Possible
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Deputy Director – Mental Health
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Possible is a collaboration that develops and tests innovations to improve health in Nepal. Our partnership is between an independent Nepal-based non-governmental organization and a US- based non-profit. Possible envisions a world where everyone, everywhere has access to high- quality healthcare rooted in evidence, inclusion, and equity. As such, we engage in rigorous and collaborative research and innovation to address evidence, implementation, and policy gaps in the equity, quality, and accessibility of healthcare. Our research endeavors and partnerships aim to address challenges in context and from stated or established needs rather than for the novelty of research. We partner with community-based organizations, public and private sector
academic institutions and research organizations to leverage research and evidence to inform and implement innovative solutions to healthcare challenges in Nepal. For the last 15 years, we have been a leader in healthcare innovation in Nepal, with partnerships spanning several international institutions such as Harvard Medical School, University of California San Francisco, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and University of Washington.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Possible, a non-governmental organization registered in Nepal, is seeking a Deputy Director- Mental Health (DDMH) to provide key roles in organization leadership and to lead our Mental Health (MH) portfolio. The leadership role includes visioning, strategic direction, partnership, and team engagement to ensure programmatic and operational success. The MH portfolio comprises of MH research and behavioral interventions, and technical support to the partners to improve the quality of MH services at their sites, while generating knowledge and know-how that will be relevant globally. She/he/they will closely work with Possible’s team and advisors, and our partners by serving as a primary point of contact therefore they should see themselves as an advocate for Possible’s mission, vision and values at all times. They will have high-level responsibility and authority for envisioning innovations that are responsive to local needs, accessing external funding to support research studies (e.g., research grants), and implementing the research projects will national and international partners. Possible’s culture emphasizes local leadership and the DDMH will be able to drive the vision of MH portfolio, with international advisors supporting the local work.
Reports to: Executive Director
Direct Reports: Qualitative Research Manager, Community Health Research Manager
Works closely with: Possible staff, Advisors, and Partners
Location: Kathmandu with 20-30% travel to the partner sites
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The Deputy Director- MH will be chiefly responsible for the following areas of work:
1. Contribute to Possible’s vision, direction, partnership, and team engagement to ensure programmatic and operational success
- Play a key role in providing strategic visioning and direction and financial sustainability
alongside the Executive Director - Contribute to advancing Possible vision, mission and goals by leading partners’ mapping and strategic engagement for ongoing and upcoming research;
- Cultivate partnerships to prepare for the opportunities available in response to Possible’s
priorities. - Contribute to improve our research model, partnership, and organization systems;
- Lead in developing research and other innovative grants to strengthen MH research and
innovation; - Guide Possible team and advisors to plan and implement research on health access, quality and equity for groups that have been marginalized or experience disproportionate impact;
- Contribute to research efforts that advance social justice in Nepal, and globally
- Co-lead the process of building organization systems, accountability structures, workplace practice and culture rooted in equity, justice and diversity;
- Proactively form and lead internal and external working groups and ad-hoc teams to address urgent and emerging needs for organizational growth (e.g., a mental health crisis response workgroup in the setting of a humanitarian crisis that affects the populations we serve and our team members);
- Supervise consultants and team members and support in his/her/their personal and
professional growth so to attract and retain diverse talents in the organization; - Contribute to maintaining Possible’s legal, regulatory and governance compliance.
2. Lead the development, rollout, and evaluation of MH research protocols, including all data processes, analysis and manuscript write-up
- Lead the development, rollout, and evaluation of MH research protocols for MH services and behavioral interventions;
- Oversee the design, development, translation, adaptation and deployment of researchtools related to MH implementation (e.g., RedCap, CommCare and other relevant digital platforms);
- Lead interactive design of MH and behavioral interventions including development and adaptation of intervention materials;
- Train Possible’s and partners team members on MH and behavioral interventions, and provide on-site coaching and supportive supervision as necessary;
- Lead IRB applications and amendment submissions, and ensure ethical conduct of MH research throughout the research process;
- Lead quantitative data collection, data quality assurance and analysis (using software likeR, STATA, SPSS, SAS, either directly or in coordination with quantitative researchers on the team);
- Lead meetings with Possible team as well as Possible partners and others relevant stakeholders to provide updates on MH research, support expansion of innovation and facilitate cross-disciplinary learning;
- Collaborate with an external team and/or organizations to advocate for MH services.
- Strengthen new and existing national & global partnership for MH work;
- Lead and support manuscript drafting, finalization and re-submission to academic
journals.
3. Lead the coordination and delivery of technical support to our partners in the
implementation of MH and potential scale-up of MH innovations
- Ensure strong documentation of processes and provide guidance, supervision and technical assistance to our partners in rolling out MH innovations;
- Build training programs together with the partners to roll out MH innovations;
- Work closely with Possible’s team, MH Advisors and partners in scaling MH and behavioral innovations;
- Coordinate with advisors and other MH experts to deliver high-quality technical assistance and support;
- Provide guidance, supervision and technical assistance to our partners in adapting MH programs to address ground challenges including, but not limited to, COVID-19 restrictions;
- Ensure timely reporting and other funders requirements related to MH research and
innovation projects; - Collaborate with other organizations in Nepal and abroad to jointly access additional resources for MH research.
- Lead content creation and dissemination of our impact in lay media, blogs, conferences, and other presentations;
- Become the primary contact for internal and external collaborators for all MH related research and innovation conducted by Possible.
- Provide training in evidence-based or evidence-generating behavioral interventions and other mental health interventions to project staff, in coordination with Possible staff members.
The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive, and Deputy Director MH may be required to take on additional responsibilities, as determined in discussion with the Executive Director.
Must Haves:
Below are the qualifications that are necessary for someone to be considered for the position:
- Commitment to Possible’s Values, Mission & Vision
- Passionate about MH research and service delivery
- A strong exposure to implementation science and behavioral health intervention research, and ability to conduct or coordinate quantitative research
- A strong motivation and flexibility to travel to urban, semi-urban, and remote areas in
Nepal - Qualifications: MPhil in clinical psychology (or a relevant field in mental health/behavioral health) with at least five years of work experience or a PhD in clinical psychology (or a relevant field in mental health/behavioral health) with 2 years of work experience. Work experience should include MH research and/or service delivery, grant writing, delivering training and/or supervision for behavioral and mental health interventions, and team management experience. In addition, the candidate must have an excellent command in written and spoken Nepali and English. This position is only open to Nepali citizens living in or willing to relocate to Nepal.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Email CV and cover letter to recruitment@possiblehealth.org. When applying please include name and position in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until April 8, 2022. If we believe that you and Possible are good potential fit, we will contact you to advance the application process. Please note that due to a large volume of applications, we may not
individually respond to your application.