Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training Consultant

Terms of References

Psychological First Aid (PFA) and GBV Training Consultant

Background

Oxfam is committed to enhancing the capacity of its staff and partner personnel to provide effective support to individuals affected by the ongoing displacement crisis. To achieve this, Oxfam will organize two training sessions on Psychological First Aid (PFA), including GBV key messages, GBV safe identification and referrals for 50 participants - one in Beirut and another in northern Lebanon. These sessions aim to deepen participants' understanding of PFA and GBV principles and practices, equipping them with the practical skills and culturally sensitive approaches necessary to offer immediate support.

The training will focus on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills, to deliver Psychological First Aid (PFA), including essential GBV key messages, handling GBV disclosures, and conducting safe referrals according to the GBV referrals pathways in each area. Participants will also learn how to share information about available resources and referral options for further psychological support, ensuring a holistic approach to care.

Purpose

Under the “Supporting IDPs in Lebanon with access to life-saving Protection, Shelter, Food and Basic Assistance” project funded by SIDA Rapid Response Mechanism, Oxfam is seeking to recruit a consultant/facilitator to deliver specialized training to Oxfam and partner staff on Psychological First Aid (PFA) including GBV safe identification and referrals in November 2024.

Objective of the Assignment

The primary objective of the assignment is to prepare and deliver a hybrid training for 50 of Oxfam staff and partner personnel, ideally one in Beirut and another in Northern Lebanon, to increase their knowledge on Psychological First Aid (PFA). This includes:

1. Building of Oxfam’s existing materials; work on specific and tailored training materials in English and Arabic and share with Oxfam for review.
2. After finalizing the material, the consultant will have to deliver 2 days of hybrid training to 2 groups staff (one in Beirut and one in north Lebanon).

The training is designed to provide Oxfam and partner staff with an overview of PFA, how emergencies impact mental health, psychological first aid stages, and how to provide support to children, adolescents, adults, and families in the immediate aftermath of a displacement crisis. Psychological First Aid is designed to reduce the initial distress caused by traumatic events and to foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning and coping. By the end of the training, Oxfam and partner personnel will be able to:

1. Understand key concepts related to PFA and acquire skills in applying it.
2. Disseminate GBV key messages, handle disclosures, and conduct safe referrals in accordance with the GBV referral pathways.
3. Help link affected individuals to services and social supports.
4. Listen reflectively.
5. Recognize when to facilitate access to further mental health support .
6. Practice self-care.

Timeline

Activity

Number of Working days

1. Review and Contextualize Oxfam' PFA Materials in both English and Arabic and integrate GBV materials within the training materials

1 day

1. Collaborate with the Oxfam MEAL and protection teams to develop proper MEAL tools such as pre-and-post tests and feedback forms

1 day

1. Deliver the PFA training in Arabic with the materials needed that Oxfam staff can keep as a reference

2 days

1. Deliver a final consultancy report including the objectives, methodology, participation, improvement based on pre/post-tests as well as key insights and recommendations. 

1 day

Support From Oxfam

Oxfam will support the consultant through:

• Sharing relevant materials mainly “Psychological first aid in Oxfam’s humanitarian responses” training pack and presentation in both English and Arabic as well as key GBV messaging and conducting safe referrals in accordance with the GBV referral pathways to be integrated into the training.
• Reviewing and approving consultancy documents, materials, and tools within three working days upon receiving the final versions from the consultant.
• Provide MEAL support to design the pre and post-tests and feedback forms, code and test them, and collect and extract data from participants before, during, and after the training session.
• collect and extract data from participants before, during, and after the training session.
• Facilitate coordination with relevant team members and partner staff regarding the logistics of the training session, including agreeing on time slots, selecting the modality, and sending invitations.

Qualifications of the consultants/consultancy firm

Essential

1. A degree in social work, psychology, social sciences, Development studies, Public health or equivalent.

2. Good interpersonal and communication skills.

3. 2 years of experience in training and capacity building on PFA. 

4. Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts and diverse population groups.

5. Commitment to humanitarian principles and action

6. Good written and spoken Arabic is essential, as well as a good working knowledge of English.

7. Commitment to undertake Oxfam’s safeguarding training and adherence to relevant policies.

Desirable

1. Experience of working and/or delivering (PFA)and GBV trainings to protection and non-protection staff at a national level.

2. Experience in providing hybrid trainings.

3. Familiarity or previous experience with the current context.

4. Experience in protection and GBV work

Key Attributes

1. Diplomacy, tact and influencing skills.

2. Commitment to humanitarian principles and action.

3. Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.

4. Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policy and Code of Conduct.

Management of the assignment

The tasks and deliverables of the consultant will be coordinated with SIDA’s project team at Oxfam in Lebanon. Oxfam team will review and provide feedback to training materials and reports, and coordinate with the participants.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Interested candidates should submit their: 

• CV(s) of the consultant(s) and/or role of each consultant recruited under the scope of this assignment for firms; 

• A technical proposal which includes a detailed methodology outlining the workplan for the assignment; 

• A financial proposal detailing all costs associated with the assignment; 

• Registration and official government documents, if applicable. Noting that 8.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered. 

Oxfam International in Lebanon reserves the right to reject any and all bids, including the Bidding processes, or not to award the contract at any time, without thereby incurring and liability to the affected Bidders. 

Please submit all documents as mentioned above to lebresponseprocurement@oxfam.org.uk by Sunday 17th November,2014 midnight mentioning “Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training Consultant’’ in the subject line.