APA and the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) invite applications for the APA-IUPsyS Global Mental Health Fellowship with the World Health Organization.
Deadline: April 30, 2019
Sponsors: APA; International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS)
Description
Intent of the Fellowship
The APA-IUPsyS Global Mental Health Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for a psychologist to contribute to the work of World Health Organization (WHO), in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MSD) for a period of one year. The fellow will focus on one or more issues related to the WHO Mental Health Action Plan.
The fellowship intends to:
- Provide psychologists with exposure to and involvement with international global mental health policy and implementation
- Contribute to the more effective use of psychological knowledge and research in global mental health policy and implementation
The overall goal of the WHO Mental Health Action Plan is “to promote mental well-being, prevent mental disorders, provide care, enhance recovery, promote human rights and reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with mental disorders.”
In this context, the focus of the fellow’s activities will be on supporting research and program activities that address one or more of the following WHO MSD program priorities, such as:
- Mental health Gap Action Programme tools and their implementation
- Scalable psychological interventions
- Psychosocial responses to conflict and other emergencies
- E-mental health
- Public health response to dementia
- Early childhood development
- Maternal mental health
- Suicide prevention
- Working Arrangements
After selection, the fellow’s specific activities will be identified in a work plan, developed in discussion with the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, APA and IUPsyS. Appointment of the fellow will be subject to approval by WHO.
Funding
The fellowship carries a stipend of $22,000 for a 12-month fellowship period. It is anticipated that the work to be done under the auspices of the fellowship will be conducted primarily at the fellow’s home institution, following a brief orientation period at WHO in Geneva. There will likely also be one or two additional brief periods in Geneva or elsewhere in the world, if needed. Upon selection, and after approval from WHO, the fellow will be engaged under a contract that specifies the work plan (approved by WHO), time line, stipend and expense allowances. Additional funds of up to $8000 will be provided for travel related to the work plan.
Eligibility
The applicant must:
- Be an APA member or have applied for APA membership at the time of application.
- Hold a doctoral degree from a recognized program in a clinical area of psychology.
- Be a psychologist of any career level with demonstrated research experience and leadership in at least one of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse priority areas indicated above.
Note: Applicants may be based in any country. The fellowship year is anticipated to begin in the last quarter of 2019. The start of the fellowship year will be determined in consultation and agreement between the fellow and WHO and the sponsoring organizations.
How to Apply
The application deadline is April 30, 2019, midnight EST.
Applications should include the following:
- Cover letter outlining the applicant’s experience, expertise and interest as they relate to the goals of the program.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Documentation that the fellow can commit sufficient time and resources to fulfil the work plan during the fellowship year. It is anticipated that work plan activities will require a minimum of 20-30 percent professional time (FTE) to complete agreed upon deliverables.
- This documentation will typically include: A statement from the applicant’s home institution confirming employment during the fellowship year and support for fellowship year activities, including recognition of time needed for research and program work as well as travel to Geneva for orientation and to Geneva or elsewhere for tasks specified in the work plan.
- Three letters of recommendation. Referees should be asked to address the applicant’s goodness of fit with the goals of the program, with reference to clinical and research expertise, experience and personal suitability for international work. The letters of recommendation can be sent separately for the applicant to APA’s Office of International Affairs with the filename “LASTNAME-APA-IUPsyS”.
Applications must be submitted electronically. They should be sent as a single PDF file with the filename “LASTNAME-APA-IUPsyS” via email with the subject header “APA-IUPsyS Global Health Fellowship Application.”
Notification
Applicants will be notified of the fellowship decision by June 30, 2019.