Consultant

Adventist Development and Relief Agency International

The purpose of the consultancy is therefore to develop, contextualize, and deliver a comprehensive MHPSS and PFA training package that equips community facilitators, caregivers, and children with the skills and resources to promote emotional wellbeing, manage stress, and support recovery from trauma.

The specific objectives are to:

• Develop a structured and culturally relevant MHPSS training curriculum aligned with international standards (IASC, INEE, UNICEF, UNHCR) and adapted to the Somali context.
• Strengthen the capacities of community facilitators and caregivers to recognize signs of distress, apply basic psychosocial support techniques, and build safe, inclusive, and nurturing environments for children and youth.
• Empower children with emotional regulation, problem-solving, and coping skills to help them navigate adversity and strengthen their resilience.
• Establish practical linkages between learning spaces, households, and community support networks to ensure continuity of psychosocial care and referral.
• Promote a culture of wellbeing, empathy, and inclusion across communities, transforming learning environments into safe and healing spaces that foster individual and collective recovery.

The consultancy is expected to officially commence in January 2026. Prior to the start of activities, the selected consultant(s) will be required to submit a comprehensive technical and financial proposal outlining the proposed number of consultancy days, daily professional rate, and a realistic, results-oriented work plan. This proposal will serve as the foundation for discussion and final agreement between the consultant and ADRA Somalia.

The consultancy is expected to follow a phased approach to ensure coherence, accountability, and quality in delivery. As a guideline, the consultancy will include the following key phases:

Phase 1: Inception and Planning

This phase will focus on establishing a shared understanding of the assignment s objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. The consultant will:

• Engage with ADRA Somalia and relevant stakeholders to clarify expectations, scope, and logistical arrangements.
• Review existing MHPSS frameworks, prior interventions, and available resources to ensure alignment with international and national standards.
• Finalize the conceptual framework, proposed training architecture, and timeline.
• Submit an Inception Report summarizing the agreed approach, detailed methodology, deliverables, and schedule.

Expected Output: Approved Inception Report with refined methodology and work plan.

Phase 2: Pre-Training Preparation and Materials Development

Building on insights from the inception phase, this stage will involve in-depth contextualization and preparation of training materials. The consultant will:

• Conduct a rapid training needs assessment to identify knowledge, attitude, and practice gaps among facilitators, learners, and caregivers.
• Review existing MHPSS training packages (e.g., HEART, BLP, Caring for the Caregiver, IASC/INEE frameworks) and adapt or synthesize content relevant to the Somali context.
• Develop or refine a comprehensive MHPSS Training Manual with differentiated modules for learners, facilitators, and caregivers.
• Prepare visual aids, activity sheets, and session plans to support participatory delivery.
• Share draft materials with ADRA and stakeholders for review and validation prior to the training.

Expected Output: Contextualized MHPSS Training Manual and accompanying tools validated by ADRA Somalia.

Phase 3: Training Workshop Implementation

This phase will focus on delivering the MHPSS capacity-building activities. The consultant will:

• Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions for selected master trainers, facilitators, and community focal points.
• Facilitate direct, face-to-face trainings for learners, facilitators, and caregivers in community learning spaces and social support hubs.
• Employ experiential and interactive training methodologies (role plays, group reflection, storytelling, art-based exercises, and peer-learning circles).
• Provide coaching and mentoring support to trained facilitators and caregivers, ensuring practical application and sustainability of skills.
• Collect participant feedback and document key lessons learned throughout the sessions.

Expected Output: Trained cohorts of facilitators, caregivers, and learners equipped with MHPSS competencies and practical tools for implementation.

Phase 4: Reporting and Knowledge Consolidation

Following the training sessions, the consultant will synthesize outcomes and recommendations into a comprehensive final report. Tasks will include:

• Compilation of quantitative and qualitative data on training coverage, participation, and results.
• Analysis of key findings, including improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and practice.
• Documentation of promising practices, challenges, and recommendations for future scale-up.
• Submission of a Final MHPSS Training Report accompanied by the finalized and formatted Training Manual and all supporting materials.

Expected Output: Comprehensive final report and finalized training package ready for replication and institutional use.

This phased and time-bound structure ensures clarity, accountability, and effective implementation throughout the assignment. Each phase builds on the previous one, culminating in a practical, field-tested, and scalable MHPSS training package that strengthens community resilience and psychosocial wellbeing across Somalia.

Active participation will be the cornerstone of the methodology applied in this consultancy. The consultant is expected to adopt a participatory, inclusive, and context-sensitive approach that ensures meaningful engagement of all relevant stakeholders particularly learning facilitators, caregivers, community representatives, and local authorities throughout the design, implementation, and evaluation phases of the assignment.

The methodology should recognize that psychosocial wellbeing is both an individual and collective experience, and that lasting impact is achieved when communities themselves take ownership of the process. To this end, the consultant will employ approaches that promote collaboration, mutual learning, and empowerment of participants.