Application Guide

How to Apply for RFQ FY27-222 Mental Health and Psychosocial support for CAAFAG consultant

at Plan International

🏢 About Plan International

Plan International is a global children's rights organization that has been working for over 80 years to advance children's rights and equality for girls. They are known for their commitment to gender equality and their innovative approaches to child protection in humanitarian settings. Working here means contributing to meaningful, life-changing programs in some of the world's most challenging contexts.

About This Role

This role involves field testing an operational guidance on MHPSS for Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG) in two locations, and updating the resource based on feedback. It's a unique opportunity to directly influence global practice and improve the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children affected by armed conflict.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with Plan International and UNICEF partners to coordinate the field testing, reviewing feedback from field teams, and analyzing data. You could also be traveling to one of the field locations to facilitate workshops or interviews with children and local stakeholders, then spending time drafting updates to the operational guidance.

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🎯 Who Plan International Is Looking For

  • Extensive experience in MHPSS programming in humanitarian or conflict settings, particularly with children affected by armed conflict.
  • Strong understanding of child protection and the specific issues faced by CAAFAG, including gender-specific vulnerabilities.
  • Proven ability to conduct field research, including qualitative data collection and analysis, and to synthesize feedback into actionable recommendations.
  • Excellent facilitation and communication skills to engage with multiple stakeholders, including UNICEF, local partners, and community members.
  • Ability to work independently and remotely, with flexibility to travel to field locations (potentially insecure environments).

📝 Tips for Applying to Plan International

1

Highlight any direct experience with CAAFAG or MHPSS in armed conflict, and be specific about your role and outcomes.

2

Emphasize your familiarity with the operational guidance by UNICEF and the MHPSS Collaborative, and mention how you would approach field testing it.

3

Showcase your ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, and government bodies, with concrete examples.

4

Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect Plan International's values, especially their commitment to gender equality and child-centered approaches.

5

Since this is a consultancy, detail your availability and approach to managing the 6-month timeline, including how you would handle the two field locations.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience in MHPSS for CAAFAG and the impact of your previous work.', 'Your understanding of the operational guidance and why field testing is critical.', 'Your methodological approach to field testing, including how you would engage communities and ensure ethical considerations.', 'Your ability to deliver high-quality outputs within a 6-month timeframe, including remote coordination with Plan International and UNICEF.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read the operational guidance on MHPSS for CAAFAG thoroughly, and note any gaps or areas that might need field testing.
  • → Research Plan International's current work in child protection and MHPSS, especially their recent initiatives in conflict-affected countries.
  • → Look into the CAAFAG task force and the MHPSS Collaborative to understand the broader network and how this consultancy fits into their work.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the two field locations (though not specified in the job description, you can infer from Plan International's country offices) and their specific conflict contexts.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design the field testing process in two locations, considering the need for multi-sectoral involvement (health, education, child protection)?
2 Describe a time when you had to adapt your MHPSS approach to a culturally sensitive or resource-limited context.
3 How do you ensure that the voices of girls and boys are equally captured in your research, especially in sensitive topics like sexual violence?
4 What are the key challenges in updating a global operational guidance, and how would you prioritize feedback from different stakeholders?
5 How would you coordinate with Plan International and UNICEF remotely while managing travel to field sites?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention CAAFAG or the specific objectives of this consultancy.
  • Underestimating the importance of gender considerations – this role explicitly mentions girls' vulnerabilities, so your application must address this.
  • Providing vague examples of field testing or research – be concrete about your methods and results.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: September 20, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Plan International!

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