Mental Health Activity Manager Mentor (m/f/x) in Cairo, Egypt At Médecins Sans Frontières

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF**) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. We work in over 60 countries, offering assistance to people based on need, irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation.**

MSF Operational Centre Brussels is looking for a:

MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITY MANAGER MENTOR (m/f/x) – Egypt, Cairo

Operational Context

Egypt combines several migration facets: it is a country of destination, of transit and of origin. Migrants present or passing by Egypt are mainly from Sudan, Syria, and to a lesser extent from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and South Sudan. While some of them are only transiting and expecting to reach Europe from Egyptian’s shores, others are settling down in Cairo, Alexandria and Damietta, hoping for a better future.

The MSF project in Cairo is currently focusing on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The project is running an outpatient clinic that specializes in rehabilitation of victims of violence (mainly sexual violence, SV) and offers a comprehensive package of care. This comprehensive package of care includes medical care, psychological care, social support (referrals) and physiotherapy. Each patient has an individualized treatment plan implemented by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT).

For 2021, the project plans to support other partner organizations to offer a similar comprehensive care package to SV survivors (medical, mental health and social). After an in-depth assessment, a mentoring approach needs to be developed adapted to the needs of each partner organization and for the 3 departments (medical, mental health and social).

This project is not a typical MSF project (with ready-to-use tools) and requires a lot of flexibility, open-mindedness and capacity to adapt. This project focuses on migrants and refugees; therefore, a strong cultural sensitivity is required. In addition, the topic treated (sexual violence) is emotionally tiring and re-quires a good capacity to cope with stress.

For the above reasons, the project is a high-maintenance project, which relies greatly on human resources (and their adequate management).

Main objectives

1. To assess the Mental Health training needs and Mental Health SV services offered by partner organisations.
2. To develop Mental Health mentoring approach for partner organisations and ensure the implementation of the mentoring
3. To organise the recruitment, induction and training of the MSF psychologist mentors.
4. To develop Mental Health data monitoring tools in line with the tools of MAADI clinic and with the data collection tools of the partner organisations

Purpose of the post

Defining, coordinating and monitoring all mental health related activities in the project area including management of staff, ensuring the quality of care and analyzing statistics and reports, according to MSF protocols in order to provide the most appropriate support for patients.

Responsibilities

• In close collaboration with other medical team members, identifying the needs of MH mentoring support in the target population and participating in the definition, planning, organization and update of the appropriate MSF mentoring strategy and the Mental Health (MH) mentoring activities and its budget. Monitoring and evaluating MH mentoring support activities.
• Reviewing and developing the technical materials, tools, guidelines and documents, and coordinating and ensuring the implementation of all Mental Health standard protocols and procedures set by MSF and adapted to the needs of the partner organisations in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for patients supported by the partner organisations.
• Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, briefing/debriefing, evaluation, potential detection, development and internal communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required.
• Coordinating and ensuring that Mental Health mentoring activities help improve the quality of mental health care offered by the partner organisations so that the most appropriate treatment for clients with psychosocial problems is provided. Ensuring Mental Health mentoring team is calm and neutral during sessions regardless of personal feelings and/or beliefs and that the translators are trained about terminology and appropriate behaviour during sessions.
• Mapping and regularly updating the existing Mental Health services, including other INGO’s, local NGO’s, community groups and governmental health services, etc. and maintaining good and regular communication and collaboration with other components of the project according to objectives and context. Identifying possible advocacy issues and informing PC before taking any action. (Note: Advocacy is not under Mental Health Activities Manager accountabilities)
• Participating in monthly reports according to guidelines (SitRep, statistical report, etc.) and reporting problematic situations and cases with the Medical Coordinator to help with decision making and problem resolution.
• Ensuring that psychiatric patients coming to facilities of partner organisations receive proper treatment including psychotropic medication and psychosocial support either within an MSF program or through referral to an appropriate resource.**

Requirements

Education

Master in Clinical Psychology

Experience

• Essential 5 years working experience related to the diploma/degree,
• Proven experience in working with survivors of sexual violence (minimum 2 years)
• Essential experience with the development and implementation of mental health mentoring
• Previous experience with MSF in the field is a plus
• Experience in migration context will be an asset.

Competencies

• Highly patient-centered and empathic
• Proven experience in coaching/ mentoring
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement and evaluate training programs
• Strong people management and development skill
• Solid planning and organization
• Very good communication skills, diplomatic and respectful
• Capacity to ‘think outside of the box’
• Demonstrated reporting skills

Languages

• Essential fluent English

Conditions

• Expected starting date: November 2021
• 12 months fixed-term field contract, based in Cairo
• No family position
• Salary according to MSF-OCB Field salary scale. Transport, accommodation, vaccinations are taken in charge by MSF. Per diem + medical insurance
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments
• A dynamic and stimulating work environment alongside multicultural colleagues