Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Consultant

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) implements health programs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to strengthen health systems and improve access to quality health services. The IOM project Resilient and Equitable Access to Care and Health in BASULTA (REACH-BASULTA), funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to enhance service utilization and improve Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and amongst mobile populations.

The consultant will develop and deliver practical training for at least 30 health workers and frontline workers from six health facilities on integrating culturally appropriate, migrant-sensitive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into MNCH services. The consultant will also provide post-training mentoring aligned with the existing MOH-BARMM/JICA supportive supervision approach.

Responsibilities

The consultancy is to develop, contextualize, and deliver a competency-based training program on integrating MHPSS into MNCH services and applying migrant-sensitive approaches, followed by structured mentoring and follow-up support for the six health facilities.

Deliverables

A. First Deliverables: Inception, Document Review, and Capacity Development Plan

• Submit an inception report and detailed work plan.
• Review relevant project assessments, policies, technical guidance, training materials, and reference documents.
• Prepare a concise analytical report identifying relevant capacity gaps and recommendations.
• Prepare a capacity development plan for the six target facilities.

B. Second Deliverables: Final Integrated MHPSS-MNCH Training Package

• Develop a contextualized training package for frontline health workers.
• The package shall address relevant MHPSS concepts and practical approaches for MNCH service delivery.

C. Third Deliverables: Training Delivery, Facility Follow-Up, and Final Report

• Facilitate interactive, 4-to-5-day competency-based training for at least 30 health workers and frontline workers.
• Design a post-training mentoring and follow-up framework.
• Prepare and submit a Final Consultancy Report.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work, Public Health, Nursing, or related behavioral/health sciences.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of demonstrated experience in MHPSS program design, capacity building, and training delivery in humanitarian, development, or conflict settings.
• Direct working experience with the Philippine health system (DOH, MOH-BARMM), cluster coordination mechanisms, and familiarization with the DOH Harmonized MHPSS Training Manual.
• Practical experience in perinatal mental health interventions, particularly WHO/IFRC Thinking Healthy Programme and mhGAP.
• Demonstrated familiarity with IASC MHPSS Guidelines, RA 10821, RA 10121, and NDRRMC MC No. 62, s. 2017.
• Experience developing supportive supervision, clinical mentoring, and referral pathways in primary and secondary healthcare levels.

Skills

• Excellent adult learning facilitation skills.
• Fluency in English and Filipino (Tagalog); working knowledge of local languages in Mindanao/BARMM is an advantage.
• Strong intercultural competence and demonstrated commitment to gender equality, human rights, and humanitarian accountability.