Consultance : OMS recrute un(e) Consultant(e) national(e) en santé mentale au Malaisie.
1. Purpose of the consultancy
The purpose of this short-term consultancy is to assist the WHO Representative Office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore (“WCO”) in strengthening the actions for an improved mental health and psychosocial well-being of people living in Malaysia, focusing on, but not limited to, children and adolescents.
2. Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the extent ascents. Limited social interactions and interrupted education and employment have negatively impacted young people’s mental health, while at the same time resources have been diverted away from mental health services.
Children and adolescents in Malaysia face a substantial burden of poor mental health and psychosocial well-being. In the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2017, 40% of adolescents reported symptoms of anxiety and 18% reported symptoms of depression. Suicide is estimated to be the second leading cause of death for adolescents in Malaysia, with an estimated 10% of adolescents reporting suicidal ideation and 7.3% making suicidal plans.
The Ministry of Health Malaysia has developed a comprehensive National Strategic Plan for Mental Health 2020-2025, with several national targets, including reduction of depression amongst adolescent down from 18% to 10% by 2025. To further accelerate the implementation of the National Strategic Plan, in 2022 the Ministry ond severity of the global mental health crisis, affecting particularly strongly children and adolef Health has launched the National Centre of Excellence on Mental Health.
Recognizing the urgent need to support countries to accelerate action for young people’s mental health, WHO and UNICEF have come together to co-create and deliver a Joint Programme on the mental health and psychosocial well-being and development of children and adolescents. The Joint Programme aims to strengthen the capacity of countries to implement child- and adolescent-centred, evidence-informed, and human-rights based multisectoral strategies to deliver opportunities, support and services for children, adolescents, and their caregivers.
Additionally, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (“WPRO”) developed a Regional Framework for the Future of Mental Health in the Western Pacific 2023-2030, endorsed by the Member States at the 73rd Regional Committee Meeting in 2022. The Regional Framework acts as a framework to help refocus the mental health agenda and enable new ways of thinking to transform our approach to mental health, throughout the life course.
A consultant is required to support implementation of the Joint Programme and the Regional Framework in Malaysia, through identifying the gaps and needs and the most impactful activities to be implemented by the WCO in 2024-2025.
3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date: 1 June 2023 (estimated started date)
End date: 30 November 2023 (6 months)
Specific requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Required: University degree in medicine, nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work or behavioural sciences from an institution or university recognized in the International Association of Universities’ Worldwide Database of Higher Education Institutions, Systems and Credentials (WHED)
Desirable: Postgraduate (master’s level) qualification in related field of mental health or public health.
EXPERIENCE
Required: Minimum five years’ work experience in mental health programme focusing on, but not limited to, children and adolescents.
Desirable: Experience working with the MOH Malaysia at national or State level on mental health programme(s); relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, relevant nongovernmental organizations.
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of the specific or technical area of public health, mental health, psychology and/or psychiatry
- Familiarity with the existing mental health system in Malaysia
- Good communication skills and a teamwork spirit
- Strong writing skills and a good attention to detail
- Persistence in follow-up, tact, and diplomacy in working with diverse stakeholders
LANGUAGES
Fluent in written and spoken English and Malay.
Apply here