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Being a mental health officer (MHO) with MSF is an intense but rewarding job.

From providing psychological first aid to survivors of natural disasters to counselling HIV patients, our MHOs play a vital role in our projects. Trauma is often the most painful aspect of surviving a conflict or disaster, or living with a disease, and mental healthcare is vital for recovery.

Responsibilities

Our MHOs often head a group of outreach workers and counsellors, providing care in the health facilities but also out in the community.

It’s a challenging and exciting role and you would be responsible for some or all of the following: 

  • Doing a community mental health assessment
  • Planning a mental health strategy
  • Managing mental healthcare for an entire hospital/project
  • Providing care for victims of sexual violence
  • Supporting groups of displaced people
  • Identifying and managing protection issues

Stories from the field

To read more first-hand stories from mental health specialists working in the field with MSF, visit our blog.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

  • A master’s degree in psychology, or equivalent (postgraduate) qualification in community psychiatric nursing, with strong clinical therapeutic experience; or experience as a psychiatrist
  • Licensed to work as psychologist or psychiatrist.
  • A minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in giving therapy to adults and children
  • Work experience in (social) psychiatry, clinical social work/psychology, psychotherapy, or community psychiatric nursing
  • Experience with community-oriented approaches and context-oriented information materials
  • Experience in training, coaching and supervision
  • Work or travel experience (3 months minimum) in developing countries
  • A good command of the English language (minimum B2)
  • Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload
  • Ability to work in an international team
  • Willingness to work in an unstable and insecure environment
  • Availability of at least 12 months

Assets

  • Demonstrable experience in clinical treatment of clients with trauma and/or with HIV/AIDS and/or tuberculosis
  • Work experience in a similar non-governmental organization abroad or with clients from various cultures and developing countries
  • A good command of the French and Arabic languages

*MSF Ireland can only accept applications for field positions from Irish residents who have a valid permit to work in Ireland. If you do not have this we cannot accept your application

before you apply

Your safety and security 

We take safety and security seriously. This video explains the risks our staff face and the lengths we go to keep them safe.

Please watch this before you decide whether or not to apply for this job.

What's it like working with MSF? 

In most projects you'll be living and working in stressful conditions without many of the things you may take for granted at home.

Please watch this short video and reflect on why you want to work for MSF before starting your application. 

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