Request for Proposals: Independent Contractor: Program on Violence and Extremism B/MHPSS Integration Advisor

Call for Independent Contractor(s)

United States Institute of Peace

Independent Contractor: Program on Violence and Extremism B/MHPSS Integration Advisor

Washington, D.C.

Release Date: August 6, 2024

RFP Due Date: 5:00 pm EST on August 20, 2024

Refer Questions and Submit Response to:

Michael Darden

mdarden@usip.org

Do not use the Apply button on this page.

Pertinent responses to questions will be made available to all offerors by e-mail. No inquiries will be accepted after specified time and date.

 

The proposal must be submitted by time and date listed above to be considered.

 Introduction and Background

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. For more information, please visit http://www.usip.org.

Purpose of the RFP

USIP is seeking an independent contractor to serve as a Behavioral/Mental Health and Psychosocial support (B/MHPSS) Integration Advisor within the Program on Violence and Extremism (PVE). The contractor will coordinate USIP’s B/MHPSS brownbag roundtable series, develop a set of guidelines and standards to inform USIP programming related to B/MHPSS, and provide ad hoc technical advisory support to relevant USIP program teams. This project is part of the Program on Violence and Extremism’s (PVE) efforts to address the violent ecosystems that perpetuate identity-based and community violence. The B/MHPSS Integration Advisor will have a Master’s degree in public health, psychology, psychiatry, or social work and 2-4 years of demonstrated experience in in public health and/or psychology, preferably related to global mental health and/or violent behavior & behavior change in fragile or conflict-affected settings.

 

Background and Scope of Work

As the B/MHPSS Integration Advisor, the Contractor will complete the following deliverables:

 

Deliverable 1: Coordinate the B/MHPSS brownbag series

• In coordination with the PVE team, B/MHPSS integration advisor will plan, coordinate, execute, and lead the ongoing B/MHPSS brownbag series to include the following:

• 4-5 internal USIP brownbags with USIP programs that are actively engaging in B/MHPSS programming. Contractor will schedule, set the agenda, coordinate with respective USIP programs to serve as keynotes to highlight certain aspects of existing programming, conduct the events, and provide a debrief to PVE team. Brownbags will be offered in a hybrid mode (in-person at USIP and virtual) to allow for maximum participation.
• B/MHPSS integration advisor will coordinate with external experts to participate in the USIP brownbags as subject matter experts.
• Upon conclusion of brownbag series, B/MHPSS integration advisor will provide PVE team with a write up (2-4 pages) of the series outlining the major points discussed; common themes, concerns, and areas of interest; a brief assessment of USIP’s current B/MHPSS programming challenges and opportunities, as well as alignment with global mental health good practice; implications for future USIP programming; and gaps in research/knowledge, along with recommendations.

 

Deliverable 2: Develop set of guidelines/standards for B/MHPSS

• B/MHPSS integration advisor will develop a set of guidelines/standards to inform the integration of B/MHPSS elements into USIP programming. The guidelines/standards document will provide the following:

• Summary section of the nature of USIP’s B/MHPSS programming, its alignment with global mental health good practice, and challenges and opportunities vis-à-vis integrating B/MHPSS elements into USIP programming.
• Set of guidelines drawn from good practices in the global mental health and other relevant areas of practice to provide considerations and guardrails to prevent unintentional harm and good practices to inform program design and implementation while integrating B/MHPSS elements into peacebuilding programs.
• Curated list of further resources and potential partners.
• Recommendations on how USIP can better integrate B/MHPSS programming.
• The final document will serve as a resource across