Psychologist – Staff Health Unit

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation. 

Psychologist (m/f/x) – Staff Health Unit – Brussels – MSF Belgium

CONTEXT 

The psychosocial service of the Staff Health Unit (SHU) is in charge of defining and implementing the psychosocial support strategy necessary for the staff working for MSF (international mobile staff and locally hired staff). The psychosocial support offered is a set of preventive measures aimed at reducing the risks to the well-being and mental health of MSF workers.

Each psychologist in the SHU psychosocial service works within this prevention framework, on individual or group support activities. 

The psychosocial team of MSF-OCB in Brussels is composed as follows:

• 3 psychologists, based in Brussels, to support locally hired staff and international mobile staff working in MSF-OCB projects, amongst which one team leader.
• 1 psychologist to support staff working at MSF's headquarters in Brussel

In addition to this team at the Brussels operational center, there are: 

• 8 Psy focal points based in MSF OCB's partner sections (Brazil, South Africa, Hong Kong, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Belgium) offering pre- and post-assignment support to international mobile staff recruited by their section

This position concerns the replacement of one of the 3 psychologists, based in Brussels, in charge of supporting national and international staff working in MSFOCB projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Support to projects teams ( 60% to 70%)

   1.1 Follow up on a number of projects/ contexts

• Each psychologist has a portfolio of contexts to follow in order to set up, with the Medical Coordinators in MSF projects, the psychosocial support strategy for the staff according to the evolution of the projects and the context 
• You provides preventive field visits to analyze psychosocial risks if necessary and work with the coordinators to develop a preventive psychosocial support strategy for the staff 
• You are the technical referent of any psychologist hired on site or sent to support the staff

         1.2 Participate in the development and facilitation of Webinars/Training

• Develop and conduct training modules (F2F or remote) on well-being / prevention of psychosocial risks/prevention and management of stress for MSF staff in projects 
• Develop and lead webinars/exchanges of practices on the prevention and management of stress with the various actors of staff health/well-being in the projects

         1.3 Participate in the psychosocial support to staff during emergencies, crises and critical incidents

• Defines the psychosocial strategy for emergency support and monitors its implementation.
• Remotely supports teams involved in critical/security incidents
• May provide direct emergency psychosocial support to teams in the projects following a critical incident/security/evacuation
• These emergencies may require professional involvement outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends in rotation)

         1.4 Reflection and strategic development

• Participate in the strategic thinking on the prevention of psychosocial risk factors/stressors for staff in the projects
• Participate in the writing of documents and tools useful for the development of psychosocial support to staff in projects

         1.5 Collaborate with psychosocial actors from other MSF sections

• Collaborates, in certain contexts, in the development of a common strategy of psychosocial support for the staff 
• Participates in intersectional meetings for reflection and development of common tools (operational centers and/or partner sections)

2. Support to individuals[1] (30%to 40%)

         2.1 Remote support to staff on assignment abroad

The SHU psychosocial service responds to requests for support from projects staff through the following activities: 

• Psychosocial advice for coordinators (technical support)
• Individual first line psychosocial support 
• Psychosocial support in groups when feasible (webinar)
• External referrals in case of psychotherapeutic follow-up needs 

[1] No psychotherapeutic care is offered directly by the psychosocial service

          2.2  Briefings 

The SHU psychosocial service offers a systematic briefing on the prevention and management of stress to the coordinators and before specific emergency interventions or on demand.

          2.3 Return talk post assignment 

Each member of the psychosocial service is required to provide a certain number of emotional return talks to international mobile staff upon their return, in support of the MSF-Belgium psy focal point. In addition to this return talks, the psychologist must be able to refer staff to a mental health professional outside MSF if necessary and ensure that the referral is appropriate. 

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experiences

• Master’s degree in psychology - Preferably in clinical psychology
• Minimum 5 years' experience in the mental health sector 
• Experience in managing psychosocial projects 
• Individual and group clinical experience 
• Humanitarian experience in projects, preferably with MSF
• Previous experience in supporting staff is an asset as well as knowledge of the concepts of prevention of psychosocial risks at work

Competencies

• Ability to work in a team and independently
• Good organizational capacity and flexibility 
• Able to express oneself in groups and to lead trainings
• Good self-awareness and stress management skills
• Analytical, reflective, and writing skills
• Ability to collaborate with diverse professional profiles and nationalities 

Languages

• Very good oral and written command of English (C2) and good knowledge of French. 
• Other languages commonly used by MSF (Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese) are a major asset

Other

• Willingness and ability to travel abroad and compliance with preventive health measures requested by MSF

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: 01/02/2025
• Location: based in Brussels (Belgium)
• Mobility: 1 - 2 visits per year of 2 to 3 weeks to MSF projects + short emergency interventions 
• Contract type: Open ended contract, full-time (100%) – possibility of 40% homeworking per week in Belgium
• Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid 
• Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – Meal vouchers - 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 5th of December 2024

How to apply?

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button  

➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position 

➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MSF values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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