Consultant, Global MHPSS

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Consultancy

 

1. Background to the Assignment

Ukraine’s ongoing war has severely impacted the mental health of children and adolescents. A 2025 UNICEF survey found that:

• 1 in 5 children had lost a close relative.
• 1 in 3 children reported deep hopelessness disrupting daily life.

An estimated 1.5 million children are at risk of mental health conditions, while over 800 health facilities have been damaged, significantly limiting access to care.

Despite ongoing efforts by the government and humanitarian partners, critical gaps remain, particularly at the hromada (community) level, regarding:

• What MHPSS services currently exist
• Where services are available
• How populations can access them

Previous 4Ws mapping exercises helped expand access to care. However, granular and up-to-date data are still lacking, particularly in rural areas. This limits effective referrals, service coordination, and planning.

This assignment will be led by International Medical Corps Ukraine’s MHPSS Team, including:

• MHPSS Coordinator
• MHPSS Deputy Coordinator
• MHPSS Senior Manager
• HQ Technical Unit Team, including the Senior Advisor for MHPSS

The assignment aligns with the objectives of UNICEF and International Medical Corps to strengthen child-focused MHPSS systems in Ukraine.

The work will contribute to:

• National mental health strategies
• Global IASC MHPSS standards, including the Minimum Service Package (MSP)

This ensures that the mapping and needs assessment follow international best practices and support a coordinated, multisectoral MHPSS response.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to generate granular, up-to-date evidence on MHPSS services, needs, and gaps for children and adolescents in target oblasts of Ukraine.

This evidence will help address the current data gap at the local level, enabling humanitarian actors and government stakeholders to design interventions based on actual needs and service availability.

Specific Objectives

The consultancy will aim to:

• Produce a draft needs assessment report, analyzing findings in comparison with service mapping data and finalizing the report based on stakeholder feedback.
• Finalize a comparative analysis across:
  • Needs assessment findings
  • Service mapping data
  • Summary dashboard insights

This will highlight key gaps and overlaps in services.

• Draft and finalize an analytical report presenting:
  • Evidence-based conclusions
  • Actionable recommendations

The report will support improved targeting, coordination, and resource allocation for child-focused MHPSS services.

3. Scope of the Assignment

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

3.1 Data Analysis (10 Working Days)

Analyze and triangulate data collected through:

• Service mapping
• Household surveys
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)

Key activities include:

• Identifying trends, service gaps, and barriers to access
• Comparing service availability with population needs at the hromada level

Deliverable:

3.2 Comparative Gap Analysis (4 Working Days)

Conduct a comparative analysis to identify:

• Discrepancies between available services and population needs
• Areas with significant service shortages or overlaps

Deliverable:

3.3 Development of Final Reporting (6 Working Days)

This phase includes review and feedback from the IMC MHPSS team and HQ Technical Unit teams.

Tasks include:

• Drafting and finalizing the comprehensive analytical report
• Integrating findings from all available data sources
• Developing actionable recommendations for programming and coordination

Deliverables:

• Final Needs Assessment Report
• Final Comparative Analysis
• Final Analytical Report (maximum 20 pages plus annexes)

4. Deliverables and Timeline

Deliverable

Tentative Due Date

Final Needs Assessment Report

15 April 2026

Final Comparative Analysis

30 April 2026

Final Analytical Report

30 June 2026

4.1 Implementation of Assignment Deliverables

The consultant will report directly to the MHPSS Coordinator and provide regular updates on:

• Progress of each objective
• Challenges encountered
• Required technical or operational support

The consultant will participate in regular remote meetings with key stakeholders and MHPSS staff, including:

• Senior Manager, MHPSS
• Deputy Coordinator, MHPSS
• Senior Technical Advisor, MHPSS

5. Future Phases

This consultancy is a stand-alone assignment.

Its implementation does not commit International Medical Corps to future expenditure for goods or services beyond the scope described in this document.

6. Transfer of Skills

Knowledge transfer will be integrated into the assignment through:

• Mentorship and capacity building of roving supervisors and national trainers
• Training support to the case management team on home visits

Additionally, all assessment reports and deliverables produced through this consultancy will support knowledge sharing and capacity development within International Medical Corps staff following completion of the assignment.

Consultant Specifications

Educational Requirements

• An advanced university degree in a relevant field, such as:
  • Public Health
  • Psychology
  • Mental Health
  • Social Work
  • Social Sciences
• Demonstrated specialized knowledge in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing, implementing, or evaluating MHPSS programs in humanitarian or emergency contexts
• Familiarity with the full spectrum of MHPSS interventions, including:
  • Community-based psychosocial support
  • Clinical mental health care
• Experience working within MHPSS coordination mechanisms or cluster systems

Technical Expertise

• Demonstrated expertise in international MHPSS standards and tools, including:
  • IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergency Settings
  • IASC MHPSS Minimum Service Package
• Proven track record of producing high-quality analytical reports
• Familiarity with the Ukrainian context is highly desirable

Other Required Skills

• Strong cultural sensitivity and understanding of the social context of MHPSS service delivery in Ukraine
• Excellent written communication skills
• Ability to analyze complex systems and identify service gaps
• Capacity to propose practical and evidence-based solutions
• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary and cross-cultural teams