John Snow Health Zambia Limited – USAID Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP II) Activity 

Mental Health Coordinator

Background

Background John Snow Health Limited (JSH), a public health organization dedicated to improving the provision of public health services in Zambia and the region, is recruiting for a Mental Health Coordinator for the USAID-funded Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP II) focused on Key Populations. CHEKUP II aims to address the needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those most at risk of acquiring HIV and contribute to HIV mitigation and epidemic control. In addition, the program seeks to improve the health outcomes of priority populations in the highest HIV-burden provinces of Zambia.

Position Description

The Mental Health Coordinator Key Populations will lead the implementation of interventions to increase the uptake and sustained use of mental health and psychosocial services (MHPSS) interventions and as well as lead responses to GBV targeted at key and underserved populations in the key populations sub-group. The coordinator will be responsible for the management of mental health programming in Kasama and Nakonde.  The coordinator will be supervised by the DEpiCC Manager and will receive program guidance from the Mental Health Advisor.

Responsibilities

District Engagements

• Create linkages with mental health units at the district level through the District Health Office
• Establish linkages for referrals at various mother facilities with established mental health units
• Establish networks and strategic partnerships to enable sustainable implementation of district-level MHPSS and anti-GBV interventions among Key and Priority Populations
• Provide day-to-day supervision for all USAID CHEKUP II staff working at the district level working on district-level MHPSS and GBV interventions in DREAMS, Key Populations and Priority Populations
• Develop strategies for MHPSS demand creation for MHPSS services at the District Level for Key and Priority Populations
• Act as the district-level focal point person for USAID CHEKUP II Child Safeguarding Policy and initiatives
• Facilitate implementation of JSH and USAID CHEKUP II’s Child Safeguarding Policy at District Level
• Adhere to JSH’s personnel, financial, operations, and fraud management policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor consistent with CHEKUP II’s objectives.

DREAMS Programming

• Coordinate implementation of mental health programming in DREAMS Programming
• Ensure clear record keeping of all mental health DREAMS programming and interventions
• Coordinate GBV prevention programmes in DREAMS programming
• Offer advanced mental health sessions where needed
• Develop models to enhance mental health support in DREAM programming
• Offer supportive supervision to MH connectors at DREAMS sites

Key Populations

• Coordinate implementation of key populations-specific MHPSS and GBV prevention and linkage models
• Develop strategies for mental health service provision among mobile key populations
• Coordinate GBV prevention programmes among key populations
• Ensure clear record-keeping of all mental health programming and interventions in Key Population wellness centres
• Offer supportive supervision to the professional counsellor and outreach officers at the JSH-supported wellness centres and KP CSOs supported wellness centres.

Priority Populations

• Coordinate implementation of priority populations-specific MHPSS and GBV prevention and linkage models
• Develop strategies for mental health service provision among mobile priority populations
• Coordinate GBV prevention programmes among priority populations Ensure clear record-keeping of all mental health programming and interventions in Priority Populations programming

Requirements and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Psychology, Clinical Officer Psychiatry, or a related field
• A Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Community Psychology or its equivalent is an added advantage
• At least four (4) years of progressive work experience related to MHPSS and GBV Programming and integrated HIV/AIDS program
• Experience in participatory action planning and engagement of stakeholders at national, district, and Community levels.
• Must have excellent communication (English and language spoken in implementation district), interpersonal, analytical, decision-making, conflict management, empathy, negotiation, and networking skills
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

Supervision and Reporting:

The Mental Health Coordinator will work under the guidance of the Mental Health Advisor and supervision of the DEpiCC Manager.