Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist

Organisational and Project Overview

Coalition Health Zambia (CHZ) is a Zambian organisation working to improve health outcomes through health systems strengthening, technical assistance, service delivery, community engagement, capacity building, partnerships and innovation. CHZ collaborates with the Ministry of Health, development partners, civil society organisations, communities and other stakeholders to implement sustainable health interventions.

CHZ, in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and with support from UNICEF, is implementing a project focused on the design and implementation of multimedia Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) interventions to promote the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions among adolescents and young people aged 10–29 years in Zambia. The project will use evidence-based, youth-centred and culturally appropriate approaches to address NCD risk factors, mental health awareness, stigma reduction, emotional well-being and help-seeking. Interventions will combine multimedia communication, digital platforms, community engagement and linkages to health and psychosocial support services.

CHZ will work with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, relevant government departments, the Zambia Paediatric Association (ZPA), technical partners, health service providers, youth organisations, community-based organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen the reach, quality and sustainability of the intervention.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

The MHPSS Specialist Consultant will provide technical expertise to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into the project’s SBC strategy, content development, capacity building, referral mechanisms, implementation and monitoring.

The consultant will work closely with the SBC Technical Lead Consultant, while also independently engaging with government, development partners, professional associations, service providers, youth organisations and communities to ensure that mental health interventions are technically sound, inclusive, and ethical and linked to available services.

Key Responsibilities

MHPSS Technical Guidance and Programme Design

·Provide technical guidance on integrating MHPSS into the SBC strategy and implementation plans.

·Support behavioral profiling and audience segmentation related to mental health literacy, stigma, emotional well-being and help-seeking.

·Ensure that interventions are age-appropriate, gender-responsive, and disability-inclusive and aligned with relevant national and international MHPSS guidance.

·Advise on approaches suitable for adolescents and young people in different social, cultural and geographic contexts.

 Content Development and Adolescent and Young People Engagement

· Work with the SBC Technical Lead to develop, review and validate mental health-related multimedia messages and materials.

·Provide technical input on mental health awareness, stigma reduction, emotional regulation, stress management and appropriate help-seeking.

·Participate in youth consultations, co-creation, pre-testing and validation of communication materials.

·Support the development of culturally relevant and youth-friendly content for radio, digital media, community engagement and other platforms.

·Provide guidance on the appropriate integration of digital mental health tools, including relevant On My Mind-related content where applicable.

 Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

· Engage with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO and the Zambia Pediatric Association (ZPA) on relevant technical and programme matters.

·Collaborate with mental health professionals, service providers, youth organizations, community-based organizations and community structures.

·Participate in relevant technical working groups, consultations and coordination meetings.

·Strengthen coordination between SBC activities, mental health promotion, referral services and existing health and community systems.

·Provide recommendations to promote stakeholder ownership, sustainability and scale-up.

Capacity Building and Mentorship

·Provide technical input into MHPSS training and capacity-building activities.

·Support the development or review of training materials on mental health awareness, Psychological First Aid, stigma reduction, safe communication and referral.

·Contribute to capacity building including orientation of health workers, peer educators, community champions and volunteers.

·Promote safe, ethical and appropriate engagement with adolescents and young people experiencing mental health or psychosocial challenges.

Referral Pathways and Community Linkages

·Support the mapping and review of mental health and psychosocial support services and referral mechanisms.

·Advise on linkages between SBC activities, early identification, referral, care and follow-up.

·Engage service providers, community leaders and youth representatives to strengthen access to mental health information and services.

·Ensure that referral information is accurate, accessible, confidential and appropriate for adolescents and young people.

Monitoring, Learning and Safeguarding

·Provide technical input into MHPSS indicators, monitoring tools and data collection approaches.

·Support monitoring of mental health communication reach, knowledge, attitudes, stigma and help-seeking.

·Contribute to technical reports, lessons learned, documentation and recommendations for programme improvement.

·Ensure that MHPSS activities comply with safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, confidentiality and ethical standards.

·Promote safe, inclusive and survivor-centered approaches when engaging with vulnerable populations.

Qualifications and Experience

·Relevant degree, preferably at masters’ level in psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, public health, mental health or a related field.

·At least seven years of relevant professional experience in mental health, MHPSS, adolescent and young people programming or public health.

·Experience in mental health promotion, psychosocial support, stigma reduction and community engagement.

·Experience in developing or reviewing mental health communication, IEC or training materials.

·Knowledge of MHPSS standards, referral systems and the integration of mental health into primary health care and community services.

.Experience in training, mentorship, facilitation and stakeholder coordination.

·Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical and report-writing skills.

·Knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, PSEA and ethical engagement with vulnerable populations.

·Experience working with government, development partners, professional associations or civil society organizations will be an advantage.