Mental Health Consultant (Special Initiative for Mental Health)

Purpose of the ConsultancyThe purpose of this consultancy is to support the implementation of the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) in the Region. BackgroundThe World Health Organization Special Initiative for Mental Health supports Member States to strengthen mental health systems and scale up quality, rights-based, community-based services integrated within primary health care, contributing to universal health coverage. In the Western Pacific Region, countries are at different stages of SIMH implementation, from early system development to transition toward national ownership and sustainability. To support this, WHO is organizing a Regional Learning and Exchange Meeting in November 2026, which will serve as a platform for peer learning and knowledge exchange across countries. The consultancy will support these efforts through coordination, documentation, and technical support to ensure effective delivery of regional and country-level activities. DeliverablesUnder the supervision of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Unit, the consultant will provide coordination and technical support to mental health amid climate change and disasters activities in the Western Pacific Region. The consultant will: Output 1: Regional coordination and synthesis report on SIMH implementation Deliverable 1.1: Compile country inputs, organize implementation data, and produce a structured tracking file covering SIMH activities across participating countries. Deliverable 1.2: Analyze compiled inputs and draft a regional synthesis report summarizing progress, key results, implementation challenges, and lessons learned. Output 2: Technical documentation for SIMH implementation in the Philippines and Cambodia Deliverable 2.1: Prepare technical inputs (briefing notes, summaries, or guidance materials) based on country-level activities and consultations. Deliverable 2.2: Produce mission reports and/or technical briefs documenting activities conducted, key findings, and recommended actions. Output 3: Documentation of the SIMH Regional Meeting Deliverable 3.1: Draft the meeting agenda and prepare background materials, including session outlines and presentation inputs. Deliverable 3.2: Compile session notes and document discussions during the meeting, including key points raised and country inputs. Deliverable 3.3: Produce a final meeting report (WHO standard), including participant list, summary of discussions, key outputs, and agreed action points. Output 4: Technical products on SIMH Deliverable 4.1: Draft and finalize three to five technical products (e.g. briefs, concept notes, summaries) based on programme activities and consultations. Output 5: Monthly progress report and final consultancy reports Deliverable 5.1: Prepare progress reports summarizing completed activities, outputs produced, challenges encountered, and next steps at agreed reporting points. Deliverable 5.2: Produce a final consultancy report summarizing achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations for programme planning. Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages Educational Qualifications: Essential: University degree in public health, mental health, psychology, social sciences, medicine, international development or any health-related field from a recognized institution or university. Desirable: Postgraduate (master's level or above) training or relevant coursework in mental health. Work Experience: Essential: Minimum 2 years of professional experience in mental health, public health, or related fields, and experience working in low- and middle-income country contexts. Desirable: Experience working with international organizations, including the United Nations and/or government counterparts; supporting regional or multi country initiatives; programme implementation, coordination, monitoring, and/or evaluation; contributing to technical documentation, reports, and guidance materials; supporting meetings, trainings, or learning activities; and demonstrated knowledge and moderate skills in statistical analysis, including basic data analysis, interpretation, and presentation for public health or mental health programmes. Skills / Technical skills and knowledge: • Sound understanding of mental health systems and public health approaches • Strong technical writing and documentation skills • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across cultures and technical disciplines • Strong statistical analysis skill as well as qualitative data analysis • Strong analytical and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and timelines • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team • Experience synthesizing information and contributing to reports, summaries, and briefing materials • Ability to coordinate with external partners as well as work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. • Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, including preparation of presentations, data organization, and basic analysis Language requirements Expert level of English is essential (Read-Write-Speak). Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage. Location The consultant will be working on-site at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila, Philippines Travel The consultant may be required to travel to countries in the Region, in particular to: Cambodia and Philippines The travel will support the MHS Team in coordinating MHS Programs and participating in the integrated country missions. Remuneration and budget • Remuneration: Band level A, USD 4,000 (monthly) • Living Expenses: USD 2,000 (monthly) • Expected duration of contract: 4 months, August 2026 - December 2026 Additional Information:• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. • Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. • A written test may be used as a form of screening. • If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. • For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. • The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int • An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice. • WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates. • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. • Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. • WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO. • Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. 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