CON 2026 054 | Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Consultant

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) implements health program in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)  to strengthen health system and improve access to quality health services, including for vulnerable, underserved, displaced, and mobile population.

The IOM project Resilient and Equitable Access to Care and Health in BASULTA (REACH-BASULTA), funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to enhance service utilization and improve the Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and amongst mobile populations.  

Under the project’s health system strengthening work, IOM supports the capacity development of health workers and frontline workers to provide inclusive, people-centered and culturally responsive MNCH service delivery is an important part of his work, particularly in communities affected by conflict, violence, disasters, displacement, and mobility.  

Recognizing the role of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in improving maternal and child health, the project supports its integration into MNCH services. This is particularly important in BARMM, where conflict, violence, disasters, and displacement may affect the psychosocial well-being of mothers, children, and families. To address gaps in health worker capacity and referral systems, IOM will strengthen providers’ ability to offer basic psychosocial support, recognize concerns, facilitate appropriate referrals, and deliver more integrated, inclusive MNCH-MHPSS care.

Therefore, this consultancy will develop and deliver practical training for at least 30 health workers and frontline workers from six health facilities on integrating culturally appropriate, migrant-sensitive MHPSS into MNCH services. It will also provide post-training mentoring aligned with the existing MOH-BARMM/JICA supportive supervision approach.

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Sub-Office in Cotabato City, direct supervision of the National Migration Health Project Officer for MNCH, the consultant will work in coordination with IOM technical staff and relevant DOH and MOH-BARMM counterparts. 
 

A. FIRST DELIVERABLES: Inception, Document Review and Capacity Development Plan

• Submit an inception Report and detailed work plan outlining the methodology, key activities, timelines, coordination mechanisms, and quality assurance measures, and risks.
• Review relevant project assessments, policies, technical guidance, training materials, and reference documents related to MHPSS, MNCH, migration health and community-based service delivery. 
• Prepare a concise analytical report identifying relevant capacity gaps, opportunities,  operational considerations, and recommendations for integrating MHPSS and migration-sensitive approaches into MNCH services at the six health facilities. 
• Prepare a capacity development plan for the six target facilities, identifying priority competencies, learning objectives, proposed training methods, follow-up needs, and suggested indicators.
• Consult with IOM and relevant DOH/MOH-BARMM counterparts to confirm the training scope, participants, facility context, and review process for the training materials.
   

Activities shall be completed with all required deliverable reports submitted by email to IOM no later than 30 December 2026 (30% of overall contract value), upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverable.

B. SECOND DELIVERABLES:  Final the Integrated MHPSS-MNCH Training Package

The consultant shall review relevant national and international MHPSS, MNCH, and migrant health resources, including the DOH and BARMM Harmonized MHPSS Training Manual, the WHO Thinking Healthy guide, and Psychological First Aid (PFA) guidance. Based on this review and consultation with IOM and relevant stakeholders, the consultant shall develop a contextualized training package for frontline health workers.

The package shall address relevant MHPSS concepts and practical approaches for MNCH service delivery, including:
-    Culturally grounded well-being and psychosocial support, including Mga Bilog ng Buhay and local coping practices;
-    Maternal and perinatal psychosocial support, mother-infant interaction, and basic approaches adapted from Thinking Healthy;
-    PFA, recognizing psychosocial distress, safe referral, and applicable consent and confidentiality considerations;
-    Migrant-sensitive, gender-responsive, trauma-informed, human rights-based, and non-discriminatory care, including communication and continuity of care for mobile populations; and Staff well-being and “Caring for Carers.”
-    The package shall incorporate relevant laws, policies, referral pathways, and ethical guidance, as validated with IOM and relevant counterparts. Content on risk identification and referral shall be appropriate to participants’ professional roles and consistent with approved protocols.

The training package shall include:
-    Curriculum, agenda, and session plans;
-    Facilitator’s guide and participant materials;
-    PowerPoint presentations and other learning materials;
-    Case studies, practical exercises, role plays, and simulations;
-    Pre- and post-training assessment and evaluation tools; and
-    Job aids and workflow integration tools to support application within routine MNCH services.

Activities shall be completed with all required deliverable reports submitted by email to IOM no later than 30 January 2027 (30% of overall contract value), upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverable.

C. THIRD DELIVERABLES: Training Delivery, Facility Follow-Up and Final Report

• Facilitate interactive, 4-to-5-day competency-based training for at least 30 health workers and frontline workers, including MHPSS focal points, from the six target health facilities. The training duration and schedule shall be agreed with IOM and relevant counterparts.
• Design a post-training mentoring and follow-up framework for the six target facilities to reinforce learning application, strengthen service delivery competencies, and support the institutionalization of MHPSS and migrant-sensitive approaches within routine MNCH services. The framework shall define mentoring objectives, roles and responsibilities, monitoring mechanisms, and follow-up schedules.
• Prepare and submit a Final Consultancy Report documenting the overall implementation of the assignment, including methodology, activities conducted, outputs delivered, key accomplishments, lessons learned, implementation challenges, recommendations, and sustainability measures to support the continued integration of MHPSS into MNCH services beyond the consultancy period.

Activities shall be completed with all required deliverable reports submitted by email to IOM no later than 16 March 2027 (40% of overall contract value), upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverable.
 

• Percentage of task completion specified in the ToR based on supervisors’ performance evaluation. Tasks are divided into technical assistance (60%), coordination, liaison, and networking to National, Regional, and Local stakeholders and partners (10%), documentation and reporting (30%).
• Relevance of planning, organization and timeliness for managing and delivering progress reports and outputs.
• Practical applicability and institutional adoption by BMHN and relevant government partners.
• Timeliness and completeness of deliverable
• Feedback from stakeholders on the quality of work and reports.
• Contribution to achieving project goals and objectives in BARMM, such as strengthened operational and institutional capacity and guideline or policies, BARMM application of new knowledge, and effective service delivery.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (master's or higher) in Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Social Work, Public Health, Nursing, or related behavioral/health sciences.

Experience

• Minimum of 5–7 years of demonstrated experience in MHPSS program design, capacity building, and training delivery in humanitarian, development, or conflict settings.
• Direct working experience with the Philippine health system (DOH, MOH-BARMM), cluster coordination mechanisms, and familiarization with the DOH Harmonized MHPSS Training Manual.
• Practical experience in perinatal mental health interventions, particularly WHO/IFRC Thinking Healthy Programme and mhGAP.
• Demonstrated familiarity with IASC MHPSS Guidelines, RA 10821, RA 10121, and NDRRMC MC No. 62, s. 2017.
• Experience developing supportive supervision, clinical mentoring, and referral pathways in primary and secondary healthcare levels.
   

Skills

• Excellent adult learning facilitation skills (participatory methods, role-play design, simulation debriefing).
• Fluency in English and Filipino (Tagalog); working knowledge of local languages in Mindanao/BARMM is an advantage.
• Strong intercultural competence and demonstrated commitment to gender equality, human rights, and humanitarian accountability.
   

Travel required 
The candidate will undertake duty travels in support of the programme, as may be required. Travels outside duty station will be covered by IOM.
 

Languages

For this consultancy, English and Filipino.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies