Senior Psychologist

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF); West Midlands Combined Authority; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading humanitarian organization is seeking a Senior Psychologist to lead psychological interventions for individuals experiencing complex trauma. This role involves clinical leadership, the supervision of staff, and efforts to implement trauma-informed practices in care delivery. Candidates should possess significant experience in trauma therapy and a doctorate in psychology, alongside strong leadership capabilities. The position is based in Birmingham, offering a full-time role focusing on the care of asylum seekers and refugees, with a contract duration of 12 months, extendable based on funding.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years post-qualification experience in trauma-focused therapy.
• Experience in clinical leadership and supervision.
• Knowledgeable in safeguarding and ethical guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of psychological interventions for trauma-affected clients.
• Clinical leadership and supervision for junior psychologists.
• Engage with external stakeholders for best practices in psychological care.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Leadership

Crisis intervention

Research skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Doctorate in Clinical/ Forensic/ Counselling Psychology

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

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.

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.

Right to work in the UK - Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

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:

Friday 25 July 2025, 11.59pm (BST)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We look forward to receiving your application!