UNICEF is Hiring: Programme Officer – Mental Health Data Monitoring (P-2)

Finance July 18, 2023

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The risk for mental health conditions and psychosocial problems among children and adolescents is exacerbated when they are exposed to poverty, violence, disease or humanitarian crises. This is particularly true in our current climate of pandemic response.

UNICEF is Hiring: Programme Officer – Mental Health Data Monitoring (P-2)

Job no: 564147
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: New York
Level: P-2
Location: United States
Categories: Programme Management

Note: “Ideally, this position will be based in New York. However, the position has the option for a fully remote work modality. This will be determined based on the preferred candidate’s location and availability to relocate. In the event, that a remote work modality is selected, no installation to the duty station will be applicable and relevant entitlements will be adjusted based on lower of the two costs between the remote work location and the duty station.”

The Global Burden on mental health problems in children & adolescents remains grave and unaddressed in our evolving world. Worldwide, 10-20% of children and adolescents experience mental disorders; half of all mental disorders begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by mid-20s; mental and brain conditions are the leading cause of disability in young people in all regions; and 1 in 4 children is living with a parent who has a mental disorder. Suicide remains among the top 5 leading causes of adolescent deaths, with higher rates among adolescent girls. And lastly, postpartum depression is reported to occur in 15% of mothers shortly before or any time after childbirth.

As the world continues to contend with the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19, UNICEF has reasserted it leadership and understanding of field needs and priorities, in line with UNICEF’s Technical Note on MHPSS and the launch of UNICEF’s Global Multisectoral Operational Framework for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support of Children, Adolescents and Caregivers Across Settings (demonstration version), by placing integrated and holistic community-based mental health and psychosocial interventions at the heart of its strategic mission to protect every child, recognizing that mental health and wellbeing touch all sectors across the humanitarian-development context.

For every child, Health for all……

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Mental Health Technical Advisor in PGLT, and the Statistics and Monitoring Specialist in DAPM, the Program Specialist will work closely with relevant members of the PGLT MHPSS team and DAPM to support activities related to data collection and analysis, monitoring and coordination for UNCIEF’s MHPSS Portfolio, with specific attention to the Joint Programme.

How can you make a difference?

Effective knowledge management and systems, information exchange and the development of training and orientation materials developed and deployed for strengthening of country programme management and activities.

Situation Analysis prepared/updated, critical programme intervention point/measures identified, and programme work plans/recommendations prepared and incorporated. Programme reports prepared as required. Contribute to system strengthening efforts by working on the design, production of material and implementation of training workshops that promote data analysis, use and dissemination.
Coordinate with internal and external partners the development and production of data products including snapshots, dashboards and data driven policy brief showcasing the situation of children and adolescents in terms of mental health, including consultations with experts and ROs and COs as needed.

Programme funds optimally used.

Specifically, supporting the roll-out and implementation of the MMAPP module in surveys, by producing materials including guidance for cultural adaptation, development of referral protocols, training materials etc.

Joint Programme monitoring and evaluations effectively conducted to improve programme performance, and programme status reports timely prepared. This includes the following:

Support the full MHPSS data cycle including the collection, analysis, use and dissemination of data, with an emphasis on country support. This position will support activities across all the levels in the data cycle, following priorities defined in the JP.
Contribute to analysis, interpretation, and use of data on child and adolescent mental health related indicators. Data briefings summarizing available data and evidence on CAMH.
Support discussions about data collection efforts at country levels (including through routine data collection platforms and including collection of disaggregated data). This entails drafting concept notes and presentations on specific settings where data collection can be promoted and liaising with stakeholders (for example, implementation partners) in-country.
Support the evidence/knowledge/data gap analysis for Joint Programme countries, including a data visualization tool to present this information.

Rights-based and results-based programming approach fully incorporated into all phases of programme and projects processes.

Support the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation framework for UNICEF’s mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) global framework. Engagement with countries and regional office in adaptation of the M&E framework and production of guidance/ implementation brief.
Support training activities related to mental health data literacy, M&E application of the global MHPSS framework. Produce material for learning series related to M&E component of the MHPSS GF
Support M&E activities related partnerships with donors on adolescent and young people mental health programming.

Commitment and institutional capacities with global partners gained and established.

Support with reporting, and the development of core CAMH monitoring indicators agreed with WHO.
Produce guidance for tracking progress on the implementation of the program through monitoring a core set of indicators available through routine information systems (health, education, social protection) and reporting efforts (e.g., WHO Atlas).
Guidance includes needs informed training material and resource package to support capacity building and supervision efforts, in monitoring of core set of indicators for CAMH

Rights perspective and advocacy at the community and family levels incorporated in policy analysis for establishing and elevating UNICEF’s credibility in global policy debates.

Effective partnership and collaboration achieved and maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme development/management/coordination, information sharing and networking.

Provide support to countries for implementation of core programme strategies related to Outcome 4 of the Joint Programme (Outcome 4: An increased number of countries are able to generate and use quality data and evidence to inform multi-sectoral actions and policies for mental health and psychosocial wellbeing and development of children and adolescents.)

Perform other tasks relevant to UNICEF’s multi-sectoral work by supporting

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

An advanced university degree (Master or higher) in psychology, social work, public health or international development / political science with strong emphasis on public mental health systems, services, and financing, or another relevant technical field is required.
A minimum of two (2) years professional experience in MHPSS work experience in development and/or humanitarian fields, programming and/or emergency management at national and international levels is required.
Experience working on development of measurement tools related to mental health and implementation material is required.
Direct field experience in mental health and psychosocial programme management and experience in designing and setting up large joint UN programmes would be an asset.
Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French or Spanish) is an asset.

APPLY ONLINE: Programme Officer – Mental Health Data Monitoring (P-2) at UNICEF