Heiko Königstein is an accomplished psychologist and international project leader with over 15 years of experience managing large-scale health and development programmes across Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. He brings a unique blend of strategic leadership, field expertise, and academic insight to his work in global mental health, particularly in transition and post-conflict contexts. His career reflects a consistent focus on strengthening health systems, promoting inclusive policies, and improving access to quality mental health services in complex environments.

Currently, Heiko serves as Project Leader for the Swiss-funded “Mental Health for Ukraine” (MH4U) initiative, where he has led both inception and implementation phases since 2018. The project plays a central role in reforming mental health care in Ukraine, including piloting new service models, building institutional capacities, and responding to wartime mental health challenges. Under his leadership, MH4U has expanded its national influence through structured policy dialogue, multisector coordination, and gender- and conflict-sensitive monitoring systems.

Heiko also plays a pivotal role as Deputy Project Manager of EU-PROMENS, the European Programme for Mental Health Exchanges, Networking and Skill Development. Funded by the European Commission, EU-PROMENS supports professional development and cross-country collaboration among mental health professionals across Europe. Heiko oversees both the conceptual development and regional implementation, managing multidisciplinary teams across ten countries and engaging with stakeholders from HaDEA and DG Santé to regional hubs.

Earlier in his career, Heiko contributed to health system strengthening initiatives in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Cambodia, and Burundi, coordinating projects funded by SDC, GIZ, the EU, and The Global Fund. His roles ranged from team leadership and strategic planning to monitoring and evaluation, with technical expertise spanning mental health, reproductive and sexual health, HIV, and social protection. Notably, he led psychosocial support training programmes for internally displaced persons in Ukraine’s eastern regions and supported health financing and service reform in Central Asia.

Heiko holds a Master’s in International Humanitarian Action with a specialisation in post-war societies from the University of Saint Joseph in Beirut and the Ruhr University Bochum, where his research focused on mental health and reconciliation in Lebanon. He also earned a Master’s in Psychology (with distinction) from Maastricht University, complemented by certifications in systemic organisational development and conflict mediation. Fluent in six languages—including Ukrainian, Dutch, and French—he is adept at navigating complex cultural and political contexts.

Across his career, Heiko has combined analytical depth with pragmatic leadership, contributing to lasting reforms in health governance, capacity development, and service delivery. He is passionate about building resilient health systems that centre human dignity, promote psychosocial wellbeing, and leave no one behind.