Psychologist (m/f/x)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 60 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)

CONTEXT

MSF’s mission in Belgium aims to address, through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, the health needs and key social determinants of the most vulnerable segments of the population, including migrants in transit, undocumented migrants and unaccompanied minors, while proactively engaging in assessing main difficulties and promoting institutional change.

The ongoing projects in Belgium include:

• Active participation in the Humanitarian Hub, where several organisations provide a wide range of services to vulnerable populations. In this structure, mental health care (first line) is provided by Médecins Sans Frontières. A second line service has also been created to provide psychological follow-up and respond to identified needs.
• Outreach activity initially designed to support the response to COVID-19 in Belgium among the most vulnerable populations. The mobile team, also composed of various organisations, intervenes in non-accredited structures (such as squats) and accredited structures in terms of awareness-raising, prevention and control of infections, health promotion and referral to psycho-social-medical care if necessary.
• Shelter and psychosocial support for 80 unaccompanied minors.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Providing first and second line psychological support to patients according to MSF principles, standards and procedures in order to improve the patients’ mental health.

• Carrying out evaluation of mental health needs of patients and establishing a diagnosis and a plan of treatment.
• Provide follow-up consultations to beneficiaries in need for on-going mental health support
• Collaborate with team members in providing patient centered multidisciplinary and culturally adapted care and refer adequately to psychiatric sessions based on needs.
• Ensure patients receive appropriate care and that those with lack of autonomy and/or medical needs received the support needed.
• Carry out admission, surveillance and follow-up of patients (i.e. assessment of the evolution of their state of health and the identification of any emergencies or deterioration of the patient).
• Organize hospitalizations or MEO if necessary, in collaboration with the medical team.
• Referring patients to other mental health professionals or other services, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment and improve the patient’s condition.
• Carry out and supervise administrative procedures and documents (fill in patient’s files, forms, consumptions, statistics, registers, etc.), ensuring an appropriate written/oral handover, and reporting any problematic situations and cases that may arise.
• Closely collaborate with the services in HUB, promoting a multidisciplinary approach, in order to obtain the best possible result according the patient ‘s needs.
• Providing psychological support to patients according to MSF protocols in order to improve their mental health condition through individual consultations, co-consultations, group sessions
• Assisting and training staff members, and partner organizations whenever necessary in order to enhance the scope of MH activities and strengthen collaborations.
• Working in close collaboration with cultural mediators in order to ensure appropriate terminology and behavior during sessions.
• Facilitating group activities related to mental health (e.g. psychoeducation, therapeutic groups, etc.)
• Collecting statistical and monitoring data about mental health activities.
• Informing the supervisor and the medical team about any issues or problems that may arise related to patients’ treatment in order to provide the best possible solution from a medical perspective.
• Ensuring that all patient information is kept confidential.
• Participate actively to team meetings, clinical meetings and supervisions in a constructive and respectful manner.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Essential: in possession of Psychologist Number and Visa in Belgium
• Essential Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology

Experience

• Essential 1-year experience minimum as a Psychologist, desirable 2 years
• Essential experience with the psychosocial network in Brussels for referrals
• Strong asset: experience with patient in need of psychiatric treatment, living in precarious conditions and from various cultural backgrounds
• Desirable previous experience with MSF or others NGO’s

Languages

• French and English mandatory
• Arabic and Dutch are an asset

Competencies

• Team player, able to work in a multicultural environment
• Autonomous and flexible
• Active listener, patient and calm
• Computer: good skills using outlook, word, internet

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: 1st July 2022
• Contract type: replacement contract 1-year, part time (80%, 60% minimum)
• Location: Brussels, Belgium (Humanitarian HUB, project office, shelters)
• Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid – Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 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
• A dynamic and stimulating work environment alongside multicultural colleagues

Deadline for applications: 08/06/2022