Mental health representative F/M At Doctors Without Borders

Médecins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian medical association created in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: mainly in the event of armed conflicts, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters or even exclusion of care.

The referent of a medical specialty participates in the definition of the association’s medical-operational policies and strategy by providing knowledge of its specialty and support in its implementation.

The mission of the medical department is to ensure the quality of care in all programs carried out by MSF. The mission of the full-time mental health referent is to help improve the care of populations living in precarious situations and often exposed to different forms of violence, thanks to their expertise in mental health and psychosocial support.

• He/she works under the responsibility of the medical director
• He/she works in close collaboration with other mental health referents for all support activities for OCP field projects, other referents in the medical department, program managers and members of operational units.
• In collaboration with the Pool Manager, he/she participates in the coordination of the network of international MSF staff specializing in mental health (psychiatrists and psychologists).
• He/she participates in the MSF intersection working group on mental health and psychosocial support (SMSPS).

Main activities:

• Provide support in the field in terms of mental health and psychosocial care,
• Keep up to date with relevant research and publications.
• Write and contribute to MSF documents, guidelines, guidance documents and catalogs as needed,
• Oversee the appropriate medical procurement of HD projects
• Propose, encourage and monitor relevant research studies,
• Contribute as an active member to the objectives and activities of the chronic diseases group of the medical department,
• Contribute to the associated cross-cutting files of the medical and operational department, including patient-centered care, quality of care including patient safety, pain management, palliative care, social work approaches and others.

Support for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities in the field:

• Provide technical support in the field and provide a strategic vision adapted to the context:
• Respond to requests for information and support regarding MHPSS (Mental and Psychosocial Health Support) from coordination and the field;
• Share technical and operational concerns regarding MHPSS programs with operational cells and participate in decision-making;
• Define technical objectives for MHAM (Mental Health Activity Managers) positions;
• Participate in and supervise data collection, assist in the interpretation of indicators;
• Provide technical support for more complex individual clinical cases, either through direct contact with the field team or through the telemedicine platform.
• Carry out field visits, advise and assist MSF field staff:
• Assess training, HR and equipment needs;
• Ensure that the objectives, techniques and tools used are well adapted to the different problems and pathologies observed; if necessary, adapt them with the teams to the situation and context.
• Evaluate and provide technical support to operations research opportunities;
• Support missions in order to define, when necessary, the establishment of MH teams in the field;
• Provide recommendations on field projects;
• Ensure that all means are implemented to ensure the strict confidentiality of interviews and clinical examinations of patients.
• Preserve, capitalize and disseminate documents and information useful to programs and fields.
• Participates in meetings related to mental health (briefings, debriefings, cell meetings, etc.):
• Participate in cell meetings and field/field coordinations as needed, share knowledge and expertise with cell managers and coordinations;
• Participate in the recruitment of MSF volunteers working in the field of MHPSS, in particular through the technical validation of candidate profiles and the technical briefing before departure;
• Participate in technical capacity building through training, clinical supervision and refresher workshops, and by defining a learning and development strategy for missions and coordination;
• Present relevant activities and documents to Operations departments and the medical department;
• Ensure the capitalization and transmission of field experiences:
• Ensure the dissemination of information/knowledge acquired within the medical department;
• Review field reports, discuss and provide feedback;
• Be responsible for transferring past experiences/learning to new MSF programs and staff.

Supervises and monitors MHPSS activities, and updates mental health knowledge:

• Monitor the evolution of new research and approaches in mental health;
• Document MSF’s specific areas of expertise and organize the adaptation of theoretical and practical documents;
• Maintain regular exchanges with experts in the field of mental health (working groups, seminars, conferences, etc.).

Contributes to and leads the drafting of documents, guidelines, guidance documents, MSF catalogs, etc.:

• Revise existing articles and update theoretical and practical information;
• Write new articles and guides, as needed;
• Ensure consistency between different documents and practices in the field.

Supervises technical tools used in the field and the supply of psychotropic medications:

• Ensure that the technical tools used in the field are adapted to MSF contexts;
• Update the list of mental health-related medications available in the field;
• Respond to requests from the field (volunteers, purchasing department) regarding psychiatric medications and medical equipment;
• Contribute through technical expertise to the validation of non-standard supply items at the request of medical management.

Proposes and tracks research:

• Write proposals for research studies in collaboration with Epicenter or other departments and experts;
• Contribute to the design and implementation of research;
• Participate in the dissemination of research results.

Profile sought:

• Medical degree with specialization in psychiatry OR master’s degree in clinical psychology (or equivalent) required.
• Additional training in psychiatry or psychology in the humanitarian context is desirable.
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in a humanitarian context.
• Minimum 1 year of experience within Médecins Sans Frontières.

Languages: Fluency in French is essential. Proficiency in B1 English at least.

Qualities: Adaptability and flexibility. Analytical ability and ability to propose medical-operational strategies. Ability to work in a team and independently.

Job specifics:

Status: 14-month fixed-term contract 100% – Executive position based in Paris – Frequent field trips abroad with MSF.

Conditions: 56.1 k€ gross annually over 13 months. 22 days of RTT per year. Mutual insurance 100% covered by Médecins Sans Frontières. Meal vouchers worth 12€ per day, 60% covered by Médecins Sans Frontières. Reimbursement of 50% of public transport subscription.

Position to be filled: January 2027