Mental Health Doctor (Psychiatrist)

Project HOPE is an international NGO with more than 1,000 engaged employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Program Summary:

Project HOPE is providing humanitarian assistance to the conflict-affected population in Gaza. The current response portfolio focuses on Health, Mental Health, Protection, and WASH programming through Project HOPE programs and local partnerships.

POSITION SUMMARY:

To provide specialized mental health services within the Protection Center, addressing psychological disorders, trauma-related stress, and mental health needs of conflict-affected populations. The Mental Health Doctor will ensure high-quality clinical care aligned with WHO mhGAP guidelines, integrating mental health care into a multidisciplinary framework.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Mental Health Services:

• Conduct comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, including diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment planning.
• Provide individual, family, and group therapies using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Problem Management Plus (PM+), and trauma-focused therapies.
• Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications, ensuring adherence to WHO and MoH standards.
• Manage acute mental health crises and ensure timely referrals for specialized care.

Capacity Building and Training:

• Train Protection Center staff, including Social Workers and PSS Officers, on psychological first aid (PFA), mhGAP principles, and management of common mental health disorders.
• Provide ongoing clinical supervision and mentorship to Protection Center staff.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Collaborate with the Protection Center’s multidisciplinary team, including Social Workers, PSS Officers, and community health workers, to develop integrated care plans.
• Establish and maintain referral pathways to higher-level mental health services and community resources.
• Support MHPSS awareness campaigns to engage the community and reduce stigma around mental health care.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate, confidential patient records in compliance with ethical standards.
• Develop and submit periodic reports on service delivery, patient outcomes, and identified gaps in mental health care.
• Analyze trends in mental health conditions to inform program adjustments and resource allocation.

Ethical Practice and Safeguarding:

• Adhere to the highest ethical standards in clinical practice, ensuring patient confidentiality and informed consent.
• Promote safeguarding measures and respond appropriately to disclosures of abuse or exploitation.

Key Duties:

• High-quality mental health services provided to Protection Center beneficiaries.
• Training and capacity-building sessions for staff conducted.
• Regular reports submitted on patient outcomes and service delivery.
• Functional referral pathways established and monitored.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Medical degree with specialization in Psychiatry.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years in mental health care delivery, preferably in humanitarian or conflict-affected settings.
• Technical Skills: Familiarity with mhGAP guidelines, trauma-focused care, and psychotropic medication management.
• Language Skills: Fluency in Arabic (required); proficiency in English (desirable).
• Personal Attributes: Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment.
• The employee will be working in a country where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”
• Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form and must be able to travel internally.

Work environment:

• This position is based in Gaza. Given the current conflict conditions, candidate must be able to work in a rapidly changing environment.
• Position will be in resource-deprived environment with austere living conditions.

Due to the large number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.