ALEX KALATU
Nairobi
Summary
MHPSS Specialist with over seven years of progressive experience leading integrated GBV and SRH psychosocial programming in humanitarian and complex emergency settings. Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, inter-agency coordination, and the design and delivery of capacity-building initiatives, including PFA, PM+, and mhGAP, in alignment with IASC Guidelines and global best practices. Proven ability to strengthen programme quality through robust supervision, mentorship, and technical support to GBV caseworkers, primary healthcare clinicians, and community-based teams. Skilled in developing operational tools, SOPs, referral pathways, and monitoring and evaluation systems that enhance survivor-centered, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive service delivery.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Nairobi
2024.09 - 2026.02
- Provides technical leadership for the integration of MHPSS within GBV and SRH programming across multiple counties, ensuring standardization of triage, referral, and feedback mechanisms in alignment with IASC Guidelines and global best practices.
- Develops and institutionalizes SOPs and operational tools for safe, confidential, and ethical data collection and management, ensuring compatibility with GBVIMS+ standards; builds partner capacity on information management and data protection compliance.
- Plans and leads technical supervision and monitoring missions to Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS), Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs), and One-Stop Centers, delivering on-site mentorship and structured corrective action plans to strengthen service quality and fidelity to evidence-based models.
- Designs and oversees implementation of a tiered capacity development framework (introductory to advanced levels) covering PFA, PM+, mhGAP basic modules, burnout prevention, and supportive supervision, contributing to sustainable workforce development.
- Facilitate inter-agency coordination and joint technical reviews with Health and Protection clusters to harmonize referral pathways and ensure inclusion of MHPSS services within inter-agency service mapping and directories.
- Contributes to strategic reporting and organizational learning through preparation of situation reports (SitReps), donor reports, performance indicator tracking, and facilitation of after-action reviews to inform adaptive programming.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2021.10 - 2023.12
- Provided technical backstopping and guidance to GBV caseworkers and Clinical Management of Rape (CMR)-trained clinicians to strengthen survivor-centered counselling, case management quality, and safe referral pathways in line with UNHCR and inter-agency standards.
- Designed and implemented community-based psychosocial interventions, including structured PM+ group sessions, peer support groups, and stigma-reduction initiatives, utilizing contextually adapted IEC materials.
- Coordinated closely with Health and Protection actors to operationalize confidential service delivery spaces and enhance linkages between MHPSS, GBV, and SRH services.
- Conducted service mapping and multi-sectoral needs assessments to identify gaps in MHPSS and protection services, informing programmatic planning and resource allocation.
- Strengthened partner capacity through structured coaching, on-the-job mentoring, and joint supportive supervision missions to ensure adherence to global standards and quality benchmarks.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Kakuma Refugee Camp
2013.08 - 2021.10
- Led the strategic integration of MHPSS within primary health care services and scaled up community-based psychosocial interventions in a protracted refugee setting, ensuring alignment with IASC Guidelines and national mental health frameworks.
- Co-chaired the Kakuma MHPSS Technical Working Group (TWG) and provided advisory leadership within thematic sub-groups, strengthening inter-agency coordination and harmonization of service standards.
- Coordinated multi-sectoral collaboration among health, protection, and community actors to conduct joint assessments, develop response strategies, and strengthen referral pathways.
- Designed and delivered capacity-building initiatives on Psychological First Aid (PFA), scalable psychological interventions, suicide prevention, and stress management for multidisciplinary teams and community workers.
- Managed programme budgets, MEAL systems, procurement processes, and human resource planning, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies.
- Provided ongoing technical support and clinical oversight to mental health nurses, strengthening treatment planning, case reviews, and quality assurance mechanisms.
Mental Health Unit Supervisor
Evans Sunrise Medical Center
2011.04 - 2013.08
- Supervised delivery of inpatient and outpatient mental health services, ensuring quality of care, staff performance management, and availability of essential psychotropic medications.
- Oversaw procurement, logistics, and inventory management systems to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
- Led orientation and clinical training for newly recruited nursing staff, strengthening adherence to treatment protocols and ethical standards.
- Represented the facility in Ministry of Health coordination forums, contributing to policy dialogue and service alignment with national standards.
Mental Health Nurse
Chiromo Lane Psychiatric & Rehabilitation Centre
2010.10 - 2011.03
- Conducted psychiatric assessments, patient admissions, individualized care planning, and psychotherapy sessions within an inpatient and rehabilitation setting.
- Administered and monitored psychotropic medications and prepared patients for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) procedures in accordance with clinical guidelines.
- Facilitated family therapy sessions, occupational therapy activities, and post-discharge follow-up planning to support recovery and reintegration.
Community Health Nurse
Africa Inland Church (AIC) Health Ministries
2001.04 - 2009.09
- Delivered comprehensive maternal and child health services, medical-surgical nursing care, and emergency interventions within community health facilities.
- Conducted disease surveillance, WASH promotion initiatives, and community health dialogues to strengthen preventive health outcomes.
- Supervised community health personnel and supported outreach programming to improve service coverage and community engagement.
Education
Master of Arts - Psychology
University of Nairobi
Kenya 2025.01 - 2027.01
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Egerton University
Kenya 2016.01 - 2021.01
Higher National Diploma - Psychiatric Nursing
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)
Kenya 2009.01 - 2010.01
Diploma - Community Health Nursing
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)
Kenya 2006.01 - 2007.01
Certificate - Community Health Nursing
Kijabe School of Nursing
Kenya 1998.01 - 2001.01
Skills
- Strategic MHPSS Programme Design and Systems Strengthening: Integrated SRH–MHPSS programming; technical alignment of Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) and intimate partner violence response within health systems
- GBV Case Management and Survivor-Centered Programming: Application of survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and rights-based approaches in complex and humanitarian contexts
- Capacity Development and Technical Supervision: Design and delivery of evidence-based training (PFA, PM, mhGAP); structured mentorship, coaching, and supportive supervision frameworks for multidisciplinary teams
- Inter-Agency Coordination and Technical Leadership: Active engagement in GBV, Protection, and Health coordination platforms; partnership development, advocacy, and harmonization of standards across actors
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL): Indicator development, tool design, quality assurance audits, and data governance; proficiency in GBVIMS and ethical data protection protocols
- Inclusive and Context-Sensitive Programming: Application of culturally responsive approaches, intersectional risk analysis, conflict sensitivity, and localization strategies
- Digital and Analytical Tools: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (data analysis and dashboards), PowerPoint, and Word; experience with Kobo and Comcare for data collection; foundational skills in Power BI
Certification
- MhGAP Training of Trainers (ToT) – World Health Organization (WHO), 2019
- Global Mental Health – University of Washington, 2021
- Mental Health in Complex Emergencies – Fordham University, 2022
- Group PM+ (GPM+) Training of Trainers (ToT) – UNHCR / World Vision, 2022
- MHPSS Minimum Standards & Protocols (MSP) Training of Trainers (ToT) – UNHCR, 2023
- IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Emergencies – Inter-Agency Standing Committee
- Trauma-Informed Care, Safeguarding & Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
LANGUAGES
English – Fluent (reading, writing, speaking)
Swahili – Fluent (reading, writing, speaking)
Arabic – Learning stage (reading, writing, speaking)
REFEREES
Available upon request
Accomplishments
- Provided strategic leadership in the design and scale-up of an integrated MHPSS delivery package across five health facilities, institutionalizing survivor-centered standards and strengthening safe referral systems within the last 12 months.
- Led the development and institutional adoption of a modular capacity-building framework (PFA, PM+, supportive supervision), strengthening technical competencies of 95 frontline providers and increasing post-training competency scores from 62% to 86%, with systems embedded for ongoing quality assurance.
- Co-chaired GBV/SRH/MHPSS coordination platforms across two subnational hubs, aligning technical standards, harmonizing referral pathways, and standardizing supervision tools across 10+ partner agencies to enhance inter-agency coherence and service continuity.
- Designed and institutionalized a structured supervision and staff well-being framework, integrating burnout monitoring (Copenhagen Burnout Inventory) into routine quality systems and achieving an 18% reduction in burnout indicators over the last 3 quarters.
- Delivered structured individual and group-based psychosocial interventions to survivors of SGBV and conflict-related trauma, ensuring adherence to principles of safety, dignity, confidentiality, and non-discrimination.
- Contributed to multidisciplinary case conferences and risk assessment processes, supporting the development and implementation of survivor-centered risk mitigation and referral plans.
- Co-developed bilingual (Arabic and English) IEC materials on GBV prevention, stigma reduction, and mental health literacy to enhance community awareness and service uptake.
Timeline
Master of Arts - Psychology
University of Nairobi
2025.01 - 2027.01
Senior Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
2024.09 - 2026.02
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2021.10 - 2023.12
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Egerton University
2016.01 - 2021.01
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
2013.08 - 2021.10
Mental Health Unit Supervisor
Evans Sunrise Medical Center
2011.04 - 2013.08
Mental Health Nurse
Chiromo Lane Psychiatric & Rehabilitation Centre
2010.10 - 2011.03
Higher National Diploma - Psychiatric Nursing
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)
2009.01 - 2010.01
Diploma - Community Health Nursing
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)
2006.01 - 2007.01
Community Health Nurse
Africa Inland Church (AIC) Health Ministries
2001.04 - 2009.09
Certificate - Community Health Nursing
Kijabe School of Nursing
1998.01 - 2001.01