VACANCY – PSYCHOLOGIST 

ALIGHT works with its partners and constituencies to provide opportunities and expertise to refugees, displaced people and host communities – to better survive conflicts and crisis, and to rebuild lives of dignity, health, security and self-sufficiency. ALIGHT presently works in and with partners in seventeen countries globally. ALIGHT has consistently operated in Rwanda since the year 1994, and today has a strong and committed team of over eight hundred personnel who include full time staff, community mobilizers and incentive workers– implementing programs in Primary Health Care, Reproductive Health, HIV and Nutrition; also Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Shelter and general Infrastructure, Livelihoods/Economic strengthening, and Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention/ Protection. Our work in Rwanda currently covers all the refugee locations and their kind Rwandan-host communities. And we are always looking to expand and, jointly with our partners, offer lasting impact with and for the communities we serve! ALIGHT is looking for a qualified, self-driven and committed individual to join its team as Psychologist, to be based full time in any one of the field sites (refugee camps, transit and reception centers) where ALIGHT has active operations.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Work with clients of all ages who have a variety of different mental, or physical and psychosocial issues, such as depression and anxiety; mental illness; adjustment to physical illness; neurological disorders; addictive behaviors; challenging behaviors; eating disorders; personal and family relationship problems; learning disabilities;
• Work in partnership with clients over a series of sessions in order to diagnose, assess and manage their condition;
• Often work alongside other professionals in multidisciplinary teams in order to deal with clients’ complex problems;
• Diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests, and formulate and administer programs of treatment;
• Provide psychosocial support to the victims of Gender Based Violence who are in the health facility and link them to SGBV services;
• Treat individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, and family situations through therapy sessions in order to modify behavior and/or to improve personal, social, and vocational adjustment;
• Identify psychological, emotional or behavioral issues among clients coming to the health facility;
• Diagnose psychological, emotional or behavioral disorders;
• Develop and implement treatment plans and therapeutic processes;
• Monitor client progress through regular meetings or sessions;
• Assessing a client’s needs, abilities or behavior using a variety of methods, including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behavior;
• Devising and monitoring appropriate treatment programs, including therapy, counseling or advice, in collaboration with colleagues;
• Offering therapy and treatments for difficulties relating to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, social and interpersonal problems and challenging behavior;
• Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests in order to obtain information on individuals’ intelligence, achievements, interests, and personalities;
• Utilize a variety of treatment methods such as psychotherapy, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, and play therapy;
• Organize group counseling and create support groups among clients with same conditions such as children or people with learning disabilities, drugs abusers…
• Create and conduct psychosocial support group for mental health patients and their caregivers;
• Support/supervise mental health nurses in mental related activities;
• In collaboration with Community health department, organize and conduct IEC sessions in the community and at the health facilities to increase awareness on psychosocial problems, related consequences, and available support;
• Develop & share reports related to mental health;
• Other appropriate duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Recognized university Degree in Clinical Psychology, Counselling, or related field with full registration and current practicing license with the relevant professional body (Health professional council);
• 2-3 years of experience working in the clinical setting in Rwanda applying psychological skills;
• Analytical and organizational skills/experience with health settings;
•  Strong report writing skills with proven organizational/multitasking skills;
• Good experience in conducting therapy sessions;
• Having experience in conducting counseling sessions, psychosocial support, and other related sessions;
•  Be able to use evidence-based for his/her daily work to improve the well-being of the clients;
• Having the experience to work in humanitarian settings or remote area is a plus.

KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES:

Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.  Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.