Senior Mental Health Officer

Pact Overview

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. The promise of a healthy life. Of a decent livelihood. Of sustainable natural resources that benefit communities. Now more than ever in its 42 -year history, Pact is helping millions of people who are poor and marginalized discover and build their own solutions and take ownership over their future.

Pact enables systemic solutions that allow those who are poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development.

Department Overview

Pact seeks to hire highly qualified and accomplished individuals for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/PEPFAR-funded Zambia Integrated Health HIV Activity – (ZIHA) Project. The five-year project which will be led by Pact in partnership with Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Circles of Hope, Mothers2Mothers, Coper Rose Zambia, Zambia Network of Young People Living with HIV – and a US small business, Viamo. Integrated Health will improve health outcomes of Zambians through equitable access to high-quality health services in the areas of client-centered HIV, Tuberculosis; Maternal; Newborn and Child Health, Family Planning and Reproductive Health. It will reduce mortality, morbidity, and HIV transmission for sub-populations in Northwestern, Copperbelt, and Central Provinces. Pact will work closely with the Zambian Ministry of Health to attain the country’s goal of reaching HIV epidemic control (95-95-95) by 2030. The activity will be delivered through three main components namely:

Increase coverage of comprehensive and person-centered HIV, TB/HIV, FP/RH, MNCH prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support services in both communities and health facilities.

Increase utilization of community and facility-based quality and person-centered integrated HIV, TB/HIV, FP/RH, MNCH services; and

Increase capacities of Provincial and District Health Offices to improve quality and sustain Direct Service Delivery of integrated HIV, TB/HIV, FP/RH, MNCH during and beyond the life of the activity.

Position Purpose

Pact seeks an experienced Senior Mental Health Officer 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 the 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 the integration of these services at the health facility and community levels when applicable. The Senior Mental Health Officer will be based at the Ndola technical hub and will oversee the 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/Behavioral 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

Provide overall oversight in the integration of Mental Health and Gender programming of the project. Ensures that gender is mainstreamed across all project areas.

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

Bachelor’s 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 programme 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 Programme, 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.

Method of Application

If you believe you are the ideal person we are looking for, please submit your application letter and a Curriculum Vitae online via email describing why you are the right candidate for this position detailing your experience and three (3) professional referees from your previous and current place of employment. Please send the application through email and indicate the position title you are applying for in the subject line. Only the applications sent by email will be reviewed.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.