Technical Assistance Officer

HealthNet TPO is a Netherlands based not for profit, non-governmental organization founded on the principle that access to affordable quality health care is a basic human right.

In 1992 HealthNet TPO was established by ‘Doctors without Borders’ to bridge the gap between emergency aid and structural development. The organization is now the result of a merger between HealthNet International (HNI) and the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO). HNI has knowledge and experience in reinforcing healthcare systems and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of transmissible diseases. TPO is an expert in the field of psychosocial and mental health care for survivors of war and natural disasters.  HealthNet TPO Afghanistan is managed by a team of qualified Afghans and supported by a team of experts at the HQ of the organization in Holland.

HealthNet TPO Afghanistan is providing Primary Health Care, Mental Health and psychosocial services, fighting malaria and supporting Mother & Child Health Care in terms of providing training for Community Midwifes and to conduct operation research. HealthNet TPO is currently implementing projects in almost 20 provinces of Afghanistan and the major program it implements are HER (Health Emergency Response) projects in three provinces, Nutrition, Mental Health and Psychosocial, Malaria Control program, Tuberculus....... through a community system strengthening approach.

HealthNet TPO has a zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. HNITPO takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse involving HNITPO employees and Related Personnel.

Purpose of the Job:

The Technical Assistance Officer provides technical support and serves as a liaison between the National Mental Health Hospital (NMHH), the Mental Health Department (MHD) within the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Marston Kabul. This role involves supporting the hospital management team, technical staff, and project team on mental health and psychosocial issues, ensuring adherence to mental health guidelines and strategies. . Additionally, the officer provides technical assistance to the MHD in reviewing MHPSS program implementation within BPHS/EPHS, advocates for the integration of evidence based psychological interventions into the health system assists in revision and updating of the national mental health strategy, and facilitates collaboration between the mental health hospitals and Marston. The role has a 50/50 split between supporting the hospital/project team and the MoPH.

Supervisors:

Under the supervision of the Project Manager the Technical Assistance officer is responsible for implementation of project technical plans that align with the project logical framework/proposal.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support to the Hospital Director, Medical Director, Nursing Director, and other relevant staff in the hospital, and the Department of Mental Health in MoPH to improve hospital services in line with international best practices.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among the NMHH, the project team, and the MoPH and Marston, including strengthening referral system between hospital and Marston, to enhance accessibility to mental health services.
• Provide technical assistance to Marston to enhance MHPSS services and referral networks
• Provide technical assistance to the Mental Health Department to review, update and implement the guidelines, protocols, and National Mental Health Strategy.
• Work closely with the Ministry of Public Health's Mental Health Department and the WHO to offer technical assistance for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). This includes building MHPSS capacity, developing and implementing MHPSS programs, monitoring and evaluating those programs, advocating for MHPSS, and providing technical guidance and consultation.
• Participate in National MHPSS-TWG meetings/workshop and represent NMHH
• Collaborate with the Mental Health Department and NMHH to develop operational plan for the mental health department and hospital.
• Support inter-sectoral collaboration to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support.
• Facilitate coordination with mental health stakeholders.
• Support the Mental Health Department and Mental Health Hospital in preparing reports (Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual).
• Provide technical support to the Mental Health Department in organizing and conducting the national and international days on Mental Health "World Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Day."
• Contribute to NMHH and MHD staff capacity building.
• Document the findings from assessment, develop an improvement plan, and discuss them with hospital management and the project management team for improvement.
• Record and follow up on the progress of the improvement plan on regular monthly basis.
• Prepare action plans and update Gantt chart for the monitoring visits by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), and other relevant stakeholders visiting the hospital.
• Provide technical support to the Project Manager in writing the project narrative progress, assessments and evaluation reports.
• Any other task assigned by the project manager NMHH and the Head of MHD.

• Graduation from a recognized Medical Faculty.
• Completion of Post Graduate Medical Education in Psychiatry.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public health management, with a preference of experience in mental health and psychosocial support programs.
• Fluency in English, Pashto, and Dari.
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Key Result Areas

• Improved technical capacity of NMHH management and technical staff, and Mental Health Department of MoPH.
• Strengthened collaboration and communication between NMHH and MoPH and Marston.
• Effective implementation of mental health strategies and guidelines.
• Enhanced access to mental health services.
• Successful execution of technical activities related to the project.
• Timely and accurate reporting on mental health activities.
• Improved coordination among mental health stakeholders.

Accountability:

The Technical Assistance Officer is accountable for the assigned tasks as described in the ToR.

Place in the organization (reporting lines)

The TAO will be working three days per week stationed at the Mental Health Department reporting to the In-Charge/Head of Mental Health Department, and three day per week in the National Mental Health Hospital, reporting to the Project Manager. The immediate line supervisor of the Technical Assistance Officer is the Project Manager.

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to send their CVs along with an application letter to vacancy@hntpo.org.af.

Please ensure to fill out the Health Net TPO application form which is available in http://www.acbar.org/applicationform    

Please ensure to mention the position you are applying for, in the subject line of your E-mail

Incomplete applications or applications received after closing date will not be given consideration.