Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the National Mental Health Program (NMHP) Coordinator, work in close collaboration with the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Mental Health and under the technical guidance of the International Organization (IOM) MHPSS Project Officer, or their designated representatives, the selected consultant will identify and prioritize key mental-health policy interventions for implementation from 2025 onward, assign clear roles and responsibilities to relevant stakeholders, provide an actionable roadmap with short, medium and long-term timelines, and determine the financial resources required for policy implementation across all levels of care.

Key Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

1. Conduct a desk review of relevant existing mental health policies, legislation, reports, and global best practices, strategies, and data sources in Nigeria, including international obligations under frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

   1. Conduct a situational analysis, assessing service availability, workforce capacity, funding levels, and barriers such as stigma and coercion in care.

   2. Identify key priority areas and interventions for mental health, psychosocial support, and substance use disorder response in Nigeria.

   3. Develop a results framework with clear goals, objectives, outputs, and outcomes.

   4. Estimate cost implications of proposed interventions and develop a comprehensive financing plan.

   5. Produce a zero draft of costed Strategic Action Plan (2025–2030) aligned with the National Health Sector Strategic Development Plan and SDG targets.

   6. Facilitate a 5-day review of the zero draft of National Mental Health Strategic Plan 2025-2030 with stakeholder (government MDAs, CSOs, academia, professional associations, service users, partners, and development agencies).

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

Activity: Timeline

Start of the consultancy at IOM Nigeria: 2 Feb-3 April 2026

Inception Report (detailing methodology, workplan, and timelines).Deliverable: Payment of 25% amount of total consultancy service fees upon submission of inception report approved by NMHP.: 1st Deliverable – by 16 Feb 2026

Desk review and Situation Analysis Report (review of current mental health landscape, gaps, and opportunities).Identify key priority areas of intervention.Produce zero draft of the Strategic Action Plan (with results framework, costing, and financing strategy).Deliverable: Payment of additional 50% total consultancy service fees upon submission of zero draft of the Strategic Action Plan and approval by NMHP.: 2nd Deliverable – by 13 March 2026

Convene stakeholder engagement meeting to review zero draft of the strategic action plan and submit meeting report.Deliverable: third instalment (25%) of payment for consultancy service fees to be made upon submission of stakeholders review meeting report and approval by the NMHP.: 3rd Deliverable – by 3 April

THE CONSULTANT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

• All the deliverables as set out in the ToR.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT:

Upon the advertisement of the Consultancy Notice, qualified individual consultants are expected to submit:

1. CV/Resume, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

2. Technical Proposal (Narrative) detailing methodology approach for the consultancy.

3. Submission of previous works or consultancies worked on is required.

*Pre-selected candidates will be called for interviews.

*Applications without an adequate set of documents will not be considered in the selection process

Required Qualifications

Education

• An advanced degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Economics, Mental Health, or related fields.

Experience

• At least 10 years’ experience in health systems strengthening, policy development, and strategic planning.

• Demonstrated expertise in costing and developing national strategic plans in health or related sectors.

• Proven experience in working with government, development partners, and multi-sectoral stakeholders.

• Strong analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills.

Languages

• English Language

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Travel required

• As and when required in line with the contract (to be covered by IOM).

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
2. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.
3. IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work.
4. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
5. IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
6. IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies