Medecins Sans Frontieres – Belgium, Zimbabwe Mission

Deadline: 5 June 2021

Organisation and Projects Overview

Medecins Sans Frontieres – Belgium is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation. We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistics and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.

Background for Mbare ASRH (Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health Project)

The Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health Project deals with several health programming needs of adolescents in Mbare and surrounding communities aged primarily between 10 years and 19 years, and key populations between 20 years and 24 years. From previous research, it was found that about 65% of adolescents with HIV are at risk of depression and there is a notable high drug use in Mbare (codeine, crystal meth and cannabis). Most treatment and care partners do not work on Mental Health and it has been found that there is poor integration of Mental Health programming in HIV projects. Currently, a mental health nurse is part of the project team and is providing care to those who visit the clinic. The project foresees scaling up Mental Health intervention to cover both inside and outside facility, referrals and training to all medical Project Staff on Mental Health. The main expected results of this intervention is to integrate Mental Health screening, management and treatment among adolescents and safe referral to mental health institutions in Harare.

Background for Beitbridge Migration Health Project

The project assist migrants travelling through Beitbridge with several health needs. Mental Health component is critical in migration health – especially due to hardship migrants often go through their journey. Currently MSF counsellor/ Health Promoter and nursing team offers psychological first aid to those who are in need especially among deportees coming back from detention places in South Africa. The Mental Health service provision strategy was developed in 2019 by the MSF Mobile Implementation Officer, Patient Support from Southern Africa Medical Unit and it was never followed up or reviewed due to other project priorities and travel restrictions related to COVID-19.

Role Summary

The consultant is responsible for developing and providing the technical tools and roll-out for the integration of Mental Health screening, management and treatment among adolescents and safe referral to mental health institutions in Harare.

Consultant Responsibilities

ToR for Beitbridge Migration Health Project: Re-design Mental Health component in the current set up by reviewing the current strategy and resources; Develop tool for implementation; Training of staff on mental health programming; Start implementing the designed strategy; Design the strategy for 2022 for Tongogara Refugee Camp - depending on the findings from our in-depth assessment ToR for Mbare ASRH Project - Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health Project: Analyse the current Mental Health activities in the project to identify weaknesses, successes and opportunities for further consolidation of Mental Health activities across program pillars; Develop Mental Health intervention strategy that is expected to cover the inside and the outside facility activities. The strategy should address HIV/Mental Health full integration as well as addressing the preventive aspects for drug and substance use among youth in Mbare. The strategy should consider the sustainability of the program through a successful handover to partners, this should start with identification of relevant referral and collaboration/handover partners from the start; Organise and deploy Mental Health Gap training to all relevant project staff. Furthermore, help on MoHCC accreditation to train staff; Develop a road map for implementation focusing on deliverables, milestones and indicators.

Qualifications

Essential University Degree and qualified and practising Clinical psychologist or psychiatrist with clinical experiences and programmatic competencies; Mature, Results driven and Quality Oriented; Essential computer literacy - word, excel and internet; Essential English language - local languages desirable; Experience in Strategy Development and review; Flexible with a good team working spirit