Job Description
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Qualifications
FINAL TERMS OF REFERENCE
National Consultant for the drafting of a Strategic Plan
on Mental Health (Namibian Nationals Only)
1. Background
The World Health Organization defines Mental health as ‘a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community’. Globally, 970 people have a mental disorder with a prevalence rate of 10.9 in the WHO Africa region. Anxiety disorders and depressive disorders are the most common prevalent mental disorders 31% and 28.95%.
Namibia recorded an increase in the number of mental disorders over the past 5 years. In the 2022/2023 fiscal year, 11,602 new cases of mental disorders and 92,221 revisits were recorded nationally. Between February 2022 and August 2023, 679 cases of suicide were recorded and 559 of these were suicides by men.
The country is witnessing a steady increase in investment in mental health which resulted in the drafting of guidelines for inclusion of mental health care in HIV and TB clinical care, the adaptation of the WHO mhGAP Intervention Guides and the community toolkit as well as the finalization of the Mental Health Bill and its regulations.
Mental health interventions are multi-faceted and require a multidisciplinary and multi sectoral approach. To ensure a well-coordinated national program on mental health, the government of Namibia through the Ministry of Health and Social Services identified the need for drafting a National Strategic Plan on Mental Health.
Additionally, the Ministry has a well-functioning suicide prevention coordination mechanism and initiated the drafting of the 2nd National Suicide Prevention Strategy. Although the aims, objectives, activities, and timelines are finalized through a consultative process there is need to draft the narrative that supports the identified strategic direction.
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Objective of the Consultancy
The consultancy seeks to support the drafting of the National Strategic plan on mental health in close collaboration with the National Coordinator on Mental in the Ministry of health and Social Services as well as the finalization of the 2nd National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
2. Deliverables
1. Scope of work
The consultancy is twofold: support towards the drafting of the National Strategic Plan on mental health and the finalization of the 2nd Suicide Prevention Strategy. The drafting of the National Strategic Plan on mental health is at the initial stages and the consultant will lead the drafting process through a consultation and engagement of national and regional partners. He/she will work very closely with the National focal person on mental health within the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The process for drafting the 2nd National Suicide Prevention Strategy is at an advance stage and the consultant will work with the MOHSS and WHO to draft the narrative to support the draft strategic direction of the Strategy.
Expected Tasks
i. Concept note with timelines on how the consultancy will be carried out
ii. Drafting of the National Strategic Plan on Mental Health through a multi-stakeholder consultative process
iii. Finalization of the 2nd National Suicide Prevention Strategy
The consultant will be expected to deliver the following deliverables:
* The consultant will provide a monthly report stipulating key achievements for the month, plans for the next month and key challenges and suggestions on how to address the challenges.
* Key deliverables shall be:
o Final draft of the 2nd National Suicide Prevention Strategy and
o Final draft of the National Strategic Plan on Mental Health
3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
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Identify the educational qualifications and expertise needed for the terms of reference outlined above.
Educational Qualifications
Essential
* An advanced degree in public health and/or social sciences
Experience
* Must have at least 5 years’ experience in drafting strategic plans, policies, and guidelines
* Minimum 5 years’ experience in of the field of mental health and/or suicide prevention.
* Experience working with Government Ministries and multiple stakeholders is ideal.
* Experience in conducting stakeholder consultations and engagements
* Experience working with the WHO, or the UN will be added advantage
Skills/Knowledge
* Demonstrated knowledge of Namibia’s mental health and/or suicide prevention programmes at national or regional level
Languages and level required
* Good command of written and spoken English.
* Very good presentation and report writing skills.
4. Technical Supervision
Indicate the name and title of the supervisor with email address.
Mrs Celia Kaunatjike, Health Promotion and Social Determinants Officer
5. Location
Please specify where the consultant will work:
On site: _WHO Namibia Country Office (please indicate office and duty station)
Off site:
(please indicate location/address).
On site for insurance purposes :
Windhoek, Namibia
(please indicate location/address). (This is where a duty travel is planned during the course of the consultancy but the consultant is being hired to work from home)6. Travel – If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required
Please specify any expected travel(s): dates, location and purpose.
* The consultant is expectant to be based in Windhoek with no travel, however, should the need for travel be identified during the consultancy period this will be considered in line with WHO travel policy
7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)
Rate: 220,482.99 for 3 months 73,494.33
Currency: NAD
The payment will be made in as follows:
Remuneration and payment schedule:
* 25% upon signature
* 25% upon submission of the final Draft 2nd Suicide Prevention Strategy
* 50% Upon Submission of final Draft of the Nation Strategic Plan on Mental Health
Work schedule (if applicable 15 August — 14 November 2024) The estimated consultancy period is 3 months but could be extended with no implication on the consultancy fee.