MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITY MANAGER

Job Description

Main Purpose: The Mental Health Activity Manager (MHAM) is responsible for planning, implementing, supervising, and evaluating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities within the South Tehran project.
The position ensures that mental health care is accessible, high-quality, patient-centred, and aligned with MSF mental health guidelines, national regulations, and project objectives.
The MHAM will lead the development of the Mental Health Strategy for the project and manage a multi-disciplinary team of psychologists and a psychiatrist, working closely with medical, nursing, outreach, and support departments.
Accountabilities: • In close collaboration with other medical team members, identifying the needs of MH support in the target population and participating in the definition, planning, organization and update of the appropriate MSF Mental Health strategy and the MH activities and its budget. Monitoring and evaluating MH support activities.
• Reviewing and developing the technical materials, tools, guidelines and documents, and coordinating and ensuring the implementation of all Mental Health standard protocols and procedures set by MSF in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for patients.
• Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, trai-ning/induction, briefing/debriefing, evaluation, potential detection, development and internal communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required.
• Coordinating and ensuring that Mental Health activities (in and outside health facilities), with the clients are performed with regular follow-up in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for clients with psycho social problems. En-suring Mental Health team is calm and neutral during sessions regardless of personal feelings and/or beliefs and that the translators are trained about terminology and appropriate behavior during sessions.
• Mapping and regularly updating the existing Mental Health services, including other INGO’s, local NGO’s, community groups and governmental health services, etc. and maintaining good and regular communication and collaboration with other components of the project according to objectives and context. Identifying possible advocacy issues and in-forming MC and PC before taking any action. (Note: Advocacy is not under Mental Health Activities Manager accoun-tabilities)
• Participating in monthly reports according to guidelines (SitRep, statistical report, etc.) and reporting problematic situa-tions and cases with the Medical Coordinator to help with decision making and problem resolution.
• Ensuring that psychiatric patients coming to MSF facilities receive proper treatment including psychotropic medication and psychosocial support either within an MSF program or thru referral to an appropriate resource.
Context Specific Accountabilities: Target Population
The Mental Health Activity Manager will ensure that services are adapted to and accessible for vulnerable and marginalized populations, including:
• Afghan migrants
• People Who Use Drugs (PWUD)
• Patients attending NCD clinics
• Patients enrolled in Hepatitis C screening and treatment
• Individuals with mental health and psychosocial needs linked to displacement, chronic illness, social exclusion, or instability
• Other vulnerable groups as identified within the project context

Strategy, Planning, and Program Development
• Lead the development, implementation, and regular review of the Mental Health Strategy for the South Tehran project.
• Translate project objectives and mental health strategy into operational activity plans, workflows, and schedules.
• Ensure integration of mental health services within outpatient, outreach, and community based activities, as relevant.
• Adapt mental health interventions to the urban Tehran context and the specific barriers faced by migrant and marginalized populations.
• Contribute to project planning, budget forecasting, and activity prioritization related to mental health

Clinical Oversight and Quality of Care
• Ensure mental health services are delivered in line with MSF MHPSS guidelines, evidence based practices, and national standards.
• Supervise the clinical practices of psychologists and the psychiatrist, including assessment, case management, and follow up.
• Support correct application of protocols for:
• Common mental disorders (depression, anxiety, PTSD)
• Severe mental disorders
• Psychosocial interventions and counseling
• Psychiatric medication management (in collaboration with medical/pharmacy teams)
• Participate in case discussions, file reviews, and clinical audits.
• Promote a patient centered, ethical, and confidential approach to mental health care.

Team Management and Supervision
• Manage and supervise a multidisciplinary mental health team, including psychologists and a psychiatrist.
• Organize daily and weekly work schedules, duty rosters, and leave planning.
• Provide regular clinical and managerial supervision, coaching, and feedback.
• Identify training needs and contribute to capacity building and professional development plans.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluation of mental health staff.
• Foster a supportive, respectful, and collaborative working environment, with attention to staff wellbeing and burnout prevention.
Continuity of Care and Referral Systems
• Ensure continuity of mental health care across clinic, outreach, and referral pathways.
• Establish and maintain internal and external referral and counter referral mechanisms.
• Liaise with specialized mental health facilities, NGOs, and partners, as delegated.
• Support follow up of patients with chronic or severe mental health conditions.

Data, Monitoring, and Reporting
• Ensure accurate and timely collection of mental health data in line with MSF reporting requirements.
• Monitor key indicators (e.g. number of consultations, follow up rates, diagnostic profiles).
• Analyze trends to identify gaps in access, quality, or service utilization.
• Contribute to routine medical and mental health reports at project and coordination level.
• Flag unusual trends, protection concerns, or quality issues to the PMR and coordination team.

Coordination and Representation
• Participate actively in project coordination, medical, and mental health meetings.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration between mental health, medical, nursing, outreach, pharmacy, and support teams.
• Contribute mental health expertise to emergency preparedness and response planning, as relevant.

The application will close on 28 June 2026.