Mental Health Specialist - Psychiatrist

Agnes Varraine-Leca/MSF

MSF is an independent international medical relief organisation, with 28 offices worldwide. When large-scale epidemics occur, when areas in crisis are too dangerous for many other organisations, then our medical teams are there to assist the affected population. We organise basic medical care, treat the injured, carry out vaccination campaigns, train local staff and build up medical infrastructure. In long-term aid projects our teams fight diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, sleeping sickness, and HIV/AIDS.

Psychatrist

tasks and responsibilities

Wars and displacement, epidemics and natural disasters: the needs of our patients are considerable, so is the need for psychiatrists.

For psychiatrists working with us, a great many tasks can be expected such as caring for people affected by HIV and tuberculosis who have to take medication for the rest of their lives or endure a lengthy therapy. As a psychiatrist, you can also be deployed in the aftermath of wars or displacement to help people deal with traumatic experiences in collaboration with the other staff in our projects.

As a mental health officer, you will establish culturally and socially appropriate mental health care during your assignment. You will lead the teams and evaluate available psychiatric services on site, prescribe and monitor therapy with psychotropic medication. You will also supervise the training of local professionals in crisis intervention and psychosocial primary care. For example, you will train staff in the diagnosis and treatment of severe and common mental illnesses.

Our Requirements

Completed specialist training. In some circumstances and following a detailed assessment of specialist skills, secondment may be possible after only six semesters of specialization

At least two years of training must have been completed in adult psychiatry, ideally in both inpatient and outpatient settings

Experience with cognitive behavioral therapy

Work experience is an advantage, ideally in a multidisciplinary team: in child and adolescent psychiatry, in forensic psychiatry and in work with addicts, in individual and group settings, in inpatient and outpatient settings, with traumatized patients, survivors of sexual violence, in violence prevention with children and adolescents, in counselling, prevention and care during long-term therapy for patients with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

Ideally experience in training, supervision and staff management

Availability for at least nine to twelve months, preferably longer

FlVery good knowledge of English and ideally further language skills in French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian. Good knowledge of French can have a significant influence on the overall assessment and final selection decision

If possible, work experience in African, Asian or Latin American countries

Ability to work in a team, cultural sensitivity, organizational and improvisational skills as well as high mental and physical resilience

Willingness to work in accordance with Médecins Sans Frontières humanitarian principles, charter and mission statement

What do we offer

Salary sufficient to cover costs at home while you are in the field

A per diem during assignment to cover food expenses and other local purchases in local currency

Round-trip transportation to and from assignment

Room and board during assignment

A comprehensive insurance package, including health and emergency evacuation insurance

Holiday leave (depending on project)

We strongly recommend that you attend a webinar or HR info event about working with MSF to learn more about responsibilities and requirements before you apply.