Mental Health Expert Consultant

Assignment: Technical Review and Consultation for Mental Health Communication Campaign Materials

1. Background:

BBC Media Action is producing a mental health awareness campaign in Addis Ababa, Amhara and Tigray regions with funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development, AECID. The production of Awareness Materials on Mental health aims to respond to the deep-rooted stigma around mental health in conflict affected regions particularly among youth and women.

The project will develop audiovisual public service announcements (PSAs), informed by formative research conducted in Addis Ababa, Amhara, and Tigray. To ensure that the campaign materials are technically accurate, contextually appropriate, and sensitive to the experiences of people affected by mental health challenges, the project seeks to engage a qualified mental health expert.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

To provide technical expertise and guidance throughout the development and finalization of campaign materials, ensuring that messaging is evidence-informed, ethical, and aligned with good practices in mental health communication.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

• Review the campaign communication framework, concepts, scripts, and draft audio and video PSAs for technical accuracy and consistency with established mental health principles.
• Provide expert input on the appropriate portrayal of mental health conditions, trauma, stigma, help-seeking, and psychosocial support.
• Review messaging before dissemination of potentially harmful, misleading, stigmatizing, or culturally inappropriate messaging and recommend revisions.
• Advise on ethical considerations, including the portrayal of people experiencing mental health difficulties, responsible use of terminology, and avoidance of harmful stereotypes.
• Participate in consultation sessions with the project and creative production teams to provide feedback and support the integration of technical recommendations.
• Engage in monitoring and evaluation of the project campaign with research manager
• Review revised materials and provide technical clearance prior to dissemination.

4. Deliverables

• Technical review followed by written comments and recommendations on draft campaign materials, communication framework, and community mobilization methodology and materials.
• Participation in agreed consultation sessions with the project and production teams.
• Final technical review and written clearance of the campaign materials, communication frameworks, community mobilization methodology and materials.

5. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should have:

• An advanced degree in psychology, psychiatry, mental health, clinical psychology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in mental health programming, psychosocial support, or mental health promotion.
• Experience reviewing or developing public-facing mental health communication materials.
• Strong understanding of stigma reduction, ethical communication, and culturally sensitive approaches to mental health.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.

6. Duration and Reporting

The consultancy will be approximately ten days from the month of November to March aligned with the campaign development and production schedule. The consultant will report to the designated project lead and work closely with the communications and production teams.