How to succeed in mental health roles within development

Justin leads Devex’s careers content strategy, which aims to inform and inspire those seeking purpose-driven work. He spent over 12 years as a cross-platform journalist with the New York Times, specializing in digital strategy and audience development while producing written and multimedia content on a range of topics, including travel, sports, and technology. Most recently, he was the editor of Springwise, covering sustainable and disruptive innovation across all business sectors.

Catty is the Director of Human Resources at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, where she leads their global people function. She is a global HR executive with experience across five continents in the private and public sector in various functions, ranging from talent management, strategy, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development to humanitarian law, war crimes tribunals, and peacekeeping. She has held several positions, including; Deputy Director of Human Resources of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Chief, Talent Development Unit, UNDP, Talent Program Director, Siemens AG, and Executive Officer to the UNICEF Deputy Executive Director.

John is a registered psychiatric nurse and a mental health officer with the International Rescue Committee, working at the Dadaab Refugee Camp. He has worked in the mental health field for over 29 years, both for Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the IRC. Presently in charge of mental health services at the Hagadera and Kambioos refugee camps, he carries out consultations and other services for patients with mental health disorders.

Dubravka is the Chief of the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section at UNHCR, where she is responsible for developing, facilitating, and coordinating psychosocial services to colleagues worldwide. Under her leadership, the psychosocial support unit has expanded its portfolio of forward-looking programs designed to address a wide range of psychosocial challenges for the UNHCR workforce. The Section works in close collaboration with other staff support services, including medical services and human resources. Dubravka leads a global team of 19 mental health professionals – based mostly in the field – who deliver psychosocial support and interventions to individuals and teams and at the managerial and policy levels. She is one of the founding members of the UN Staff/Stress Counsellors Group (UNSSCG), serving at its Steering Committee. She is also a member of the Critical Incident Stress Working Group and collaborates with expert groups outside the UN. Dubravka holds advanced degrees in psychology and counseling and has 25 years of experience in staff counseling across the UN system.