Netherlands: Mental Health Advisor

The Public Health Department of Médecins sans Frontières is looking for a:

Mental Health Advisor

100%

based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The overall purpose of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is to preserve life and alleviate suffering while protecting human dignity and seeking to restore the ability of people to make their own decisions. MSF accomplishes this through the provision of medical aid and a personal commitment to act as witness to events surrounding populations in danger. This work is essentially performed in periods of crisis, when a situation is no longer held in balance and the very survival of a population may be threatened. The underlying basis for realising its objectives is respect for medical ethics, humanistic ideals, human rights and international humanitarian law.

The Public Health Department (PHD) of the MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA) supports the overall purpose of MSF, providing medical and public health leadership for the organisation. The department is responsible for providing strategic direction and integrated advice on medical and public health issues to the field and headquarters. The PHD plays a key role in developing and maintaining the medical humanitarian identity and image of MSF-OCA, and in continuing to develop and improve intervention strategies so as to be relevant and effective.

The department is made up of a group of generalist Health Advisors (based in Amsterdam and Berlin) and medical and public health specialists (based in Amsterdam and London) so as to provide expert support in a range of fields including infectious diseases, nutrition, paediatrics and reproductive health as well as epidemiology, laboratory, medical supply and water/sanitation.

The strategic vision for MSF-OCA continues to prioritise operations that respond to the medical needs of people in areas of active and chronic conflict. This includes a focus on mental health care for those suffering from the consequences of natural and man-made disasters. In the last five years the focus has been broaden to include also the psychosocial consequences related to chronic diseases (HIV-TB and HCV) and vulnerable groups like people who use drugs. We are also working to improve and expand our services for psychiatric patients within our primary health care activities and to improve adherence to long-term therapy.

Position within the organisation

The Mental Health Advisor (MHA) will be line managed by the Coordinator of Medical Specialists, Public Health Department. The post holder will work in close consultation with the partner MHA on strategic issues and be responsible for support to a specific portfolio of countries. The MHAs work closely together with other specialists and generalist health advisors in providing specific support to project countries.

Main objectives of the post

• Support implementation of mental health care services in ongoing projects


• Guide the organisation’s contribution to developments in the field of mental health care in emergency settings

Key outputs expected

The MHA will support the operational realisation of mental health programs within the MSF-OCA strategic framework and safeguard the quality of these programs. This will include:

• Provide quality and timely support to health advisors and field staff (e.g., medical coordinators and mental health officers) concerning psychosocial care services


• Support implementation of quality mental health interventions via field support visits including timely submission of a report to the field


• In case of emergency intervention, assist field teams to prepare and organize short-term psychosocial care activities


• Support the Human Resources Department in the recruitment, matching and development of Mental Health Officers


• Ensure consistent application of MSF-OCA mental health strategy through briefing of field staff and routine monitoring of project progress


• Develop/revise guidelines, protocols, educational tools, and other best practice papers on psycho-social care related topics for use by field staff

· Facilitate at MSF-OCA mental health workshops (including a training on diagnosis and treatment of severe mental health disorders) and deliver modules on the topic at generalist courses

• Support PHD and field teams in the use and analysis of routine program monitoring information on psychosocial care services


• Promote culture of patient safety and support application of mental health code of ethics


• Report on topical developments at control cycle periods


• Monitor developments in the field of mental health in humanitarian settings and assess relevance for MSF-OCA field projects


• Participate in all relevant departmental and office-wide meetings


• Represent PHD/OCA at international meetings (MSF and external)

Candidate criteria

Education and experience

· Psychologist/psychotherapist with a master’s degree or advanced psychiatric nurse with specialization in psycho-social care

· Strong clinical and programming experience in international settings

• Relevant experience with planning and implementation of mental health interventions in resource poor settings and humanitarian emergencies


• Commitment and passion for the goals and work of MSF


• Research skill with publication in peer reviewed journals is an asset

Capacities and skills

• Fluency in English with excellent writing, communication and training skills; working knowledge of French with ability to communicate directly with staff during field support visits


• Willingness to spend a significant part of his/her time in the field (approximately 30%) to advise and support projects


• Proven analytical skills and strategic thinking


• Strong interpersonal skills: stimulating, innovative, able to motivate and coach people and collaborate with other disciplines


• Able to work under time pressure on several projects at a time

We offer

• 
  

  A full-time (100%) appointment for 40-hour per weefor a period of one year with likely extension by mutual agreement (i.e., the post is ongoing).

  
  


• 
  

  A gross monthly salary in grade 7 between € 3,098 and € 4,424; depending on relevant professional work experience, based on a full-time appointment (40 hours per week).

  
  


• 
  

  A stimulating, professional working environment in a major international organisation.

  
  


• 
  

  Attractive secondary benefits like a premium free pension, 30 holidays (based on a full-time position).

  
  

More information?

If you are interested in this post and would like additional information, please contact Debbie Price, Coordinator of Medical Specialists, at: +31 (0)20 520 8724

Application

If you recognize yourself in the profile, please click here to apply directly via our website. The closing date for application is Sunday 3 July 2016