Mental Health Supervisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

AI summary

MSF is hiring a Mental Health Supervisor for its Kebbi Nutrition Project in Nigeria. The role involves planning, supervising and coordinating mental health and psychosocial support services across ITFC and ATFC locations, integrating mental health care into nutritional programs for malnourished children and their caregivers. The supervisor will oversee counselling activities, liaise with local health authorities and partners, and manage mental health staff in line with MSF protocols.

• Field-based role with MSF in Kebbi, Nigeria
• Supervises mental health and psychosocial support in nutrition programs
• Coordinates with MoH, WHO, ICRC and NGO partners
• Involves staff recruitment, training and clinical supervision
• Focus on ITFC/ATFC integration and community mental health

Original source description

Job Title: Mental Health Supervisor Location: Kebbi Main Purpose Participate in the planning, supervision and coordination of mental health / psycho-social related services in the Kebbi Nutrition Project in ITFC and ATFC locations in accordance with MSF standards in order to provide the most appropriate mental health support for patients. Accountabilities Participate in the planning, organization and coordination of Mental Health activities, in close collaboration with the Mental Health activity manager and other medical team members, in order to ensure an efficient and effective implementation of the resources needed while maintaining high levels of quality in Mental Health MSF programs and activities. Coordinates activities of counselling services with other relevant actors and liaises with the local counterparts (like MoH, WHO, ICRC and NGO) on mental health matters, including referral services. Supervise the daily mental health activities and patient support according to MSF protocols and standards in order to provide the most appropriate support for clients with psychosocial needs Liaise with the other MSF team members of the project. Supervise, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required Oversee the administrative processes associated with psychosocial functioning. When needed, give psychological support to patients according to MSF protocols to improve mental health conditions of patients and enhance their functionality. Compile the data and statistic linked with MH activities and report to the MH activity manager Offer clinical counselling supervision to mental health counsellors in collaboration with the Mental Health Activity Manager. Ensure the patient’s related information is kept confidential MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities Participate in the planning, organization, and coordination of mental health activities for patients and caregivers supported under the nutritional program (ITFC/ATFC) of the Kebbi project, working closely with the mental health activity manager and the medical-nutrition team, to ensure a cost-effective and efficient integration of the mental health component into the nutritional care continuum, while maintaining a high level of quality. Coordinate mental health counseling activities for mothers/caregivers of malnourished children admitted to ITFC and ATFC, as well as for community members, together with other relevant stakeholders, and liaise with local counterparts (Kebbi State Ministry of Health, PHCs, INGOs, local NGOs) on mental health issues related to malnutrition, including referral services between ITFC and ATFC sites and community structures. Supervise the daily psychosocial support activities integrated into ITFC and ATFC consultations (support for mothers/caregivers, screening for psychological distress, individual or group counseling sessions), as well as community-level mental health awareness activities, in accordance with MSF protocols and standards, to ensure appropriate care for caregivers and community members facing stress related to child malnutrition. Communicate and coordinate regularly with other members of the MSF Kebbi project team, particularly the nutrition (ITFC/ATFC) teams, community health promoters, and medical supervisors, to ensure an integrated approach between nutritional care and mental health support. Supervise, in close cooperation with the HR department and MHAM, the related processes (training/onboarding, evaluation, potential identification, development, and communication) for mental health staff under their responsibility, including future community psychosocial counselors/workers recruited as part of the expansion of community mental health activities, to ensure the necessary staffing levels and skills are in place at both the ITFC/ATFC and community levels. Supervise the administrative processes related to the functioning of psychosocial activities integrated into ITFC/ATFC sites as well as future community mental health activities (files, monitoring tools, activity reports). Provide direct psychological support to mothers/caregivers of severely malnourished children hospitalized in ITFC or followed up in ATFC, as well as to community members identified as being in psychosocial distress, in accordance with MSF protocols, in order to improve their mental health, resilience, and autonomy in caring for the child. Compile data and statistics related to psychosocial support activities carried out in ITFC, ATFC, and at the community level (number of consultations, groups interventions, cases screened, referrals, follow-up), and make them available to the mental health activity manager for analysis and reporting. Provide clinical supervision to mental health counselors/psychosocial workers involved in ITFC/ATFC sites and in future community activities, in cooperation with the mental health activity manager, to ensure the quality and consistency of counseling practices. Train and raise awareness among nutrition staff at ITFC and ATFC sites (nurses, nutrition workers, health promoters) on basic screening for psychological distress and signs of mental suffering among caregivers and children, as well as on referral mechanisms to mental health services, in order to strengthen holistic and early care within the nutritional care pathway. Contribute to the development and implementation of the strategy for launching community mental health activities in the Kebbi project’s intervention area (needs mapping, identification of community focal points and local leaders, definition of awareness-raising activities and support groups), in cooperation with the mental health activity manager, to ensure a progressive expansion that is context-appropriate and accepted by the community. Ensure strict compliance with the confidentiality of information related to Children and their caregivers, as well as community members receiving psychosocial support. Supervise and support the implementation of the pilot Play Therapy intervention for children cared for in ITFC/ATFC, conducted in collaboration with the Sweden Innovation Unit (SIU), ensuring adherence to the pilot protocol, effective coordination between the mental health and medical-nutrition teams and the technical partner SIU, and the collection of data and feedback needed to evaluate this innovative approach. Application Closing Date Friday, 7th August, 2026; 05:00PM. How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should apply below USING APPLY ONLINE NOW BUTTON Note Interested candidates should submit their application, including cover letter, resume and copy of relevant certificates and NYSC certificate/Exemption Letters to the link above. Only short-listed candidates will be notified and invited for interview; MSF Belgium takes this opportunity to thank all potential candidates for their applications. Important MSF NEVER asks applicants for financial participation. If you are the subject of such a request, do not respond to it. Dual Employment is considered gross misconduct as contained in MSF Belgium Internal Regulations (IR) guideline and hence not acceptable. Applications should be sent through the indicated channel else application will not be entertained. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps. MSF reserves the right to cancel any step or whole of the recruitment process at any stage of the recruitment process Premium NGO Service Increase your chances of getting this job! Let our experts professionally update your CV and Cover Letter to meet international NGO standards. Get Started Now From ₦700 only