Psychiatric Nurse — Cango Lyec Program

About the Cango Lyec Program The Cango Lyec Study — 'Reducing HIV risk, increasing access to treatment and promoting resilience among conflict-affected populations in Northern Uganda' — is a collaboration between the Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC) at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, and the Northern Uganda Program on Health Science (NUPHS). The study covers the districts of Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya and Omoro in Northern Uganda.

The main objective of the programme is to develop and test Culturally-safe, Strengths-based, Trauma-informed, Technology-enhanced (CSTT) interventions among war-affected populations in Northern Uganda. The purpose is to improve access to and uptake of HIV, Hepatitis B and trauma services among these populations. Years of conflict have left deep and lasting impacts on communities in the region, affecting both mental health and access to essential health services. The Cango Lyec programme works to address these intertwined challenges by building services and interventions that are rooted in the culture and strengths of the communities they serve, informed by an understanding of trauma, and enhanced by technology.

About the role The programme seeks to recruit a suitably qualified, committed and self-driven individual to fill the position of Psychiatric Nurse. The Psychiatric Nurse will contribute to the delivery of mental health services and study activities within the Cango Lyec programme, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of conflict-affected populations accessing the programme's services. The role involves working closely with the research and clinical teams across the programme's operational districts.

In practice, the role is likely to involve assessing and supporting individuals with mental health needs, providing psychiatric nursing care within the community and health facility settings, contributing to the delivery of trauma-informed services, and working alongside the research team to support study participants. Given the programme's focus on culturally safe and strengths-based care, the Psychiatric Nurse will be expected to work in ways that respect and draw on the strengths of local communities while maintaining the highest standards of professional care.

Why this role matters Access to mental health services in Northern Uganda has historically been limited, and the need for trauma-informed care among war-affected populations is substantial. By joining the Cango Lyec programme, the Psychiatric Nurse contributes to improving access to HIV, Hepatitis B and trauma services for people who have faced significant hardship, and to building a stronger evidence base on effective, culturally appropriate mental health interventions. Working within this multi-partner collaboration offers an opportunity to apply psychiatric nursing skills in a community-based research and service-delivery setting and to be part of an internationally recognised research programme.

How to apply Full details of the position — including the job description, required qualifications, selection criteria and application instructions — are provided in the advert attachment (chdc_nurse_advert_20Feb2023.pdf) linked with this listing. Interested candidates should download and review the advert carefully before submitting their applications in line with the instructions provided.