Mental Health Officer - Malawi

Partnerships - Lilongwe

Mental Health Officer (MHO) – Global Partnerships

Reports to: Global Partnerships Coordinator
Department: Global Partnerships

About the Role

The Mental Health Officer (MHO) – Global Partnerships plays a critical role in strengthening global collaborations by supporting partners to design, implement, and scale Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Groups (IPT-G) within their existing programs.

As an ambassador of StrongMinds and the IPT-G model, the MHO will build trusted relationships with partner organizations, provide technical leadership, and ensure high-quality, culturally responsive delivery of IPT-G interventions without compromising the integrity of the model.

This role may involve embedded support within partner organizations to build their capacity to independently manage, expand, and sustain IPT-G programming.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Design & Start-Up

• Support partners to assess and map referral resources (mental health, GBV, etc.).
• Integrate IPT-G primary and secondary indicators into existing partner M&E systems.
• Review and strengthen project indicators to measure IPT-G impact.
• Facilitate curriculum adaptation workshops to culturally tailor IPT-G materials.
• Conduct capacity assessments of facilitator trainees and supervisors.
• Develop detailed work plans for IPT-G cycles.
• Deliver in-person and/or virtual training on IPT-G programming management.
• Develop supervision and follow-up frameworks in collaboration with partners.

Expected Impact:
Clear referral pathways, integrated M&E systems, culturally adapted materials, trained facilitators, and structured implementation plans in place before cycle rollout.

2. Training & Capacity Building

• Prepare and conduct core IPT-G facilitator trainings.
• Orient partner management teams on IPT-G, depression screening, and community sensitization.
• Submit timely, high-quality training reports (within 14 days of training).

Expected Impact:
Partners equipped with technical skills to independently implement and supervise IPT-G interventions.

3. Community Mental Health Programming (IPT-G Cycle Delivery)

• Support implementation of IPT-G cycles including community mobilization, screening, and weekly sessions.
• Provide weekly coaching, mentoring, and debriefing sessions to facilitators.
• Coordinate self-care sessions for facilitators.
• Conduct quality assurance checks and recalibration meetings at the end of each cycle.
• Ensure accurate data collection for reach, outcomes, and impact analysis.
• Prepare and submit cycle reports within 14 days after completion.

Expected Impact:
High-quality IPT-G cycles delivered, measurable client outcomes achieved, and continuous improvement embedded in implementation.

4. Communication, Learning & Global Collaboration

• Coordinate bi-weekly meetings with partners and StrongMinds teams.
• Hold weekly supervision meetings with the Global Partnerships Coordinator.
• Document and share learnings, recommendations, and scaling insights.
• Engage with technical teams across Global, Uganda, and Zambia offices for support.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and end-of-cycle reports.

Expected Impact:
Documented lessons learned, strengthened global scaling strategies, and transparent reporting systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Community Psychology, Counselling, or related field.
• Background training and implementation experience in IPT-G is an added advantage.

Required Experience & Competencies

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in program management (experience in global collaborations preferred).
• Experience in mental health interventions, training, and mentorship.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement reporting systems.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in MS Excel/Access and PowerPoint.
• High cultural awareness and ability to work across diverse contexts.
• Strong crisis management and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships.

STARTING DATE - 1ST APRIL 2026

How to apply

Apply at this link: https://strongminds.bamboohr.com/careers/30