Pact Overview

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant.

Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Position Purpose

Pact seeks an experienced Mental Health Advisor for the USAID Zambia Integrated Health Activity, a $120M contract to support the USAID and PEPFAR objectives of 95/95/95. USAID Zambia Integrated Health will improve health outcomes of Zambians through equitable access to high-quality, client-centered HIV, TB/HIV, MNCH, and FP/RH services, products, and information, and strengthen integration of these services at the health facility and community levels when applicable. The Mental Health Advisor will be based at the Ndola technical hub and will oversee execution of strategic and technical leadership for high-quality, evidence-based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) service delivery targeted at project beneficiaries in USAID ZIH intervention target provinces and districts. The Mental Health Advisor will directly report to the Senior Technical Advisor – Community Services and Engagement and will supervise the Provincial Mental Health Officers.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides strategic, technical and programmatic support to all Activity areas related to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programming in USAID ZIH implementation districts.
• Coordination of task sharing Mental Health and psychosocial counseling to non- mental health specialists.
• Design and develop collaborative care and integration into HIV care.
• Integrate mental health screening and care into the project setting.
• Conduct a landscape analysis of available mental health and psychosocial support services to understand available resources, referrals, and client insights related to service quality and potential improvements in each district.
• Provide capacity development to other Project Staff on Behavior health (MHPSS).
• Provide annual training to all staff and CHWs on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS/ Behavior health
• Lead the team in planning and providing technical assistance in implementing and monitoring MHPSS programs in target districts.
• Facilitate the training of relevant staff in MHSPSS approaches.
• Work collaboratively with other project staff, facilitating policy dialogue and technical representation related to the project MHPSS Programming.
• Ensure effective program and project result-based management of project targets for MHPSS interventions.
• Effectively manage relationships with the government and other partners.
• Provide support for timely and quality implementation of annual work plans for USAID Zambia integrated project.
• Support identification of new subgrantees and management of project subgrantees under community services
• Identify critical gaps in knowledge and understanding; and identify promising and innovative MHPSS Programming approaches.
• Ensure adequate matrix management, collaboration, and coordination with the Ndola technical hub advisor team (Clinical services /SIA/Transition and Sustainability).
• Perform any other duties assigned by the project.

Qualifications / Competencies

• Masters degree from an accredited university in clinical, mental health, health psychology, clinical psychology, organization psychology or relevant field.
• At least five years of progressive work experience with PEPFAR-funded MHPSS Programming and integrated HIV/AIDS program in an INGO setup.
• Demonstrated competencies in developing and implementing mental health activities in large-scale, complex, international development assistance programs, preferably with USAID and PEPFAR-funded programs.
• Hands-on experience in leading   PEPFAR-funded MHPSS Program, an advantage
• Familiarity with MHPSS and HIV Care integration is highly preferred.
• Experience in Providing Technical Assistance to implementing partners.
• In-depth understanding of PEPFAR/USAID priorities, expectations for program results, outcomes, impact, and reporting.
• Experience in participatory action planning and engagement of stakeholders at national, district, and Community levels.
• Good data analysis and report writing skills for donor reports, technical briefs and relevant documents.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• Strong professional written and oral communications skills in English and ability to communicate in a local language of the given province.