Mental Health Activity Manager

MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization. It delivers emergency medical support to people affected by military conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics, forced migration or displacement in over 70 countries all over the world. MSF implements activities in the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan to deliver mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and facilitate access to medical care for vulnerable members of the Qandastar community.

Main Purpose

The Mental Health Activity Manager (MHAM) defines, coordinates, and supervises all mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities in the project area. The role ensures quality of care, technical supervision, and capacity building for the multidisciplinary team including psychologists, health promoters, and social workers — in line with MSF protocols and ethical principles.

Responsibilities:

• Program Management and Quality of Care:
  Coordinate the design, implementation, and monitoring of mental health interventions and ensure alignment with MSF’s overall medical strategy and humanitarian objectives.
• Team Leadership and Supervision:
  Supervise and support a team of psychologists, ensuring high-quality clinical work, adherence to protocols, and continuous professional development through supervision and training.
• Capacity Building:
  Organize and deliver ongoing training and coaching for the multidisciplinary mental health and medical teams on trauma-informed care, PTSD, chronic pain, and culturally adapted interventions.
• Community engagement:

Collaborate closely with the Health Promotion (HP) team to ensure continuous community based mental health activities. Participate in the Community Advisory Board to ensure community feedback regarding cultural appropriateness of MH services is taken into consideration and integrated.

• Clinical Coordination:
  Ensure multidisciplinary collaboration between psychologists, medical staff, and social workers for comprehensive care planning, case discussion, and patient follow-up.
• Networking and Representation:
  Map and maintain relationships with local mental health service providers, NGOs, and government institutions to strengthen referral pathways and complementarity of care.
• Reporting and Monitoring:
  Participate in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports; monitor mental health indicators; and propose improvements to the project’s strategy and tools.

• Degree or Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, or Psychiatry (MD with specialization).
• Minimum 3 years of clinical experience as a psychologist or in a similar position (clinical psychiatrist, community psychiatrist).
• Experience in trauma-informed clinical interventions is essential.
• Experience in coordinating with medical and government institutions (administrative/liaison functions) is an asset.
• Experience working with survivors of violence, or forced displacement is highly desirable.
• Previous work experience with MSF or another humanitarian NGO is an asset.
• Experience in low-resource settings is an asset.

Languages

• Essential: English and Russian
• Desirable: Kazakh

Competencies

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
• People Management and Development (coaching and supervision)
• Commitment to MSF Principles
• Behavioural Flexibility
• Results and Quality Orientation
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Strategic Vision

• Start date: As soon as possible

• Duration: 6–12 months (renewable)

• Location: 6A Zverev Str., Almaty, Kazakhstan

• Voluntary medical insurance

• Professional development and career growth opportunities within an international humanitarian organization.