MHAM

Working as mental health activity manager in the field

Your role as Mental Health Activity Manager will be to organize and coordinate Mental Health and Psychological Support activities within the project, using strategies and tools adapted to the local context and culture. You will be responsible for the service itself, the implementation/consolidation of activities, provision of trainings, and the technical supervision of the mental health team, among others. This role is typically embedded in projects serving the most vulnerable populations, whether in the context of natural disasters, conflict, migration, or disease outbreaks.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate and ensure that mental health activities with patients are performed with regular follow-ups, and ensure that the mental health team remains calm and neutral during sessions regardless of personal feelings/beliefs, and that the interpreters are trained in terminology and appropriate behaviour during sessions
  • In collaboration with other medical team members, the patients and the people from the community, identify the mental health support needs with the aim of a co-definition and co-creation of the Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities. Define, plan, organize the MHPSS strategy, and related budget
  • Map and update the details of existing mental health services, including other NGOs, local NGOs, community groups and government health services, and maintain good and regular communication and collaboration with other components of the project
  • Identify possible advocacy issues and inform the Medical Coordinator and Project Coordinator before taking any action
  • Ensure, in collaboration with the medical department, the integration of MHPSS activities in other areas/services, such us the Sexual and Reproductive Health, Paediatrics, Malnutrition and Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, among others
  • Ensure that psychiatric patients coming to MSF facilities receive proper treatment, including psychotropic medication and psychosocial support either within an MSF programme or via an alternative resource
  • Ensure the implementation of all MSF standard mental health protocols and procedures
  • Manage, train and supervise the mental health team through activities such as recruitment, defining job descriptions, capacity-building, briefing/debriefing and evaluation of staff.

Requirements

  • Master Level Degree or equivalent in Psychology with relevant trainings for clinical practice, specialization in clinical psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, psychopathology or related subject
  • A clinical training component with a set number of supervised clinical hours completed (to be documented in the CV). The training should include face-to-face clinical patient care (individual and group sessions) with appropriate supervision and developing key psychotherapeutic skills/ techniques.
  • Two years’ relevant professional experience after Master Level Degree, working with adults including behavioural techniques or counselling
  • Recent clinical experience (at least six months within the last 24 months)
  • Experience working with vulnerable populations in an intercultural context
  • IT skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  • Fluency in English and/or French; any other languages are an asset (Spanish, Arabic, Russian)
  • Available for a minimum of 6 months

General skills

  • Commitment to MSF’s work and values
  • Strong team player
  • Willingness to work in all kinds of contexts worldwide, including unstable areas
  • Adaptable and able to work in a multicultural team
  • Flexible and able to manage stress
  • Self-driven with a solution-oriented approach
  • Ability and experience in training others, coaching and supervision

Assets

  • Experience with post-traumatic stress disorder, or victims of trauma or violence
  • Additional psychotherapy training/diplomas such as cognitive therapy, clinical social work or counselling
  • Experience working in context similar to our fields of intervention
  • People management experience
Diversité

Depending on our activities and needs, your responsibilities may be adapted and evolve. You will not face these challenges alone; other MSF team members (both international and locally hired staff) will support you.

We encourage applications from people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, abilities and all other characteristics of diversity.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference and criminal record checks.

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