Mental Health Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

Vacancy: 01

Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Employment type: Local, full time (100% FTE)-

Duration: 1 year (extension to be based on performance and availability of funds)

Travel requirements: Ho Chi Minh City; Field-based job that requires frequent travel throughout the city

BACKGROUND:

CHI is a locally registered research institution established according to Decision No 1074/Q?-LHHVH under Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA). The main activities of CHI focus on implementation of research by conducting pilot studies, operational research and clinical trials. CHI also conducts projects and development initiatives in the field of public health. The organization is currently the primary recipient of a grant from the Stop TB Partnership’s Challenge Facility for Civil Society Round 10. With this grant, CHI conducts research into the socioeconomic, stigma and gender barriers in Tuberculosis (TB) care and develops community capacity to ensure the continuation of care among Viet Nam's ethnic minority populations. CHI is collaborating with IRD VN and FIT VN to implement the Erase TB project funded by USAID. CHI’s role within this grant is to provide tiered packages of social support to vulnerable TB patients, then monitor this work by conducting research on TB treatment outcomes, catastrophic cost incurrence, quality of life and the impact of stigma on TB patients. Additionally, CHI is a sub-grantee the CDC Foundation and provides social protection for MDR-TB patients while evaluating the impact of this support.

This position will closely liaise with and support staff from FIT VN (www.tbhelp.org) and IRD VN (www.ird.vn) to achieve grant deliverables and meet donor reporting requirements. Recruits who are hired for this position will directly provide care and support to people with drug-resistant (DR-)TB.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Make appointments and meet people DR -TB once a month at central locations;
Develop messaging and counselling materials to support the mental health needs of people with DR-TB;
Provide counselling to patients and/or refer them to appropriate health facilities or specialists;
Work with health staff to develop treatment plans and address patients’ problems;
Engage select family members of people with DR-TB to increase at-home support;
Facilitate self-administered questionnaires on mental health (PHQ-9) on a tablet;
Distribute cash incentives and other packages of support to people with DR-TB;
Collect signatures of participants and complete finance documentation;
Enter data collected during the visit into online forms;
Troubleshoot data quality issues in the field;
Communicate any issues discovered during field visits to management in a timely manner;
Prepare a weekly field visit report, detailing the work completed and planned;
Maintain records and report any changes in behaviors or health to health staff and directors/managers.
Ensure effective, timely responses to key stakeholder inquiries and concerns;
Provide regular status update to supervisors and other key project stakeholders;
Attend periodic meetings to report project progress;
Communicate with Directors and Managers about procurement needs;
Assist in all aspects of the implementation of the interventions of the grant;
Other activities requested by Directors and Managers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in a field related to mental health, social work, development, or related field is required
At least 2 years’ experience in working in non-profit or government organizations, preferably for health-related programs/projects
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to problem solve and manage emotional issues
Ability to conduct interviews and data entry
Experience effectively engaging with government health entities and community healthcare workers
Previous experience with mental health care is preferred, but not required
Strong organizational and work prioritization skills, attention to detail
Strong verbal and written communications skills
Good attitude, self-motivated, and ability to work well individually as well as in teams
Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, data entry software
Fluency in Vietnamese is required
Be willing to travel in HCMC