Psychologist

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, humanitarian, non-governmental organisation providing assistance to people in need as a result of natural and man-made disasters, irrespective of race, religion, ideology or politics. 

MSF Baghdad seeking to employ a candidate for the following position: 

Psychologist  

Place of work: Baghdad 

Deadline for application: 10/08/2026 

Main purpose of the job: 

The Psychologist provides patient-centred mental health care as part of the MSF Women’s Health Initiative, ensuring access to psychological support for women receiving STI testing, cervical cancer screening and related health services. The position also manages complex cases; supports counsellors and works closely with the medical, paramedical and health promotion teams to strengthen compassionate patient-cantered communication, counselling and continuity of care. 

Main responsibilities 

• Provide individual mental health consultations and follow-up for women with identified psychological needs, including those referred after PHQ-9 screening or by the medical, counselling or HP teams. 

• Ensure psychological support before and after STI testing and cervical cancer screening, particularly for patients experiencing distress, fear, stigma or anxiety. 

• Follow up patients requiring mental health support after positive test results, abnormal screening outcomes or difficult medical consultations. 

• Manage complex or high-risk cases, including severe distress, depression, trauma-related symptoms, suicidal ideation or protection concerns, and refer/escalate as needed. 

• Ensure mental health care is available as an integrated service within the Women’s Health Initiative, including for women seeking support beyond screening-related concerns. 

• Provide technical guidance, coaching and case support to counsellors, including referral criteria and management of sensitive or difficult conversations. 

• Work closely with the Health Promotion team to ensure patient messages are clear, accurate, culturally appropriate and aligned with counselling and medical objectives. 

• Support the medical and paramedical teams in communicating with patients in a compassionate, respectful and non-judgmental manner. 

• Train and brief all staff involved in patient care on compassionate communication, confidentiality, informed consent, stigma reduction and patient-centred care before activity launch and during onboarding of new staff. 

• Contribute to the development or adaptation of counselling tools, patient education messages and referral pathways. 

• Participate in multidisciplinary case discussions and team meetings to ensure coordinated care and continuity of follow-up. 

• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation of consultations, follow-up, referrals and mental health activity data. 

• Monitor recurring patient needs, barriers to care and counselling challenges, and provide recommendations to improve the model of care. 

What we offer: 

• Legal contract and pay in accordance with MSF Salary Grid. Level 7 

• The chance to gain professional development and to develop (career path, training, etc.) within the organisation. 

• The opportunity to contribute to our objective of saving lives, alleviating suffering and working with those most in need. 

How to Apply: 

Submit a complete application file (current CV + motivation letter + Certifications & Diploma + ID Card + References), Only applications with complete documentation will be considered. 

By email to MSFCH-baghdad-Recruitment@geneva.msf.org  

Please indicate “Psychologist” in the e-mail title. 

We encourage all applicants to submit a cover letter that introduces themselves, outlines their motivation for applying, and highlights their suitability for the role. Your resume should clearly present your experience, key responsibilities, and demonstrated skill set. This information is essential for us to assess your fit for the position and understand how your background aligns with the job requirements. 

Only English CVs are considered. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. (Please make sure your email and phone number are updated) 

Your application will not be returned to you at any stage of the recruitment process. 

Female candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline. 

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your 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 data will be treated confidentially. Only people part of the recruitment process has access to your data. MSF does not sell your data under any circumstances. If you have any questions or requests, you can contact MSFCH-baghdad-Recruitment@geneva.msf.org