Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Location: Nairobi, Kenya | Contractual

Introduction

Are you an Occupational Therapist with experience in mental health and a passion for innovative, impact-driven work? Pamoja Mental Health & Safeguarding Network is seeking a motivated Occupational Therapist to join our growing multidisciplinary team in Nairobi. Working within a diverse team, you will deliver person-centred, occupation-focused mental health interventions and contribute to the design and delivery of mental health and safeguarding training for communities and organisations.

We welcome applications from adaptable, values-driven clinicians committed to ethical and innovative mental health services.

Role Profile

Organisation: Pamoja Mental Health & Safeguarding Network

Position Title: Occupational Therapist

Reports To: Head of Therapies & Training

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with possible field assignments)

Job Type: Contractual / Consultancy

Organisational Overview

Pamoja Mental Health & Safeguarding Network is a multidisciplinary organisation committed to preventing harm, strengthening safeguarding practices, and promoting holistic mental health care. We provide individual mental health support and facilitate Mental Health & Safeguarding training to build mental resilience at the individual level and strengthen mental health services at the community level. Trained in the UK and Kenya, we bridge clinical expertise with safeguarding strategies that are both evidence-based and culturally relevant.

Job Purpose

The Occupational Therapist will design and deliver occupation-focused, person-centred, and trauma-informed interventions to support individuals, groups, and communities to improve mental health, wellbeing, and meaningful participation in daily life. The role suits a motivated and creative practitioner who is excited to contribute to a growing and innovative organisation and work flexibly across diverse settings.

The post-holder will also contribute to the development of Occupational Therapy informed mental health services and training across Pamoja’s programmes. Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team (MDT), they will support service development, capacity building, and the design, delivery, and evaluation of mental health and safeguarding training, helping to shape evolving services and maximise community impact.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Therapeutic Practice

• Deliver occupational therapy assessments and interventions addressing mental health, psychosocial wellbeing, and functional participation.
• Work with individuals and groups experiencing trauma, stress, psychosocial difficulties, or mental health challenges.
• Apply trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive approaches to practice.
• Develop collaborative, goal-focused intervention plans that promote independence, resilience, and meaningful engagement.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential client records in line with ethical and organisational standards.
• Participate in risk assessment, safeguarding processes, and multidisciplinary case discussions.

Programme Development & Innovation

• Contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of mental health and safeguarding programmes across diverse settings.
• Integrate creative, holistic, occupation-focused approaches into Pamoja’s service model (e.g. group work, life skills, wellbeing programmes).
• Support the development of new services, pilot projects, and innovative therapeutic models.
• Adapt interventions to meet the needs of diverse populations and contexts.

Training, Education & Capacity Building

• Contribute to the delivery of mental health, wellbeing, and safeguarding training for staff, partners, schools, corporate organisations, and community groups.
• Support the development of training materials, resources, and practical toolkits informed by occupational therapy perspectives.
• Participate in internal learning, reflective practice, and continuous professional development activities.

Multidisciplinary & Organisational Contribution

• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, counsellors, and safeguarding specialists.
• Participate in team meetings, case reviews, supervision, and service planning activities.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and impact measurement.
• Uphold organisational values, safeguarding standards, and professional ethics at all times.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Registered with the Occupational Therapy Council of Kenya
• Additional training in mental health, trauma-informed practice, or psychosocial interventions (desirable).

Experience

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in mental health settings across clinical and/or community contexts.
• Experience delivering individual and group-based occupational therapy interventions.
• Experience using evidence-based OT assessments, and outcome measures to support people with complex mental health needs.
• Experience delivering rehabilitation focused individual and group interventions within a mental health context.
• Experience managing a diverse workload including those exhibiting distress and with complex mental health conditions.
• Experience in NGO, educational, or community health contexts (desirable).
• Demonstrable experience in teaching, training or education (desirable).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of occupational therapy in mental health principles and recovery- oriented practice.
• Ability to design and adapt interventions creatively using meaningful activities and occupations.
• Skilled in activity analysis and recovery focused interventions.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and safeguarding principles.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
• Good organisational, time management, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work across diverse communities.
• Awareness of cross-cultural approaches to Occupational Therapy & Mental Health Care.
• Training and presentation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Compassionate and client-centred.
• Creative, flexible, and open to innovation.
• Motivated to contribute to a growing organisation and help shape services.
• Strong sense of professional integrity and accountability.
• Enthusiastic about learning, service development, and community impact.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt effectively to evolving organisational needs.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries.

Performance Indicators

• Quality and effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions delivered.
• Contribution to client outcomes, participation, and wellbeing.
• Adherence to ethical, safeguarding, and professional standards.
• Quality and timeliness of documentation and reporting.
• Contribution to service development, innovation, and teamwork.
• Feedback from clients, colleagues, and partner organisations.

Why Join Pamoja?

• Be part of an innovative, multidisciplinary organisation with a strong social mission.
• Opportunity to contribute creatively to service development and programme design.
• Exposure to diverse practice settings and populations.
• Supportive team culture that values learning, collaboration, and wellbeing.
• Opportunity to grow with the organisation and shape the future of mental health and safeguarding services in Kenya.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role to jobs@pamojasafeguarding.com. Application deadline: 2 January 2026.

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