MHPSS activities supervision and Capacity Building – Service Provision-Première Urgence Internationale عودة إلى الفرص

MHPSS activities supervision and Capacity Building – Service Provision  

Summary of the ACTIVITY ToR for capacity building and technical supervision of the psychosocial  support activities implemented in the framework of the project.  

1. BACKGROUND 

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political, and non-religious  international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilian victims of marginalization and  exclusion, natural disasters, wars, and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim  is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people in order to help them recover their dignity and regain self sufficiency. The association leads an average of 190 projects per year in the following sectors of intervention:  food security, health, nutrition, infrastructure, WASH, and economic recovery. PUI is providing assistance to  5 million people in 24 countries – in Africa, Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe and France in 2023. 

PUI started implementing operations in Libya since 2017, so far, PUI is focusing on the health care issue, by  providing primary health care (PHC) services to internal displaced populations and their host communities,  migrants refugees and asylum seekers in the eastern cities of the country. PUI is recreating an access to  essential package of health care including communicable and non-communicable diseases, medical  screening, sexual and reproductive health and psychosocial support interventions via Mobile Health Teams.  Furthermore, PUI is reinforcing sensitization, communication and prevention on health care topics within the  communities. 

2.OVERVIEW 

PUI Libya mission is seeking support for the implementation of the mission MHPSS strategy and activities,  ensuring the quality of the current MHPSS intervention.  

This TOR details the technical support required by the MHPSS program team to ensure the smooth  implementation of PUI MHPSS activities in the country.  

3.PROJECT SUMMARY  

PUI is starting a new project aiming at improving the management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) – including cancer – with a community health and MHPSS component at primary health care level. The project  – funded by the French Government (Centre de Crise et de Soutien) will be implemented in Benghazi. The  action aims at expanding the capacities of the primary health sector – in the district of Benghazi – in the  management of NCDs health care services, building on the expertise PUI has consolidated from 2019. While  it is meant to be a continuation of PUI former intervention on NCDs health care services, a broader scope will  be adopted to contribute to the National Cancer Control Programme for prevention, screening and early detection of the most common cancers in the country. Similarly, the project will include activities to address  some psychosocial issues linked with NCDs, and to strengthen the capacities of the health staff of the primary  healthcare facility, to support patients affected by NCDs. The clinical management of NCDs will be  complemented with a community outreach strategy with a two-fold objective: 1) Raising awareness on risky  behaviours and prevention and 2) Promoting health seeking behaviours and access to primary health care  services for the most vulnerable and at risk of marginalisation groups. Moreover, awareness on mental health and psychosocial support will be raised to fight stigma and promote accessibility to services. 

PUI mental health and psychosocial support intervention will be in line with the WHO Comprehensive Mental  Health Action Plan (2013-2030) focusing on the integration of mental health and psychosocial support in  primary health care and following a community-based approach model. PUI intervention will equip frontline  non-specialist health workers to be able to address some psychosocial issues linked with NCDs. The MHPSS  integration will rely on non-specialist health professionals present in the primary healthcare center  supported by PUI MHPSS officer staff.  

Health workers will acquire the necessary skills to be able to identify and refer patients at risk to PUI MHPSS  Officer and to other available local services, as well as to be able to raise awareness and provide appropriate  assistance to low-severity cases, such as Psychological First Aid (PFA) and basic counselling. At supportive in site supervision conducted by the MHPSS Officer and the mentor nurse will be proposed for trained health  workers to provide them with technical support related to MHPSS. 

PUI will conduct training for doctors. The training will include topics such as Psychological First Aid, basic  psychosocial skills and will equip medical doctors with abilities, which will help them to identify signs of  psychological distress and refer patients to PUI MHPSS officer, or to the most appropriate available service.  Furthermore, nurses will also receive a psychosocial support training with content tailored to their assigned  role, to raise awareness and support the physicians. The training will include topics such as PFA, “how to  listen actively”, effective support, and awareness raising to reduced stigma, discrimination and  misconceptions. 

PHCC-trained health workers and the PUI outreach team including outreach nurses and Community Health  Volunteers (CHVs), will provide psycho-education sessions, brief psychosocial interventions for people in need  at health facility level. They will conduct one-shot psychosocial support sessions, including a brief  psychoeducation session, in addition to promoting positive coping strategies to face adversity. The  individuals who show signs of distress and appear to be in need for more specialized support will be  addressed to PUI MHPSS officer and/or will be further referred to the appropriate actors, if in need for more  specialized mental health support, following PUI MHPSS Intervention Framework and the IASC MHPSS  guidelines. PUI MHPSS officer will conduct brief psychoeducation sessions and basic counselling for NCD  patients and their relatives inside the supported health facility. Trained health workers including doctors,  nurses, and community health volunteers will help to identify individuals among their patients who could  benefit from the psychoeducation sessions. 

A MHPSS referral system will be developed. A participatory workshop will be organized to collect information  regarding available MHPSS services including public and private services as well as civil society organizations  services.  

4.OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES  

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to PUI MHPSS staff in the implementation of  the activities ensuring they are consistent with PUI MHPSS framework and the scope of the project. 

To implement quality activities, PUI is currently seeking technical support for the provision of capacity  building trainings and technical supervision follow-up to PUI MHPSS staff for a period of 7 months, for a total  of 30 days over the whole period from June to December 2023. The regularity of supervision may be revisited  upon request of both parties, based on the needs.

Expected deliverables and work schedule  

The assignment is expected to last approximately 30 working days over a 7-month period, starting in June  2023. However, the starting date might be subject to delays. The number of days estimated below are  indicative and will be rediscussed with the consultant prior to start the work.  

The support provided will lead to the elaboration of:

The indicative schedule might be subject to change at any time depending on the evolution of the context  and in particular the security situation. 

Means of support: 

The expected support will be provided through online sessions (such as Skype) conducted in Arabic and  English. The provider will ensure its own materials and internet network. 

PUI will provide 3 hours briefings prior to the start of the activity, to ensure the consultant have all the  elements, information and documents needed to perform his/her tasks.  

5. SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND EXPECTATIONS 

The supervisor should have: 

– A masters (MD) in clinical psychology or equivalent  

– At least 3 years direct experience in clinical psychology and previous experience in the provision of  clinical supervision 

– Knowledge and experience in humanitarian and emergency contexts 

– Desirable experience in MHPSS support for NCD clinical management and social/behavourial change  activities 

– Fluent in Arabic and English (spoken and written) 

– Access to reliable internet; ability to review word documents and power point by computer 

PUI_LBY_ToR_MHPSS Senior advisor CDCS 2023 _FOR CALL FOR TENDER_VFinal_to be published