Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) Integration Consultant
Job Summary
Overview
The Holistic Approach to Reaching Mothers with Obstetric Neonatal and Youth (HARMONY) Care Project funded by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDSC) in Ebonyi State is a multi-year maternal newborn and child health intervention implemented by Jhpiego to improve quality continuity and uptake of maternal and newborn health services in Nigeria. The project focuses on strengthening service delivery through Group Antenatal Care (G-ANC) Group Postnatal Care (G-PNC) Family Led Postnatal Care (F-PNC) point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) provider capacity building and health systems strengthening.
As part of its strategic objectives the project seeks to integrate Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) into group-based ANC and PNC and referral systems to improve prevention screening early identification support referral and management of common mental health conditions during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Jhpiego therefore seeks the services of a qualified consultant to support this process.
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise for the design adaptation and operationalization of PMH integration within HARMONY Care-supported facilities and service delivery platforms ensuring alignment with policies and strategies in the Nigeria context WHO guidelines and global best practices.
Responsibilities
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
- Desk Review
Conduct a rapid desk review of relevant global and national policies guidelines educational materials screening tools training packages and/or partner/program experiences related to maternal and perinatal mental health in Nigeria.
- Develop/refine a PMH Service Pathway
Design a stepped-care PMH pathway outlining roles for:
- Community Based Health Workers (CBHWs)
- Frontline facility staff (Midwives/Nurses/CHEWs/Doctors) inclusive of G-ANC and G-PNC facilitators
- Mental Health Specialists/Psychiatrists
- Referral facilities
- Health Managers (LGA/SMOH/FMoHSW)
- Integrate PMH into Service Packages
Review existing global/regional/national high-quality PMH psycho-educational and skills building content (i.e. existing tools materials and programs for building resilience/stress management and addressing PMH needs in the perinatal period) for women and partners. And then in close collaboration with project technical advisors propose ways to integrate select key PMH content and skills building into existing service packages (outlined below) by session and with particular attention to the pscycho-educational needs in that phase:
- Group ANC curriculum
- Group PNC curriculum
- Family Led PNC materials
- Facilitator guidance for each group-based package above
- Develop Tools and Materials
Based on desk review and any available and validated global or Nigeria-specific materials develop or adapt:
- PMH screening tool and associated screening guidance
- PMH training modules (for community frontline and advanced providers) for PMH-specific technical update
- PMH service provision job aids (counselling guides)
- Referral guidance
- Client education materials
- Documentation tools
- Support Co-Creation Workshop
Support planning and facilitation of stakeholder review sessions/workshops to validate findings and refine materials.
- Finalization of Deliverables
Revise and finalize all materials based on feedback and prepare for implementation and printing.
- Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Support
Propose draft PMH indicators learning questions and measurement considerations for integration into project MEL systems
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Psychiatry Psychology Public Health Mental Health Maternal Health or related field
- Minimum 7 years relevant professional experience
- Demonstrated experience in maternal or perinatal mental health programming
- Experience developing technical guidance tools and training packages
- Strong report writing and facilitation skills.
- Experience working in Nigeria or similar LMIC health systems
- Experience in RMNCAH and mental health programming in Nigeria
- Experience supporting donor-funded projects
- Familiarity with primary healthcare systems strengthening
Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
- Strong understanding of maternal mental health and service integration
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Ability to deliver quality outputs within short timelines
- Strong coordination and workshop facilitation ability
Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.
Please apply at must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter resume and references.
For further information about Jhpiego visit our website at
Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.
Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
Jhpiego a Johns Hopkins University affiliate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender marital status pregnancy race color ethnicity national origin age disability religion sexual orientation gender identity or expression veteran status other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities women individuals who are disabled and veterans.
RECRUITMENT SCAMS & FRAUD WARNING
Jhpiego has become aware of scams involving false job offers. Please be advised:
- Recruiters will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.
- All active jobs are advertised directly on our careers page.
- Official Jhpiego emails will always arrive from a @ email address.
Please report any suspicious communications to
#LI-JA1
Required Experience:
Contract
About Company
An international, non-profit health organization affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University dedicated to improving the health of women and families.