1. BACKGROUND

UNICEF works since many years in the returnee and remote rural areas of the Abkhazia region to improve the access of children and women to basic social services. This work is carried out utilizing a network of Social Community Centers (SCCs) functioning in 48 communities throughout the region. A main focus of UNICEF is currently the strengthening of child protection on community and institutional level in Abkhazia including by assisting the capacity development of various professional groups working in direct contact with children. These so far include nurses, doctors, teachers, psychologists, militia inspectors for issues of minors and local NGOs. UNICEF is also assisting in the development of social work for vulnerable children and families and thus will engage in capacity building for social workers. One key area where all these professionals have significant needs for capacity development is psychosocial support for vulnerable children.

In April 2015, UNICEF carried out a rapid assessment of the psychosocial needs of children in Abkhazia and the existing professional capacities of local psychologists. In the framework of the assessment, several psychosocial support needs were identified that could be addressed by developing the professional capacities of local psychologists who would at a later stage train other professionals working in direct contact with children. In this regard, two priority areas, psychological first aid and crisis intervention, as well as suicide prevention were identified by local stakeholders.

The Sukhumi Office of UNICEF Georgia is therefore seeking to engage an international consultant to carry out two trainings for local psychologists on psychological first aid and crisis intervention, as well as on suicide prevention, and to later coach the local psychologists during their training for other professionals working in direct contact with children. The consultant will also be requested to hold two guest lectures on the two topics for students of the psychological department of Sukhumi University.

  2. OBJECTIVE

The objective of the consultancy is to deepen the knowledge and strengthen the practical skills of local psychologists in providing psychological first aid and crisis intervention, as well as suicide prevention, and in training nurses, teachers, militia inspectors for issues of minors, as well as social workers in these fields. The consultant will also hold two guest lectures on the same topics for psychology students at Sukhumi University.

3.  SCOPE OF WORK – KEY TASKS 

The consultancy will be carried out in three stages, including both work from home and in Abkhazia. At the first stage, the consultant will develop the training plan (objectives and agenda) and pre-/post-training questionnaires for one training for local psychologists on psychological first aid and crisis intervention. S/he will visit Abkhazia, carry out the training, hold a guest lecture on the same topic at Sukhumi University and draft the first training report. At the second stage, the consultant will develop the training plan (objectives and agenda) and pre-/post-training questionnaires for one training for local psychologists on suicide prevention. Afterwards s/he will visit Abkhazia, carry out the training, hold a guest lecture on the same topic at Sukhumi University and draft the second training report.

At the third stage eventually, the consultant will visit Abkhazia to monitor and coach local psychologists during their trainings on psychological first aid and crisis intervention, as well as suicide prevention for other professionals working in direct contact with children. On the basis of his/her observations s/he will prepare an appropriate training plan for an additional or refresher training for local psychologists, carry out the training and draft a monitoring, evaluation and training report which should also include recommendations for UNICEF's Sukhumi Office on further activities to build local capacities in psychosocial support for vulnerable children.

4.  DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES 

* All timelines in this table are tentative and can be adapted on agreement between UNICEF, local stakeholders and the consultant.

5. SUPERVISION AND REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the National Project Officer of UNICEF"s Field Office in Sukhumi and the overall supervision of the Chief of Field Office. The consultant will submit to UNICEF's Sukhumi Office three reports, one after each of the three visits to Abkhazia, in accordance with the above mentioned timelines.

6. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Advanced university degree in psychology;
• Minimum 10 years of work experience in psychological first aid, crisis intervention and suicide prevention;
• Proven experience in providing training in the above fields;
• Thorough knowledge of the socio-cultural environment in the former Soviet space;
• Ability to communicate freely and provide training in Russian language.

7. REMUNERATION

 The consultant will be remunerated for 21 working days with a consultancy fee negotiated between UNICEF and the consultant on the basis of an initial proposal submitted by the latter. The consultancy fee will be transferred to the consultant in three installments upon submission of the three consecutive reports. UNICEF will also cover the travel costs of the consultant for three one-week visits to Abkhazia, Georgia.

8. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The consultant's performance will be evaluated against the following criteria: timeliness, responsibility, initiative and quality of the deliveries. In case of unsatisfactory performance the contract will be terminated by a notification letter sent at least 15 days prior to the termination date.