Job Title: Mental Health Specialist

Reports to: Head, UGHE Campus Clinic

Location: Butaro Campus, Rwanda

Key responsibilities:

The main responsibilities for Campus Mental Health specialist:

● Lead the Mental Health promotion, prevention, curative and recovery programs on campus

● Prepare and conduct mental and psycho-social orientation and training programs to the campus community

● Assess and diagnose the campus community, especially students experiencing symptoms of mental health disorders including psychological distress, depression, panic, anxiety and others.

● Collaborate on early identification and intervention of at-risk students with other staff and faculty

● Treat such conditions as governed by the existing treatment guidelines in Rwanda

● Providing counselling and psychological support and guidance

● Arrange for further treatment and follow-up for patients if such appropriate referral is indicated

● Arrange for in-patient treatment of patient when such treatment is in indicated

● Establish and maintain a recordkeeping system to keep confidential information (including questionnaires, histories, critical incidents, client communication) about clients at the student clinic. Produce regular (weekly or monthly) data in a manner that ensures privacy.

● Work in close partnership with other care providers at the clinic to provide comprehensive care to the UGHE community

● Conducting group sessions with students and staff/faculty members.

● Work with clients to set goals, develop a treatment plan, and gain insight through treatment

● Working with clients to identify situations, behaviors, and thoughts that interfere with their wellness and recovery

● Examining and plan interventions to address social and environmental issues/factors that may influence students’ mental well-being, including peer pressure, academic workload, bullying, substance use, prejudice, work stress, financial challenges, and health issues

● Coordinate and facilitate campus wellness activities (or health promotion activities)

● Refer clients to advanced health professionals (e.g. psychiatrists, physicians, etc.) as well as to other resources in the community such as campus peer supporters and mentors.

● Participate in student orientation and on-boarding activities

● Conduct regular student advisory and counseling clinic

● Provide crisis intervention and on-call services (?)

Academic and professional background required for this position

● MSc degree in clinical psychology

● Professional experience of 5 years and above in counseling and clinical mental health delivery.

● Experience in higher education mental health care is encouraged

● Experience in youth and multicultural communities as a counsellor or mental health care provider is encouraged

● Experience managing health records, therapy notes, etc.

● Fluent English and Kinyarwanda speaker

Personal competencies desired for this position

● Active Listener,

● Respects UGHE’s operations schedule,

● Updates UGHE authorities on any anomalies,

● Respects UGHE policies, COVID 19 guidelines and Butaro campus policies,

● English and Kinyarwanda proficiency required; French knowledge also desirable,

● Excellent time management skills with the ability to provide comprehensive follow-up,

● Good communication skills and can communicate in advance any changes.

● Able to maintain a high level of accessibility, approachability and visibility with students