Locum Psychologist at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Carrying out evaluation of mental health needs of patients and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment. Informing the patient and his/her relatives about the possible consequences of the illness and the drug treatment to follow and referring patients to other health professionals whenever necessary, to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the patient's condition
• Sensitize the medical team to recognize psychological disorders and to refer patients to the psychologist for further assessment and management
• Implementing the Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) protocol, identifying survivors of SGBV and referring them to the medical team so that they receive the necessary treatment.
• Providing psychological support and psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group) to patients according to MSF protocols to improve their mental health conditions.
• Assisting and training staff members and resource people whenever necessary to enhance the scope of MH activities. Working in close collaboration with translators to ensure appropriate terminology and behavior during sessions
• Collecting statistical and monitoring data about mental health activities in accordance to MSF guidelines.
• Informing the supervisor and the medical team about any issues or problems that may arise related to patients’ treatment to provide the best possible solution from a medical perspective
• Ensuring that all patient information is kept confidential.
• Liaise closely with other departments in the programme to enable open communication and ensure smooth referral of patients
• To participate in CMEs and on job training for staff on trauma cases, SGBV cases, child development, counselling techniques etc. The counsellors should be encouraged to present with your support and input.
• Train and supervise counsellors and expert patients, as needed, to conduct such sessions with the involvement of the medical team.
• Plan an organize for difficult case discussions with counsellors and follow up on the planning of Clinical Case discussions on Telemedicine platform monthly.
• Active participation in departmental meetings and offer support to MSF-MOH decentralized sites survivors and take part in Monthly MHPSS meetings across OCs as well as Technical Working Group Activities.
• Fill and update patient files, weekly activity forms, tracking of lost to follow ups and up to date with Mental Health Database Activities.
• Working closely with data team and MH Supervisor in analyzing trends including patient follow ups.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education: Degree in Medical Psychology from an accredited institution. (BA or Medical).
• Master’s degree in clinical psychology as an added advantage.
• Experience: Psycho-social counselling experience of at least 2 years. Previous experience in other NGO’s/MSF is a plus.
• Languages: Fluency in English and Kiswahili is a must, other local language is a plus.
• Knowledge: Computer operation, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Competences: Results, teamwork, flexibility, commitment, service
• Good communication skills both verbal and written
• Detail oriented and meticulous in all aspects of work
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team
• Ability to work in strenuous condition with minimal supervision
• Applicants MUST be Kenyan nationals and have the necessary statutory documents (ID, NSSF, NHIF, and a PIN certificate).
• Candidates meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit a motivation letter and an updated