Psychologist

About SEED Foundation: SEED Foundation is a registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering high quality, holistic approaches, which combine international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan Region. SEED’s programming focuses on three key objectives: 1) the delivery of transformational, comprehensive services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities; 2) strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-development programs; and 3) ​promoting policy and social change to strengthen the rights of, and protections for, vulnerable groups and individuals through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy.

SEED staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities professionally, respecting SEED’s Code of Conduct and Policies. SEED is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members as part of our commitment to a safe and harmonious work environment. 

Role of the Psychologist: The Psychologist will protect, empower and support the recovery of vulnerable Iraqis through comprehensive mental health and psychosocial support services to survivors of torture, trafficking, and gender-based violence, as well as members of religious and ethnic minorities in the KRI. The psychologist will provide therapeutic services, including assessment, individual and group therapy and referrals, through mobile services to vulnerable Iraqi and their families in various locations throughout KRI, primarily within the Suli governorate. While all psychologists will receive training and supervision, successful candidates must be compassionate, confident, diligent, trustworthy, resourceful, interested in learning new skills, and able to work both independently and as part of a team. The Psychologist will work with team members and clients of different religious, ethnic, cultural, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds. All services will be provided in accordance with international ethical standards. 

The Position will report to the Service Delivery Coordinator and MH Technical Coordinator.

Specific Tasks:

• Provide confidential critical care to potential clients and their families throughout KRI (primarily within Sulaymaniyah governorate) through mobile services, including a brief needs assessment and provision of psychosocial support in order to determine the survivor’s interest in and need for continued services.
• Collaborate closely with the Case Management Team to contribute to the development of Care Plans, with specific focus on mental health needs. Ensure particularly complicated cases are identified and referred to the MHPSS Project Manager.
• Provide confidential ongoing MHPSS services to clients and their families, as needed, to include the collaborative development of a Treatment Plan using SMART goals.
• Conduct and manage the entire MH referral process, both internally and externally.
• Utilize assessment tools, in keeping with SEED’s case management strategy.
• Document all interactions with clients or other contacts in relation to a client’s case in accordance with SEED’s case management system.
• Develop and facilitate effective group sessions, as relevant to the population being served.
• Participate in supervision sessions with the Case Management Team Lead and MHPSS Project Manager, as required.
• Attend relevant training sessions, as assigned, to ensure that the highest quality services can be delivered.
• Participate in the development and implementation of outreach and community engagement plans.
• Support the development and utilization of a camp-specific referral pathway for SGBV cases and advanced clinical service needs to address mental health concerns.
• Maintain positive relationships with program partners.

• University degree in psychology or counseling.
• Written and spoken English, Kurdish skills, with Arabic a plus.

• Experience providing psychological therapies to clients.
• Experiencing working with trafficking survivors and/or migrant workers, a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to gain trust and build relationships with team members and clients.
• Treat all people with respect regardless of age, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability status, marital status and ethnicity.
• Ability to think creatively to solve problems.
• Strong ability to work independently, including the ability to multitask, prioritize competing tasks, and manage time effectively.
• Highly motivated and able to exercise initiative.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environment.
• Serve as a positive role model and SEED ambassador at all times.

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this LINK.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.