MHPSS Consultant – Abra (Filipino Nationals Only) – Philippines

Project Title: REACH 3: Responding to Unmet Humanitarian Needs of the Most Vulnerable Populations in Mindanao and Abra Province Affected by Conflicts, Disasters and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective:

This action aims to help meet the basic unmet needs and reduce the suffering of the most vulnerable, at-risk and underserved populations affected by conflict, natural hazards and the COVID 19 pandemic in Mindanao, and in the municipalities. poorest and most affected in the province of Abra. , which was hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake and its accompanying aftershocks.

The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support will provide critical support to the technical team and the entire project team by providing technical inputs and guidance in the MHPSS component of the project. The MHPSS will also serve as the first responder for identified beneficiaries of mental health and psychosocial support in the project area.

Location: Abraham

Reporting to the Project Manager / Project Manager for MHPSS

Duration: 3-5 months

Start date of the contract: as soon as possible (no later than September 01, 2022)

Other Requirements: This position is open to all interested candidates, with preference given to candidates from the project areas with knowledge of the language and culture. For a successful application, Action Against Hunger will not cover the cost of airfare, accommodation, COVID-19 testing and ground travel to Abra.

• ABOUT ACTION AGAINST HUNGER’S TY ODETTE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

For the Abra earthquake, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) identified the following impacts: structural damage, liquefaction, landslide, landslide (tension cracks). These impacts cause damage to infrastructure, homes and agricultural crops, affecting both the living conditions and livelihoods of those affected. Landslides induced by earthquakes and rain are the most watchable causes in areas of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). More than 2,000 aftershocks were recorded 5 days after the initial impact, according to reports from the NDRRMC. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has reported a total of 65,858 displaced persons in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Ilocos regions (as of August 4, 2022). The majority of IDPs (95%) were camping in open spaces or staying with friends/relatives while the rest were in evacuation centers. Abra province has more than 98% of IDPs. The 27 municipalities of the province of Abra have been classified in areas of very high intensity (magnitude of 6.5 to 7.0).

Due to the earthquake, cases of mental distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been identified among the residents of Abra. Interviewees during the initial assessment reported shock, trauma and anxiety, especially among children, due to the intensity of the earthquake and the continued aftershocks. There were also reports of people camping outside their homes and being afraid of aftershocks. This situation is further exacerbated by the existing threats of COVID-19 and other diseases. According to the reported interview with Dr. Rio Magpantay, Director of the DOH-CAR Center for Health Development (CHD), Abra is calling for psychosocial support for its residents to recover from the trauma caused by the earthquake. Currently, the Cordillera administrative region has 44 functional and 21 non-functional health facilities for mental health and psychosocial support. Medical teams and specialists from other regions are also being deployed to the quake-hit area as aftershocks were still being felt in the region.

The MHPSS Consultant will work closely with the Base Manager, the Project Manager based in Abra, as well as the Health/Nutrition Coordinator based in Manila. The scope of work is as follows:

1. Conduct a review of key MHPSS-related documents, including policies and referral systems in Abra and CAR.
2. Provide technical advice on the planning and design of MHPSS community missions.
3. Prepare and deliver a skills building MHPSS module for the community and for AAH staff.
4. Co-facilitate the MHPSS consultation in the community.
5. Collaborate with the AAH technical team in the production of output around MHPSS in the event of an emergency.

1. Coordinate with the HOP on the schedule of planned activities.
2. Coordinate with HOP and project staff during interviews with identified beneficiaries.
3. Coordinate with the communications officer on project visibility guidelines.
4. Coordinate with technical coordinators of MHPSS modules or manuals for the project.

Total number of consulting days: 3 to 5 consecutive or intermittent months, depending on the work plan agreed between Action Against Hunger and the consultant.

• OBLIGATION OF ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

Action Against Hunger will provide:

1. Relevant documents, primer, code of conduct, PSEA, field safety relevant program documents
2. The consultant will be integrated into the project implementation team
3. Basic logistics support (area-to-area field visits/activities)
4. Supervision to the consultant
5. Payment of consultant upon successful completion and submission of agreed results
6. Basic PPE during visits/activities

• KEY COMPETENCY OF THE CONSULTANT

The consultant (individual or collective) preferably has the following key skills:

1. At least 5 years of MHPSS experience in emergency and humanitarian settings (with some protection and GBV experience)
2. Master in Psychology
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, Tagalog and Ilocano
4. Experience one-on-one consultations for MHPSS issues
5. Experience in capacity building in MHPSS and protection
6. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, in particular Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.
7. Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary teams and different cultures

CONDITIONS

• The consultant will provide their own accommodation, transportation, and the equipment needed to conduct the consultation, such as a laptop and cell phone.
• All results must comply with Action Against Hunger’s brand and visibility guidelines, as well as policies on data protection, child protection, safeguarding, gender and other policies. related.
• The consultant must be available to work weekends if necessary.

The payment terms are as follows:

1. 25% upon signing the contract
2. 40% on validated submission of:

• 1 Initial report
• 1 MHPSS Policy
• 1 MHPSS training completed

1. 35% upon completion of all required validated deliverables