Local Consultancy : Perinatal Mental Health

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

Job summary

An international health organization is seeking a consultant for a project on perinatal mental health in Pretoria, South Africa. This role involves assessing health system readiness, conducting stakeholder interviews, and analyzing data for health services. Candidates should have an advanced degree in a relevant field and substantial experience in maternal health and research. A competitive net salary and benefits, including health insurance, will be provided. This consulting role is virtual with some travel required.

Benefits

Health insurance

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• 6-8 years of professional experience in maternal health and health systems strengthening.
• Experience in producing technical documents and reports.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in local South African languages preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess readiness of health system to respond to perinatal mental health.
• Conduct key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations.
• Gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.

Skills

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Advanced degree in Public Health or related field

Tools

SPSS

STATA

R

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

1. 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).
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. Data Analysis
   Analyze quantitative data (SPSS, STATA, R) and qualitative data (NVivo, thematic coding). Triangulate findings with national surveys (SADHS, HSRC, SAMRC).
5. 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.