Consultancy: To Develop Comprehensive National Guidelines

DUE: 13 JUL 2026

PROJECT HOPE
National Framework Initiative

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY SERVICES: DRAFTING NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE INTEGRATION OF
MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT (MHPSS) INTO THE PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION
PROGRAMME IN ZIMBABWE

1. Background and Context
The Government of Zimbabwe introduced the Pre-Trial Diversion (PTD) Programme in 2013 to promote
restorative justice for children in conflict with the law through diversion from formal judicial processes.
The programme has since expanded to more than 30 districts and has strengthened child-friendly justice
approaches that promote rehabilitation and reintegration.
Evidence from programme implementation highlights the need to systematically integrate Mental
Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into diversion services. Many children entering the justice
system have experienced trauma, violence, neglect, family separation and other psychosocial challenges
that increase their vulnerability and influence offending behavior. Integrating MHPSS throughout the
diversion process will strengthen trauma-informed case management, to ensure holistic psychosocial
wellbeing, mitigate the socio-emotional drivers of delinquency, and support successful reintegration
into families and communities.

Through Project HOPE (Holistic Outreach for Pre-Trial Diversion Engagement), implemented in
partnership with UNICEF, REPSSI is supporting the Government of Zimbabwe to strengthen the national
PTD system through the development of National Guidelines for the Integration of MHPSS into the PreTrial Diversion Programme.
REPSSI therefore seeks to engage an experienced consultant to lead the development of these National
Guidelines.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop comprehensive National Guidelines that provide a
standardized framework for integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into all stages
of the Pre-Trial Diversion Programme.
The Guidelines will provide practical guidance for government ministries, justice sector institutions,
social service providers and implementing partners and practitioners to deliver coordinated, traumainformed, child-centered and gender-responsive and equity-focused diversion services.

3. Scope of Work and Key Tasks
The consultant will be expected to execute the following technical functions:

3.1 Comprehensive Desk Review: Conduct an exhaustive review of national policies, legislation,
standards and technical guidance relating to child justice, child protection and MHPSS , including
but not limited to the- National Pre-Trial Diversion (PTD) Guidelines, the National Guideline for
Providing MHPSS for Children and Youth, and core REPSSI technical resources, specifically: Tree of
Life, Hero Book, Psychosocial Skills for Young Persons, and The JOL-Making Our Communities Safer
dialogue framework and any other local, regional or international guidance on trauma-informed
justice and child protection . The review will also extend to the assessment of current opportunities
and barriers for integrating MHPSS within the Pre-Trial Diversion Programme.

3.2 Stakeholder Consultations: Conduct consultations and technical alignment sessions with key
stakeholders including institutional anchors from the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary
Affairs (MoJLPA), the Department of Social Development (DSD) under the Ministry of Public Service,
Labour and Social Welfare, Judicial Service Commission, National Prosecuting Authority, Zimbabwe
Republic Police, Diversion practitioners and social workers and REPSSI leadership.

3.3 Drafting of the Guidelines: Synthesize review data into a clean, operational document outlining
standard operating procedures and practices for the effective integration of MHPSS into the PTD
Programme. Key aspects to be covered include the following;
 Principles for integrating MHPSS into PTD
 Training and capacity building
 Trauma-informed service delivery standards
 Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
 Referral pathways
 Case management procedures
 Risk assessment and psychosocial screening
 Family strengthening approaches
 Community reintegration support
 Gender-responsive approaches
 Disability inclusion
 Child safeguarding considerations
 Monitoring and reporting framework

3.4 Validation and Refinement- Facilitate validation of the draft guideline and incorporate stakeholder
feedback.

3.5 Production of Final Outputs- Produce a final publication-ready guideline, a PowerPoint presentation
summarizing the guidelines for dissemination and orientation and a stakeholder consultation and
validation report.

4. Deliverables and Execution Timeline
This consultancy operates on a strict 3-week (21 days) level of effort (LOE) cycle.

5. Required Skills and Qualifications
This assignment is open exclusively to senior Individual Consultants matching the following matrix:
 Academic Foundations: Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or higher) in Psychology,
Clinical Social Work, Social Policy, International Development, or related behavioral science or
development policy domain.
 Policy Drafting Expertise: At least 8 years of demonstrable professional experience drafting statutory
national policies, national standard operating procedures (SOPs), or strategic guidelines within child
protection or criminal justice sectors.
 Technical Domain Experience: Profound operational exposure to child justice frameworks, child-led
social practice, and trauma-informed mental health systems within Southern Africa (ideally
Zimbabwe).
 Communications Capability: Exceptional consultative capacity, with proven ability to bridge
communications between high-level judicial officials, social workers, and grassroots development
partners.
 Experience in academia or policy drafting is an added advantage.

6. Institutional and Management Arrangements
The consultant will operate under the direct administrative and technical supervision of the REPSSI
Country Programmes Manager, with cross-cutting accountability to the National PTD Steering
Committee co-chaired by MoJLPA and DSD. REPSSI will provide all historical tool documentation,
introduce the consultant to ministry focal entities, and facilitate regional context baselines where
required.
The payment terms will be disclosed and agreed with the consultancy engaged.

TO APPLY
7. Application Process
Interested consultants should submit:
 Technical Proposal outlining methodology and workplan.
 Financial Proposal.
 Updated Curriculum Vitae with professional referees and evidence of similar work completed.
NB: The above documents should be sent as ONE CONSOLIDATED PDF
Submit applications to Apply Now
Closing Date: 13 July 2026

The successful candidate will be required to adhere to REPSSI’s values and commit to the Code of
Conduct, PSEA Policy, and Child and Adults at Risk Safeguarding and Protection Policy. REPSSI will
conduct reference checks and background checks, including police clearance for child protection and
SEA-related offences, in line with REPSSI policies.
Persons with disabilities and qualified women are encouraged to apply