Psychologist

Agnes Varraine-Leca/MSF

MSF is an independent international medical relief organisation, with 28 offices worldwide. When large-scale epidemics occur, when areas in crisis are too dangerous for many other organisations, then our medical teams are there to assist the affected population. We organise basic medical care, treat the injured, carry out vaccination campaigns, train local staff and build up medical infrastructure. In long-term aid projects our teams fight diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, sleeping sickness, and HIV/AIDS.

Psychologist

tasks and responsibilities

In crisis regions, there is a great need for psychosocial care, requiring psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatric nurses.

As a mental health officer, you will establish culturally and socially appropriate psychosocial care for the patients in our projects. With the local staff, you will help patients to come to terms with traumatic experiences, such as war and displacement. You may have to take care of people affected by HIV and tuberculosis who have to take medication for the rest of their lives or endure a long and painful therapy. Training local professionals in crisis intervention and psychosocial first aid is one of your main tasks. You will have to recruit psychosocial counsellors and will be responsible for their training and supervision. You will also lead the psychosocial teams and evaluate the course of the project as well as the results.

Our Requirements

For psychologists and psychotherapists: a completed Masters degree in clinical psychology, an additional training in psychotherapy is an advantage. At least two years of professional experience in psychological counselling or behavioral therapy techniques. Work experience in the context of training/internships can unfortunately not be considered

Experience in inpatient and outpatient settings in the field of violence prevention, and in dealing with traumatized patients, especially with people who have experienced displacement, survivors of sexual violence

Experience with short-term therapy or with individual, family and group therapy

Experience in the field of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (counselling, prevention, care during long-term therapy) or in community-based programs

Experience in clinical social work, or counselling psychology with traumatized patients is also desirable

Additional psychotherapeutic degrees or qualifications, for example in the field of cognitive therapy, are advantageous

Ideally experience in personnel management

Availability for at least twelve months for the first assignment, longer availability is an advantage

Excellent command of English and French, additional language skills in Arabic, Spanish, or Russian are highly desirable. Strong French language skills will significantly impact the overall assessment and final selection decision

Ability to work in a team, cultural sensitivity, organizational and improvisational skills as well as high mental and physical resilience

Travel or work experience in African, Asian or Latin American countries

Willingness to work in accordance with Médecins Sans Frontières humanitarian principles, charter and mission statement

What do we offer

Salary sufficient to cover costs at home while you are in the field

A per diem during assignment to cover food expenses and other local purchases in local currency

Round-trip transportation to and from assignment

Room and board during assignment

A comprehensive insurance package, including health and emergenc