Country:Puerto RicoDepartment:International Programs Essential Job Duties/Scope of Work:In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, International Medical Corps performed an assessment in Puerto Rico that identified suicide as one of the most urgent needs. The DoH reported that there was a 29% increase in suicides from 2016 to 2017 – compared to a global increase that was nearly negligible at 0.73% as reported by Our World in Data.
Suicide is a multifactorial problem. In addition to direct services, agencies must coordinate to address systemic barriers that can contribute to suicide through community planning and meaningful advocacy. An individual contemplating suicide is often unable to voice their needs – a resilient community support system can help them overcome their challenges.
Our current program is working on increasing capacity of community leaders to provide direct services and strengthen island-wide resources to combat the increasing rates of suicide, so that local organizations have the resources to address this challenge now and in the future. As a result, our impact can go beyond direct programming, building broader resiliency to address the needs of future disaster survivors. Together, this program will reach 1,000 individuals with MHPSS services; provide training for 500 community leaders on suicide awareness; and support 50 community leaders on integrating suicide prevention strategies in their own work.
PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Facilitate capacity-building workshops with 50 local decision-makers and senior executives to build the capacity of local organizations to integrate suicide prevention strategies into their strategic planning and initiatives. Together, our activities will include:
Asset mapping to identify the current, available resources and gaps that affect individuals and families, and impact rates of suicide, related to: (1) economic supports; (2) suicide care; (3) coordination mechanisms; (4) resources to teach positive coping and problem-solving skills; (5) ability to identify and support people at risk; and (6) ability to decrease harm and prevent future risk. (at the end of this meeting give them access to the data bases and set homework of them looking at tools and best practice from around the world)
Training and access to global resources and databases. To address gaps identified in the mapping and to build community resiliency, we will facilitate three workshops for 50 community leaders on incorporating suicide prevention within their own organizations and using existing best practice and online tools to research and integrate innovative practices. By broadening the understanding of mental health and suicide, we hope to increase referrals between organizations with differing capacities.
Engage organizations to collectively address systemic factors that increase suicide risk. After identifying policies that can contribute to suicide, such as limited access to healthcare, International Medical Corps will help organizations collectively develop and execute plans to combat the social, economic, and political barriers that contribute to suicide through advocacy and coordination. Communities will have the tools to not only address rising suicide rates on both the direct and systemic levels, but also effectively coordinate responses to future crises.
SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
1. Organise and facilitate three interactive workshops to engage the community, national and local organisations in suicide prevention planning
a. Facilitate an interactive-asset mapping workshop in person or via zoom.
b. Facilitate an interactive training and introduction to academic databases and internet tools/sites to identify global best practice and country case studies in suicide prevention. Training will take place in person or on zoom
c. Facilitate an interactive workshop in person or via zoom with the community members, national and local organisations to develop an action plan for developing a nationwide suicide prevention strategy.
2. Write three separate reports on each of the workshops detailing the discussions, topics and themes covered and outcomes.
3. Write a Community Suicide Prevention Strategy for Puerto Rico that can be shared with the workshop participants, ministry of health and other relevant bodies.
4. Document a “follow up” strategy to ensure implementation of the Suicide prevention strategy.
Qualifications:Consultant Specifications
To perform this consultancy successfully, an individual must be able to perform each task with or without reasonable accommodation.
Qualifications
Masters or PhD clinical psychology, psychiatry, mental health nursing or mental health social work
PhD in clinical psychology, psychiatry, mental health nursing or mental health social work
Experience
Experience with Suicide Prevention; Experience working remotely and using platforms such as Zoom, Skype, Webex to facilitate group meetings and workshops; Experience conducting trainings or facilitation with Senior Executives or Government Leaders
Experience with “Preventing suicide a community engagement toolkit”
Experience writing Case Studies
Competency
Experience explaining mental health concepts to lay people; Experience in report writing; Superior communication skills and confidence facilitating interactive workshops with professionals and lay people.
Language(s) Fluency in Spanish and English required.
Code of Conduct
All Consultants are required to adhered to and promote International Medical Corps shared responsibility and obligation to report matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report to International Medical Corps.
Equal Opportunity
International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal consultancy opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
