MAIN OBJECTIVE
As Head of Mental Health Activities, your main objective is to define, implement and coordinate all mental health activities in the intervention area; ensure the quality of care, analyze statistics and reports, and manage the staff involved in these activities in accordance with MSF protocols in order to provide the most appropriate support to patients.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify the mental health support needs of the population within the framework of the project and participate in the implementation of MSF strategy accordingly.
- Participate in defining, planning, organizing and updating mental health activities and their budget, in close collaboration with other members of the medical team.
- Ensure the implementation of all standard mental health protocols and methods provided by MSF and supervise their application by all professionals under his/her responsibility, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment to patients.
- Plan and supervise, in close collaboration with the Human Resources department, the associated processes of the staff under his/her responsibility.
- Supervise and ensure that mental activities (within and outside health facilities) with clients are carried out with regular follow-up and in accordance with MSF protocols and standards.
- Analyze and develop technical materials, tools, guidelines and documents developed for mental health activities in order to develop appropriate support for patients.
- To create a map and maintain regular updates of existing services, and to maintain regular communication and collaboration according to objectives and context.
- Ensure good communication with the other components of the project.
- Ensure, in close collaboration with the medical department, that the mental health department participates in consultation, prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PTPE) and voluntary counseling and testing (AVCT) activities when necessary, and according to existing protocols in force at all times.
- Monitor and evaluate mental health support activities to ensure reliable information is available and adapt them accordingly. Participate in periodic reporting as directed.
- Share problematic situations and cases with the medical coordinator for help in decision-making and problem-solving.
- Ensure that psychiatric patients presenting at MSF facilities receive adequate treatment, including psychotropic medication and psychosocial support in an MSF program or by referral to an appropriate resource.
- Identify potential advocacy issues and inform the team members responsible for advocacy activities.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- Improving the quality of psychiatric care.
- Strengthening the skills of clinicians.
- Supporting Mental Health supervisors on the quality of Mental Health care.
- To train and supervise national and international medical personnel for the diagnosis and treatment of common and serious mental health disorders.
- Ensure that the guidelines and psychotropic treatments listed in MSF’s standard drug list are available.
REQUIRED PROFILE
Education and experience
- Essential: Degree/Master’s in Medicine with a specialization in psychiatry
- Essential: At least two years of professional experience as a psychiatrist
- Essential: At least 6 months of recent clinical experience within the last 24 months
SKILLS
- Good strategic vision focused on mental health
- Good experience with psychiatric illnesses
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Good managerial skills
- Good negotiation and collaboration skills with partners
- Flexibility and good stress management skills
- Sense of diplomacy
- Calm and respect for cultural differences
- Rigorous procedures and standards, and quality work
- Teamwork and cooperation
LANGUAGES
- Fluency in French or English, both written and spoken, is essential.
CONDITIONS
- A rewarding and varied job where you can use your skills to help people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare services.
- A long-term perspective and career development opportunities
- A salary in line with MSF’s salary scale
- Remuneration will be based on the MSF-OCG salary scale for international mobile staff.
Contractual conditions and salary will be determined according to the contracting MSF entity, the candidate’s place of residence, and in accordance with MSF’s standard job and salary scales. - Shared accommodation with other members of the international team during the assignment
- Round-trip transportation to the place of assignment
- Comprehensive insurance coverage, including health insurance and emergency evacuation insurance
- Availability for a minimum period of 6 months as part of an intervention in the countries where the project is implemented (all contexts combined, including areas with high insecurity)
- Adhere to MSF’s principles and our management values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Responsibility, Trust, and Empowerment
- Adhere to MSF’s behavioral commitments
Most of our projects take place in areas experiencing acute or chronic crises and in unstable contexts. To learn more about security management within our organization, click here , and to learn more about working in acute conflict situations, click here . Living conditions on duty can be challenging due to isolation, harsh weather, security issues, and housing conditions. To learn more about working and living on duty, click here .
How to apply
- Click on ” Online Application ” at the bottom of this page to access the online application form for this position.
- You will be redirected to the online application form for this position.
- It will take you approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for preparing your CV and cover letter so that we can upload them.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Application deadline: May 31, 2026 (midnight, Central European Time)
As an international organization, we promote diversity, openness, and mutual respect. In accordance with our values, applications received are evaluated solely on the basis of professional qualifications and are considered without discrimination based on ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age. We strongly encourage applications from individuals belonging to underrepresented groups.