PSYCHOLOGIST in Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) – Belgium operation center in Ukraine

PSYCHOLOGIST

Doctors without Borders/ Medecins Sans Frontieres ( 400">MSF) is an internationalhumanitarian organization that provides assistance in more than 60 countries of the world to the population in a difficult situation, victims of natural disasters, man-made disasters and armed conflicts, regardless of their race, religious or political beliefs.  

MSF is a civil society initiative that unites people who want to help other people in crisis situations. Thus, MSF is an association by choice.

Everyone who works with MSF does so out of conviction and is willing to support the values and principles of the organization.

Employee's main activity:

Provide psychological support to beneficiaries in accordance with MSF principles, standards and procedures to improve the mental health of beneficiaries.

Main responsibilities:

• Conduct assessment of beneficiaries' mental health needs, diagnosis and treatment plan. Informing the beneficiary and his/her relatives about the possible consequences of the disease and the medical treatment that will be prescribed, as well as referring the beneficiaries to other medical professionals if necessary in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the condition of the beneficiary.
• Implementation of a protocol on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), identifying possible victims of GBV and referring them to the medical team for the necessary treatment.
• Providing providing psychological support and conducting psychotherapy sessions (individual, family, group) for beneficiaries in accordance with MSF protocols in order to improve their mental state.
• Providing assistance and training to workers and resource persons as necessary in order to expand the range of activities in the field of mental health. Working closely with interpreters to ensure proper terminology and behavior during sessions.
• Collection of statistical and monitoring data on mental health activities.
• Informing the supervisor and medical team of any questions or problems that may arise in relation to the treatment of beneficiaries, in order to ensure the best possible solution from a medical point of view
• Ensuring the confidentiality of all information about beneficiaries.

Special features of the MSF unit:

• Providing mental health and psychological support services to people affected by the conflict and seeking MSF services, according to principles, standards and procedures of MSF in order to reduce distress, improve mechanisms for overcoming difficulties and facilitate the referral of the population to other services.
• Ability to assess the needs of the affected population in the field of mental health and psychosocial support and plan interventions in accordance with the time frame of the event and the Mental Health Strategy of the project.
• Provide services in the field of mental health with the integration of key principles of trauma-oriented care on practice.
• Ability to understand the main complaints and needs presented by the beneficiary and to plan interventions based on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) approach to improve his/her condition.
• Using only those techniques and interventions that are validated by MHAM and/or implemented in MSF protocols and guidelines.
• Ability to provide psychosocial activities, including non-therapeutic and therapeutic group sessions.
• Provision of mental health and psychosocial support services ethically in accordance with the MSF Code of Professional Conduct.
• Ability to refer beneficiaries to other services, such as specialist help and social services, as necessary.
• Implementation of a sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) protocol, identification of potential victims of SGBV and referring them to the medical team for the necessary treatment.
• Provide psychosocial support and conduct individual short-term sessions for beneficiaries according to MSF protocols to improve their mental status.
• Ability to communicate with beneficiaries with cultural respect and discuss mental health issues in a non-stigmatizing manner.
• Work closely with medical staff and provide support as needed in order to expand the spectrum of mental health activities.
• Collecting data on mental health activities and accurately completing Kobo forms.
• Informing the Mental Health Supervisor and the medical team of any questions or problems that may arise in relation to the treatment of beneficiaries, in order to ensure the best possible medical decision.
• Ensuring the confidentiality of all information about beneficiaries and the provision of mental health services in accordance with the organization's quality standards.
• Participation in capacity-building activities, including training and supervision, to support and improve professional skills.
• Support awareness-raising activities to reduce stigma and promote mental health in the community.
• Willingness to provide psychological first aid and crisis intervention during emergency situations or states of acute distress.

Currently the Psychologist will mainly work in the area of ​​activity on a rotational basis, starting on Monday and ending on Friday, however this may change as required by MSF operations. The MSF Dnipro East project covers the following regions: Dnipropetrovsk Region, Donetsk Region and Kharkiv Region.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• A diploma or degree in psychology is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience as a psychologist.
• Prior experience working with MSF or other non-governmental organizations in developing countries is desirable.

Languages:fluent in Ukrainian; knowledge of the English language is desirable. style="font-weight: 400">Term contract, with the possibility of extension;

You will receive more detailed information during the interview.

Start Date: As soon as possible; the process of selecting candidates is ongoing.
Applications are considered on an ongoing basis in the order of receipt. The position may be filled at any time, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

We encourage diverse candidates to apply for this position, including those of any gender identity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, race, religion, creed, social and family background. state, people with different abilities and all other different characteristics, as well as ways of working together.