Médecins Sans Frontières , an international humanitarian medical association founded in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: primarily in cases of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, or even exclusion from healthcare. The French section is present in around thirty countries.
As part of a replacement and increased activity, we are looking for a:
Mission France – Psychologist (M/F)
Context :
MSF’s France Mission provides assistance to migrants in situations of high social, medical, and/or psychological vulnerability in France and conducts advocacy efforts to facilitate their access to ordinary law. Following an exploratory mission concerning the medical and social care of unaccompanied minors in Marseille in 2020, MSF noted major shortcomings in the systems.
A multidisciplinary accommodation and care program for unaccompanied minors has therefore been set up with the aim of assisting these vulnerable young people in their legal and social procedures and, more generally, to limit the loss of opportunity that the failures of the competent authorities imply for these young people.
Since 2023, the project has also developed an External Activities component with a component supporting the health of unaccompanied minors outside of the young people cared for at MSF accommodation.
In 2024, as part of a partnership with Secours Catholique, JUST, Yes We Camp and the Ligue de l’Enseignement, under the leadership of MSF, a Day Centre will be opened in Secours Catholique premises with the support of Marseille town hall, with the aim of providing support for young migrants in the form of multiple activities.
Main Mission:
Within a program dedicated to unaccompanied minors, the psychologist participates in the overall support of young people in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. He/she intervenes both in the accommodation facilities and in the context of off-site activities, adapting to varied intervention contexts. The psychologist contributes to guaranteeing an accessible mental health approach adapted to the realities of young people in precarious situations, while supporting their orientation towards appropriate systems in a logic of continuity of the pathway.
Responsibilities:
- Assess the mental health needs of young people and provide psychological support in accordance with MSF protocols and HAS recommendations.
- Implement group activities aimed at raising awareness and prevention (psychoeducation, psychosocial activities) in coordination with the multidisciplinary team.
- Participate in the construction of coherent support paths, in line with individual dynamics and project developments
- Engage in a posture and actions to reach out to young people whether they are accommodated or followed through external activities and adapt it according to the different intervention environments (accommodation, day care, squats, partner structures)
- Network with relevant partners and refer patients to other professionals if necessary.
- Establish mental health certificates at the patient’s request and according to clinical assessment, in accordance with the recommendations of the Intersection Legal Department (ILD).
- Refer to MSF guidelines for the care of victims of sexual violence (SVS) and torture.
- Ensure the confidentiality of all patient information.
- Be involved in the multidisciplinary care of young people in care by participating in multidisciplinary meetings and providing clinical insight into situations.
- Participate in the exit of the accommodation activity in collaboration and support of the somatic and social teams.
- Support the external activities center for screening and guidance for young people experiencing acute mental health issues, in conjunction with partners.
- Participate in training, seminars or any time related to the project.
- Report on activity and record all data necessary for patient monitoring and ensure the quality of their entry. Participate in writing the activity report.
- Participate in the promotion of advocacy concerning the mental health of unaccompanied minors and carry out dissemination actions in collaboration with the communications teams (public speaking, interviews)
- Contribute to the reflection on developments in the system, in particular by providing a clinical perspective on mental health issues linked to the migratory journey.
Profile sought:
Formation :
- Master 2 or DESS in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology
- Training desirable in psychotrauma, precariousness clinic and transcultural clinic
- Experience :
- At least two years of professional experience as a clinical psychologist is required.
- Experience in outreach practice (home and/or street clinic).
- Experience within MSF or another NGO in crisis or unstable contexts desirable
- Experience working with people in exile is desirable.
LANGUAGES :
- Fluent in French.
- English fluent.
- Mandingo languages ​​are an asset.
Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of cultural issues in relationships and in symptomatological expression
- Commitment to multidisciplinary work
- Flexibility in work organization
- Adherence to MSF Principles
- Stress management
- Work on medical data analysis
- Ease of writing professional documents
Status and Conditions:
Fixed-term contract (CDD) 4 months to replace maternity leave.
Possibility of working evening hours
€3,136.12 gross monthly. 22 days of RTT per year. Supplementary health insurance 100% covered by Médecins Sans Frontières. Meal vouchers with a face value of €11.00 (60% covered by MSF). 50% coverage of public transport tickets or equivalent.
Position to be filled: December 1, 2025.
How to apply
Please send your application (cover letter, CV and copy of diploma required)
by email until November 14, 2025 inclusive with the following reference in the subject line:
PSY_MRS_LAST_FIRST_NAME
A :Â msff-france-recrutement@paris.msf.org