Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (Wellbeing)
Location(s) and hours: Full-time and part-time opportunities (flexible working hours available). Remote/homeworking options are limited due to the nature of work and flexible hours are considered, subject to business needs.
Base pay range
£50,838 to £62,437 with an additional concessionary payment. You’ll also have the opportunity to qualify for an Individual Recruitment Premium of £7,392 to £10,212 (effective from day one), which acknowledges the pay difference between GCHQ and the NHS. This is not guaranteed year-on-year and is reviewed annually.
Salary: £50,838 to £62,437 with an additional concessionary payment. Salary is dependent on current salary and experience.
About us
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We work with MI5 and MI6 to protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage, using cutting-edge technology and partnerships in a collaborative environment that emphasizes teamwork.
The role
As a Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (Wellbeing), you’ll provide expert advice and support to colleagues in complex, risk-based roles. You’ll deliver consultations focused on vulnerability, resilience and risk, and carry out direct and indirect clinical assessments using psychometrics, interviews and clinical observations where appropriate. You’ll oversee multidisciplinary work with wide-reaching impact and may conduct collaborative health surveillance, wellbeing consultations for corporate teams, or highlight psychological aspects of complex casework to business partners. You’ll supervise specialist clinical interventions, including risk management and trauma work, and contribute to training sessions and the development of assessments that support high-risk role selection.
You’ll engage with our teams, the wider behavioural science community and government partners to develop best practice approaches. You’ll participate in small-scale research and audit projects, and regular peer supervision and ethical practice reflection. The role involves collaboration with Personal Security, Occupational Health, and Employee Assistance/Health and Wellbeing, and you’ll be expected to stay up to date with Health and Care Professions Council requirements. You may attend conferences in the UK and internationally and travel to other locations as required.
About you
You’ll hold a Masters or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or Counselling Psychology, or equivalent (conferring eligibility for chartership with the British Psychological Society). You’ll also be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. You’ll have significant NHS Band 7 or 8a (or equivalent) experience as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, and have previously worked in a multidisciplinary team delivering training with extensive post-qualification experience with adult or young adult clinical populations. You’ll bring proven expertise in psychological assessments and have developed and delivered training to psychology and non-psychology colleagues.
You’ll be an effective communicator who can influence with sensitivity, deliver clinical advice and consultation, and provide clear reports. You’ll have expertise in psychometric testing, formulation and risk assessment, and be committed to continuing professional development with up-to-date clinical and research findings.
Training and development
We value talent and offer a wide range of in-house and external opportunities for personal and professional development. We support further training with funding related to your role. Upon joining, you’ll receive a comprehensive induction into the role, the wellbeing arena, and the wider Practitioner Psychologists community. Training will cover processes and tools, with support from a buddy and mentor as you settle in.
Rewards and benefits
In addition to salary, benefits include:
* 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years, plus 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
* Employee performance recognition opportunities
* Interest-free season ticket loan
* Cycle to work scheme
* On-site facilities such as gym, restaurant and coffee bars (locations vary)
* Paid parental and adoption leave
What to expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent and merit-based with the following stages: Telephone interview, in-person Assessment Centre with situational role-plays and interview, and a conditional offer subject to vetting. You must pass each stage to progress. The process may take roughly 6 – 9 months, including vetting; consider continuing current employment until final offer is made.
Before you apply
To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. See our full eligibility criteria. This role requires Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. Details about the vetting process are provided in the guidance.
We have a strict drugs policy; recreational drug use is not permitted during the application process and previous usage must be declared at the relevant stage. Consider creating a separate email address for correspondence to protect privacy.
The role is based in Cheltenham or Manchester, and you should live within a commutable distance. Relocation costs are not offered.
Please note: applications should be launched from within the UK. If you are based overseas, wait to visit the UK to apply. Do not discuss your application widely, except with a partner or close family member.
Right to withdraw statement
We reserve the right to close the application early if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Seniority level
* Not Applicable
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Other
* Industries: Government Relations Services
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