Faculty, Psychiatry

Description

Job Title: Faculty, Psychiatry

Department: Psychiatry

Reports To: Program Director, Psychiatry Department and Chair, Division of Clinical Medicine

Location: Butaro Campus, with possibilities of frequent travel to Kigali Campus and other teaching sites across Rwanda

Support team: Work with the medical education administrative team at UGHE and the Partners in Health Cross-site mental health team

Job Summary:

The Faculty, Psychiatry is a pivotal leadership role within the School of Medicine at UGHE. This position is responsible for the overall management, strategic direction, and operational success of a new Department of Psychiatry.

The Faculty, Psychiatry will have the opportunity to build new programs and ensure excellence in academic, clinical, and administrative functions, aligning departmental goals with the university’s mission and strategic objectives. Will work with growing medical education and administrative team to implement a postgraduate residency program.

Key Responsibilities:

UGHE is seeking to develop a strong program that bridges clinical training, research and leadership education in psychiatry, global mental health delivery and research. The program lead will oversee and develop further the current successful Clinical Clerkship in Psychiatry for medical students (now in its 3rd year) and will develop and implement a successful Psychiatry Residency Training Program; and contribute to Mental Health Research and Research Training Program

Leadership and Strategic Direction:

Develop a new Department of Psychiatry, including a medical student Clinical Clerkship in Psychiatry, a Psychiatry Residency Training Program, a Mental Health Research and Research Training Program, and a Global Mental Health Masters’ degree program.

Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to the department

Develop and implement strategic plans in line with UGHE’s vision and objectives

Enhance the department’s national and international standing through excellence in education, research, and clinical care.

Lead and develop departmental management team, setting clear goals and expectations, and ensuring accountability

Mentor and support medical student education, and senior and junior faculty.

Academic Excellence:

Oversee the development and implementation of cutting-edge curriculum and educational programs

Ensure the integration of innovative teaching methodologies and technology in medical education

Promote an environment conducive to scholarly and clinical research activities, fostering research initiatives across faculty and students

Maintain accreditation standards and continuously improve the quality and relevance of educational offerings

Contribute to the teaching of Basic Medical Sciences Module

Participate in clinical and Basic Medical Sciences examinations

Clinical Oversight:

Contribute to the delivery of high-quality clinical services within the department’s affiliated hospitals and clinics

Promote best practices in patient care and clinical governance

Foster partnerships with healthcare organizations to enhance clinical research and training opportunities

Lead initiatives to enhance coordination and continuity of mental health services across the referral system, including through training, supervision, research and policy collaboration with mental health providers.

Operational and Financial Management:

Oversee the department’s operational management, including financial oversight, resource allocation, and infrastructure development.

Develop and manage the departmental budget in collaboration with the university’s financial team.

Implement policies and procedures that enhance efficiency and effectiveness in departmental operations.

Faculty and Staff Development:

Lead the recruitment, development, and retention of top-tier faculty and staff, including a Department of Psychiatry coordinator.

Promote professional development opportunities and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide feedback to faculty and staff

Student Engagement and Success:

Ensure a supportive learning environment that promotes student engagement and success.

Oversee the assessment of student performance and the implementation of interventions to address educational needs.

Promote student participation in research, community service, and leadership activities.

External Relations and Advocacy:

Strengthen and optimize partnerships that support clinical care, training and research programs in mental health.

Represent the department and UGHE in national and international forums.

Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders including government entities, industry partners, and academic institutions.

Advocate for policies and resources that support medical education in psychiatry and mental healthcare delivery.

Serve as a key liaison between UGHE and national psychiatric stakeholders/mental health providers, including other residency programs, government institutions, psychiatrists, and academic partners, to foster collaboration in teaching, supervision, and capacity building.

Compliance and Quality Assurance:

Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.

Oversee continuous quality improvement activities within the department.

Address any issues related to academic integrity or professional conduct.

Performance Review:

Regularly review and assess the performance of the department against established goals and benchmarks.

Adjust strategies and operations in response to feedback and changing circumstance

Required Qualifications:

A medical degree (MD, MBBS, or equivalent) from a recognized institution.
Completion of specialty training in psychiatry with board certification or equivalent (e.g., MMED, MRCPsych, ABPN, or equivalent national/regional certification).
A Master’s or PhD in Global Health, Public Health, Medical Education, Health Systems, or a related field is an added advantage.
Valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine and/or psychiatry in home country or eligibility for registration in Rwanda.
Demonstrated academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor (or equivalent), or evidence of eligibility for such appointment.

Required Experience:

Minimum of 8 years of post-residency experience in academic psychiatry, including teaching, clinical practice, and research.
Proven leadership experience in academic program development, preferably in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) setting.
Experience designing, launching, and/or managing residency or postgraduate medical training programs.
A strong record of scholarly activities, including peer-reviewed publications, grant acquisition, and mentorship of junior faculty or students.
Clinical experience in diverse mental health settings with evidence of collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.

Experience in global mental health, community psychiatry, or health system strengthening is highly desirable.

Attributes:

Visionary leader with the ability to develop, implement, and grow high-impact academic and clinical programs in psychiatry.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to work effectively across cultures and disciplines.
Collaborative spirit and ability to inspire and mobilize faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
Capacity to navigate complex institutional and health system dynamics while maintaining focus on quality and innovation.
Flexible, resourceful, results-oriented and able to adapt to a dynamic and evolving academic and clinical environment.
Skilled in aligning multiple academic, clinical, and operational activities while ensuring timely delivery of objectives.
Demonstrates exceptional planning and organizational skills, with an ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
Capable of maintaining high performance and focus in fast-paced, high-stakes academic and clinical contexts.
Able to juggle diverse responsibilities across education, clinical services, research, and strategic leadership.
Digital Proficiency: Comfortable with digital tools and platforms for academic management, communication, and research.
Passionate advocate for mental health education, research, and service delivery in Africa and globally.

How to Apply

Applicants should provide: (1) curriculum vitae, (2) Degree, (3) A cover letter describing your interest in UGHE and relevant experience. Please upload these under the ‘Additional Files’ tab on the application page.

University of Global Health Equity is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Organizational Profile

UGHE is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in health care delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015. Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system.

UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high quality healthcare to some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu Buzima—PIH’s sister organization—and our government partners have driven innovation for a decade.

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff, and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.