..
Qualifications
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
To provide guidance in the implementation of the project, monitoring, and supervision of activities to achieve the goals of the project.
BACKGROUND
ย The WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) is a flagship program that aims to increase access to community-based mental health service for 100 million people via the transformation of mental health systems and services in nine countries. In Ghana the initiative aims to increase access to quality, person centered rights-based mental health service to 5.2 million more Ghanaians. Suicide prevention is priority concern for many Special Initiative countries including Ghana.
Suicide is a major global health challenge, causing over 700,000 deaths annually, with 77% occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is the fourth leading cause of death among 15โ29-yearolds, and for every suicide, 20 others will attempt suicide, resulting in millions of suicide-related behaviours worldwide.
ย In Ghana, suicide is among the leading causes of death for young males.ย Suicide stems from a combination of social, psychological, biological, and contextual factors, with risk factors like financial stress, domestic violence, and mood disorders exacerbated by humanitarian crises and economic instability. Current prevention efforts are often fragmented, lacking cross-sectoral collaboration, and may not be tailored to specific country needs. In response, WHOโs LIVE LIFE model provides an innovative, comprehensive, evidence-based bundled package of interventions, addressing factors such as limiting access to means, responsible media reporting, fostering life skills in youth, and early identification and follow-up of individuals at risk.
LIVE LIFE is a comprehensive model that integrates evidence-based interventions in addressing the burden of suicide. The interventions are embedded in a framework supported by six cross-cutting pillars - situational analysis, multisectoral collaboration, awareness-raising and advocacy, organization capacity building, financing, and surveillance.
DELIVERABLES
The consultant will provide technical support for the implementations of activities aimed at suicide prevention in Ghana but not limited to those listed below:
-Conduct of a national suicide situation analysis to inform country planning for suicide prevention.
ย -Development of a national suicide prevention strategy with a multi-sectoral steering committee appointed to oversee its ongoing implementation.
-ย Strengthened surveillance systems related to suicide and self-harm in Ghana.
-Support the governments of Ghana commit to at least one action to reduce access to means to suicide.
-ย Improved language and media coverage related to suicide in Ghana.
-Support to Sub-contractor(s) working on suicide prevention work in Ghana.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND LANGUAGES
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Essential:
A first university degree any health-related field such as Public Health, Medicine, Psychiatry, or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Proven skills in developing health and social services policy, strategies, and plans.
EXPERIENCE
Essential:
At least five years' related experience, at the national and international level, in health. Proven experience in working in the public health sector (Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health) and coordination of multi-sectoral agencies including Civil Society Organizations or the mental health field in Ghana.
Desirable:ย ย Experience in working in the mental health arena, experience in working with WHO or
other development partners.
Skills/Knowledge
Essential:
Familiarity and working knowledge of the Ghana Health Service/Ministry of Healthย system, and Civil Society Organizations in mental health in Ghana.
LANGUAGES AND LEVEL REQUIRED
English (excellent written and speaking). Intermediate knowledge of any other WHO official language
LOCATION: Onsite: Ghana.
Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):ย
ยท Remuneration will be based on UN Salary Structure NOC Level 1
ยท A lump-sum contract under Consultancy for conducting the above-mentioned work.
ยทPayment will be 25% upon signing of the contract and 75% upon submission of the technical report.
EXPECTED DURATION OF CONTRACT: 6 months (May to November 2025)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
ยท This position is opened to only nationals of Ghana
ยทย This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
ยทOnly candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
ยทA written test may be used as a form of screening.
ยทIf your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
ยทFor information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
ยทThe WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
ย The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
ยทAn impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
ยทWHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
ยทย WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
ยทConsultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
ยทWHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
ยทPlease note that WHOโs contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
ยทย In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by:
(i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox);
(ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or
ย (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.