STAFF PSYCHOLOGIST

Providing psychological support to staff according to MSF principles, standards and procedures, in order to improve the staff well-being at work.

Minimum Requirements and Competencies

Education

• Essential: Bachelor’s degree in psychology from a recognized institution.
• Desirable: Master’s degree in clinical psychology, Counselling Psychology, or other relevant mental health discipline.
• Candidates with equivalent professional experience in counselling, mental health, or MHPSS settings may be considered in contexts where access to postgraduate psychology qualifications is limited.

Higher academic qualifications are an advantage but not mandatory where equivalent professional competence can be demonstrated. Preference will be given to candidates with the highest available relevant psychology qualification and demonstrated clinical competency.

Experience

Essential: Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Psychologist / Counsellor providing counselling, psychological support or mental health service.

Desirable

• Experience supporting individuals affected by trauma, crisis, violence, displacement, or humanitarian emergencies.
• Experience supporting survivors of GBV.
• Previous experience with MSF or other NGO’s in developing countries

Language

• Essential: Dari and Pashto
• Desirable: English for meeting with PSU team in Paris + IMS, Other local languages relevant to the mission area.

Knowledge

Desirable

• Good awareness around the concepts of MHPSS principles, trauma, displacement, SGBV including domestic violence, stress, burnout, and crisis intervention.
• Strong risk assessment and safety planning skills (how to manage suicidal ideation)

Competencies

• Diplomatic, empathetic, good communication skills, collaborative approach.
• Considering confidentiality as the most important rule of the Psychologist
• Organised, flexible and autonomous.
• Time Management: reactive, anticipate and manage priorities.
• Intercultural open-mindedness (value, interest and openness towards cultural diversity);
• Cultural flexibility (tolerance to ambiguity, disposition to adapt to new situations);
• Social responsibility and initiative (willingness to overcome stereotypes and prejudices);
• Ethics and fair-mindedness (integrity and ethical behaviour in using influence and power)

Task and Responsibilities

• Carrying out psycho-education sessions to raise awareness amongst staff about mental health and well being at work
• Providing individual psychological support to staff according to MSF protocols in order to improve their mental health condition
• Providing group psycho-social support to staff according to MSF protocols in order to improve their mental health condition
• Provide trainings to staff on various MHPSS topics relevant to increase understanding of staff psychosocial support needs and coping mechanisms
• Mapping the external Mental health resources for referral
• Refer staff to other professionals when needed: staff health responsible, GP, psychotherapist, psychiatrist
• Ensuring that all staff information is kept confidential.
• Collecting and monitoring data about individual and group activities and reporting to PMR/medical coordinator/ staff health responsible
• Collaborating with other staff health profiles according to needs + informing on individual cases needing specialized care.
• When relevant, share global issues of the staff needing attention with coordination team
• Take active part in trainings, supervisions/interventions with other staff support positions. Discuss difficulties and problems in counselling with supervisor.

Context Specific Accountabilities

• Provide Therapeutical individual session to MSF staff affected by traumatic events, conflict-related stressors, violence, loss or displacement... (Apply trauma-informed principles in all assessments and interventions.)
• Provide psychological support to staff affected by sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) using a survivor-centred and trauma-informed approach.
• Provide talking therapeutical group sessions (5-6 persons): psycho education, normalization, ventilation.
• Reinforce awareness on MH topics to the staff by regular visits to the wards ‘s
• Monthly update all Supervisors and Managers regarding the importance of taking psychological sessions and/or participating in group discussions
• Identify emerging psychosocial trends affecting staff and provide recommendations on staff wellbeing needs, to the Psychosocial Unit (OC/APAC PSU) and Medical Coordinator.
• Engage in regular clinical supervision sessions and meetings with the Psychosocial Unit (OC/APAC PSU).
• Prepares monthly statistics to the Medical Coordinator/APAC PSU/OC PSU regarding number of sessions provided and main causes of presentations.

Follow the below link OR scan the QR code to access the online job application survey. Candidates must fill in the survey in order to be considered for shortlisting: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/hhsQdkdij7

After completing the survey, send the following documents to email: [email protected]

• CV and motivation letter
• Psychology Diploma
• Other relevant diplomas/certificates
• ID card both sides (this will be used for visitor authorisation pass)
• Two official references names with their official emails, employer names, relation position and contact numbers.

The email address given in this online survey must be the same as the one used to send your supporting documents. The interested candidates must answer the online survey and submit their documents before Monday October 28th, 2026 at 23:00PM.

Only applications completing the online survey and sending supporting documents by email will be treated

The reference [STAFF PSYCHOLOGIST - HERAT] must be stated in the email to be valid. If you do not clearly state the position for which you are applying & attach the required diploma & other supporting documents, your application may not be considered. Only candidates who meet the essential criteria will be shortlisted and contacted. MSF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. All applications are free for all candidates and no one should require any payment or compensation during the recruitment process. May the candidate be asked for any fee, he/she must report to MSF Administration through the recruitment contact. If you are selected to be part of the reserve pool, it means that MSF has validated you to be called in to work on a temporary basis, as needed. It does not guarantee that you will be offered a contract or a permanent position, even if such a position becomes available. A new recruitment can be done according to the current need.

MSF is focused on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work with us. To ensure we meet these standards, MSF has a zero-tolerance response to abuse, maltreatment, and neglect of any kind. We are committed to safeguarding, protection and fulfilling our duty of care to our patients and the individuals and communities we serve, people working in the organisation, and all those MSF interacts with. All staffs are required to share this commitment through signing and complying with our Behavioural Commitments and all relevant safeguarding policies. Furthermore, all offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory reference checks. The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF does not sell your personal data under any circumstances.