Missions
Participate in the planning, supervision and coordination of mental health services / psychosocial support services within the program in accordance with MSF standards in order to provide the most appropriate care possible to patients suffering from mental disorders.
Responsibilities
- Participate in the planning, organization and coordination of activities promoting mental health in close cooperation with the Mental Health Activity Manager and other members of the medical team in order to ensure cost-effective and efficient implementation of the necessary resources while maintaining a high level of quality within MSF programs and activities .
- Coordinate counselling services activities with other relevant actors and communicate with local counterparts (e.g. MSP, WHO, ICRC and NGOs) regarding mental health issues, including referral services.
- Oversee daily mental health activities and patient support in accordance with MSF protocols and standards to provide the most appropriate care possible to patients with psychosocial disorders.
- Communicate with other members of the MSF project team.
- Supervise in close cooperation with the HR department the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, assessment, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure the presence of the necessary staff and knowledge.
- Oversee administrative processes related to psychosocial functioning.
- Provide psychological support to patients in accordance with MSF protocols when necessary in order to improve patients’ mental health and autonomy.
- Compile data and statistics related to the management activities of patients suffering from mental disorders and make them available to the mental health activity manager.
- Provides oversight of the provision of clinical counseling to mental health counselors in cooperation with the Mental Health Activity Manager.
Ensure that patient information is kept confidential.
MSF Section Specific Responsibilities / Context
- Supervise and supervise the trainee psychologists involved in the project (technical support, case monitoring, methodological support and regular skills assessment).
- Ensure the integration of interns into the MHPSS team and their compliance with MSF protocols (confidentiality, ethics, PFA, orientation).
- Support the mental health activity manager in the development and implementation of the MHPSS Migration Dakar strategy , taking into account the specificities of the migration context.
- Actively participate in the assessment and analysis of the mental health needs of migrants, taking into account their background, specific vulnerabilities (violence, loss, isolation, administrative status) and barriers to access to care.
- Implement psychological support (individual or group) adapted to the migratory, cultural and linguistic context of the beneficiaries (possibility of using interpretation, intercultural mediation, etc.).
- Participate in the integrated care of victims of sexual violence, particularly in the event of an assault within 72 hours, in close collaboration with the medical and social team according to the emergency protocol.
- Collaborate with community mental health workers to ensure the identification, referral and follow-up of cases detected in the community or during outreach activities.
- Provide technical and clinical support to MSF team members (clinical supervision, complex cases, training) and support partners if necessary.
- Adapt psychological assessment tools and psychoeducation materials to the linguistic and cultural diversity of migrants.
- Document major stressors, observed coping strategies, and specific emerging needs to strengthen the project’s MHPSS response.
- Participate in the development of information modules and prevention activities (e.g. stress, trauma, parenting in migration, mental health & rights).
Requirements
Education: Degree in psychosocial sciences or related field essential.
Experience: Experience in psychosocial counseling of at least two years. (Desirable)
Languages: Practice of local languages ​​and the language of the essential mission (Wolof, French).
SKILLS
• Personnel management and development
• Adherence to MSF principles
• Flexibility of behavior
• Results and sense of quality
• Teamwork and cooperation
Status :
Position based in Dakar, Senegal. Full-time position, fixed-term contract (6 months)
Salary :
Level 8 of the MSF Senegal salary scale
How to apply
To apply click HERE