Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 31 Aug 2017
Project:** Touching Minds, Raising Dignity: Stop the stigma towards people with mental health problems in South Sudan.
Geographic coverage: Juba, South Sudan
Requested by: HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL
Position: Consultant – To develop and facilitate advanced model trainings (AMT) as part of the continued professional education for mental health professionals in South Sudan.
Field of Support requested: Short term consultancy to:
Develop AMT modules for paramedic staff, psychologists, psychosocial workers responsible for the support of persons with mental health problems in Juba, South Sudan.
Deliver training modules to selected staff members over an intensive training period.
To provide supervision sessions/ training to staff members participating in the trainings.
Prepare a mission report, including informed performance results based on pre and post-testing.
1. BACKGROUND
Handicap International (HI[1]) has launched a four year multi-country project, “Touching Minds, Raising Dignity: Stop the stigma towards people with mental health problems” in 4 countries: Lebanon, Madagascar, Togo and South Sudan. In South Sudan, project focuses specifically in the capital city, Juba, where it seeks to support national institutions in the development and enhancement of mental health services for the benefit of individuals and families of persons with mental health problems.
Working in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the project supports staff and patients at the psychiatry department of Juba Teaching Hospital (JTH). The project works with staff employed to increase current capacity, to provide enhanced services for persons with mental health difficulties and to generate community connections, in association with local civil society partner agencies to encourage effective rehabilitation, enabling service users to return safely to their communities.
Handicap International conducted a training (continuous professional education - CPE) in December 2015 based on a training needs analysis result that was administrated among staff at the Psychiatry department of JTH and the Psychiatry wing of Juba Central Prison2.
In May 2017, HI conducted another training needs analysis among staff of JTH, community based social workers, and staff in the Psychiatry wing of JCP. The assessment considered the educational background and continued professional development of a wide range of staff, from clinicians and trainee psychologists, to social workers and administrative staff with mixed responsibilities and expectations when working with people with mental health difficulties. Some of the staff members currently responsible for the support of people with mental health difficulties either have not received formal education in psychiatry or have only participated in some short training. Formal education in psychiatry is not available in South Sudan, and only those who have studied abroad (one clinical psychiatrist and one clinical psychologist) have received such training. Most staff members have previously completed short-term courses in basic concepts of mental healthcare, however the general level of comprehension remains low. All staff members who participated in the assessment, identified gaps in professional knowledge, particularly relating to overall case management for specific mental illnesses, standard measures of psychiatric and psychological assessment, support for children with developmental and behavioral disorders and the practical application of therapeutic methods.
1.1Development of AMT modules
The project intends to develop four evidence based modules (of 6-8 hours each) with a focus on multidisciplinary care. These core trainings are intended to upgrade skills among mental health professionals and to improve multidisciplinary service and support. The curriculum will be designed to engage staff of mixed abilities, including psychiatrists and psychologists, social workers, counsellors and nurses. The modules will not constitute a formal course however and participants will only be certified by Handicap International post completion of a post-training exam.
1.2Delivery of modules
All modules will be delivered on site in Juba, South Sudan. Training resources will be designed by the consultant to supplement learning needs. Resources will be published in country where possible, with support from Handicap International Headquarters, where necessary.
1.3 Justification for Support
The overall objective of the AMT is to expose professionals providing support for persons with mental health problems in Juba, South Sudan to new and developing approaches to mental health practices, and to capacitate trained professionals to provide effective multidisciplinary response for service users in order to advance a developing mental health system.
1.4 Modality of the Training
The training will take place in Juba at two different times. The first course of trainings will take place in late September and AMT will be provided to two different audiences; four days training to psychiatrists, psychiatrist nurses and psychologists and another four days to psychosocial workers and community mobilizers. At the end of these trainings, a one day session on clinical supervision will be provided to all participants. The second course of trainings will be provided in November for the same audience and will serve as boosters/refreshers to the first course of trainings and will also include a clinical supervision session.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The purpose of the assignment is to create and deliver AMT modules which are appropriate for delivery in a low-resource setting (like Juba) for professionals supporting persons with mental illnesses working within JTH, JCP and local communities.
2.1. Overall Objective of the Assignment
Assist Handicap International Mental Health Project Team in development and delivery of AMT, provide clinical supervision sessions and prepare a mission report after each separate mission detailing the training implementation post examination of trainees.
2.2. Specific Objectives
I. To develop context appropriate AMT modules for mental health professionals.
II. To facilitate the training of selected staff, in association with local professionals where possible.
III. To provide clinical supervision sessions to staff who participated in the trainings.
IV. To draft a mission report, including observations and evaluation of pre and post testing for each mission.
2.3 Expected results
I. A detailed plan on how the consultancy will be implemented.
II. If relevant, a preparatory list of required materials (e.g. case studies from country, training background, job description of professionals …etc).
III. Four AMT modules of 6-8 hours each, comprising teaching and student materials.
IV. Delivery of intensive training courses for select staff.
V. Detailed plan on supervision sessions and required preparedness from the participants.
VI. Mission report for each module.
2.4. Methodology
I. The consultant will initially work remotely in developing the module(s) with support from HI technical advisors in country and at HQ level.
II. Delivery of modules will be in Juba, South Sudan on agreed upon dates and modality, under the direct guidance of the technical advisor and project manager.
III. Delivery of one clinical supervision session will be at the end of each training session.
IV. The assignment will begin with a review of background information on the current training scenario and the contextual environment shared by HI.
2.5. Duration
I. This consultancy will require the consultant to travel to South Sudan on two separate occasions, once in late September and once in November 2017. The total number of consultancy days in country will be 18 days. Days required working from a distance, preparing for the training and traveling should be discussed and explained in the consultancy application.
II. Time required to deliver modules during each visit will be 9 days for a total of 18 days (16 days training for 2 groups and 2 days for clinical supervision sessions).
2.6. Required profile
Qualified clinical psychiatrist/psychologist with proof of accreditation.
At least 5 years professional experience, preferably with at least 2 years in low-resource settings.
Experience of working with multidisciplinary teams.
Experience of delivering trainings in mixed-cultural settings.
Excellent communication skills in English. Ability to communicate in Arabic preferred.
Desirable
Previous experience working for HI.
Experience working in mental health institutions and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Experience in module development.
Sound knowledge of current CPE trends in mental health.
Legal requirement:
Independent consultants must be able to prove their legal status (e.g. registration as a self-employed consultant).
3. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
3.1. Working environment and Logistics
The consultant will bear the final responsibility for the achievement of the objectives, module and necessary documents submission. During the consultancy period he/she will be working remotely in development and thereafter in Juba for delivery of modules and reporting. The consultant will be managed and coordinated by the Mental Health Project Manager based in Juba. The consultant may also liaise with the technical unit of HI (as required).
3.2. Remuneration
The application should provide a complete budget breakdown for this consultancy.
Annexure I: List of modules (curriculum): Annex 1
Application process:
Interested candidates are requested to send their CV and a cover letter with expression of interest, a breakdown of financial expectations, and a work plan for both the development and delivery of modules (as per attached format below) to oc.development@hi-sudan.org and administrator@hi-sudan.org no later than August 31, 2017. Please indicate “Consultancy – AMT module” in the subject of the email.
Handicap International is an equal opportunity employer & encourages persons with disabilities & women to apply.
Annex –I: Proposed AMT Modules
Target group: Paramedic staff employed by Juba Teaching Hospital and Juba Central Prison supporting persons with mental disabilities: psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, social workers, nurses and other relevant clinical staff including HI-Mental health staff.
Objective: To expose professionals providing support for persons with mental illness in Juba, South Sudan to new and developing approaches to mental health practice, and to capacitate trained professionals to provide effective multidisciplinary response for service users in order to advance a developing mental health system.
No
Key module/s
Key contents (e.g.)
Objectives
At the end of the module
Hrs
1
Clinical Case Management in a Psychiatric Setting-I
Identification, causes, treatment and support for patients with: depressive disorders - anxiety disorders. Effective case management
To enable participants to better understand anxiety & depressive disorders and to know how best to support individuals post identification. To increase understanding of holistic care and the process of effective case management through multidisciplinary approach.
Participants are able to differentiate between anxiety and depressive disorders presenting in patients. Participants understand best possible treatment plans (pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions) for these illnesses and have an understanding of how to apply alternative practices if the ideal is unavailable in context. . Participants understand the utility of and need for case management and are able to demonstrate knowledge through practical implementation.
6-8 hrs
2
Clinical Case Management in a Psychiatric Setting-II
Identification, causes, treatment and support for patients with: - memory disorders - schizophrenia - addiction and substance abuse. Effective case management
To enable participants to be better understand memory disorders, substance abuse and schizophrenia and to know how best to support individuals post identification. To increase understanding of holistic care and the process of effective case management through multidisciplinary approach.
Participants are able to differentiate among addiction, memory disorders and schizophrenia. Participants understand best possible treatment plans (pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions) for these illnesses and have an understanding of how to apply alternative practices if the ideal is unavailable in context. . Participants understand the utility of and need for case management and are able to demonstrate knowledge through practical implementation.
6-8 hrs
3
Advanced concepts of psychiatric intervention
Current issues in forensic mental health. Trauma and recovery. Skills in community psychiatry. Administering of medications. Safe use of restraints.
To advance professional qualifications of psychiatric staff and staff employed to provide psychiatric services
To provide practical guidance and advice on application of specific principles in prescribing & administering drugs. To present accepted and safe methods of physical interaction with users of mental health services.
Participants have gained insight into new topics of psychiatry that can be applied in the Juba context. . Participants are able to apply knowledge gained in their daily work, and ask for further advice and instruction as required.
6-8 hrs
4
Comprehensive approach in dealing with violent and suicidal cases
Violence and link to mental disorder.
Suicide thoughts, tendencies, plans and attempts. Ways of dealing with such type of cases.
To provide practical guidance with exercises on how to deal with violent and suicidal cases in clinical practice
Participants have been equipped with the practical knowledge and skills, including specific algorithm of action adjusted to South Sudan context on managing violent and suicidal cases.
6-8 hrs
[1] HI is an independent and impartial international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. HI is a not-for-profit organization with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission.
[2] A mental health institution is yet to be established in South Sudan hence people with aggressive features of mental illness are hosted in the central prison. JCP has a psychiatry wing where a psychiatrist, social workers and psychiatric nurse provide services.
How to apply:
Application process:
Interested candidates are requested to send their CV and a cover letter with expression of interest, a breakdown of financial expectations, and a work plan for both the development and delivery of modules (as per attached format below) to oc.development@hi-sudan.org and administrator@hi-sudan.org no later than August 31, 2017. Please indicate “Consultancy – AMT module” in the subject of the email.
Handicap International is an equal opportunity employer & encourages persons with disabilities & women to apply.