UNICEF Seeks Consultant for Adolescent Mental Health Study

UNICEF Hiring: Mental Health Consultant for Adolescent Suicide Study –Health Consultant (Apply by April 2025)

UNICEF is hiring an international consultant to lead a groundbreaking study on adolescent suicide . This 80-day consultancy, based remotely with coordination through the Nairobi Regional Office, offers a critical opportunity for experts in mental health, psychosocial support, or adolescent health to shape regional suicide prevention strategies.

UNICEF Seeks Consultant for Adolescent Mental Health Study

Background & Job Description

Adolescent mental health is an escalating global concern—and in Eastern and Southern Africa, it’s reaching critical levels. UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), based in Nairobi, Kenya, is responding to this urgent crisis by commissioning a major study on adolescent suicide. This consultancy will generate vital evidence and practical strategies to prevent suicide among youth aged 10–19.

Mental health challenges are the leading cause of morbidity for adolescents in Africa. Approximately 37 million adolescents and young people across the continent are living with a mental health disorder—conditions that, when left unaddressed, can lead to devastating outcomes, including suicide. Alarmingly, 20 adolescents are estimated to die by suicide each day in Africa, though underreporting due to stigma likely means the actual numbers are even higher.

Through this consultancy, UNICEF seeks to develop evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and actionable recommendations for suicide prevention programming tailored to the unique realities of Eastern and Southern Africa. The consultant will work under the guidance of the Regional MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) Programme Specialist, and in close collaboration with regional youth advocates and technical stakeholders.

Tasks

The consultant will spend 80 days over 4.5 months conducting this multi-method research study, including a desk review, key informant interviews, and innovative data collection strategies such as social listening.

Key tasks include:

• Comprehensive desk review of existing research on adolescent suicide in the 21 UNICEF ESAR countries.

• Mapping of suicide prevention strategies and adolescent mental health frameworks across the region.

• Development of research questions and methodology based on the desk review.

• Country-specific fieldwork or secondary data gathering in at least six countries, incorporating interviews and insights from:

  • Health, protection, and social service experts

  • Policymakers and academics

  • Community-based organizations

  • Youth associations and adolescent voices

• Documentation of protective factors, culturally relevant coping mechanisms, and successful local suicide prevention strategies.

• Identification of barriers, data gaps, and potential entry points across sectors (health, education, social care).

• Development of a final report and resource package with programmatic and policy recommendations, including:

  • Country-specific insights

  • Scalable interventions

  • Research and data priorities

  • Culturally responsive suicide prevention strategies

• Presentation of findings to regional UNICEF stakeholders, including:

  • The Regional MHPSS Technical Working Group

  • MHPSS Community of Practice

  • A regional dissemination event (TBD)

  • 

Qualifications

Education & Certification

• Advanced university degree in one or more of the following fields:

  • Mental Health

  • Public Health

  • Social Sciences

  • Anthropology

  • Psychology

  • Medical Sciences
    (A bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.)

Experience

Required:

• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in health or social care programming, preferably with a focus on mental health or adolescent health.

• Strong research background in LMICs (Low and Middle-Income Countries), particularly around adolescent mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.

• Demonstrated experience in:

  • Qualitative data collection (e.g., interviews)

  • Thematic analysis

  • Synthesizing technical content into accessible outputs

• Experience working in multicultural environments and collaborating with youth.

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.

Desired:

• Prior consultancy or work experience with UNICEF.

• Academic experience related to suicide, mental health, or public health.

• Familiarity with the Eastern and Southern Africa region.

• Experience working directly on the topic of suicide prevention.

Additional Information

• There are no expected travel or field missions.

• The consultant must use their own IT equipment (e.g., laptop, phone).

• Communication costs, interpretation, and internet should be included in the proposed daily fee.

Duration & Payment

• Duration: 80 working days over 4.5 months

• Type: International Consultant

• Payment: Based on approved deliverables. No advance payment unless under exceptional conditions and backed by a bank guarantee.

Ethical Considerations

• The consultant will be responsible for securing any necessary ethics approvals in accordance with international research standards.

• All findings and recommendations must be presented with cultural sensitivity, particularly when addressing mental health and suicide in youth populations.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants are invited to submit:

1. A cover letter

2. CV

3. Technical proposal, including:

   • Proposed methodology

   • Timeline

   • Daily rate in USD (including all operational costs)

Applications without a proposed rate will not be considered.

Submit your application through UNICEF’s online Talent Management System or via the email listed in the official job advertisement.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

UNICEF is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. Applications are strongly encouraged from all qualified individuals—regardless of gender, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or religious background. Reasonable accommodations are provided to consultants with disabilities upon request, both during recruitment and throughout the consultancy.

Why This Role Matters

This consultancy is a chance to shape policy, advocacy, and programming for a highly under-researched and culturally sensitive issue. Suicide among adolescents in Eastern and Southern Africa is both a taboo and a tragedy—but this role offers the opportunity to change that.

If you’re passionate about adolescent wellbeing, mental health, and culturally grounded solutions, this is your opportunity to influence UNICEF’s regional agenda and make an impact that could save lives.

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