Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) Consultant

2d2 days ago

UNDP

Pretoria, ZA · Part-time · ZAR 450,000 – ZAR 750,000

About this role

UNFPA leads United Nations efforts for a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth safe, and every young person's potential fulfilled. This local consultancy assesses and strengthens awareness, response, and service readiness for Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) in South Africa. Emphasis falls on policy alignment, data systems, and stakeholder engagement to inform programming and national dialogue.

Perinatal mental health disorders impact up to 30–40% of women during pregnancy and postpartum, especially in underserved provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Limpopo. Factors including HIV, teenage pregnancy, intimate partner violence, and poverty heighten vulnerability. South Africa’s National Mental Health Policy Framework (2023–2030) prioritizes maternal mental health but shows implementation gaps at primary care levels.

Current data systems like DHIS2 capture limited PMH information without routine nationwide screening. Efforts align with the Presidential Health Compact, GBVF National Strategic Plan, and UNSDCF (2025–2030). UNFPA seeks principled staff to defend human rights norms amid global challenges.

The role involves desk reviews, stakeholder mapping, and awareness assessments to deliver evidence-based recommendations. Scale up PMH within SRHR and primary health care platforms for high-impact results. Build partnerships and mobilize resources in a changing development landscape.

Requirements

Expertise in perinatal mental health disorders and South African public health challenges
Knowledge of National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2023–2030
Familiarity with DHIS2 and maternal health data systems
Experience in health policy analysis and system readiness assessments
Skills in stakeholder mapping across government, civil society, and private sectors
Background in SRHR, maternal health, or primary health care integration
Ability to evaluate awareness and demand for mental health services in communities

Responsibilities

Assess South Africa’s health system readiness to respond to PMH including policies, guidelines, investments, and service delivery
Map PMH stakeholders and initiatives across government, academia, civil society, and private sector
Review data availability, gaps, and opportunities for integrating PMH into DHIS2 and maternal health reporting
Assess awareness, acceptance, and demand for PMH services among health workers, communities, and mothers
Provide evidence-based recommendations and a roadmap for scaling up PMH interventions within SRHR and primary health care platforms
Conduct desk review of national and provincial policies including Mental Health Policy Framework 2023–2030

Benefits

Contribute to ending preventable maternal deaths and unmet family planning needs
Engage in national dialogue aligning with Presidential Health Compact and UNSDCF
Advance evidence-based policies in a high-impact UN agency environment
Build partnerships for resource mobilization in global development