TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position: Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Associate- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in among adolescents in tribal and non-tribal communities and in disaster prone areas- 1 Position
Duty Station: State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Bhubaneswar under CoE CH&N, Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar
Employer: Director, Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar
Reporting to: Director, Capital Hospital (Administrative) & SBC Specialist, UNICEF (Technical)
1. BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Odisha, with its lush landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has been home to a diverse group of tribal communities for centuries. The state boasts 62 distinct tribal communities, each with its rich and unique cultural heritage, social norms and traditions, languages, and lifestyles contribute significantly to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the state. With a large tribal population, state ranks third in the most tribal-dominated states in India. The tribal population in Odisha constitutes about 23% of the state’s total population, with a variety of tribes, languages, and customs that have been preserved for centuries.
The statistics below highlight the significant presence and diversity of tribal communities in Odisha.
• Total Tribal Population: According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has a tribal population of 9,590,756, which constitutes 22.85% of the state’s total population.
• Number of Tribal Communities: Odisha officially recognizes 64 distinct tribes, including 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), which is highest in the country.
• Top District by Tribal Population: Malkangiri district has the highest percentage of tribal population at 57.4%.
• Lowest District by Tribal Population: Puri district has the lowest percentage of tribal population at 0.3%.
• Language Diversity: The 64 Scheduled Tribes in Odisha speak as many as 74 dialects.
Some of the major challenges found in the tribal areas of Odisha are as follows:
• Research indicates a 14% prevalence of depression and 3% anxiety among tribal populations nationally, with much higher distress reported in specific Odisha communities, including over 40% depression among Juang adolescents and 27.5% moderate to severe distress among tribal girls.
• Girls face compounded risks due to early marriage, gender discrimination, restricted mobility, school dropout, and gender-based violence.
• Boys experience pressures linked to masculinity norms, substance initiation, emotional suppression, and migration for work. Broader determinants include cultural displacement, intergenerational marginalization, stigma around mental illness, language barriers, and educational discontinuity in residential schools.
Additionally, Odisha’s disaster-prone geography increases displacement trauma and protection risks. Together, these intersecting factors create a complex and fragile mental health landscape requiring culturally responsive and community-based interventions.
2. OBJECTIVE(S)
The primary objective of the consultancy is to support and assist in designing and implementing a SBC-MHPSS programme component focusing on capacity development, alerting and sensitization of the adolescents and young people in the tribal schools of Odisha.
The secondary objective is to support and assist in designing culturally appropriate SBC_MHPSS training module to build the capacity of teachers, ANMs in tribal schools, school counsellors, local health or child protection functionaries.
3. MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
a) Assist in organizing awareness session and capacity development on mental health topics, such as stress management, peer relationships, emotional regulation, identity, transitions, etc.) for adolescent girls and boys.
b) Support in capacity development for teachers, counsellors, residential school ANMs and wardens, on recognizing signs of distress in adolescents, how to deal with common adolescence problems, facilitate seeking help, brief interventions, etc.
c) Support in adaptation or designing adolescent-friendly MHPSS tools, training modules, knowledge materials in local/ tribal languages
d) Plan and support organizing mental health observance days – World Mental Health Day, Adolescent Health Week, etc.
e) Coordinate with nodal teachers designated for mental health activities in schools for collecting feedback and suggestions
f) Assist in preparation of SBC knowledge materials in local languages using culturally appropriate graphics and images
g) Facilitate and support creative expression activities – painting, music, dance and drama therapy in tribal schools
h) Support in creating safe spaces in schools in schools where adolescents can talk and relax
i) Assist in developing school level emergency MHPSS plans during emergency
j) Prepare easy to use psychosocial first aid (PFA) information sheets for teachers and students
4. DUTY STATION
Duty station will be at SCSTRTI or OSCPS, Bhubaneswar.
5. OFFICIAL TRAVEL INVOLVED (ITINERARY AND DURATION)
The estimated duration during the contract period would be for 27 days (Maximum 3 Days in a month).
6. DURATION OF CONTRACT
The initial contract is valid until December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability
7. ESTIMATED COST OF CONSULTANCY
• Monthly remuneration @ Rs 40,000/- per month (April to Dec 2026)
• Travel: In-state travel up to 3 days per month as per program requirements.
8. QUALIFICATIONS /SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/ COMPETENCIES (CORE/TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL)/ LANGUAGE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE ASSIGNMENT (Please use as applicable)
• University Degree in Social Science, Social work, Psychology, Education, Public Health, Social and Behavioural science, and other related social science field is required.
• Experience: Graduate for an early career; field experience in clinical counselling, child/ young people work, school-based programs, or disaster context is advantageous but not essential. Candidates pursuing post-graduation can also apply but their course need to be completed in the academic year 2025-26, however, post-graduate qualification is not mandatory for selection.
• Age: Below the age of 25 years
• Skills:Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to engage with adolescents, young people, families, teachers, and community leaders;Capacity to design user-friendly tools and materials; Ability to conduct capacity-building sessionsProficiency in Microsoft Office and basic data management;Ability to work in teams and meet tight deadlines.
• Knowledge: of mental health concepts, distress management, and psychosocial support approaches; familiarity with Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a plus.
• Language working proficiency: English and Odia
• Should have personal Laptop to work on MS office and data management packages
Last Date for Application: 22nd March, 2026
How to Apply: Complete the Google Form using the following link: https://forms.gle/yP4aQ3x9a4RwqihQ6
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.