To enhance knowledge of young women and girls on mental health and how it is closely linked with sexual and reproductive health, including HIV, physical health and overall well-being.

To help curate practical daily coping mechanisms that girls can use in their daily lives to overcome common stressors, which are easily accessible for young girls in the English/Zulu/Setswana/Afrikaans-speaking belt in South Africa.

To support Girl Effect in developing appropriate and sensitive content around but not limited to:

validating concerns/worries about accessing mental health and well-being support along with building resilience to navigate these challenges

Benefits of equipping oneself with mental health information, support and treatment as well as expectations around seeking support and how it adds value to their life

Review, vet and guide Girl Effect’s content creation process on mental health literacy and wellbeing concerns to ensure these are appropriate, sensitive to user needs and aligned with guidance on mental health and its linkage with SRH of adolescents and young girls.

Expected Commitment

This will be a part-time consultancy contract for an initial period of three months, subject to renewal based on future needs. The consultant is expected to commit a minimum of 9 hours a month (i.e. 3 hours per week), which can vary depending on our budget and your fee requirement.

Who You Are

Skills Experience and Expertise:

• Advanced degree in clinical psychology or psychiatry with a clinical license to provide psychological counselling and/or psychotherapy.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in group and individual therapy with children, adolescents and/or young people, especially from vulnerable, marginalised, low-income communities.
• Additional certification or training in relevant fields, including child psychology, stress management, cognitive behaviour therapy, etc., will be desirable.
• Experience in developing, adapting and designing content for different audiences, especially those not well-versed in medical/technical literature.
• Experience or, at the very least, familiarity with addressing mental health concerns in the digital world (including use of the internet, social media and cyberbullying).
• Good understanding of gender-specific issues affecting adolescent girls and how mental health/wellbeing-based interventions can contribute to girls’ empowerment.
• Effective communicator and writer in English and at least two additional South African languages (Zulu, Setswana, Afrikaans) with the ability to synthesize, communicate and simplify language complex concepts as per the needs of girls and young women.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and experience working in a multicultural team across multiple countries. Sensitivity to cultural differences is essential.
• Ability to be flexible within a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Commitment to realising the potential of girls and to the vision and values of Girl Effect.

Management

This engagement will be managed by GE’s Gender & SBC team, who will work with the successful consultant to ensure its timely and thorough execution.