Clinical Mental Health Specialist – USAID/Ukraine Mental Health Activity

Job Description

Project Description

The primary goal of the Ukraine Mental Health Initiative for National Development (U-MIND) activity is to contribute to Ukraine’s economic resilience by establishing an evidence-informed, inclusive mental health ecosystem. This mental health framework will be fully integrated across various sectors and programs. By promoting mental wellness, U-MIND seeks to enhance productivity, resilience, and social cohesion, thus fostering sustainable economic development and growth in Ukraine. Implementation should focus on efficacy, accessibility, scalability, adaptiveness, accountability, and cultural fit, in order to effectively respond to the evolving mental health landscape.

Position Description

The Clinical Mental Health Specialist will have overall responsibility for directing the activity’s efforts to strengthen the provision of MHPSS services. The Clinical Mental Health Specialist will direct the activity’s strategies for training and skill-building for a variety of mental health and community-based cadres in evidence-based mental health approaches; development and scale-up of standards of quality mental health care at the inpatient, outpatient, and primary care levels; building communities of practice for mental health care and support providers; mainstreaming and integrating trauma-informed care practices; and integrating and scaling up community-based MHPSS approaches. S/he will be a key driver of mental health care quality improvement, standard-setting, accountability, and policy/regulatory initiatives. S/he will oversee the delivery of training and technical assistance to government, clinical, and civil society partners on a variety of MHPSS approaches, and coach and supervise teams and focal points implementing clinical and non-clinical MHPSS activities.

Education:

Clinical psychology degree required. PhD in clinical psychology strongly preferred, PsyD or PhD in SW will be considered.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in mental health service delivery
• Knowledge and experience working in the mental health sector in Ukraine required
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience implementing a variety of evidence-based clinical mental health care approaches required (including cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy or EMDR, dialectical behavior therapy)
• In-depth understanding of international systems and evidence-based best practices in mental health training, licensing/credentialing, continuous professional development/CME, and communities of practice/networks, such as the American Psychological Association, US VA system, and similar European/regional structures
• Substantial experience in public speaking and training of evidence-based treatments for clinicians, nurses, physicians, counselors, and other focal points required
• Knowledge and use of trauma-informed approaches
• Experience working with veterans and conflict-affected populations preferred
• Experience working with children, adolescents, and adults preferred
• Knowledge of Ukrainian primary healthcare system and related policies/legislation an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to mentor teams and counterparts in efforts to strengthen mental health services
• Strategic planning and program design experience highly desirable

Language:

Professionally proficient in written and spoken English reqiured. Ukrainian language skills an advantage.

About the Organization

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.