International Senior Mental Health Advisor (International Technical Advisor II)

EDC is one of the world's leading nonprofit research and development firms. EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.

The International Development Division has an opening for a Senior Mental Health Advisor (International Technical Advisor II) reporting to the Health Team Lead in Washington, DC.

EDC's International Development Division implements programs in education, youth workforce development, and health, funded by USAID and other donors. With programming in more than 25 countries, we work in crisis and conflict-affected environments, and foster gender and social inclusion and equity throughout our programs.

EDC's global health and crisis, conflict and violence technical teams have been at the forefront of advancing the organization's strategies to promote mental health and well-being through work to strengthen safe living and learning environments; deliver evidence-based psychosocial support and mental health interventions, largely targeting youth; integrate innovative approaches to build mental health knowledge and skills; mainstream trauma-informed approaches; and support mental health clinicians and systems to strengthen quality of mental health care and the use of evidence-based practice.

In collaboration with colleagues across EDC's technical teams, the Senior Mental Health Advisor will lead development, piloting, implementation, evidence generation and learning, and scaling of various mental health and well-being initiatives across these areas. S/he will co-lead EDC's thought leadership efforts around mental health, psychosocial support, and well-being; develop strategies for raising EDC's profile and communicating about our work in mental health and well-being; and leverage existing networks, partnerships, and communities of practice to position EDC for funding and collaboration opportunities in the mental health space.

Essential functions:

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

You will:

• Co-design and co-lead an externally-facing campaign to promote EDC's work and expertise in mental health. Lead development of campaign strategy, objectives, and activities in collaboration with technical team leads. Foster partnerships with other implementers, donors, and influencers in the mental health space by identifying potential partners; engaging in meetings and networking activities to build partnerships under the campaign umbrella.
• Represent EDC in key forums. Develop and deliver presentations and other media/materials to showcase EDC's mental health and well-being work
• Continue piloting of mental health and psychosocial support interventions and facilitate further learning, evidence generation, adaptation, and refinement.
• Serve as a technical contributor to other evolving mental health and well-being interventions.
• Provide high-quality technical assistance to select projects for mental health, psychosocial support, and well-being components.
• Support business development for mental health and well-being programming. Contribute to design of relevant activities and approaches, and network with other partners and donors to expand BD opportunities for mental health and well-being.
• Serve as an ambassador for mental health and well-being internally within IDD/EDC. Represent the initiative in key EDC forums to socialize and build support for mental health and well-being programming. Contribute to professional development for select domestic and international development division staff to build understanding and expertise in cross-cultural mental health, psychosocial support, and well-being.

This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills.

What skills and experience do I need:

Education:

• Master's level mental health degree; doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) preferred.
• With Master's degree, 7-10 years related experience, including a minimum of 5 years supervisory/project management or program development experience
• With PhD, 5-7 years related experience (as above)

Other skills/experience:

• Experience in clinical practice within the last 10 years.
• Experience designing and conducting mental health research.
• Experience working in international settings in lower- and middle-income countries. Relevant experience working in and traveling to crisis- and conflict-affected settings strongly preferred.
• Experience using and providing training in evidence-based mental health practices (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotion Regulation, etc.).
• Experience providing training on mental health concepts, skills, and clinical practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge and use of trauma-informed approaches, including ability to mainstream trauma-informed practice throughout development programming.
• International experience required; experience in a developing country required
• This position involves occasional travel to crisis- and conflict-affected locations to provide short-term technical assistance or program development.
• Periodic travel to EDC's office locations in Waltham, MA and Washington, DC required.

Language:

• Proficiency in English, and French or other language skills an advantage.

Preferred skills/experience:

• Experience with MHPSS curriculum development an advantage.
• Knowledge of and experience in working with youth strongly preferred.
• Experience working with violence and trauma survivors and/or on violence prevention initiatives an advantage.
• Understanding of health care and mental health systems and strengthening approaches an advantage.

EDC affirms its steadfast commitment to uphold the highest standards of conduct, ensuring the protection of all individuals from misconduct, and maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of these rights. Safeguarding refers to the measures and practices put in place to protect individuals, particularly vulnerable groups, from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Total Rewards:

EDC offers the following comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous vacation benefits for full- and part-time employees
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition reimbursement
• Pre-tax transport benefit
• Robust retirement plan with TIAA/CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund)
• Paid sick time and personal time annually
• Parental leave
• Employee assistance program

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $90,000 to $135,000. Salary offers are made based on market analysis and internal equity.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the EDC job opportunities website as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by e-mailingLiz Christensenor by calling her at 800-225-4276 or 617-618-2329.