International Consultant - MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support), WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila, Philippines

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Purpose of consultancy The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and coordination support to advance WHO WPRO’s programme of work on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the context of climate change and emergencies including support to implementation, monitoring, and documentation of regional and country-level activities.

Background

The World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific supports Member States in translating policy commitments into people-centred, rights-based, and community-based mental health systems, spanning prevention, promotion, care, recovery, and emergency preparedness.

The region faces a significant burden of mental health conditions, with persistent gaps in access to quality, integrated services. These challenges are increasingly influenced by climate change and disaster-related risks, including extreme weather events, displacement, and socioeconomic disruption. These stressors disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, and communities in climate-exposed or fragile settings.

In response, WHO is advancing regional work on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the context of climate change and emergencies, with a focus on strengthening country systems, promoting evidence-informed approaches, supporting scalable interventions, and enhancing multi-sectoral coordination.

Deliverables

Under 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: Inception report and detailed workplan for mental health, climate change, and disasters activities
Deliverable 1.1: Review programme documents and regional priorities; prepare an inception report outlining scope of work and methodology.
Deliverable 1.2: Develop a detailed workplan with timelines, key activities, and expected outputs aligned with programme priorities.

Output 2: Technical documentation of meetings, workshops, and learning activities
Deliverable 2.1: Prepare background materials, including concept notes, agendas, and presentation slides for at least one regional meeting or workshop.
Deliverable 2.2: Produce a meeting/workshop report including participant list, summary of discussions, key outputs, and agreed action points, with supporting materials.

Output 3: Consolidated country data analysis and situation assessment report
Deliverable 3.1: Compile country data, organize datasets, and conduct statistical analysis.
Deliverable 3.2: Produce a regional country situation analysis report including summary tables, key findings, and interpretation of results.

Output 4: Technical and operational documents on MHPSS and climate-related initiatives
Deliverable 4.1: Draft and revise technical briefs, reports, and summaries based on programme activities and consultations.
Deliverable 4.2: Prepare and finalized communication materials, including memos and letters.

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 (or higher) 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) training or relevant coursework in mental health in emergencies, public health, mental health systems, or global 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
• Familiarity with WHO or UN working methods is an asset
• 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 in the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila, Philippines

Travel

The work may require travel to countries in the Region, in particular to: Mongolia, Palau, Vanuatu, 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.
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• 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.
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