VACANCY – MENTAL HEALTH NURSE (National Staff)
POSITION TITLE : Mental Health Nurse
COUNTRY PROGRAM: Rwanda
RESPONSIBLE TO: Medical Doctor
STATUS: Full Time
SITE: Kigeme& Mugombwa
COUNTRY PROGRAM MISSION:
ALIGHT works with its partners and constituencies to provide opportunities and expertise to refugees, displaced people and host communities – to better survive conflicts and crises, 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 refugee locations and their host Rwandan communities. We are always looking to expand and, jointly with our partners, deliver lasting impact with and for the communities we serve!
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION :
Mental health nurse provides clinical and psychotherapy to refugees at the camp level, according to national health protocols. He/she will maintain records of patient data for reporting purposes, and will work to maintain and improve the level of mental health for beneficiaries. This position will also insure psychosocial support of patients with mental and psychological problems. He/she may be responsible to refer patients with illnesses /conditions beyond his/her capacity to upper level according to both Alight and Rwanda Ministry of Health protocols and guidelines.
R RESPONSIBILITIES
- Fill client file and register book for each patient who comes in for consultation
- Assess and talk to patients about their problems and discussing the best way to plan and deliver their care
- Build relationships with patients to encourage trust, while listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns
- Respond to distressed patients in a non-threatening manner and attempting to understand the source of distress
- Apply 'de-escalation' techniques to help people manage their emotions and behavior
- Write all lab exams and findings in patient file and in register book
- Ensure the correct administration of medication, including injections, and monitoring the results of treatment;
- Make decision on which patient can be referred to other services or secondary and tertiary level
- Insure community awareness on mental health, prevention of alcohol and drug abuse and other forms of psychological problems
- Organize sessions with families of patients and the community to prevent stigmatization of people with mental illnesses
- Make sure the consultation activities start by the scheduled time and finish when the last patient is consulted
- Perform PIT when it is necessary, and report all HIV-positive cases to HIV Program
- Ensure FP is fully integrated in consultation
- Maintain medical materials and equipment
- Coordinate with other health staff on self-assessment of clinical skills and challenges.
- Perform recordkeeping procedures when registering patients according to health center protocols
- Follow up on patients that he/she has consulted and hospitalized.
- Provide the monthly referrals schedule to Medical Doctor, Logistics Coordinator, and Head Nurse and accompany patients where they are referred and collaborate with referral hospital on retro information
- Prepare and participate in group and/or one-to-one therapy sessions, both individually and with other health professionals;
- Provide evidence-based individual therapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety;
- Organize social events aimed at developing patients' social skills and helping to reduce feelings of isolation;
- Prepare and maintain patient records and producing care plans and risk assessments;
- Work with patients' families and carers, helping to educate them and the patient about their mental health problems
EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
- A1 in Mental health Nursing field required
- 2-3 years’ experience in mental health nursing in a clinical setting in a low-resource, fast-pasted setting, working with vulnerable/displaced
- Being registered in professional council with valid license
- Analytical and organizational skills/experience with health data
- Strong coordination and leadership skills with proven ability to work across multiple technical areas simultaneously, supporting and mentoring multiple staff members
- Experience in collecting patient data for health systems monitoring purposes.
- Excellent organizational and administrative skills
- Oral/writing skills in Kinyarwanda, English, and French
- Experience working in protracted refugee situation and/or previous experience in Rwanda health system
KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES:
- Commitment to personally champion Alight’s program vision and mission and inspire others to do the same.
- Punctual at his/her duty station
- Respectful and willing to support others
- Must have cross-cultural and strong interpersonal skills to work with refugees and vulnerable persons
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
- Ability to coordinate with other health sector staff in a diverse environment
- Ability and willingness to live and work in a remote, low-resource setting
APPLICATION GUIDELINES :
Interested and qualifying candidates should submit applications to ALIGHT Rwanda Executive Director – to include 1 page Cover Letter, an updated CV (max. 3 pages), copy of diploma, ID and three names (plus titles & contacts) of relevant professional referees, to include most current Employer/ Supervisor ( All in one document ) – to the following link: https://www.wearealight.org/careers?p=job/oG13Afw4&__jvst=Job+Board&__jvsd=Job_In_Rwanda&nl=1 with the position applied for CLEARLY indicated in the subject line. The deadline for submission of applications is November 10 th 2026 at 05:00 PM. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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.