This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Company Description
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES UK
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provides life-saving emergency relief and longer-term medical care to some of the most vulnerable and excluded communities around the world. As an independent medical humanitarian organisation, we deliver care based only on need, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or political affiliation.
MSF relies on donations from private individuals and organisations for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond where needs are greatest and to speak out publicly, free from any political interference.
MSF has around 63,000 local and international staff working in over 70 countries, in some of the most challenging places in the world. Our medical humanitarian projects are supported by offices in 44 countries, including the UK and Ireland. These teams recruit staff, organise fundraising, and raise awareness on the humanitarian crises our colleagues are witnessing, as well as running different and diverse support activities. MSF offices are spread across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.
At MSF UK/IE, we support MSF's operations by building relationships with our supporters, increasing awareness of our work, raising funds, providing specialist medical expertise, ensuring MSF staff have access to relevant higher education programmes, catalysing change on medical humanitarian issues, and recruiting field staff. MSF UK/IE personnel are dynamic, hard-working, enthusiastic and committed to MSF's values and aims. In addition MSF continues to build upon its presence in Ireland to become a widely recognised, accepted and respected humanitarian organisation among Irish audiences, and within the Irish humanitarian and political sector.
Position
The Senior Psychologist will lead the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based psychological interventions for service users with complex trauma presentations. As a clinical specialist, you will provide expert assessment, formulation, and intervention, ensuring that psychological care is tailored to the needs of asylum seekers and refugees.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri
Duration: 12 months FTC, with possibility of 3-year extension (subject to project funding)
Location: Birmingham/Sandwell (5-day in-person role working in the project clinic)
Salary: £52,866.48 - £64,614.57 per annum
Job Purpose:
A key aspect of the role is clinical leadership, including supervision and training for psychologists, assistant psychologists, and caseworkers to ensure psychological principles inform all aspects of service delivery. The postholder will drive the integration of trauma-informed practices, contribute to clinical governance, and support outcome monitoring. They will also play a pivotal role in supporting pathways for stabilisation and trauma-focused therapy.
Working closely with the Mental Health Activity Manager (MHAM) to uphold clinical standards, the Senior Psychologist will focus on the direct provision and supervision of psychological interventions, rather than broader operational and service management functions. Additionally, they will engage with external stakeholders to promote best practices in psychological care and facilitate seamless referral pathways.
Please download the full job and person specification below for further details.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
Knowledge:
Doctorate in Clinical/ Forensic/ Counselling Psychology with HCPC registration.
Further advanced training in relevant specialist treatment delivery (e.g. CBT, EMDR, NET)
Advanced expertise in complex trauma, PTSD, and comorbid mental health conditions, particularly in refugee and asylum-seeking populations.
In-depth understanding of trauma-informed care models, stabilization techniques, and stepped-care approaches.
Extensive knowledge of evidence-based trauma therapies, including TF-CBT, EMDR, NET, and third-wave approaches.
Strong working knowledge of safeguarding policies, risk assessment protocols, and ethical guidelines (e.g., HCPC, BPS, NICE guidelines).
Understanding of mental health policy, advocacy, and service commissioning within humanitarian and third-sector settings.
Skills:
Highly developed clinical assessment, formulation, and treatment planning skills for complex cases.
Strong leadership, mentoring, and clinical supervision abilities to support junior psychologists and multidisciplinary teams.
High-level risk assessment and crisis intervention competencies.
Strong interdisciplinary teamwork, with the ability to liaise effectively with external agencies and humanitarian stakeholders.
Proficiency in research, audit, and data-driven service evaluation to support evidence-based practice.
Highly developed skills in effectively communicating complex, ethically sensitive, and clinically relevant information both orally and in writing to clients, their families, carers, and professional colleagues across different healthcare and humanitarian settings.
Experience:
At least three years of post-qualification experience, with significant experience delivering trauma-focused therapy.
Experience providing clinical leadership and supervision to Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, or trainees.
Demonstrated ability to manage high-risk and complex clinical cases.
Strong record of multidisciplinary team collaboration and policy engagement.
Experience working with refugees, asylum seekers, or survivors of trafficking and torture.
Research, service evaluation, or policy development experience.
Prior work in humanitarian, NGO, or third-sector organisations would be an asset to the role
Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.
Other information
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation (please upload as one document) by the closing date.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Recruitment timetable:
Closing date for applications: Friday 25 July 2025, 11.59pm (BST)
First round interviews: TBC
Accessibility
We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know by contacting [email protected]
Examples of adjustments we can make:
offering you an alternative if you are unable to use our online application system
providing necessary information, such as the job description or assessment materials, in an alternate format
allowing you to have someone with you during an interview for example, a Sign Language interpreter.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive organisation. MSF UK thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Please read our Equality & Diversity policy for more information.
MSF UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community.
Safeguarding
MSF UK/IE is dedicated to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with the organisation, for whatever reason and however brief. All posts are subject to safer recruitment process which include robust reference requests, scrutiny of employment history and where applicable criminal record and barring checks.
Our safeguarding commitment is underpinned by policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the organisation. On joining MSF UK/IE you will be required to attend safeguarding training to ensure responsibility for and maintaining safe working practice and to safeguard our teams, beneficiaries, and communities.
Right to work in the UK
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Please click here to check whether you have the right to work in the UK.If you would like to discuss your right to work status further, please contact [email protected].
For questions, issues or further information, please contact [email protected].
We look forward to receiving your application!
#J-18808-Ljbffr