Request for Application: Mental Health Implementation of Mental Health journey for Adolescent and Young people (RFA)

Scope of Work | January 2026-March 2026

Mental Health ( ICS & IPTG)

Background

Tiko South Africa is expanding Mental Health services through integrating Mental Health to already existing AYP interventions within the ecosystems. Tiko plans to expand individual counselling sessions (ICS) for Adolescent and Young people (AYP) ages 15-24 who are experiencing depressive symptoms. The ICS will be provided by Mental Health social workers and psychologists for AYP in need of Psychosocial support within the City of Tshwane . Tiko will also provide IPT-G sessions which will be conducted by trained Mental Health Facilitators supported by their CBOs and supervised by qualified social workers who will provide Quality Improvement support for sessions and ensure these are implemented with fidelity.

To expand Individual Counselling Sessions (ICS) through evidence-based approaches Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), brief interventions, Cognitive Behaviour CBT), and IPT group. Tiko is looking for Mental Health CBOs with qualified Social workers, social auxiliary workers & Child Youth Care workers who are pivotal in addressing the existing gaps within the public health systems with regards Depression treatment for AYP group. Mental health universal screening and bi-directional all the other Tiko offerings at community and facility levels remain critical in ensuring that AYPs receive at least 4 offerings at any given time.

Scope of work

• Pre-assessment will be conducted using PHQ-2 and PHQ-9, followed by ongoing assessments with PHQ-9 at midline and termination to monitor progress and improvement in depressive symptoms. Additionally, comprehensive psychosocial assessments will be carried out to identify individuals’ needs, strengths, and appropriate support pathways.
• Treatment Planning: Developing individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients.
• Evidence Based Approaches:
  • Providing individual counselling using evidence-based approaches (Brief Intervention, IPT & CBT and other interventions on need based.
  • Providing Interpersonal Psychotherapy Therapy Group (IPT-G)
• Case Management and bi-directional referrals: Coordinating care, connecting clients with necessary resources and other service offerings, and advocating for their needs.
• Crisis Intervention: Responding to and managing mental health crises and emergencies. on suicide referrals, SGBV cases or those reported with severe depression.
• Collaboration: Working closely with other healthcare professionals (e.g., psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses) and community organizations.
• Documentation: Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions and progress.
• Community Outreach: Integrating MH awareness during community outreaches to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma around mental health.
• Monitor and manage suicide referral to facilities and crisis centres.

Reporting and Supervision

• The CBOs will report to the Mental Health Officers and work closely with the Ecosystems coordinator who will be responsible for technical support and capacity building
• Utilise the Tiko App as reporting tool for preassessment PHQ-2 and PHQ-9, validation of ICS & IPT-G
• Utilization and completion of the IPTG playbook.

Deliverables

1. Deliverable - 3 active Mobilisers in place

   Description - Engage and ensure training for 3 Mobilisers

   Timeline - 5 January 2026

2. Deliverable - No of PHQ-9 screening

   Description - 20 screening per mobiliser using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

   Timeline - Daily

3. Deliverable - Individual counselling Sessions & IPTG

   Description - 120 AYPs with scores >10-24 will be enrolled for IPT-G sessions, while the score >10-24 will be enrolled for ICS sessions, Scores >25-27, will be referred for psychiatry review and management

   Timeline - Weekly

4. Deliverable - Client outcomes

   1. Description 1 - Track screening for AYPs to ensure that 100% of Rafikis (AYP) who complete MH ICS & IPTG sessions have gone through pre-assessment, midline and endline screenings using PHQ-9 to monitor clients improvement.
   2. Timeline 1 - Ongoing
   3. Description 2 - 75% of the clients present with improved PHQ-9 scores (Track at session 3 & session 6 for IPTG using the PHQ9 . ICS track at session 4 & session 8 using PHQ9).
   4. Timeline 2 - Midline & Endline

5. Deliverable - ICS attendance

   Description - Conduct a least 1600 ICS sessions of the monthly target (200); 200 beneficiaries x 1 session per week x 4 sessions per month=1600 (pls explain your calculations).

   Timeline - Monthly

6. Deliverable - IPTG Attendance

   Description - Deliver 600 IPT-G services (100 AYP in IPTG groups)

   Timeline - Monthly

7. Deliverable - 225 Rafikis Receive 1 other service beyond MH

   Description - 225 AYPs in ICS and IPT-G sessions layered for HTS, SRH, FP, ART PrEP by midline and endline.

   Timeline - Monthly

8. Deliverable - Reporting & Invoicing

   1. Description 1 - 100% MH service validation using the Tiko App for all ICS & IPT-G sessions.
   2. Timeline 1 - Daily
   3. Description 2 - Ensure all process notes are completed and filed.
   4. Timeline 2 - Daily
   5. Description 3 - Ensure all registers are completed and filed (Data triangulation )
   6. Timeline 3 - Daily
   7. Description 4 - Submit monthly narrative and invoice.
   8. Timeline 4 - 5th day of the following month

9. Deliverable - Tiko APP

   1. Description 1 - Real time reporting on glitches with accompanying screenshots of the glitch from the app and where necessary videos as well.
   2. Timeline 1 - Daily
   3. Description 2 - Weekly updates of the Tiko App to avoid system glitches
   4. Timeline 2 - Weekly

Monthly Compensation Payment Schedule

Payments will be monthly based on the below conditions and after receiving invoice and narrative reports by the 5th of each month.

• 200 AYP enrolled and received Individual Counselling Sessions monthly.
• 100 AYP enrolled and received IPT-Group
• 1600 ICS services monthly
• 600 IPT-G services monthly.
• 75% of the 300 AYPs attending both ICS and IPT-G sessions with improved PHQ9 scores
• 225 Rafikis Receive 1 other service beyond MH
• Use the Tableau as a data source and evidence for performance payment
• Track and document monthly MH screening incidence from 1) community platforms i.e. schools, faith communities, TVETs and others, 2) Hard to reach locations and populations i.e. informal settlements & Key Populations and others,3) Health facilities, outreach and 4) Community one-on-one mobilisation.

Services Restrictions

• Individual Counselling sessions (ICS); each client is restricted to 8 sessions. These sessions can be offered only once per week. The 8 sessions MUST be completed in 8 weeks (2 months) period.
• InterPersonal Therapy Group (IPTG):- each client is restricted to 6 sessions. These sessions can be offered only once per week and must be completed in 6 weeks (1 month & 2 weeks)

Duration

January 2026 - March 2026

Confidentiality

The Trainer agrees to uphold the confidentiality of any personal or sensitive data accessed during the engagement and shall not disclose any information without prior written authorization from Tiko.

Code of Conduct and Safeguarding

The Trainer is required to comply with Tiko’s Code of Conduct, child protection, and safeguarding policies at all times during the engagement

How to apply

Applications/Submissions (technical & financial proposals) must be sent to Tiko via mail procurement@tiko.orgby the end of day 24 November 2025 with “Mental Health Implementation of Mental Health journey for Adolescent and Young people” in the subject line.