Psychologist

Job Title: Psychologist

Location: Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRI), with frequent travel to project sites across Kurdistan 

Type of position: Employment Contract, Full-time

Position Status : National

Length of Contract: 12 Months

Compensation and Benefits: Competitive salary and benefits package designed to recognize skills and experience, with benefits tailored according to employee status. Local Compensation Package: includes local transportation allowances.

About SEED: SEED is a women-led, local NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, dedicated to creating a thriving society by advancing social protection and human development. We support individuals, empower communities, and strengthen systems to drive lasting change and equal opportunity. With a focus on collaboration, we promote gender equality, protect children, combat human trafficking, and improve mental health and well-being. SEED’s holistic, locally-driven approach integrates transformational services, community development, training and education, and advocacy to create sustainable impact. SEED is committed to creating a just, equitable society where everyone's rights are protected, with healthy families and strong communities, and a future where everyone can thrive.

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. 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 Psychologist will report to the MHPSS Technical Coordinator and will receive technical supervision with the Protection and Service Delivery Manager (PSDM).

Specific Tasks:

Provision of MHPSS Services: (70%) 

• Provide confidential critical care remotely and in-person to potential clients and their families including a mental health assessment and collaborative development of a treatment plan in order to determine the survivor's interest in and need for continued service.
• 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 discussed  with the Protection and Service Delivery 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. 
• 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 MHPSS Technical Supervisor on a regular basis though individual sessions, field visits, and monthly group supervision.  
• Provide PSS activity sessions including emotional support groups to clients as requested by other colleagues.  
• Provide awareness raising sessions on MH related topics to the communities as needed and requested. 
• Participate in SEED events or other external events related to MHPSS 
• Attend relevant training sessions, as assigned, to ensure that the highest quality services can be delivered.
• Participate if needed in the development and implementation of outreach and community engagement plans.
• Maintain positive relationships with other partners, other NGOs, INGOs, and other stakeholders.

MEAL, Documentation and Reporting: 20%

• Document all interactions with clients or other contacts in relation to a client's case in accordance with SEED's mental health SOP’s; CommCare and M&E systems.
• Accurately measure and document improvement in well-being and mental health through service provided.
• Comply with all reporting requirements and ensure accuracy and data quality.
• Provide accurate, clear, and precise quality data of clients’ cases and other reporting such as client highlights (success stories) or trend information, that contribute to grant reporting.
• Provide input into the MH Monthly report.

Coordination and Representation: 10%

• Strengthen referrals between case management, psychosocial services, and mental health interventions. This includes briefing staff in the identification of needs of clients and available services for clients, ensuring psychologists adopt accurate interventions with the appropriate level of support. 
• Provide organizational representation at working groups, media and donor visits, and other areas as needed. 
• Help to maintain connections between SEED and other stakeholders by coordinating closely on potential referrals, clients’ needs, and addressing gaps in service provision.
• Perform other duties as necessary, as assigned by the supervisor. 

Essential Criteria: 

• A University degree in psychology or a related field.
• 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.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to a changing environment.
• Serve as a positive role model and SEED ambassador at all times.

To Apply:  

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this LINK no later than December 30, 2025.         
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 
• Only complete applications will be reviewed. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Safeguarding Statement 

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.