Summary
The role of the Clinical Co-ordinator is to
oversee the training and capacity building component of the newly
commenced ‘Enabling Access to Mental Health in Sierra Leone’
programme. This EU-funded programme will work with the
Government of Sierra Leone and other local partners to develop a
high quality mental health system, allowing access to care at
District level. This aim will be supported with work to
improve advocacy and co-ordination among Non State Actors, and a
campaign to increase awareness of the services and human rights
issues in the country.
Specific responsibilities will include input
into curriculum development, provide training, and supervision of
newly trained professionals in their posts. Input will also be
required in other aspects of the Programme (coalition building and
awareness raising) as well as general support of the National
Mental Health Strategy in Sierra Leone.
Accountable to: The CBM
Regional Director, Lome, Togo
Based in: Sierra Leone
(probably the City of Freetown)
Working under: The University
of Makeni Mental Health Programme in implementation of ‘Enabling
Access to Mental Health in Sierra Leone’ Programme.
This post is funded through the EU funding for
the above Programme, and the staff member will be an employee of
CBM, seconded to The University of Makeni.
Tasks:
To support the Programme’s overall objective
of;
‘positively affecting the quality of treatment
available for people with mental disorders in the country. The
project will help to put mental health in Sierra Leone on the
governmental agenda and will make related issues such as human
rights abuse better known and recognized by stakeholders. ‘
Specific tasks to achieve this
objective are to:
- Work with local colleagues to produce a curriculum for
the Psychiatric Nurse Training Programme at COMAHS, and have input
into the training programme of General Nurses and Community Health
Officers (Bo).
- Support the Government of Sierra Leone (particularly
MOHS) by providing regular training and supervision for Community
Psychiatric Nurses placed at District level. Also to advise,
as requested, on government policy and service
implementation.
- Develop skills of other local professionals (eg newly
appointed psychiatrists, nurses in Psychiatric Hospital, Kissy) to
perform to a higher standard.
- Work with the WHO country office and local professionals
to ensure that the national programme follows the National Policy
and Strategy, as well as the WHO’s mhGAP programme. This will
include development of relevant materials and participation in
evaluative research.
- Support other local partners in implementation of their
activities in the Programme (coalition building, and
awareness-raising).
- Support the partners in smooth administration of the
project, particularly ensuring that records (narrative and
financial) are well maintained, facilitating high standards of
reporting between partners and to the funder.
- Take a flexible approach to participating in work that
will lead to fulfilment of the overall objective of the Programme
and to CBM’s aims as opportunities arise.
The successful applicant will also be a team
member of the CBM Regional Office. They will therefore be
expected to participate in relevant activities related to wider
aspects of CBM’s work (particularly in the West Africa Region).
Requirements:
- Professional qualification as Psychiatrist (ie Medical
Doctor with specialist training in psychiatry)
- Professional qualifications in Psychiatric Nursing,
Occupational Therapy, Clinical Psychology, General Medicine or
Masters in Public Health (with specific interest in mental health)
will also be considered if accompanied with significant relevant
experience.
- Good command of English (sufficient to be able to carry
out training and write training materials)
Desired
skills/experience:
- Experience in project management in Low Income
Countries
- Interest in public health medicine, particularly if
accompanied by relevant training in this field
- Experience and skills in training medical professionals
and non-professionals
- Experience of writing training materials/ documentation
for health or development programmes
- Experience of advocacy / engagement with government and
non-governmental organisations
- Qualifications in, and experience in conducting
research
- Personal commitment to working in a team, and
prioritising development of other team members’
capacity.
If you are interested in this
volunteer opportunity please complete the volunteers registration
form (available at http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/SVP-VolunteerQuest.doc)
and send it together with your up to date CV to Elen Cook ecook@rcpsych.ac.uk or call
on 020 7235 2351 ext. 6136.