Coalition Health Zambia (CHZ), a Zambian organization, is working to improve health outcomes through health systems strengthening, technical assistance, and service delivery. CHZ is implementing a project with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF to design and implement multimedia Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) interventions. The project aims to promote prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions among adolescents and young people aged 10-29 years in Zambia.
The project will use evidence-based, youth-centered, and culturally appropriate approaches to address NCD risk factors, mental health awareness, stigma reduction, emotional well-being, and help-seeking. Interventions will combine multimedia communication, digital platforms, community engagement, and linkages to health and psychosocial support services. CHZ will work with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and youth organizations, to strengthen the reach, quality, and sustainability of the intervention.
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist Consultant will provide technical expertise to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into the project's SBC strategy, content development, capacity building, referral mechanisms, implementation, and monitoring. The consultant will work closely with the SBC Technical Lead Consultant and engage with government, development partners, professional associations, service providers, youth organizations, and communities.
The MHPSS Specialist will provide technical guidance on integrating MHPSS into the SBC strategy and implementation plans, support behavioral profiling and audience segmentation, and ensure that interventions are age-appropriate, gender-responsive, and disability-inclusive. The consultant will also advise on approaches suitable for adolescents and young people in different social, cultural, and geographic contexts.
The consultant will work with the SBC Technical Lead to develop, review, and validate mental health-related multimedia messages and materials, provide technical input on mental health awareness, stigma reduction, emotional regulation, stress management, and appropriate help-seeking. The consultant will also participate in youth consultations, co-creation, pre-testing, and validation of communication materials.
The ideal candidate for the position should have a relevant degree, preferably at master's level, in psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, public health, mental health, or a related field. The candidate should have at least seven years of relevant professional experience in mental health, MHPSS, adolescent and young people programming, or public health, as well as experience in mental health promotion, psychosocial support, stigma reduction, and community engagement.
Key responsibilities of the MHPSS Specialist include providing technical input into MHPSS training and capacity-building activities, supporting the development or review of training materials, and contributing to capacity building, including orientation of health workers, peer educators, community champions, and volunteers. The consultant will also support the mapping and review of mental health and psychosocial support services and referral mechanisms.
Key points
- Coalition Health Zambia is seeking a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist to integrate mental health support into a project promoting prevention of non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions among adolescents and young people.
- The consultant will provide technical expertise to integrate mental health and psychosocial support into the project's SBC strategy, content development, capacity building, referral mechanisms, implementation, and monitoring.
- The ideal candidate should have a relevant degree and at least seven years of relevant professional experience in mental health, MHPSS, adolescent and young people programming, or public health.
