Finn Church Aid (FCA) is the second-largest Finnish development cooperation organization and an important provider of humanitarian assistance with operations in 13 countries across the globe. FCA supports three thematic areas: Right to quality education, Right to livelihood and Right to Peace.
FCA Kenya’s operation in Education in Emergencies (EiE) in Kakuma/Kalobeyei started in 2019. The organization has received funding support from UNHCR, UNICEF, MFA, WUSC and BPRM to implement education interventions in Kakuma/Kalobeyei integrated settlement in Turkana County. FCA under BPRM funding supports provision of quality primary education in eight primary schools in Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement (6 schools in Kalobeyei integrated settlement and 2 schools in host community).
Over 283,112 refugees are hosted in Kakuma/Kalobeyei camps, with fifty three percent under 18 years old. The majority of refugee and asylum-seeking learners are enrolled in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools and tertiary institutions located in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps and Kalobeyei settlements (UNHCR, 3/24). FCA currently serves an estimated population of 44,430 refugees and asylum seekers in Kalobeyei settlement camp drawn from different nationalities including South Sudanese, Somali, Sudanese, Ethiopians, and Great Lakes (Congolese, Burundians, and Rwandese). The school’s enrolment in Kalobeyei integrated settlement stands at 29, 507 (13,283 girls, 16,224 boys) learners (Term II EMIS data 2024).
Background and rationale of the Assessment.
FCA Kenya is currently implementing a two-year project with the funding support from Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM). The projects’ goal is to enhance access to inclusive, equitable, and quality primary education in a safe environment for refugees and host population boys and girls in Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement Camp. The project is implemented across 8 primary schools that have a population of 29,507 learners (56% boys,44% girls) and 229 teachers.
The mental and psychosocial well-being of staff and teachers in a crisis context is essential for the effective programme implementation. The project seeks to provide MHPSS as part of the organizational duty of care for staff. Similarly, FCA is creating platform for debriefing and guiding staff and teachers to process difficult situations encountered at work, ensuring their ability to function after a crisis, and preventing burnout.
To encourage staff and teachers to take care of their physical, psychosocial and mental health and workplace wellbeing, the project is seeking to engage consultant psychologist/counsellor who will support MHPSS assessment aimed at identifying the staff and teachers PSS needs and facilitate training on the identified needs. This is aimed at improving staff resilience and improve their ability to deliver quality service delivery within the refugee camp.
Objective of the consultancy.
- To conduct MHPSS assessments for staff and teachers supporting curriculum delivery in 8 FCA managed schools in Kalobeyei camp.
- To organize and conduct training for staff and teachers based on the identified needs from assessment in order to improve staff resilience and delivery of quality services to persons of concerns.
Types of MHPSS Assessment to be conducted
The consultant psychologists/Counsellor will be required to administer an anonymous online survey to establish the MHPSS needs among staff and teachers. The consultant will also conduct FGDs with sampled teachers in all 8-project school in order to corroborate the findings from the online anonymous survey. The findings from the online survey will determine the type of psychosocial assessment that will be administered to the FCA teachers and staff. The two key psychosocial assessment tools that will be administered comprises;
- Resilience Assessments: Assessments like the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) measure an individual’s resilience in the face of adversity.
- Coping Style Inventories: Assessments that determine how individuals cope with stress and adversity, such as the Brief COPE Inventory.
Note: Besides the two key psychosocial assessment above, the consultant psychologists/Counsellor will also be required to administer any other type of assessment tool based on the identified needs from the online survey and FGDs administered to sampled staff and teachers. Kindly also note that these assessment tools will only be administered to sampled staff and teachers. Consultant and FCA will agree on the sampling techniques and sample size for both online and FGD MHPSS surveys. Other assessment tools that may be considered include, Psychological First Aid (PFA) Assessment, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Assessment, Depression and Anxiety Assessments and Educational Impact Assessments
In addition to the psychosocial assessments, the consultant will also be required to facilitate MHPSS training based on the identified needs from the assessment. The three-day training will target 40 selected teachers and FCA Kakuma staff. The objective of the training will be to improve resilience of staff by addressing their emotional and psychological wellbeing thereby contributing to better service delivery for the Persons of Concerns (PoCs).
Principles Governing the MHPSS Assessment.
- Humanitarian Response: Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement is home to a diverse population of refugees who have experienced significant trauma and displacement. Psychological support and assessment are essential components of holistic humanitarian response to address the mental health and psychosocial needs of individuals in crisis.
- Promoting Resilience: The psychologist’s assessments and recommendations are aimed at enhancing the resilience and coping mechanisms teachers, and staff helping them adapt to challenging circumstances and build a better future.
- Educational Outcomes: Psychological well-being is closely linked to educational performance. By assessing and providing recommendations, the psychologists contribute to improving the learning environment and academic outcomes for students, as well as the professional development of teachers and staff.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Many individuals in refugee settings have experienced trauma. A psychologist can provide trauma-informed care to address psychological distress and facilitate the healing process.
- Community Integration: Psychological support helps in the successful integration of refugees into the host community, fostering social cohesion and reducing tensions.
The Expected consultancy Outcome
- Mental Health Assessment: Conduct psychological assessments to identify and understand the mental health and emotional well-being of, teachers and FCA Kakuma staff.
- Resilience Building: Develop, implement and advice on programs and interventions to build resilience, coping skills, and emotional strength among staff and teachers in Kakuma field office.
- Capacity Building: Offer training and capacity-building programs to teachers and staff to equip them with tools to support the psychological well-being of the refugee community as well as improve their resilience and coping mechanism to stressful situations in the camp.
- Crisis Intervention: Provide immediate support and intervention during critical incidents or emergencies while on assignment, ensuring the safety and psychological well-being of teachers and FCA office staff.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Implement trauma-informed care approaches to address the unique needs of individuals who have experienced trauma.
Skills and qualifications required
- Master’s degree in counselling psychology, Psychology and/or clinical psychology.
- Licensed counsellor with counselling and psychologist board.
- Experience in facilitating psychosocial support trainings/TOT especially in crisis context.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience in conducting psychosocial assessments in humanitarian or refugee settings.
- Strong analytical and report writing skills.
- Sensitivity to cultural and ethical considerations.
- Social problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain professionalism in services delivery and ethics.
How to apply
To access the TOR, kindly log into the FCA cloudia supplier portal and apply using the link below. https://tarjouspalvelu.fi/kirkonulkomaanapu/?id=483545 by 2259 hrs Kenyan time on 4th February 2025.
Please note that the prices shall be quoted in KES only inclusive of VAT.
All applications, in English only, MUST be submitted online through the link above.
Late applications will be rejected.
If you experience any technical problems in accessing the FCA Cloudia portal link above please contact [email protected] for support. Please do not submit the applications via this email. They must be submitted using the link above after registering in the supplier portal. Bid submissions via email will NOT be accepted.
