Operational Context

As a first point of entry, Lesvos remains a key battleground where restrictive EU migration policies are tested and implemented and where MSF witnesses first-hand the impact of these policies on people’s physical and mental health.

Lesvos has been a main point of entry into Europe for asylum seekers since 2015. Following the EU-Turkey statement and the geographical restriction of movement for new arrivals, containment on the island for a long period, facing substandard living conditions, lingering asylum process, without reliable medical actors and decreasing service provision, these are the determinants of the medical and psychosocial needs of the asylum-seeking population.

The unacceptable living conditions in terms of shelter, hygiene and sanitation standards, access to primary healthcare and other basic services in the continuously overcrowded Moria camp and the neighbouring overspill site the “Olive Grove”, led to the fire that engulfed the camp in its totality in September 2020. Since the fire, Moria camp was replaced by a new built camp (Mavrovouni) near the city of Mytilini. Now, MSF provides its services to the most vulnerable asylum seekers in two locations, in Mitilini town as well as outside of the Mavrovouni camp.

The activities in Mytilini Clinic focus on the provision of multidisciplinary care for people with severe mental health issues as a result of an experience of violence (survivors of torture and violence, including sexual violence). The holistic package offered includes medical care, mental health care and access to social workers and legal aid. Mental health is also provided for children with severe and moderate mental health condition (non-MDT approach)

MSF is also providing SRH activities (ANC and PNC, family planning, access to ToP and holistic care for survivors of SV) and vaccination for children in the new venue (MSF Sea House) just in front of the Mavrovouni Camp. Medical activities in both clinics are supported by the HP team and facilitated by a large team of cultural mediators.

Additionally, bi-weekly mobile clinic is organised in Magala Terma to provide PHC and MH care for new commers.

Main objectives

In close collaboration with other medical team members, identifying the needs of MH support in the target population and participating in the definition, planning, organization and update of the appropriate MSF strategy and the Mental Health (MH) activities and its budget. Monitoring and evaluating MH support activities.

Purpose of the post

Defining, coordinating and monitoring all mental health related activities in the project area including management of staff, ensuring the quality of care and analyzing statistics and reports, according to MSF protocols in order to provide the most appropriate support for patients.

Responsibilities

  • In collaboration with the technical referent: Reviewing and developing the technical materials, tools, guidelines and documents, and coordinating and ensuring the implementation of all Mental Health standard protocols and procedures set by MSF relevant to VOT in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for patients. Active collaboration with other departments is required to ensure the multidisciplinary model approach (MDT)
  • Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, briefing/debriefing, evaluation, potential detection, development and internal communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required.
  • Coordinating and ensuring that Mental Health activities (in and outside health facilities) with the clients are performed with regular follow-up in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for clients with psycho-social problems.
  • Ensure that the team is aware of the living context of the patients with regular visit to the camp sites.
  • Ensuring Mental Health team is calm and neutral during sessions regardless of personal feelings and/or beliefs and ensuring proper training to the cultural mediators about terminology and effective communication skills and appropriate behaviour during the sessions.
  • Mapping and regularly updating the existing Mental Health services, including other INGO’s, local NGO’s, community groups and governmental health services, etc. and maintaining good and regular communication and collaboration with other components of the project according to objectives and context.
  • In collaboration with the Medical Activity manager: Ensuring that psychiatric patients coming to MSF facilities receive adequate treatment and follow-up and psychosocial support either within the MSF clinic or by referral to an external partner.
  • Participating when required to the project advocacy strategy which is under the responsibility of the Field coordinator.
  • Provide regular activity report-analysis, ensure that patient consultation forms, data encoding forms are filled in an accurate manner and active cohort patient sheet updated regularly.
  • Providing regular trainings and technical supervisions (seat-in session, case discussion) according to the needs of the team.
  • Participating when required to MHPSS stakeholder meeting.
  • Planning and organising the regular technical supervision session conducted by an external psychologist.
  • Support the Project Medical Referent to organise regular session about stress prevention and self-care for the entire team.
  • Supporting the analysis, study, research and publications of articles concerning the MH approach in the field of VOTs rehabilitation in first-arrival European countries, such as the Greek context.

Requirements

Education

  • Essential master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy or Medical Doctor degree with specialization in Psychiatry
  • Desirable to have Licence to Practice in Greece.

Experience

  • Essential working experience of at least 4 years as psychologist or psychiatrist. Essential working experience with MSF or other NGOs.
  • Highly desirable: experience in working with VoT’s or at minimum experience in working with trauma-focused therapies & experience working with migrants/refugees.

· Desirable working experience in developing countries; Flexibility to understand individual patients’ needs and support the team in a patient centered and holistic approach.

Competencies

  • People Management and Development,
  • Commitment to MSF Principles,
  • Behavioural Flexibility,
  • Results and Quality Orientation,
  • Teamwork and Cooperation

Languages

  • Essential English. Desirable French and Greek.

Conditions

  • Expected starting date: 20th September 2021
  • 1 year fixed-term contract, based in Lesbos, Greece
  • Salary and benefits according to MSF-OCB salary scale.
  • Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
  • Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments
  • No family position
  • A dynamic and stimulating work environment alongside multicultural colleagues

This vacancy is archived.

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