Mental Health Lead

**Reference**:

- **DEC20259315**- Expiry date:

- 11:00, Mon, 5th Jan 2026- Location:

- Blantyre- Salary:

- Competitive- Benefits:- Duration:

- 3-year, full-time contract- The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) seeks a highly experienced Mental Health expert to establish, develop and lead our new research area in Mental Health who shall report to the Deputy Director (Research Strategy). The prospective post holder is expected to deliver a mental health research initiative that will improve health outcomes in low
- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- We are therefore looking for experts with proven experience in mental health research, policy, interventions, and collaborations with global health experts.- Lead the Mental Health research portfolio with a focus on high impact research and translational science, identifying new strategic research opportunities and broadening funding sources to ensure long term sustainability, developing and strengthening partnerships in this field across the region and beyond.- MLW is keen to establish a strong Global Mental Health research portfolio with a focus on understanding the interaction with maternal, child and adolescent health, climate, infectious diseases as well as health systems strengthening and implementation and scaling up of services and interventions
- **Responsibilities**
- The major duties and tasks of this role include the following.
- **RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIPS**- Develop innovative methodologies, techniques and approaches that can be applied in mental health research in LMICs.
- Initiate, develop, lead and publish research which is considered globally excellent.
- Collaborate with academics working in Global Mental Health in partner institutions to grow and sustain mental health research in MLW.
- Support the establishment of a mental health team with a forward-looking strategy of developing a Mental Health theme.
- Develop and deliver the MLW Mental Health strategy.
- Collaborate with public health authorities and other key stakeholders to develop sustainable health systems tailored to manage mental health issues in LMICs.
- Foster international, regional and in-country partnerships to enhance MLW’s research capacity and impact on mental health.
- Actively and professionally represent the work of MLW at national, regional and global levels.
- Collaborate across research disciplines to initiate opportunities for more funding and generating grant income from external funding.
- Liaise with key external stakeholders and actively participate in high level negotiations to influence policy, practice and outcomes.

** LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT**- Take a leadership role in policy dialogue at national, regional and global levels to effect change based on reliable research led evidence.
- Effectively establish, lead and mentor the Mental Health team to facilitate the transition to independent researchers.
- Lead the development and implementation of MLW’s agenda and strategy on mental health.
- Demonstrate an understanding of and influence upon global factors affecting the discipline and work of MLW.
- Participate in the overall management of MLW by contributing to relevant committees either internally or externally within country or outside (regional or global).
- Proactively ensure that all relevant legal, health, and safety requirements are adhered to by all Mental Health team members.
- Lead and ensure that MLW mental health is strategically integrated with interdisciplinary research efforts.
- Plan and implement mental health strategies to meet future challenges within MLW and across partner institutions and key stakeholders.
- Ensure that professional growth opportunities are available to all team members in a manner that considers equity, diversity and inclusivity.

** PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT**- Establish evidence of a reputation at global level in respect of expertise, innovation and delivery of outcomes.
- Maintain broad knowledge of up-to-date research.
- Ensure team development through continuous professional development.
- Ensure that the team attends all institutional mandatory training.

** HEALTH & SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDING**- To follow safe practice, always respecting the safety of fellow workers as laid out in the MLW Health and Safety Guidelines, and any specific departmental safety protocols.
- To attend at least once a year, the quarterly scheduled Health and Safety sensitizations.
- To immediately notify the Health and Safety team of all accidents, and potential hazards.
- To be aware of MLW’s Safeguarding policy/provisions and act in accordance with these at all times.
- Promote equality of opportunity and inclusive practice in all aspect of work understanding.