National Lead of the Mental Health Emergency Response Mechanism (Psychiatrist)

The National Mental Health Emergency Response Mechanism (NMHERM) is Lebanon’s national mechanism for responding to mental health emergencies operated by the National Mental Health Program at the Ministry of Public Health and implemented by Embrace NGO. The NMHERM is composed of a Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) of psychiatrists, GPs trained on mental health, and psychiatric nurses dispatched to the field in Beirut and Tripoli and neighboring locations, through the National Lifeline for Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention.

The National Lead will oversee the management, strategic development and national visibility of the National Mental Health Emergency Response Mechanism conducted by the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT). This includes supervising field operations, ensuring psychiatric service provision, and liaising with national authorities, humanitarian stakeholders, and local organizations. The role requires high-level strategic oversight, ensuring cost-effective and sustainable operations, while enhancing the national recognition and efficiency of the MCT as a critical national service provider. The National Lead will also be responsible for monitoring the services’ progress, addressing operational challenges, and overseeing psychiatric assessments and interventions within the MCT framework, ensuring alignment with National Mental Health guidelines and best practices in crisis intervention.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Development and National Visibility

• Develop and implement strategies to position the MCT as a key national mental health emergency response service.
• Establish and maintain relationships with government entities, donors, and media to advocate for policy recognition and increased funding for MCT operations.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships with local and international organizations to expand outreach and sustainability.
• Lead efforts to create and disseminate public awareness campaigns, in collaboration with the communications team, to promote MCT services and its national impact.
• Represent the NMHP, Embrace and the MCT at high-level policy discussions, national conferences, and international forums to strengthen recognition of the MCT's role in Lebanon’s mental health sector, as relevant after written approval by NMHP and Embrace.
• Develop cost-effective models to ensure the sustainability of the MCT while maintaining service quality.
• Identify opportunities for long-term funding, engaging with potential donors and stakeholders.

Implementation and Monitoring of the Mobile Crisis Team Emergency Responses

• Oversee MCT operations, ensuring comprehensive psychiatric assessment, de-escalation, and crisis management.
• Supervise psychiatric interventions, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and hospitalizations as needed.
• Ensure clear coordination with the National Lifeline Team to activate mental health emergency responses.
• Follow up on service users hospitalized through MCT, managing their stay in alignment with budget constraints and clinical needs.
• Ensure proper documentation and reporting of the MCT interventions.
• Maintain coordination with stakeholders such as hospitals, healthcare providers, and governmental agencies to improve mental health response mechanisms.
• Participate in the development and oversee implementation of Clinical Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Coordinate and meet with local stakeholders relevant to the implementation of project activities to integrate their role and perspectives
• Ensure that the MH-related services provided by the Mobile Crisis Team in coordination with PHCC’s staff are aligned with the MoPH guidelines and in particular NMHP and with Human Rights

Team Management and Capacity Building

• Build the capacity of the Mobile Crisis Team Members on active listening, suicide and homicide risk assessment, crisis de-escalation, assessment of mental disorders and crisis situation, formulating a preliminary diagnosis, and collaborative planning with service users and/or their support system
• Build the capacity of lifeline operators on the functioning of the Mobile Crisis Team and follow up on their knowledge and skills on a regular basis
• Provide regular technical supervision through mentorship to Mobile Crisis Team Members to ensure appropriate assessments of service users and management of mental health crisis
• Identify areas of improvement for Mobile Crisis Team members and organize trainings to address them.
• Ensure the adherence of all team members to all Embrace and the NMHP’s policies, rules and regulations
• Foster a strong sense of team identity and cohesion, preventing discriminatory behavior and promoting inclusivity.

Logistics & Administration

• Define the needs in medications, medical equipment and tools regarding the program and the planning of interventions.
• Ensure timely supply of all logistics’ needs for the successful implementation of interventions.
• Participate in recruitment and induction of members, including nurses and psychiatrists/general physicians for the mobile crisis team.

Reporting & Data Collection

• Ensure effective data collection and reporting in accordance with the project activities.
• Conduct initial review and validation of data and documents completed by MCT.
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation efforts to measure the impact of MCT interventions and identify areas for improvement.
• Participate in the writing of required reports to donors, and partners, ensuring transparent communication.
• Provide insights for strategic planning by analyzing collected data and trends in mental health crises.

QUALIFICATIONS

Mandatory Requirements

• Medical degree (MD) with a specialization in Psychiatry, registered with the Lebanese Order of Psychiatrists.
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in mental health service provision.
• Experience in crisis response, risk assessment, and suicide prevention interventions.
• Fluent in English and Arabic (French is an asset).
• Proficiency in MS Office and Google Workspace.

Competencies

• Leadership in managing multi-disciplinary teams under high pressure situations.
• Strong understanding of mental health crisis intervention models and psychiatric emergency response.
• Knowledge of Lebanon’s mental health system and humanitarian context.
• Ability to build high-level partnerships with donors, governmental agencies, and policymakers.
• Ability to design treatment plans and refer patients to specialized services when needed.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to manage high-pressure situations effectively.
• Experience in public communication and advocacy to enhance national visibility.
• Experience in developing and executing strategic plans for national programs.

TIME COMMITMENT

32 hours a week office work/Field work (Full-Time)

REPORTING LINES

The National Lead reports to Embrace’s Mnaging Director directly as the implementing partner, and NMHP as the national governing body.