Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal)

Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) for Recruitment of Consultant for Development of MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit

  1. Background

Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal) is one of Nepal’s leading non-profit, non-governmental psychosocial organizations. It was established in 2005 with the aim of promoting psychosocial well-being and mental health of children and families in conflict affected and other vulnerable communities. TPO Nepal is a knowledge-driven, innovative organization working in areas disrupted by violence and poverty. We strive to develop local psychosocial, mental health and conflict resolution capacity and systems that promote community resilience, quality of life and self-reliance through education, research, service delivery and advocacy.

Currently, TPO Nepal is implementing the Mental Health Support Programme (MSP) in four municipalities, namely Ishworpur Municipality, Malangwa Municipality, Lalbandi Municipality and Hariwon Municipality of Sarlahi District, Madhesh Province. The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and led by UNFPA. TPO Nepal, as a key implementing partner of UNFPA, plays a significant role in supporting the integration of mental health issues into existing government-led municipality-level health, gender, protection, education and other relevant coordination platforms.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to and support government officials at local, provincial and federal levels to mainstream and integrate mental health issues into existing policies and systems. The project intends to support the mental well-being of people affected by psychosocial disabilities, people affected by trauma, conflict-affected people, particularly women and girls, and individuals from marginalized communities through awareness and policy advocacy.

To support the integration of mental health into existing government systems and coordination mechanisms, TPO Nepal intends to develop a practical and contextually relevant Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Advocacy Toolkit. The toolkit will support government stakeholders and relevant sectors to understand the importance of MHPSS, identify opportunities for integration, and advocate for the inclusion of mental health and psychosocial support within existing municipal health, gender, protection, education and other relevant coordination platforms.

Therefore, TPO Nepal invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified and experienced consultants to provide professional consultancy services for the development of an MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit.

Title: Consultant
Duration: 3rd Week of August to November, 2026

Proposed Number of Days: 10 Days (Number of days can be revised based on the shared workplan and timeline)
Number of requirements: One (Individual Consultant/Consulting Team)

Start date: At the earliest (3rd week of August 2026)
Project Implementation Area: Ishworpur, Malangwa, Lalbandi and Hariwon Municipalities, Sarlahi District, and relevant provincial-level stakeholders including the Provincial Health Directorate and Provincial Ministry of Health and Population, Madhesh Province.

  1. Objective of the Consultancy: The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a practical, evidence-informed and user-friendly MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit that can be used by government stakeholders and relevant sectors to advocate for and support the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into existing government systems, policies and coordination platforms.

The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

  • Review existing policies, strategies, guidelines, plans and other relevant documents related to mental health, MHPSS, health systems, gender, protection, education and local government planning and coordination mechanisms.
  • Assess existing opportunities, gaps and challenges for integrating MHPSS into municipal-level health, gender, protection, education and other relevant coordination platforms.
  • Consult with municipal and provincial stakeholders and relevant sectors to understand their needs, priorities and practical requirements for MHPSS advocacy.
  • Develop advocacy messages, approaches and practical tools that can support stakeholders in advocating for the integration and mainstreaming of MHPSS within existing government systems and platforms.
  • Develop and validate a comprehensive MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit that is practical, contextually relevant and applicable to the local government setting.
  • Support dissemination and use of the finalized toolkit through advocacy meetings/workshops with relevant stakeholders.
  1. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities

The selected consultant will be responsible for the following:

  • Conduct an inception meeting with TPO Nepal to understand the assignment, expected outputs, stakeholders and overall approach.
  • Review existing national, provincial and local-level policies, strategies, guidelines, plans, reports and other relevant literature related to MHPSS, mental health integration, health systems, gender, protection, education and advocacy.
  • Map and identify relevant government structures, coordination platforms, stakeholders and entry points through which MHPSS can be integrated into existing municipal-level systems and processes.
  • Conduct consultations with relevant municipal stakeholders, provincial stakeholders and representatives from health, gender, protection, education and other relevant sectors.
  • Identify key advocacy priorities, gaps, challenges, opportunities and stakeholder needs related to the integration of MHPSS into existing government systems.
  • Develop an appropriate framework and structure for the MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit based on the literature review and stakeholder consultations.
  • Develop practical advocacy messages, key information, approaches, tools and resources that can be used by relevant stakeholders to promote the integration of MHPSS.
  • Develop the draft MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit in consultation with TPO Nepal and relevant stakeholders.
  • Present/share the draft toolkit with government and relevant stakeholders and incorporate technical feedback and recommendations.
  • Facilitate a validation consultation with key government representatives, relevant sectoral stakeholders and partners to assess the relevance, clarity, usability and applicability of the toolkit.
  • Revise and finalize the MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit based on the validation findings and feedback received.
  • Support TPO Nepal in sharing and promoting the finalized toolkit through advocacy meetings/workshops with relevant government and other stakeholders.
  • Work closely with the designated graphic designer/layout designer to finalize the layout and visual presentation of the toolkits, including appropriate pictorial representations, illustrations, diagrams, flowcharts, tables, icons, infographics and other graphical elements required to enhance understanding and user-friendliness.
  • Document the overall consultancy process, stakeholder consultations, key findings, feedback received, activities undertaken and lessons learned.
  • Ensure that all content developed under the consultancy is technically sound, evidence-informed, contextually appropriate, user-friendly and aligned with relevant government policies and systems.
  1. Deliverables and Duration of the Consultancy

The selected consultant is expected to produce the following key deliverables:

  • Final MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit incorporating findings from the literature review, stakeholder consultations, validation consultation and feedback from TPO Nepal and relevant stakeholders.
  • Consultancy Report documenting the overall process and work undertaken during the consultancy, including methodology, literature review, stakeholder consultations, key findings, stakeholder feedback, validation process, revisions made, key learnings and recommendations.
  • Supporting advocacy materials/tools developed as part of the finalized MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit, as applicable.
  • Final editable and print-ready versions of the MHPSS Advocacy Toolkit and relevant supporting materials.

The consultancy is expected to be completed within two months, with the assignment expected to start at the earliest possible date upon agreement and contract signing.

  1. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will work under the supervision of the designated focal person from TPO Nepal and will coordinate closely with relevant project staff throughout the assignment period.

The consultant will maintain regular communication with TPO Nepal, provide updates on the progress of the assignment, and incorporate feedback provided by TPO Nepal and relevant stakeholders during the development and finalization of the toolkit.

  1. Required Qualifications and Experience

Interested consultants should meet the following requirements:

  • Master’s degree in Psychology, Public Health, Social Science, or a related field.
  • At least 5 years of Proven experience in mental health, psychosocial support, public health, policy advocacy, health systems strengthening or related areas.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing advocacy tools, policy documents, guidelines, strategies, toolkits or similar technical materials.
  • Experience working with government stakeholders at local, provincial and/or national levels.
  • Strong understanding of mental health and psychosocial support and its integration into government systems and services.
  • Strong communication, facilitation, coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Excellent analytical, documentation and technical writing skills.
  1. Submission Requirements

Interested consultants are requested to submit the following documents:

  • A cover letter expressing interest in the assignment, along with a brief concept note outlining the proposed methodology, implementation approach, work plan, confidentiality and ethical safeguards and proposed timeline.
  • An updated CV highlighting relevant professional experience, technical expertise and previous assignments related to similar work.
  • Samples of previous work related to development of advocacy tools, toolkits, policies, guidelines, strategies or other relevant technical documents, if feasible.
  1. Professional Experience
  • Minimum 5 years of progressive professional experience in mental health, psychosocial support, public health, social science, policy advocacy, health systems strengthening or related fields.
  • Proven experience in development of policies, strategies, guidelines, advocacy tools, toolkits or similar technical documents at national, provincial and/or local levels.
  • Experience working with government entities, particularly health, education, gender, protection or other relevant sectors in Nepal.
  • Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations, workshops and advocacy-related processes.
  1. Technical Competencies
  • Strong knowledge of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and its integration into government systems and services.
  • Good understanding of Nepal’s health system, local government structures, relevant policies and government coordination mechanisms.
  • Strong skills in policy analysis, advocacy, stakeholder consultation and facilitation.
  • Ability to develop practical, user-friendly and evidence-informed advocacy tools and materials.
  • Excellent analytical, documentation and technical writing skills in English and Nepali.
  • Ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear and practical advocacy messages and tools.
  • Ability to incorporate technical feedback and work collaboratively with government and other stakeholders.
  1. Field Visit and Coordination
  • Coordinate with TPO Nepal and relevant stakeholders for planning, scheduling and field visits.
  • Conduct consultations with municipal stakeholders, provincial-level stakeholders and representatives from relevant sectors with coordination with TPO Nepal’s Project staff.
  • Coordinate closely with the TPO Nepal project team throughout the consultancy period.
  • Participate in relevant validation, dissemination and advocacy meetings/workshops as required.
  1. Submission Deadline

Expressions of Interest (EOI) must be submitted no later than 18 August 2026 through email at hrtponepal@tponepal.org.np or hard copy submission to HR Unit at TPO Nepal, Head Office.

  1. Selection Criteria

Shortlisting will be based on the following criteria:

  • Relevant professional experience and technical expertise.
  • Educational qualification and experience relevant to the assignment.
  • Quality and suitability of the proposed methodology and approach.
  • Previous work samples and experience in developing advocacy tools, toolkits, policies, guidelines or similar technical documents.
  • Understanding of MHPSS, mental health integration and policy advocacy.

Only shortlisted individuals will be contacted.

  1. Additional Information

TPO Nepal is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from individuals representing minority groups, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality. TPO Nepal upholds a Zero Tolerance Policy against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH). The consultant shall maintain strict confidentiality of all information, documents and data accessed during the consultancy and shall adhere to relevant ethical standards throughout the assignment.