Mental health specialist

In our projects, we work with local teams to provide mental health care and psychosocial support, strengthen local capacities and promote psychological wellbeing. These services are delivered both during emergency responses and as an integrated part of healthcare programs in more stable settings. 

Mental health specialist role description

As a mental health specialist, you will coordinate, supervise and train locally recruited psychologists and other mental health staff responsible for delivering mental health and psychosocial support activities. Depending on the operational context, you may also provide psychological counselling or therapy, either with the support of an interpreter or directly when you speak the local language.

Your duties may include assessing mental health and psychosocial needs within the population, planning and implementing appropriate interventions, and monitoring and evaluating activities. 
You may also develop and deliver psychoeducational activities to raise awareness of mental health, promote wellbeing and reduce stigma associated with mental health conditions. 

Role requirements

In addition to the basic requirements to work for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), you need:

• Valid license to practice as a psychologist or physician with specialist qualifications in psychiatry. 

• At least two years of clinical work experience
   

Desirable qualifications

•  Experience providing mental health care to people affected by violence, sexual violence, torture, armed conflict or infectious diseases
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience in team management or programme coordination.
• Experience in training, supervising, or mentoring other professionals.
• Previous experience in humanitarian settings.
• French language proficiency is particularly desirable. Other relevant language skills, like Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic are an asset. 
  
   

Your safety and security 

We take safety and security seriously. This video explains the risks our staff face and the lengths we go to keep them safe.

Please watch this before you decide whether or not to apply for this job.

Ready to apply?

Working for MSF is a commitment, rather than just an adventure or a job opportunity. Make sure you have read and understood the information on Life on assignment. 

We can only accept applications from Swedish and Finnish residents (Swedish/Finnish citizens and those eligible to work in Sweden or Finland).