Clinical Psychologist

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Doctors Without Borders/أطباء بلا حدود, is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in around 70 countries who are affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality. We offer basic healthcare, perform surgery, fight epidemics, rehabilitate and run hospitals and clinics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate nutrition centers, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid. Where necessary, we set up sanitation systems, supply safe drinking water, and distribute relief to assist survival. Working overseas with (MSF) means that you will go to work in projects in any of the countries where MSF works. Each project you go to will require a certain period of commitment (6 to 12 months). It also means that you will need the flexibility to adjust to unfamiliar food, living quarters, pace of life, and languages. Projects may be located in the most remote places in the world, often in harsh environments with limited resources and amenities. Regardless of where you go, it might be a very different lifestyle. Working in an unfamiliar culture inevitably involves challenges in communication and perceptions. Being aware that people may not act or think like you, accepting this, and being able to adapt your own behaviors if required, is of utmost importance when working in the field. A special camaraderie emerges amongst members of a project team who come from different countries, backgrounds and experience. This creates a shared sense of purpose, sparking ingenuity and resourcefulness in getting things done, and a lot of spontaneous fun. Identification : Name: Clinical Psychologist Report to: Project Medical Referent/ MH activity manager Project Coordinator   MSF’s mental health activities can be implemented in a large variety of contexts: Emergencies (natural and manmade disasters) protracted/chronic-ongoing crisis Excluded and marginalized populations (survivors of sexual violence, victims of urban violence, minorities, migrants, etc.) Integration with medical care (HIV/AIDS, TB, haemorrhagic fever, etc.)   Most of the programs consists of both clinical (individual and groups) and community-based component and require an integrated medical-psychological-social approach.                                          Main purpose: As a clinical psychologist, your role will be to propose, implement and improve treatment for patients with mental conditions, with strategies and tools adapted to the context and culture. A substantial part of your work will involve coordination of the different activities, training and supervising staff who carry out the mental health/psychosocial support activities. As a mental health specialist you may work with people suffering from post-traumatic stress related to a conflict situation or natural disaster, with victims of sexual violence, or with people being treated for HIV/AIDS and/or tuberculosis. Work may occasionally include direct clinical care, but of primary importance will be your capacity to recruit, train, and supervise locally hired mental health workers, and to adapt tools to local cultural needs/contexts and to changing circumstances in the field. Accountabilities: Participate in the planning, organization and coordination of Mental Health activities, in close collaboration with the Mental Health activity manager and other medical team members, in order to ensure an efficient and effective implementation of the resources needed while maintaining high levels of quality in Mental Health MSF programs and activities. Coordinates activities of counseling services with other relevant actors and liaises with the local counterparts on mental health matters, including referral services. Supervise the daily mental health activities and patient support according to MSF protocols and standards in order to provide the most appropriate support for clients with psycho social needs Liaise with the other MSF team members of the project. Supervise, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required Oversee the administrative processes associated with psychosocial functioning. When needed, give psychological support to patients according to MSF protocols to improve mental health conditions of patients and enhance their functionality. Compile the data and statistic linked with MH activities and report to the MH activity manager Offer clinical counseling supervision to mental health counselors in collaboration with the Mental Health Activity Manager. Ensure the patient’s related information is kept confidential.   Requirements: Education: Master of clinical psychology Relevant clinical work experience of minimum 2 years Experience in treating trauma/violence related problems. Other requirements: Medical ethics, Cultural sensitivity, Altruism, Openness and flexibility, Ability to live and work as a team, Ability to manage stress, Availability: MSF requires a minimum of a 2 years commitment. Languages: Arabic, English and/or French.