ABOUT US
Stichting Vluchteling (Dutch Refugee Foundation) is an emergency relief organization that provides emergency aid to refugees and internally displaced people worldwide. In case of acute emergency, the Refugee Foundation provides immediate aid, such as shelter, medical care, clean water and sanitation. Besides raising awareness about refugees in the Netherlands, Stichting Vluchteling also disseminates on international emergency aid programmes.
Stichting Vluchteling's office is based in The Hague, The Netherlands. Currently, over 35 employees work for Stichting Vluchteling.
GENERAL
The Mental Health advisor position will focus on 3 main axes:
- Non communicable diseases (NCD) and Mental health (MH) care integration in primary health care (PHC) in humanitarian settings: provide expert knowledge in the field of Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to achieve SV strategic objectives.
- Develop and maintain organizational capacity to guarantee quality in SV supported or funded MHPSS programs.
- Support advocacy, lobbying, research, and representation activities on MHPSS in the Netherlands and beyond.
PLACE IN THE ORGANIZATION
The Mental Health Advisor will report to the NCD/MH team lead. He/she will be the functional link to different profiles in the field according to the project type (ex. MH supervisors, psychologists, etc). He/she will ideally live in the Netherlands and can come to the office in The Hague on a regular basis, with approximately 50% of the time spend in the field (note: during non-covid times).
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
As member of the medical team, he/she will:
- NCD and MH INTEGRATION into Primary Health Care
- Lead the development and follows the implementation of a mental health strategy in a programme to integrate NCD-MH into PHC, in line with MhGap/MHPSS IASC guidelines and in collaboration with the NCD advisor and the NCD/MH team leader. This includes development of a standard package of tools (including guidelines, monitoring and learning, trainings) to be shared and regularly updated;
- Support relevant projects/missions in adapting and implementing the program and the available tools, according to context and specific challenges/constraints (both remotely and on site);
- Monitor and analyse project MHPSS outcomes and supports program adjustments to improve quality results;
- Participates as technical referent to the process of selection of the MHPSS related resources for the field implementation and provides pre-departure induction wherever an expat MH profile will be deployed;
- Provides training (e.g. TOT) and supervision to MH human resources in the field (PM+, IPT , patient confidentiality and patient file management, data management, etc.).
- MHPSS quality programming and capacity building:
- Completes the development of a standard package of reference tools for MHPSS programs supported by SV (including definition of MHPSS standards to be implemented, minimum quality requirements, referral criteria, screening tools for common MH conditions, training curriculum for different profiles, MEAL package for MHPSS in the light of Operational research/advocacy opportunities);
- Ensures a knowledge bank platform for MHPSS tools is created, updated and shared (including standard patient documentation, referral forms, data collection tools, data forms, training material and TOT package, clinical supervision tools, etc.);
- Supports ad hoc MHPSS projects (including co-designing projects with the missions, providing direct technical support during implementation both in remote and on site, offering coaching and/or direct supervision of technical staff in the field/mission);
- Collaborates with both medical and project team in designing/drafting proposals (e.g. whenever no MH resources are available in the mission), reviewing project proposals and reporting, in order to ensure quality programs are implemented
- As key stakeholder of the medical team, provides expert insight in developing strategic direction for medical programming, during internal and external discussions (ex. with SV partners);
- Liaises, as per needed, with the partners to harmonise MHPSS with other sectors (ex. protection).
- Advocacy, lobbying, research, and representation on MHPSS
- Engages actively in developing operational research projects linked to MHPSS, in particular regarding NCD-MH integration in Primary health care (PHC);
- Represents SV in national and international fora on MHPSS in the Netherlands;
- In collaboration with the medical team, seeks opportunities for building collaborations (i.e. with Ministry of Foreign affairs, the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), or other organizations) and builds meaningful relationships to achieve ad hoc organizational objectives.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
- Clinical psychologist or psychiatrist with at least five years post graduate experience.
- Minimum of 5 years field experience in mental health interventions in humanitarian setting.
- Experience in management, implementation and evaluation of MH programs.
- Strong Knowledge of WHO mental health scalable interventions (PM+, IPT).
- Strong Knowledge of WHO mh_GAP intervention Guide including HIG.
- Proven experience of working independently under minimal supervision.
- Demonstrable experience of working and constructively participating as part of a multi-cultural team.
- Fluency in written and oral English is required. Other languages (French in particular) are desirable, knowing Dutch is a plus, but not a requirement.
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively and work overseas.
- Demonstrable organizational and communication skills, including attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong ability to stick to deadlines and influence others to do the same.
- Previous work experience within humanitarian organizations and commitment to the aims and values of humanitarian work.
- Interest to be involved in networking and lobbying for MHPSS as well as research oriented. Previous research expertise welcome.
WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU?
- A dynamic position with a lot of personal responsibility and room for initiative.
- A position within an informal and decisive organization;
- An employment contract for one year, with the possibility of extension;
- Salary and working conditions suitable to a humanitarian aid organization, depending on education, experience and age; with excellent fringe benefits.