necessary in Una-Sana and Sarajevo Canton where most vulnerable population of refugees/migrants (families and unaccompanied girls and boys) are located. One of the crucial support services are Women and Girls Centers in migrants/refugees settlements established by UNFPA Bosnia and Herzegovina, where following women empowerment services are regularly provided:

  • socializing and re-building of women’s and girls’ social networks;
  • receive psychosocial support;
  • acquire contextually relevant skills;
  • access to safe and non-stigmatizing multi-sectorial GBV response services (psychosocial support and referral to legal and medical services);
  • receive information on issues relating to women’s rights, health, and services.

Under its global mandate to address GBV in humanitarian settings, and as the lead agency for multi sectoral coordination of GBV, UNFPA is committed to ensuring that women and girls affected by the different emergencies are protected and that the needs of GBV survivors are met through adequate health responses, psychosocial support and case management in line with international guidelines and best practices. It is vital that frontline local organizations and first responders have the capacity and competency to provide quality response services and care for women and girls to ensure their right to safety from violence and safety in emergencies.
Under the overall supervision of the GBVIE and DRR Project Manager and in coordination with the Women and Girls Center/Case Management Coordinator MHPSS Experts will provide mental health and psychosocial support to women and girls in Una Sana and Sarajevo Canton. The main duty of the experts will be to develop, plan and implement occupational/group and individual mental health and psychosocial support sessions based on the client's needs and presenting complaints. MHPSS Expert will provide Case Management services to their clients, through Women and Girls Centres. The psychologist will also liaise with other entities to ensure holistic service provision for participants.

Scope of work:
(Description of services, activities, or outputs)
In cooperation with the UNFPA team, MHPSS experts are expected to:

  1. Prepare methodology/plan and deliver PSS services (individual and group) daily for refugee and migrant women and girls in USC/SC;
  2. Prepare the subjects, tools and all required supporting items for the mental health and psychosocial support sessions; provide Case Management services
  3. Provide focused, direct individual and/or group MHPSS interventions, including to high-risk and high-need participants who have experienced GBV or other forms of trauma
  4. Provides crisis intervention in situations requiring immediate psychological treatment.
  5. Reinforce adherence to the GBV guiding principles throughout all protection activities;
  6. Coordinate response work with clients, including case management and psychosocial interventions adheres to best-practice principles when working with survivors of GBV;
  7. Organize and lead focus group discussions
  8. Hold regular planning and debriefing sessions with team members at community based safe spaces;
  9. Work closely with GBV staff and other relevant actors to plan activities that respond to identified needs and refer Persons of Concern to other service providers as needed;
  10. Prepare and maintain/update detailed work plan(s) that support and achieve activities;
  11. Participate in development and implementation of a series of age-appropriate and specialized group emotional services to be provided to vulnerable women and girls, aimed at meeting the needs of survivors of GBV;
  12. Identify concerns related to and support adherence to GBV referral protocols by all relevant organizations and agencies;
  13. Prepare and submit work plans and reports. Also provide inputs for regular UNFPA reporting mechanisms in a timely manner;
  14. Assist in advocacy and visibility around GBV/MHPSS interventions, with a particular focus on specially women of reproductive age and pregnant women; Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor:
  15. Conduct awareness sessions and mental health education and promotion activities to beneficiaries and humanitarian personnel, when needed

Duration and working schedule:
01 December 2020 until 28 February 2021, in line with available budget and possible extension. One month of probation period is required.

Place where services are to be delivered:
Una Sana Canton and Sarajevo Canton

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):
The work will be done daily (8 hours per day, 40 hours per week) in line with developed and approved daily/weekly work plans. During crisis situations or when a GBV case occurs, it is expected from MHPSS Expert to respond and take action timely.
Reports to be submitted on a daily/weekly basis with all relevant information.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:
Monitoring will be provided on a daily basis by Women and Girls Centre/Case Management Coordinator and GBVIE and DRR Project Manager

Supervisory arrangements:
The expert will work under the overall supervision of the GBVIE and DRR Project Manager.

Expected travel:
The expert is expected to travel locally within Bihac region or Sarajevo region.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

  • University degree in psychology or social work with experience in area of mental health;
  • At least three years of specialized experience in practicing mental and psycho social support to vulnerable population preferably women and girl’s survivors of GBV;
  • Psychotherapeutic education and work experience in psychotherapy is highly desirable;
  • Experience in developing and facilitating workshops and trainings;
  • Proven experience in providing survivors-cantered approach;
  • Cross-cultural working experience in the field of community based psychosocial support is desired;
  • Knowledge on IASC guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency is desired;
  • Experience on safe house/shelter management would be an asset;
  • Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment and independently, and to handle requests or issues as they arise;
  • Demonstrated understanding of issues related to confidentiality, data safety and other ethical concerns related to the sharing on sensitive data between humanitarian agencies;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multi-cultural environment
  • Working with international standards and legislation would be an asset;
  • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment:
  • Self-motivated
  • Fluent knowledge of English is compulsory.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:
UNFPA reserves the right to offer to the selected candidate the rate in accordance with UNFPA consultant rates and UNFPA available budget. Payment for contractor will not exceed average UNFPA rates for national consultants.
Where the contractor fails to deliver the required quality of products, the rate payable will be reduced. UNFPA reserves the right to assess the quality of products. Contractor has the obligation to finalize products/documents to the full UNFPA satisfaction.

To apply, please send your Curriculum Vitae and Motivational letter to bosnia-herzegovina.office@unfpa.org with MHPSS Expert Vacancy: [Location] in the subject line (and indicating which location you are applying for).