Psychosocial Support External Consultancy Service - PUI
Occupied Palestinian Territory: External Consultancy On Psychosocial Support to Frontline Health Personnel at Nasser Medical Complex.
Closing date: 4th July 2021
Context
The humanitarian context of the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) is a protracted protection crisis, characterized by more than 50 years of Israeli occupation, insufficient respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, internal Palestinian political divisions, and recurrent escalations of hostilities between Israel Security Forces and Palestinian armed groups. As a result, significant humanitarian and protection challenges prevail including: a continuing need for protection measures for over two million Palestinians – around 40 per cent of the population – who are experiencing, or at risk of, conflict and violence, displacement, and denial of access to livelihoods, among other threats; entrenched levels of food insecurity, brought on by high levels of poverty and unemployment, inadequate access to essential services for the most vulnerable households; and limited or declining ability of vulnerable households to cope with the prolonged nature of the humanitarian crisis.
Further to the 15-year blockade, restricting the freedom of movement of people and goods in and out of the Gaza Strip, is depriving the population of a functioning economy and socio-economic opportunities and is resulting in high unemployment rates (47%) and preventing access to essential services and livelihoods.
Access to Health Care
The health system suffers from a chronic shortage of certain equipment and supplies, including antibiotics and chemotherapy drug stocks (OCHA 2019). The high number of People with Disabilities requires a broad range of responses and specialized organizations and the needs of raising awareness of disability rights. The closure has had a profound impact on the right to health; eviscerating Gaza’s economy and eroding conditions of living that largely determine population health. While the Palestinian Authority assumed responsibilities to administer public healthcare under the Oslo Accords, its ability to execute its functions is hampered by the entrenched fragmentation of the occupied Palestinian territory; limitations to public revenue under occupation; and severe movement restrictions for Palestinians, including the permit system imposed by Israel. (WHO, June 2020). In addition, according to the “right to health” report published by WHO in 2018, an unprecedented 432 attacks against healthcare were
recorded in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2018. In Gaza alone, three health workers were killed and 570 injured, 41 with live ammunition, while providing care to those injured in Gaza’s Great March of Return.
According to health cluster bulletin published in April 2020, there will be an increased anxiety and stress for all health workers and those staying in the quarantine centers. To help ameliorate this situation, there is a need to provide MHPSS services.
Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) - OPt
Established in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) since 2002, PUI aims to maintain or to improve the food security and the means of living of the most vulnerable populations who are directly affected by the protracted protection crisis.
In Gaza Strip, PUI is developing emergency response with OCHA for the Protection of the livelihoods of acutely vulnerable residents in the Access Restricted Area and supporting the COVID response, as well as supporting the Limb Reconstruction Unit patients at Nasser Medical Complex and their families with the support of the French MoFA. PUI is also implementing several projects for the Protection, preservation and promotion of Palestinian Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with AFD, Aliph Foundation and the British Council, as part of an innovative socio-economic development program (INTIQAL 2030) that leverages on the protection of Cultural Heritage involving communities and local civil society stakeholders.
ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVE
To support PUI in implementing a psychosocial support intervention benefiting frontline health personnel working in the limb reconstruction center (LRC) and other orthopedic diseases departments at Nasser Medical Complex.
The overall objective of the assignment to deliver a tailored and needs-based psychosocial support to frontline health workers with an aim of improving well-being, alleviating distress, and enhancing positive coping skills. The designated consultant is expected to carry out the tasks where s/he will serve as an external consultant, ensuring a coordinated approach to the execution of this particular assignment.
TASKS
The consultant will be tasked with:
- Mapping the participants’ needs and capacities in terms of MHPSS through a series of initial consultations;
- Based on the initial consultations, draft or adapt specific PSS intervention standard operating procedures or guidelines to steer the implementation of psychosocial counselling sessions.
- Conducting regular, structured or semi-structured, group PSS sessions (based on aforementioned SOPs) with different groups of frontline health workers.
- Providing focused one-on-one psychosocial support to frontline health workers in need. People, involved in the aforementioned group sessions, self-reporting or detected as in need of more focused attention will be provided with the opportunity to receive one-on-one PSS support. The one-on-one PSS support will be based on a specific evidence-based counseling approach, according to the background of the consultant and the reported needs of the individuals;
- For both group and individual counselling sessions, the consultant will be requested to cover the cost of hall rentals, refreshment, printing, visibility materials, and/or any needed stationary.
- Provide safe and timely referrals, to participants identified as or disclosing of needing more specialized MHPSS support (e.g. psychiatric care).
- Draft, or adapt tools to timely monitor delivered activities, including but not limited to, sessions’ outcome reports, intake forms, initial screening forms, pre & post surveys, referral tracker, etc.
- Ensure utmost respect to confidentiality, and take appropriate measures to ensure it throughout work-related activities (specific breaches of confidentiality apply).
- Deliver a presentation to PUI on the progress and impact of the sessions while respecting participant confidentiality (including the main findings and programmatic recommendations).
- Produce and submit a 5-pager PSS Progress report.
Team selection & Required Profile
PUI seeks to deal with a consultant (individual or company) which matches the following criteria:
Qualifications and Experience
- A bachelor degree in Psychology, Psychiatric, or any related subject. (Master degree is an asset)
- At least 3 years of proven experience in the delivering individual and group counselling sessions.
- Previous experience in working with I/NNGOs in Gaza Strip will be an added value.
- Skills and Competencies
- Possess facilitation skills and professional abilities to deliver a training programme including use of on-line platforms;
- Excellent skills in facilitation and coordination of training actions with participants especially MHPSS;
- Possess high level of proven skills in conducting assessments;
- Attention to detail, and strong planning and organizational skills are necessary;
- Knowledge of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) responsibilities within the humanitarian response;
- Excellent English writing skills;
- Familiarity with the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings and other interagency MHPSS standards.
How to apply
“PUI provides a work environment that reflects the values of integrity, diversity, and gender equality. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from women and underrepresented groups, particularly people with disabilities and people from communities highly affected by occupation-related violence (including settler violence).
All PUI workers adhere to the values and principles outlined in the PUI Code of Conduct and policies, including the Protection from Exploitation and Abuse Policy and the Child Protection Policy.”
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a financial proposal, cover letter, CV and a couple of samples or previous consultancy reports in the same field (MHPSS) via email to
hr@premiere-urgence.ps
before July 4, 2021. The total cost of the consultancy shall not exceed 3,000 euros.