Emergency Pool Mobile Country Mental Health Activity Manager

CONTEXT 

Within the Operations Department of MSF Belgium (Operational Center Brussels - OCB), our Emergency Pool (E-Pool) has as primary function to intervene directly and quickly with medical activities in crisis situations such as conflicts, epidemics, outbreaks and natural disasters while guaranteeing the quality of interventions. It is also tasked with the monitoring and identification of crises that may arise.   

The E-Pool consists of one E-Pool Coordinator and a deputy, and two Emergency Coordinators based in Brussels. In addition to the Emergency coordinators, the E-Pool unit is composed of technical referent officers in Supply, Logistics, HR and Finance.   

The E-Pool also includes a Mobile Emergency Team deployed in emergency operations and composed of different profiles of coordinators and technicians. Members of the E-Pool Mobile Team travel at short notice to any context where the E-Pool is leading interventions, operating in a roving capacity. They undertake successive several short-term assignments between 6 weeks to 3 months, though in exceptional cases, it may extend beyond 3 months.  

MSF OCB’s ambition is that mental healthcare and psychosocial interventions are to be integrated in emergency medical strategies whenever possible.  

During emergencies the prevalence of mental disorders increases and the (often already scarce) MHPSS services available decrease, resulting in a worsening gap in the provision of appropriate care. Rapid assessment of MH needs allows identification of priority areas of intervention, identifies available local resources, gaps in service provision, outlines local regulations and culturally appropriate ways to manage emotional distress, leading to the proposal of a MH strategy necessary to implement activities.  

As E-Pool Mobile Country Mental Health Activity Manager (MHAM), you oversee mental health programmes that aim to provide mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for people in emergency contexts. The general objective is to support the implementation of the MH component in all MSF OCB’s E-Pool supported programmes. Priority will be given to assignments in emergency interventions as Country MHAM, but other MH positions could also be covered to support more directly the project.  

You are under the line management of the E-Pool Medical Officer and the functional management of the OCB MH Referents. You collaborate with the managers and coordinators of the countries and projects, the Project Medical Coordinator (PMC) as well as with Project MHAM or/and MH Supervisors. While on assignment, you work under the regular hierarchical and functional structures of the programmes but must keep communication with the E-Pool based in Brussels, other E-pool projects, and the MH Referents. Visit planning and specific visit objectives will be elaborated in conjunction with E-Pool Medical Officer, MH Referents and with operations and coordination in the programmes.  

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

Define, support and monitor implementation of MHPSS activities in emergency contexts:  

• Conduct MHPSS assessments and propose MHPSS strategies based on the needs and assessment results.   

• Ensure the implementation of MHPSS strategies and activities in accordance with MSF MHPSS guidelines as well as the identified needs and objectives of the project 

• Launch, carry out and coordinate MHPSS interventions ensuring they are based on best available evidence-based practices 

• Give technical support to project teams for the setup, analysis and interpretation of MH data 

• Develop quality care within programs through designing, implementing and improving the tools used for monitoring and evaluation, in collaboration with MH Referents 

• Ensure the sustainability and quality of services in the practical implementation of MHPSS activities.  

• Support teams in finding and using the appropriate essential documents, evidence-based, tools and material. 

• Identify needs for tools and documentation and participate in updating and adapting the material and documentation of MHPSS 

Support capacity building and development of the MHPSS human resources in the field:  

• Evaluate knowledge gaps and needs for improvement of capacities/ abilities of project MHPSS staff and define training needs 

• Propose activities for development of MHPSS staff and other project staff 

• Contribute to the design of MH trainings, as well as strategies for continuous training and sustainability of the acquired knowledge/ capacities 

• Strengthen the knowledge and skills of the Propject MHAM/ MH Supervisor in clinical supervision, team management and teamwork 

• Support capacity building of new or existing team members, Managers, Project Medical Coordinators and Country Medical Coordinators 

• Reinforce technical support to make the person-centred and multidisciplinary approach to patient care effective 

Contribute to improving monitoring and evaluation of MHPSS activities and outcomes:  

• Contribute to improve monitoring of field activities, MH Database collection and analysis at project level 

• Conduct evaluation of MHPSS activities (access of target population, quality, results, outcome, acceptance by community and staff…), and their contribution in the achievement of the overall project objectives 

• Participate of the capitalization of the MH activities and MHPSS strategies in emergency projects 

Ensure good coordination and continuation of care in the projects: 

• Do briefings and debriefings of Managers, Coordinators, Project MHAMs, MH Supervisors and all relevant staff members  

• Report and share with Project Medical Coordinators, Emergency Medical Coordinators and the E-Pool based in Brussels 

• Provide timely reports or Situational Reports after interventions 

• Give feedback and share with MH and other relevant Medical Department Referents and write intervention proposals 

• Ensure follow up of recommendations that were given by the Referents 

Collaboration and Teamwork:  

• Participate and contribute to meetings organized by MH Referents, meetings with MH regional implementers and other key colleagues in the MHPSS team 

• Contribute to review and update MHPSS Emergency documents, tools and guidance. 

• Update OCB MHPSS guidance on emergency assessment and strategy and create an emergency Toolkit 

• Reinforce the collaboration of MH team with Health promotion team 

• Identify, inform and share with MH Referents the proposed strategies and activities as well as complex situations and/or MH issues that require multidisciplinary analysis and concrete proposals 

REQUIREMENTS 

Education and Experience 

• Qualified clinical psychologist or psychiatrist / master’s degree or equivalent 
• Minimum of 2 years international NGO experience, including at least one MSF experience as Mental Health Activity Manager 
• Emergency response experience is a strong asset 
• Experience in capacity building (training, supervising, coaching) 

Competencies 

• Computer literacy (Microsoft 365 tools) 

Languages 

• Proficiency in English and French, both written & spoken is mandatory  

• Good knowledge of Arabic, Spanish or Portuguese is an asset  

Other 

• Availability to travel to any country on short notice  

CONDITIONS 

• Expected starting date: As soon as possible  

• Location: Carried out in the countries of intervention (all contexts, including high-insecurity contexts) - based in the country of residence in between assignments 

• Contract type: Fixed term contract – Full-time.  

• Contract duration: 12 months. 

• Salary as per MSF international salary grid. 

• The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in respect of MSF standard function and salary grids. 

• Medical insurance 100% covered as per international package; 45 days annual paid leaves; Accomplishment bonus of 1.5-month salary upon completion of 12-month contract 

• Not a family position. 

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment.  

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioural Commitments.  

Deadline for applications: 30 September 2026 

How to apply? 

• Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button 

• You will be directed to the online application form for this position    

• It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload (in PDF format)   

Position only open to candidates with previous MSF experience!  

No MSF experience? Check out other job offers on our website.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

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