MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH MANAGER

MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH MANAGER

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Possible is a collaboration that develops and tests innovations to improve health in Nepal by directly responding to local concerns, while drawing from and contributing to the broader disciplines of global health research, practice, and policy. 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. Our first commitment is to develop and deploy interventions that improve health (rather than prioritize academic outputs that may be novel and methodologically sound but do not directly improve healthcare). 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 16 years, we have been a leader in healthcare innovation in Nepal, conducting implementation research 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 Mental Health Research Manager to lead, design, roll-out, and evaluate behavioral interventions, and scale-up of mental health services, and support the research team to strengthen mental and behavioral health studies at Possible. The Mental Health Research Manager should see themselves as an advocate for Possible’s mission, vision, and values, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to enhance mental health research and service delivery.

Reports to: Associate Scientist

Direct Reports: Mental Health Research officers, study counselors

Works closely with: Possible staff, advisors, and partners

Location: Kathmandu with 30-50% travel to partner sites

Compensation and benefits: Highly competitive salary

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Mental Health Research Manager will work closely with the research team and partner sites and will be chiefly responsible for the following areas of work:

1. Lead the development, rollout, and evaluation of behavioral intervention and mental health research protocols at Possible and its partner sites, including data processes, analysis, and write-up for manuscripts.

• Lead interactive design of MH and behavioral interventions including development and adaptation of intervention materials;
• Train Possible’s and partner team members on MH and behavioral interventions, and provide on-site coaching and supportive supervision as relevant;
• Lead and support team (researchers, counselors, coordinators) in implementing research protocols (e.g., intervention, surveys, questionnaires, patient-centered outcomes) for mental health research;
• Support mental health-related research conducted by Possible;
• Lead IRB applications and amendment submissions, and ensure ethical conduct of MH research throughout the research process;
• Oversee translation and adaptation of data collection tools, and intervention manual for implementation in Nepal;
• Oversee appropriate integration of data tools in existing and new systems (e.g., integrating clinical research tools in relevant platforms, integrating survey questionnaires for clinicians in REDCap, or integrating tools within CommCare Suite for use by community health workers);
• Ensure ethical conduct of research by following protocols approved by institutional and national review boards;
• Lead meetings with the research team, partner sites, and mental health team, advisors on mental health research, and facilitate cross-disciplinary learning.

2. Co-lead and coordinate with the partner sites to implement Possible’s mental health research interventions

• Provide supervision, technical support, and guidance to the partner sites for scaling up mental health innovations, addressing challenges, and improving service delivery;
• Train Possible’s and partner teams on behavioral health and mental health interventions;
• Support in building local capacity to improve the counseling skills of relevant teams;
• Coordinate with Possible’s mental health advisors and researchers to deliver high-quality technical assistance;
• Offer continuous mentorship, supervision, and supportive learning for study counselors and other team members working on mental health research;
• Provide support to meet reporting and other funders' requirements related to MH research and innovations project;
• Work closely with the Possible team to create content and disseminate our impact in lay media, blogs, and for conferences and presentations.

3. Support in building Possible's workplace culture and strategic partnership, and generating additional resources and revenue to advance MH research and innovation

• Participate in grant writing, seeking both national and international resources to support mental health programs and research;
• Collaborate with national and international organizations to jointly access additional resources and jointly contribute to mental health research and innovation, including dissemination of our work and impact at different platforms;
• Contribute to advancing Possible vision, mission, and goals by supporting partners' mapping and strategic engagement for ongoing and upcoming research related to MH;
• Contribute to research efforts that advance social justice in Nepal, and globally;
• Disseminate research findings in academic journals, lay media, blogs, and presentations, ensuring visibility of mental health research impact;
• Support in building organization systems, accountability structures, workplace practice, and a culture rooted in equity, justice, and diversity
• Contribute to maintaining legal, regulatory, and governance compliance as required;
• Supervise the direct reports and support in his/her/their personal and professional growth.

The above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive and may be changed by the Mental Health Research Manager and their line manager.

Must Haves:

• Commitment to Possible’s Values, Mission & Vision.
• Passionate about behavioral intervention, MH research, intervention design, and training and supervision.
• A strong exposure to implementation science and behavioral health intervention research, and the ability to conduct and/or coordinate intervention research.
• Ability to work with a diverse team and a strong motivation and flexibility to travel to urban, semi-urban, and remote areas in Nepal.
• Qualifications: Masters in Psychology or a related field with direct exposure to counseling and clinical psychology; at least 3 years of relevant experience; excellent command in both written and spoken Nepali and English; Nepali Citizen based in Nepal.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Email your CV and cover letter to recruitment@possiblehealth.org When applying please include name and position in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled. If we believe that you and Possible are a 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.

You can get a detailed overview of the job description by visiting our website here.