Mental Health Clinical Officer – Maternal Mental Health Project

About the role

The Mental Health Clinical Officer will support a four‑year Maternal Mental Health project in Lilongwe and Mzuzu, focusing on improving the mental well‑being of pregnant women, mothers, infants and families. Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the officer will deliver specialised mental health services and help integrate mental health care into maternal and child health programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments, diagnose and treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance‑use disorders in pregnant women and mothers.
• Provide individual and group counselling, psychosocial support and therapeutic interventions.
• Prescribe, administer and monitor psychiatric medications in line with professional guidelines.
• Manage referrals for complex cases requiring specialised psychiatric, psychological or social support.
• Integrate mental health screening into antenatal, postnatal and child health services and support early identification through routine risk assessment.
• Train, mentor and supervise healthcare workers on maternal mental health screening, basic counselling and referral pathways.
• Develop and disseminate clinical protocols, guidelines and educational materials on maternal mental health.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including obstetricians, midwives, nurses, social workers, psychologists and community health workers.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine (Mental Health) or equivalent.
• Registered with the Malawi Medical Council or an internationally recognised professional body.
• Minimum two years’ experience in a psychiatric unit (preferred).
• Willingness to work with individuals experiencing mental health problems and strict adherence to the organisation’s Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.