Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist, Burundi

Job Description

Under the USAID Inclusive Development Activity for Mission Support (IDAMS), Making Cents International is recruiting a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Specialist to support a research project focused on girls’ education and mental health in Burundi.

In support of USAID/Burundi, IDAMS will explore mental health integration in the education sector for adolescent girls and young women in Burundi. The IDAMS study team will conduct a literature review of the bidirectional relationships between educational and mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries and best practices for interventions. The study team will also conduct focus group discussions and key informant interviews to gain insights into the variables influencing educational and mental health outcomes. The study team will consider mental health-informed (including trauma-informed) care both in schools and in community-based nonformal school settings. Findings will support increased investment in and prioritization of mental health services and ensure mental health-informed programming in the education sector. The resulting report will recommend improvements, strategies, and interventions to shape mental health integration into education programming for adolescent girls and young women in Burundi.

The MHPSS Specialist will support the literature review, conduct data collection activities, and contribute to analysis and reporting. The MHPSS Specialist will report to the study’s Team Lead. The MHPSS Specialist will work primarily in Gitega, Burundi though some travel may take place in the immediate surrounding areas.

Role and Tasks

The MHPSS Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Share their expertise related to mental health integration into the education sector in Burundi with the study team across all areas of inquiry
• Contribute and review documentation for the literature review, including documents such as program factsheets, reports, and descriptive documents; secondary data on mental health services in Burundi; local reports; and journal articles.
• Work with the Team Lead to identify appropriate individuals and organizations to meet with during the assessment.
• Participate in meetings and planning sessions as requested by the Team Lead.
• Participate in orientation and training on data collection instruments.
• Support data collection activities (e.g. key informant interviews, focus group discussions) with external stakeholders and USAID partners in Gitega, Burundi and immediate surrounding areas.
• Produce notes (and where permitted, audio recordings) for KIIs and FGDs conducted.
• Contribute to data interpretation activities, summarizing key findings on the current state of mental health integration into Burundi’s education programs, highlighting gaps and opportunities.
• Assist in the review, revision, and finalization of the report based on feedback received from USAID by established deadlines.

Proposed Level of Effort

Maximum Level of Effort (LOE) will be 30 days.

Work Schedule

The work is tentatively scheduled to begin in late January/early February 2024.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Resident of Burundi
• Fluency in English required, and knowledge of at least one widely recognized languages in Burundi preferred
• A PhD with at least 2 years of experience, or a Master’s degree with at least 4 years of experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 8 years of experience
• Experience working on assessment teams, conducting analyses, and writing reports
• Experience with international donor-funded projects
• Experience working with marginalized populations, including youth, adolescent girls and young women, LGBTQI+, persons with disabilities, and indigenous populations, preferred
• Experience working in the public education sector, specifically supporting the integration of mental health activities

About the Organization

Making Cents International is a certified B Corporation, founded on the principles of social entrepreneurship. Since 1999, we have supported the well-being of youth and adults globally through high-impact programs that bolster those who serve people living in vulnerable contexts in low- and middle-income countries. As a purpose-driven small business, we have implemented more than 130 projects in over 60 countries and are a trusted partner to public- and private-sector clients who benefit from our expertise and broad industry exposure.

Making Cents International is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.