Mental Health Activity Manager (MHAM) – Trauma Specialist

Tandem contract – 24 months with the following rhythm: 3-4 months at 100% in the field / 3-4 months at 40% remote

Context/purpose:

General Context:
After eight years of low-intensity conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russian forces launched an all-out military assault on 24 February 2022, causing extensive human, infrastructure, and energy damage, particularly in the country’s east, southeast and northeast. By late 2023, Russia controls 20% of Ukraine’s territory, mainly in the south and east. The invasion caused a massive humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and thousands killed. Mental health support has become a crucial component of MSF response in Ukraine.

Context of Vinnytsia:
In September 2023, as the war intensified, MSF started providing specialised psychotherapeutic services for people experiencing PTSD symptoms at a new centre in Vinnytsia region. Located in western Ukraine, Vinnytsia (pop. 376,000 in 2024) is relatively less affected by direct attacks, though drone or missile strikes occasionally occur due to nearby military targets. The city has an effective air defence system and serves as a key transit hub for internally displaced persons (IDPs), humanitarian and military supplies.

To fulfil its mission and ensure quality and continuity of care, MSF is looking for a Mental Health Activity Manager on a two-year tandem contract to work in its project in Vinnytsia.

Job Description

Field position:

• Collaborate with team members to plan, organize, and implement activities aimed at provision of comprehensive Mental Health Care for War-Related Traumatic Stress in Vinnytsia region.
• Provide technical support and guidance to the project team as needed and in coordination with the second Mental Health Activity Manager.
• Engage and co-produce activities with the patients and population as partners.
• Provision of individual and group clinical supervision to members of the psychologists’ team, including the mental health supervisor.
• In close collaboration with mhGAP medical doctors and Psychiatrist, ensure a comprehensive assessment, medical evaluation, appropriate treatment, and referral to appropriate care options for all patients.
• Be actively involved in sexual violence management in the project.
• Regular updating of map of existing Mental Health services and actors within Vinnytsia to collaborate with and transfer care of mild to moderate traumatic stress.
• Ensure accuracy in MH files completion by psychologists and monitoring data on DHIS2, based on MH Data Guideline.

Remote position:

• Is involved in the writing and the revision of internal documents (e.g Mental Health strategy, activity reports, capitalization reports, trainings, etc) and other adhoc reports.
• Takes part in the appraisals of the line-managed staff in collaboration with the MHAM in the project.
• Prepares detailed handover with the MHAM on the ground at the time of swapping of roles and responsibilities.
• Participate in key moments of the project during Plan of Action and Mid-Year-Review discussions in collaboration with the MHAM in the field.
• Contributes to the writing and analysis of activities review and case reviews.
• Provides technical support and guidance to the project team as needed and in coordination with the other Mental Health Activity Manager
• Additional task/s might be added based on the project needs and priorities.

Your Profile

• Degree/master’s in psychology or social work or MD degree with specialization in psychiatry.
• At least 2 years of clinical experience mandatory.
• Trauma-focused training (preferable evidence-based) such as CBT (including PE, CPT, or TF-CBT), EMDR, or NET- accredited psychotherapist. Other trainings in trauma therapy are an asset.
• Essential working experience of at least one year of direct experience providing trauma-focused therapy to patients with PTSD (incl. complex PTSD).
• English C1 minimum mandatory.
• Experience working with children, youth preferably.
• Experience working with displaced populations and veterans an asset.
• Management and coaching skills an asset.
• Flexible with solution-oriented approach.
• High level of professionalism.
• NGO experience or MSF experience an asset.

Specific frame of the tandem contract
Tandem contract – 24 months with the following rhythm: 3-4 months at 100% in the field / 3-4 months at 40% remote (at home)

• Rotations during this tandem contract should be planned every three (3) or four (4) months.
• Working hours should be the exact same as those of the Vinnystia Project.
• Annual Holidays schedules need to be planned while the MHAM is outside the mission and to be validated by the supervisor (and/or the Project Coordinator).

Depending on our activities and needs, your responsibilities may be adapted and evolve. You will not face these challenges alone; other MSF team members (both international and locally hired staff) will support you.

We encourage applications from people of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, abilities and all other characteristics of diversity.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference and criminal record checks.