technical consultant ( Mental Health) - epic ventFHI 360

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a five-year global project funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). EpiC receives COVID-19 funding to prevent, prepare for, respond to and bolster health systems to address COVID-19 and reduce cases of reemergence.
With support from USAID, the EpiC project is implementing a new COVID-19 activity in the Philippines with the objective of reducing morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, mitigating transmission, and strengthening the health system to prevent, detect, and respond to pandemic threats. One of the purposes of the EpiC/COVID-19 project is to collaborate with the Department of Health (DOH) to support healthcare workers and deliver resources and capacity building to address mental health needs. Recognizing the intense stress that health care workers are under during the current COVID-19 surge and their need for longer-term support as COVID-19 continues to impact the population going forward, EpiC will work closely with the DOH to develop a package for HCW Mental Wellbeing during the pandemic. This will include a training package for HCWs to identify signs of burnout, manage stress, and encourage ongoing activities to support mental health. This activity is expected to run through August 2022.
EpiC will develop a training module on mental health, through adaptation of global resources, and create an activity package with resources and links to counselling to support health care workers. The training module will adopt a training of trainer methodology and EpiC will train a cohort of master trainers in collaboration with the DOH and local professional mental health associations in the Philippines. The final training modules will be digitized and published on DOH Academy. Additionally, EpiC will identify and adapt an appropriate telehealth platform to offer virtual mental health services to health providers who need additional mental health support post-training.
Reporting to the Technical Monitor, the consultant is tasked/expected to lead and provide technical guidance under this activity.
The Mental Health consultant will develop the training module, deliver the TOT training to a cohort of master trainers, and provide technical guidance and input on linking health care workers to existing services/resources and developing a telehealth platform to deliver the virtual mental health sessions.
Development of Training Module (Oct 2021 - Dec 2021)
· Review existing resources for the training, such as training modules and job aids on mental health, resilience building, and prevention of burnout among health care workers developed by WHO, materials used successfully in other EpiC projects, and other resources available on reputable resource websites such as opencriticalcare.org.
· Propose a training module and work with FHI 360 Technical Advisors to finalize the training content and outline.
· Develop the training module and adapt materials to the local context in consultation with the DOH and relevant local specialized organizations in the Philippines.
· Pilot the training materials with a sample of different cadres of health care workers (e.g., nurses, doctors, support staff) to ensure that diverse needs are met.
Delivery of TOT Training ( Jan 2022 - Feb 2022)
· Support FHI 360 to develop a list of master trainers and plan for the TOT training.
· Deliver a training of trainers session to a cohort of master trainings.
· Support the digitalization of materials and posting on DOH Academy.
· Support to identify existing resources and groups in the Philippines for health care worker mental health.
Technical Guidance (Dec 2021 - Apr 2022)
· Provide guidance and support to identify and/or adapt a telehealth platform to deliver virtual mental health sessions to health care workers.
· Advise facilities on best practices to create localized ongoing activities to bolster mental health, such as the development of support groups where HCWs can share concerns, stresses, and triumphs; staff recognition awards; identification of champions to provide counseling and support to co-workers; and engagement of facility leadership in implementing interventions to motivate and appreciate HCWs.
Support for setting up resilience teams (ongoing)
· Work with the director of hospitals and DOH to set up resilience teams in hospitals.
· Train members of the resilience teams on high impact mental health interventions, its strategies and approaches.
· Train members of the resilience team on how to engage health workers, solicit their feedback and develop an action plan for improving mental health of the staff of the target hospitals
· Review and improve national level guidelines on improving mental health among frontline health workers.
Education/Required Job Experience
· Filipino
· Bachelor's degree or equivalent university degree required in public health, psychology, mental health, counselling; Advanced degree preferred.
· License in mental health counselling preferred.
· Approximately 3-5 years of work experience in mental health support for health care workers.
· Experience of working with health systems in developing countries for at least 2 years.
· Experience of working with ministries and/or departments of health at the national as well as subnational levels.
Skills/Qualifications
· Strong leadership, coordination, and capacity building skills.
· Strong communication skills, including oral presentation.
· In-depth understanding of local health sector context and capabilities preferred.
· Prior experience working with USAID and/or other donors preferred.
· Working proficiency in English preferred.
· A good understanding of how to collect, collate and analyze data.
· Willing to travel to facilities to pilot the training materials with a small selection of healthcare workers.
Target Engagement Period
October 2021 to April 2022 with variable level of effort per month
ReliefWeb

Philippines
Permanent
Full-time