Mental Health Officer

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation. We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation. MSF was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors. Today, we are a worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people. 

MSF coordinates operations through collaborations between global offices. The ‘MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam’ (OCA) is a partnership that is composed of the partners MSF-Canada, MSF-Germany, MSF-SARA, MSF-Sweden, MSF-Holland and MSF-United Kingdom. MSF-OCA has a team of more than 11,000 staff working in 115 emergency projects in about 31 countries. 

The office of MSF-Holland located in Amsterdam hosts more than 400 employees, offering direct support to MSF-OCA operations. Around 50 staff focus on recruitment, communication and fundraising and 350 staff are focused on supporting MSF-OCA operations.  

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such, MSF is by choice (Chantilly) an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and commitment and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.  

At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) / Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, disability status, and all other diversity characteristics.  

Mental Health Officer

Objectives and responsibilities of the position

As a mental health officer, you will create, implement and improve treatment programmes for patients with conflict-related problems and/or mental health conditions.

Most of MSF’s mental health programmes aim to provide people in emergency and conflict areas with acute mental healthcare and psychosocial support. Each programme consists of both a clinical and a social, community-based component. Mental health programmes are integrated into existing medical programmes as well as disease-specific projects targeting people with tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS or other conditions. A substantial part of your work will involve training and supervising local staff who carry out the psychosocial support activities. Data collection, analysis and reporting are an intrinsic part of the role.

Candidate profile

• A master’s degree in psychology, or equivalent (postgraduate) qualification in community psychiatric nursing, with strong clinical therapeutic experience; or experience as a psychiatrist
• Licensed to work as psychologist or psychiatrist
• A minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience in giving therapy to adults and children
• Work experience in (social) psychiatry, clinical social work/psychology, psychotherapy, or community psychiatric nursing
• Experience with community-oriented approaches and context-oriented information materials
• Experience in training, coaching and supervision
• Work or travel experience in developing countries
• A good command of the English language (minimum B2) and preferably the Spanish language
• Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload
• Ability to work in an international team
• Willingness to work in an unstable and insecure environment
• Availability of at least 12 months

Strong Assets

• Demonstrable experience in clinical treatment of clients with trauma and/or with HIV/AIDS and/or tuberculosis
• Work experience in a similar non-governmental organization abroad or with clients from various cultures and developing countries
• A good command of the French and Arabic language

Only applications that meet the above requirements will be considered

Information and Application

If you recognise yourself in this profile and meet the requirements, we welcome you to apply  directly via the Apply button on this page and upload the following documents::

• Your most recent English CV not exceeding 3 pages
• A cover letter explaining your motivation to work with MSF
• A clear scan of your relevant diploma’s and certificates

In MSF we are strongly committed to professionalism and responsible behaviour and therefore the final phase of the application process is a background screening. Such screening can consist out of an identity check, check of employment history, reference check and declaration on behaviour.

If you are interested and would like to have additional information, please contact Recruitment, recruitment@amsterdam.msf.org.