Mental Health Activity Manager at INTERSOS

General Purpose of the Position

This role supervises the implementation and the development of all mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities in the project, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate support and quality of care, from identification, treatment as well as referral to higher care for severe cases. S/he will be the focal point at the PHCC level for the clinical counselling and the capacity development on the psychological side at the health facility level, in charge of training and supervising heath staff. S/he also ensures reliable and accurate patient documentation and data are collected, shared and reported on according to standards.

Tasks and Main Responsibilities

• Identifies cases with mental or emotional disorders through patient screening at the facility level and ensures follow-up/monitoring of the referred cases (both internal and external).
• Organizes programs to increase awareness around MHPSS and facilitates training to help team members (including CHEWs) identify and refer patients.
• Collaborates with the Medical Activity Manager in organizing MH-Gaps training for all the health team and Community Health Volunteers.
• Develops a referral pathway for patients in need of different level of MH care (for patients coming from the community, members of the other health team and actors)
• Evaluates and assesses the psychological conditions of patients (affected with mild to moderate MH conditions) and engage in individual counselling using the WHO Problem Management Plus (PM+) in a culturally acceptable manner.
• Trains other health staff in performing PM+, provide ongoing (weekly) on site clinical supervision to empower the staff to run consultations autonomously and in time
• Refers patients (affected with severe MH conditions) to the GP; who takes charge in collaboration with the psychiatrist.
• Performs regular clinical supervision of the staff performing counselling (one to one or group supervision, Client files review, Data review, In session observation, multi-disciplinary team meeting/case discussion).
• Sets up the standard patient file, ensures it is updated regularly and kept according to confidentiality standards, whilst ensuring that the MH patient psychology records are kept separate from medical records.
• Ensures a proper data collection system and establish a document progress on cases, maintaining strict protocols for confidentiality and consent, and ensures that date protection protocols are respected as well as all patient follow up files are well documented/protected.
• Updates the MH database and shares monthly and quarterly report as per standard template whilst maintaining deadlines.
• Participates in the MHPSS working group with the objective of sharing experiences, increases awareness on the type of program, and creates meaningful relationship with key actors.
• Ensures that team members have clearly defined objectives, understands their objectives and responsibilities, and understands/implements NCD-MH program guidelines and protocols.
• Provides technical and organizational support and trainings to the NCD-MH project staff.

Professional requirements

• University degree in Nursing, Clinical Psychology. Master’s degree in clinical psychology and or a psychiatric is an added advantage
• Training in MH-Gap, training in WHO Problem management Plus PM+ is desirable.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience, including at least one year in NGO providing similar services.
• Possession of a valid practicing certificate

Personal requirements

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
• Leadership, people management and development, teamwork and cooperation, and service orientation.
• Understanding of humanitarian operations principles, standards and best practices
• Manages effectively his/her own time as well as flexible and available to work over time when needed
• Good command of written and spoken English, Kanuri and Hausa Languages
• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills and excellence as a team player
• Analytical and reporting skills
• Respect and adherence to protection principles
• Honesty and integrity and able to cope with stressful situations.