Democratic Republic of the Congo: Substance Use Assessment Consultant- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

A.Organizational Background

Heartland Alliance International (HAI) is a service-based human rights organization committed to protecting and promoting the rights of extremely vulnerable populations through an inclusive approach to comprehensive health and social and economic justice. All of HAI programs apply a progressive and inclusive approach to protecting and promoting the rights of extremely vulnerable populations that are frequently excluded or forgotten by more traditional development programming. HAI is an industry leader in several specialized, often high risk and politically-sensitive programs areas such as women survivors of discrimination, violence, and trafficking; institutionalized individuals; sexual minorities including LGBT individuals; female sex workers; people living with HIV/AIDS; survivors of trauma and torture; people with mental illness; displaced individuals; and indigenous and other ethnic and cultural minorities that have suffered violence and/or discrimination.

B.Background

HAI is launching a 6-week assessment in DRC which aims to evaluate the nature of substance abuse within cultural contexts and identify key influencing factors. As HAI continues to expand its trauma-informed mental health in DRC, the pervasiveness of substance abuse, particularly alcohol abuse, is apparent. Within the post-conflict context of the region, factors such as endemic gender-based violence and perpetual economic uncertainty appear to be linked to mental health and substance abuse challenges.

Globally, the connections between substance abuse, physical health, mental health, violence are well-known, if not always well-addressed. Conflict-affected and traumatized populations are at greater risk of poor health outcomes, human rights abuses, and the intergenerational transfer of disadvantage. Substance use is a common coping device, and alcohol is ubiquitous and generally socially-accepted in DRC, whereas other expressions of mental health challenges and trauma often are viewed negatively or misunderstood. Substance abuse and alcoholism exact a significant toll on DRC with wide-ranging impacts on the health and well-being of men, women, families, and communities, including sub-populations such as LGBT and victims of gender-based violence. Although men are more likely to abuse alcohol and substances in DRC and engage in aggressive behavior, studies by the World Health Organization indicate that over 25% of pregnant women in DRC consume alcohol.

HAI has concluded substance abuse has an important linkage to trauma-informed mental health that must be addressed to comprehensively respond to human rights abuses and the needs of vulnerable populations. A thorough assessment is required to design sound, responsive programming for the region.

C.Assessment Rationale

HAI seeks an Independent Contractor to conduct an assessment to determine the needs related to substance abuse, including factors and potential access points to address substance abuse. HAI and the Contractor will collaboratively design the methodology to investigate subjects including, but not limited to:

• How do participants describe substance abuse in their communities? Are there specific terminologies and examples? What are the participant-stated reasons for over-use or abuse of substances? What kinds of substances are most commonly used? Are there particular correlating factors linked to substance abuse?
• What health and/or social services are currently available – public, private, NGO, local organizations, faith-based, traditional – to people suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues?
• What are potential viable options/access points to discuss substance abuse with participants?
• What are some of the unique substance abuse and mental health challenges faced by at least 2 vulnerable populations such as rural mothers and pregnant women, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and/or people living with HIV/AIDS?

The assessment will help inform the implementation of HAI’s comprehensive health and gender-based violence work in DRC. HAI will share the assessment with staff, partners, donors, and other stakeholders as necessary.

D.Design & Methodology

The design and methodology applied to this assessment should generate the highest quality and most credible evidence to answer the questions listed above for the assessment. Prior to the start of data collection, the Contractor will develop and present for HAI review and approval, a desk review, a written methodology that details the activities, interview methods, evaluation tools, and data analysis plan. The written methodology should be guided by a participatory approach to assessment, and will be comprised of a mix of standard quantitative and qualitative tools appropriate for researching mental health in low-resource, conflict-affected areas. HAI anticipates that the assessment will be conducted on-site in locations in 2-3 provinces, likely to include North and South Kivu. The total assessment period is estimated to be seven weeks, with one month expected in the DRC.

E.Assessment Products

Evaluation Methodology & Work Plan: A draft methodology for the evaluation will be submitted to HAI for review and approval. The methodology plan should include the evaluation design, data collection plan, instruments, tools, and guidance, and an operational work plan. The methodology plan will be discussed with HAI prior to any data collection activities. The Contractor may change the methodology, but must submit any changes for approval to HAI prior to implementation.

Research and Assessment Activity Reports: The Contractor will complete the following activities, providing update reports to HAI every two weeks and comprehensively including all assessment-related activities.

• Become familiar with HAI’s existing programming in DRC and worldwide, particularly for trauma-informed mental health and gender-based violence.
• Meet and liaise with local, state and national government agencies, civil societies, and local organizations engaging in medical treatment, mental health, and social/legal service provision for substance abuse and addiction.
• Develop a list of local mental health and social/legal service providers and human rights advocates – especially those focused on women and families – and assess the relevance of offered services to the greatest extent possible.
• Gather and consolidate information on substance use and abuse in DRC, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence, people affected by HIV/AIDS, LGBT, and orphans and vulnerable children. Note: written consent forms will be required for all interviews, focus groups, etc.
• Identify any mental health and social service gaps as well as any barriers to accessing existing services.

Draft Report: Draft report outline and incorporate HAI staff feedback and requested revisions. The report must be submitted electronically and written in English.

Final Report: Author a 30-page report that: 1.) conceptualizes the substance use/abuse within a mental health framework and sensitive to gender-based violence in the region; 2.) outlines current resources available for those experiencing substance abuse issues; and 3.) makes preliminary recommendations for promising practices that can be employed to address the consequences of systemic gender-based violence and substance abuse.

F.Desired Qualifications

The Contractor will receive support from HAI’s project team as well as HAI’s Monitoring & Evaluation team. The Contractor should possess the following qualifications:

• Mental health or social services professional with a minimum of five years of demonstrated experience working on substance use/abuse and/or gender-sensitive mental health interventions;
• Experience working with local, state, and national government and civil society, including local, socially active organizations;
• Ability to work independently;
• Comfortable traveling and working in a low-resource and potentially insecure environment;
• Good knowledge of the political and geographical environment of DRC;
• Expertise in research and evaluation;
• Experience with mental health service provision related to substance use;
• Experience with gender-based violence programming;
• Fluency in French and English, additional languages local languages of Kiswahili, Lingala, and/or Mashi a plus;
• Outstanding written communication skills;
• At least two years demonstrated experience in conducting assessments and writing reports;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the key challenges and actors associated substance use/abuse in DRC.

G.Assessment Management

HAI will provide overall supervision to the Contractor during contract period. HAI will assist the Contractor with finalizing the methodology and work plan, and assist in identifying and providing key project documents for the Contractor to review during the contract period. HAI will provide logistical support and assistance to the Contractor, as needed and when feasible. HAI’s project-based staff will be made available, if feasible, to the Contractor for consultations during the assessment process.

The Contractor is responsible for arranging and completing all evaluation-related activities listed in the approved methodology and work plan, in coordination with HAI’s local project and logistics staff. The Contractor will advise HAI prior to each of those activities. The Contractor will be responsible for procuring his/her own work/office space, computers, internet access, printing, and photocopying throughout the assessment. The Contractor will be required to make his/her/their own payments for such services. The Contractor will be responsible for any expenses beyond the fee provided by the Company as determined in this SOW.

H.Payment Schedule

• 1^st installment: 50% upon signing this agreement.
• 2^nd installment: 50% upon review and approval by the Company of all items listed under the ‘Evaluation Products’ section of this SOW and receipt of invoice from the Contractor. The Contractor will provide the Company with a written invoice within 15 days prior to the end of the consulting period for services rendered.

To be considered for this contract, please submit the following to HAIgeneral@heartlandalliance.org:

1. A letter of interest, indicating how your skills and experience meet the qualifications listed above;

2. A résumé or CV (no more than four pages);

3. A projected budget;

4. A writing sample (no more than three pages);

5. Submit using subject line “**Substance Use** DRCAssessment Consultant”

Incomplete submission packages and submission packages that do not adhere to the page limits stated above will not be considered. Present employees of HAI or HAI’s implementing partners need not apply.