Local Consultancy : Perinatal Mental Health

Unfpa; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Part time

Job summary

A leading health organization is seeking a consultant to assess and strengthen awareness and response to perinatal mental health in South Africa. The role involves evaluating health system readiness, conducting stakeholder interviews, and producing comprehensive reports. Candidates should have a strong background in public health, preferably with experience in maternal health and mental health. Fluent English is required, with local language proficiency preferred. This consultancy is remote with potential travel to the office in Pretoria.

Benefits

Competitive net salary

Health insurance

Flexible work environment

Qualifications

• 6–8 years professional experience in maternal health or mental health.
• Experience producing technical documents and reports.
• Fluency in English and proficiency in local languages preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess health system readiness for perinatal mental health services.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations and interviews.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data.

Skills

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Stakeholder engagement

Health systems strengthening

Communication skills

Education

Advanced degree in Public Health or related field

Tools

SPSS

STATA

NVivo

Job description

The Position

Local Consultancy – Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) in Pretoria, South Africa

Job Purpose

Assess and strengthen awareness, response, and service readiness for perinatal mental health in South Africa, with emphasis on policy alignment, data systems, and stakeholder engagement to inform programming and national dialogue.

Background

Perinatal mental health disorders are an under-recognized public health challenge in South Africa.

Depression affects up to 30% of pregnant and postpartum women, especially in underserved provinces (KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo).

High HIV rates, teenage pregnancy, intimate partner violence, and poverty exacerbate vulnerability.

National policy acknowledges maternal mental health as a priority, but implementation gaps persist at the primary health care level.

Current data systems capture limited information on PMH, and routine screening is not nationwide.

Strengthening awareness, integrated service delivery, and data systems is essential to align with national commitments.

Objectives

• Assess South Africa's health system readiness to respond to PMH (policies, guidelines, investments, and service delivery).
• Map PMH stakeholders and initiatives.
• Review data availability, gaps, and integration opportunities for PMH into routine 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.

Scope of Work & Key Activities

Desk Review & Protocol Development

• Review national and provincial policies (Mental Health Policy Framework, Maternal & Neonatal Health Guidelines, GBVF National Strategic Plan).
• Develop a concise study protocol, including methods, tools (checklists, interview guides, survey tools).

Stakeholder Consultations & Ethical Compliance

• Conduct key informant interviews with NDoH, DSD, DBE, provincial health departments, Statistics South Africa, SAMRC, and civil society partners.
• Ensure compliance with South Africa's National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC).

Data Collection

• Gather quantitative data from routine health information systems and selected health facilities (screening, referrals, service use).
• Conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups with health providers, women, and community structures in 2–3 high-burden provinces.

Data Analysis

• Analyze quantitative data (SPSS, STATA, R) and qualitative data (NVivo, thematic coding).
• Triangulate findings with national surveys (SADHS, HSRC, SAMRC).

Report Writing & Dissemination

• Draft analytical report with findings and recommendations.
• Conduct a validation workshop with stakeholders and produce final report, executive summary, and a short policy brief.

Deliverables & Timeline

• Inception Report & Workplan
• Approved Study Protocol & Ethical Clearance
• Data Collection (quantitative & qualitative)
• Draft Report & Stakeholder Validation Workshop
• Final Report + Policy Brief (electronic and hard copy)

Duration : 45 person-days from 6 October to 15 December (˜3 months).

The consultancy is virtual with travel as required to UNFPA office in Pretoria.

Required Expertise, Qualifications and Competencies, including Language Requirements

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Global Health, Reproductive Health, Health Policy, Health Systems or related field.
• 6–8 years professional experience in maternal health, health systems strengthening, SRHR and mental health, preferably in South Africa.
• Strong background in qualitative and quantitative research; experience producing technical documents and reports.
• Experience engaging government, civil society stakeholders and research institutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to simplify complex technical information for diverse audiences.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in local South African languages preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment

UNFPA promotes gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance.

Women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and others are strongly encouraged to apply.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request.

Disclaimer & EEO Statements

UNFPA does not charge any fees for the application process and does not seek applicants' bank details.

UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in appointment, training, compensation and selection for all, irrespective of personal characteristics and diversity dimensions.