Consultancy

International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

Iraq continues to face significant challenges following the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), including protracted displacement, limited livelihoods and strained infrastructure. Vulnerable populations, particularly Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, Iraqi returnees from abroad and host communities, face persistent barriers to accessing basic rights and services. Access to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services remains a critical challenge, compounded by prevailing stigma and discrimination, marginalization and inadequate mental health infrastructure at all levels of care.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq is currently implementing multiple projects aimed at enhancing access to MHPSS services for Iraqis through health system strengthening. IOM MHPSS interventions target Iraqis in need across various locations. These initiatives focus on strengthening the mental health system by offering tailored training and capacity-building programmes for both local health-related and non-health-related actors in Iraq. In post-conflict Iraq, IOM s MHPSS interventions prioritize activities that promote sustainable outcomes. These interventions include capacity building, support for Iraqis returning from abroad, the development of training modules and curricula, the review of strategic frameworks, partnership with academia, and the conduct of evidence-based research. Across various projects, IOM seeks to support the Government of Iraq s (GoI) efforts to enhance equitable access to MHPSS services, fostering sustainable reintegration and stabilization in Iraq.

Migration Pathways and Inclusion Division (MPI), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Unit.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission for IOM in Iraq, , the Head of Migration and Pathways Inclusion Division and the direct supervision of the MHPSS Progrmame Coordinator the consultant will be responsible and accountable for developing a national protocol/guideline for the management of clinical, psychiatric and psychological disorders among adults and children in Iraq including those affected by conflict and displacement. This will involve contextualizing available international guidelines to address local symptom manifestations and treatment options. This assignment will be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and aims to enhance access to MHPSS services for migrants, IDPs, returnees and host communities across Iraq.

This opportunity is open to international consultants only. The position is based in Erbil, Iraq, with frequent travel to Baghdad.

• Facilitate multi-level consultation to understand the level of optimization of MHPSS services in Iraq.
• Conduct a quick mapping of available MHPSS resources and treatment guidelines used in Iraq.
• Engage with actors on the MHPSS TWG to understand the range of MHPSS services provided, as well as current gaps and challenges.
• Assess coordination gaps and needs in MHPSS across different governmental sectors, e.g., the judicial, security, health and others.
• Identify gaps, bottlenecks and challenges from local practices to be addressed.
• Conduct a review of global treatment guidelines ICD10, DSM V, MhGAP, and adapt the treatment approaches to the local context.
• Assess existing national mental health strategies and frameworks for integration into the national MHPSS treatment guideline.
• Conduct a review of regional practices and treatment protocols used across the Middle East region.
• Engage with existing mental health practitioner networks., e.g council of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, etc.

• Analyse all relevant information generated to inform the design of a unified, standardized localized guideline.

• B. Training and capacity-building plans and opportunities

• Propose actionable recommendations for utilizing the guideline across different levels of health service delivery in Iraq.

• Identify the current MHPSS-related roles within the Iraqi heath system and their capacity to deliver MHPSS services, efficiently.

• Identify and recommend training plans for local health and non-health actors on the newly developed guideline, for each level of the health system.

• Recommend training capacity-building plans and opportunities for Government counterparts.

The consultant shall work on each deliverable, as outlined below:

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Deliverable

Indicator

Timeline (Submission window and payment)

1

Inception report

Report outlining methodology, workplan, data collection sources, stakeholder engagement approach and analytical framework, validated by the MoH and IOM

First two weeks of first month of contract 20% of consultancy amount to be paid. 2 Draft guideline Draft guideline developed based on findings from service mapping, service optimization, review of local practices and relevant global guidelines, stakeholder engagements, and gaps analysis, among others.

First two weeks of second month of contract

30% of amount to be paid.

3 Final draft (to be validated) Draft guideline validated by relevant stakeholders, including, MoH and MoLSA, MHPSS TWG, among others, through meetings, workshops, etc. The guideline should include a capacity building plan across a range of areas.

Last two weeks of last month of contract)

50% and last tranche of consultancy amount to be paid.

4 Handover of final copy of the guideline Final copy of guideline shared with the Ministry of Health. National level launch and handover of document to the MoH or Ministry level hand over to the MoH. [LS1] [Reviewer2] [Reviewer3] Last week of contract finalization