Njigina Macharia
@njiginamacharia
Humanitarian MHPSS specialist with decade-long experience integrating mental health into complex responses.
KenyaWhat I'm looking for
I am a strategic humanitarian MHPSS specialist with over a decade of experience designing and leading country-level MHPSS interventions in conflict-affected and resource-constrained settings.
I have a proven track record in country response strategy development, consortium coordination, and mainstreaming MHPSS across health, protection, education, and livelihoods to strengthen holistic, sustainable responses.
I am skilled in managing multidisciplinary teams, providing clinical supervision, and implementing WHO mhGAP-HIG and IASC MHPSS guidelines, with experience adapting scalable psychosocial interventions and digital MHPSS solutions.
I prioritize capacity building, localization, and data-driven decision making, embedding gender, disability inclusion, and safeguarding into programs to ensure survivor-centered, ethical, and sustainable service delivery.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
MHPSS Consultant
Wazi Mental Health
Jan 2022 - Present (3 years 9 months)
Provided strategy and technical leadership for digital and workplace MHPSS services, delivered remote psychotherapy, and advised partners on scalable, ethical remote MHPSS protocols to expand access across humanitarian and corporate settings.
INMHPSS Expert
INTERSOS
May 2023 - Feb 2025 (1 year 9 months)
Coordinated country-level MHPSS across four provinces, developed country response strategy and SOPs, integrated mhGAP-HIG and IASC guidelines into national frameworks, and led capacity-building and localization for national staff.
DCProtection Counsellor
Danish Refugee Council
Apr 2022 - Apr 2023 (1 year)
Oversaw MHPSS programming in a protracted refugee context, integrated MHPSS into GBV and protection systems, led needs assessments and M&E, and represented the organisation in interagency coordination and donor reporting.
Team Lead - Child Protection
RefuSHE Kenya
Mar 2021 - Feb 2022 (11 months)
Led adolescent-focused MHPSS and child protection programming, scaled focused non-specialized supports (SH+, IPT), delivered trauma-focused therapies for children, and mainstreamed MHPSS across protection and education services.
SIDesigned and implemented child-focused MHPSS in Child-Friendly Spaces, integrated play-based psychosocial activities into education and health systems, and contributed to child protection protocols and M&E frameworks.
CTClinical Psychosocial Counsellor
Centre for Victims of Torture
Apr 2017 - Dec 2019 (2 years 8 months)
Provided trauma-focused psychotherapy to refugees and survivors, delivered individual and group CBT, IPT, EMDR and NET, strengthened referral pathways and contributed to MHPSS M&E and inclusive survivor-centered programming.
HIProtection Psychosocial Counsellor
Humanity & Inclusion
Sep 2015 - Mar 2017 (1 year 6 months)
Established disability-inclusive MHPSS units in camp settings, delivered services to persons with disabilities, led mainstreaming into education and health, and coordinated disability-inclusive referral and advocacy efforts.
LFSchool Counsellor
Lutheran World Federation
Oct 2013 - Sep 2015 (1 year 11 months)
Delivered community-based MHPSS for refugee children and families, integrated psychosocial support into education and child protection systems, and supported caregiver psychoeducation and school retention initiatives.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
CACatholic University of Eastern Africa
Master of Arts, Counselling Psychology
Enrolled in a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (ongoing).
MUMount Kenya University
Bachelor of Social Science, Counselling Psychology
Completed a Bachelor of Social Science in Counselling Psychology at Mount Kenya University, graduating in December 2013.
PREMESE-Africa College
Diploma, Community Based Development & Project Management
Completed a Diploma in Community Based Development & Project Management in July 2007.
Availability
Location
KenyaAuthorized to work in
Job categories
Skills
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