Principal Psychologist/Clinical Lead

Location: A 5-day in-person role working in the project clinic in Birmingham/Sandwell.

Job Purpose:

The Principal Psychologist/Clinical Lead is responsible for the overall clinical management of mental health services within the project, including acting as safeguarding lead. This includes designing, implementing, and overseeing psychological and psychosocial interventions for asylum seekers and refugees. The role ensures high-quality, evidence-based mental health care, capacity building of staff, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders to support a multidisciplinary response. The post also ensures the integration of mental health services into MSF s broader medical-humanitarian mission.

This role presents a unique opportunity for leadership to be part of a new, high-impact initiative for asylum seekers and refugees. As part of the pioneering team, the post holder will play a key role in establishing a new, trauma-informed care model that bridges humanitarian response with longer term mental health care. The successful applicant will have a chance to develop new skills, receive specialist training, and contribute to policy-level discussions on asylum seeker and refugee mental health.

Knowledge, Skill & Experience:

Knowledge

• Doctorate in Clinical/ Forensic/ Counselling Psychology with HCPC registration.
• Significant 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.
• Awareness of UK asylum policies and the medico-psycho-social-legal needs of refugees and asylum seekers
• Strong working knowledge of safeguarding policies, risk assessment protocols, and ethical guidelines (e.g., HCPC, GDPR, BPS, NICE guidelines).
• Knowledge of UK healthcare, social welfare, and legal referral pathways for asylum seekers
• Understanding of mental health policy, advocacy, and service commissioning within humanitarian and third-sector settings.
• Familiarity with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) models in humanitarian settings would be an asset
• Training in management and supervision practices would be helpful to the role

Skills

• Leadership and Team management skills, including supervision, line management, training, and capacity building
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• Ability to develop and implement mental health models in humanitarian settings
• Data analysis and monitoring skills for evaluating service impact
• Highly developed clinical assessment, formulation, and treatment planning skills for complex cases.
• High-level safeguarding. risk assessment, and crisis intervention competencies.
• Strong interdisciplinary teamwork, with the ability to liaise effectively with external agencies and humanitarian stakeholders.
• Skills in policy development and advocacy related to MHPSS

Experience

• Significant demonstrable post-qualification experience in roles equivalent to NHS 8b Psychologist, as well as significant experience delivering trauma-focused therapy with marginalised groups.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams in an NGO, humanitarian, or healthcare setting.
• Experience providing clinical leadership and supervision to senior (band 8a equivalent) Psychologists, Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists, and/or trainees.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-risk and complex clinical cases.
• Strong record of managing multidisciplinary team collaboration and policy engagement.
• Experience working with refugees, asylum seekers, or survivors of trafficking and torture.
• Experience in training and capacity building for mental health professionals
• Research, service evaluation, or policy development experience.
• Prior work in humanitarian, NGO, or third-sector organisations would be an asset to the role
• Experience providing supervision to caseworkers or equivalent roles would be helpful to the post.
• 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.

Right to work - Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Employment sponsorship will NOT be offered by MSF UK for this role.

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.

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:

18 April 2025, 11.59pm (BST)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.