Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian medical association created in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: mainly in cases of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters or exclusion from care.
To provide psychological support to patients, in accordance with MSF principles, standards and procedures, in order to improve their mental health.
Main responsibilities
- To assess mental health needs, establish a diagnosis and treatment plan, inform the family of the possible consequences of the illness and the drug treatment to be followed and refer patients to other professionals when necessary, in order to provide the treatment most likely to improve their health.
- Implement the protocol for the care of victims of sexual violence (VSV), identify VSV victims and refer them to the medical team in order to provide them with the necessary treatment.
- To provide psychological support and psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group), in accordance with MSF protocols and in a way that improves the mental health of patients.
- To assist and train staff members and, if necessary, other stakeholders in order to expand the scope of mental health activities. To work closely with translators to determine the vocabulary and approach to adopt during sessions.
- Collect statistics and monitor data related to mental health activities
- Inform your superior and the medical team of any questions or problems that may arise in connection with the treatment, so as to offer the best solution from a medical point of view.
- Guarantee the confidentiality of all patient-related information.
Specific Responsibilities
- To 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 accessing 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 cases of assault within 72 hours, in close collaboration with the medical and social team according to the emergency protocol.
- Collaborating with community mental health workers to ensure the identification, referral and follow-up of cases detected in the community or during awareness-raising activities.
- Provide technical and clinical support to MSF team members (clinical supervision, complex cases, training) and support partners as needed.
- Adapting psychological assessment tools and psychoeducational 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).
Desired profile
Education: Degree in Psychology, essential
Experience :
- Minimum 2 years of experience as a Psychologist
- Experience with MSF or another NGO in developing countries is desirable.
LANGUAGES :
- Mission language, essential
- Local language preferred
Skills: Computer skills (Word, Excel, internet) preferred
Skills:
- Results and a Sense of Quality
- Teamwork and Cooperation
- Flexibility of Behavior
- Adherence to MSF Principles
- Stress Management
Job specifics
Status: 6-month fixed-term contract
Conditions: Salary: Level 7 of the MSF Senegal salary scale
How to apply
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