Open to opportunities

Sachini Akuretiya

@sachiniakuretiya

Experienced MHPSS practitioner designing community-based psychosocial, peacebuilding, and capacity-strengthening programs.

Sri Lanka

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek roles where I can lead MHPSS and community-based programs, advise on strategy and policy, build local capacity, and drive inclusive, evidence-based impact.

I am a seasoned Development and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) practitioner with over a decade of experience designing and implementing rights-based mental health, peacebuilding, and social cohesion initiatives across Sri Lanka. I lead community-based programming, capacity building, and program management that center local voices and foster resilient communities.

I have provided technical support to UN agencies, USAID programs, IOM, WHO, ICRC and NGOs, developed national-level MHPSS strategies, policy inputs, knowledge products and training curricula, and led multi-stakeholder dialogues and needs assessments. My work includes coordinating large-scale psychosocial accompaniment programs, stakeholder mapping, impact and gap analyses, and designing inclusive models integrating gender equity, disability and social inclusion.

I bring practical field experience, research and reporting skills, and a collaborative leadership style focused on measurable outcomes, learning, and sustainable community engagement. I am committed to creating programs that strengthen social cohesion and improve mental health outcomes in fragile and post-conflict settings.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Independent Consultant

Current

Independent Consultant

Nov 2022 - Present (2 years 10 months)

Provided MHPSS, peacebuilding and social cohesion technical support and capacity building to NGOs, UN projects and community stakeholders, producing knowledge products and reports to inform policy and programmatic decisions.

MHPSS Peacebuilding Capacity Building Report Writing Monitoring & Evaluation

Project Coordinator - Psychosocial Support

International Organization for Migration

Apr 2020 - Jul 2022 (2 years 3 months)

Designed and implemented MHPSS programs, developed national-level MHPSS strategy and policies, and delivered capacity-building trainings while coordinating donors and stakeholders to advance social cohesion and inclusion.

MHPSS Program Design Policy Development Training Delivery Donor Reporting Stakeholder Engagement Strategic Planning Gender & Disability Inclusion

Psychologist

International Committee of the Red Cross

Dec 2016 - Mar 2020 (3 years 3 months)

Managed the MHPSS 'Accompaniment' program for families of missing persons, recruited and supervised multidisciplinary teams across 15 districts, and conducted assessments and trainings to improve psychosocial outcomes.

Clinical Psychology MHPSS Interventions Team Supervision Data Analysis

Protection Field Officer

International Committee of the Red Cross

Nov 2014 - Dec 2016 (2 years 1 month)

Conducted needs assessments with families of missing persons, contributed to recommendations for authorities, and supported psychosocial accompaniment and national missing persons consolidation efforts.

Protection Assessments Casework Community Outreach Report Preparation Coordination