IOM through the Project "Supporting the Greek Authorities in Managing the National Reception System for Asylum Seekers and Vulnerable Migrants (SMS)" coordinates the management and operation of Safe Zones for unaccompanied children across mainland Greece in collaboration with relevant Authorities and Stakeholders.

Psychologist (Safe Zone)

Safe Zones operate on a 24/7 basis by multidisciplinary teams ensuring the provision of food and non-food items, specialized psychosocial support and legal assistance, non-formal educational and recreational activities, community engagement and interpretation.

Under the overall supervision of the Safe Zone Assistant and the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator (Safe Zone), the successful candidate will be based at the Filippiada site in Northern Greece and will have the following responsibilities:

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Internal and external candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, internal candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.

Position Title : Psychologist (Safe Zone)
Duty Station : Filippiada, Greece
Type of Appointment : Special Short-Term Ungraded Contract
Closing Date : 22 November 2020

Core Functions - Responsibilities

1. Assess the psychological and / or psychiatric health of the unaccompanied children in the Safe Zone and conduct a psychological assessment.

2. Provide psychological support and counsel, aiming at:

a) anxiety and anger management,

b) conflict management and abrupt behavioural changes,

c) coping mechanisms to effectively respond on crises related to mental or psychological pressure,

e) improving interpersonal relationships and

f) cultivating skills and talents.

3. Participate in the design and implementation of interventions to inform and raise awareness to unaccompanied children in collaboration with the Safe Zone team.

4. Refer unaccompanied children to primary health care, if deemed necessary on the basis of the child's mental health status.

5. Organize individual or group sessions to provide psychological support to the unaccompanied children, trying to discuss and assist children with challenges which may arise during the period of providing the temporary accommodation services. Avoid single-session therapies and those
focussing on trauma.

Avoid to start-up therapeutic processes that cannot be concluded during the stay of the person in the Safe Zone. Contextualize care in the migration process of the individual client. Sessions either individual or group can be implemented along with the rest of the team,
social worker/focal points of each child, lawyer, educators, etc.

6. Map existing national and humanitarian mental health and psychosocial services that are available and accessible to the site, in order to organize referrals.

7. Participate in meetings among Safe Zone team and provide input in case management.

8. Keep files updated.

9. Perform other related duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

  • University degree in Counselling Psychology, School Psychology, Child Psychology or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of work experience;
  • Master’s degree in above fields an advantage.
  • Licensed Psychologist, with registration or chartered membership with the Greek Psychological Association.

Experience and Skills

  • At least two years of relevant professional experience in psychosocial support, work in the migrant and refugees context or any other relevant experience; working with unaccompanied children will be considered as an asset;
  • Experience in emergency psychology is a distinctive advantage;
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, personal commitment, efficiency and flexibility;
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision;
  • Good level of computer literacy;
  • Ability to work under difficult conditions.
  • Knowledge of PFA, IASC guidelines for MHPSS in emergencies and health and migration administrative procedures is an advantage;
  • Valid driver’s license with at least five years driving experience.

Languages

  • Fluency in English and Greek is required.
  • Required Competencies
  • IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

Values

  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
  • Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
  • Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

  • Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
  • Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
  • Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
  • Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
  • Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Other:

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation. Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

Appointment will be subject to the provision of requirements relevant to the position including academic degree(s), professional licenses, criminal record certificate and declaration of relatives in the Organization.

This post is subject to local recruitment. Only those holding a valid residence and work permit for Greece will be eligible for consideration.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application including a cover letter, CV and a completed Personal History Form in English by email to: Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε., specifying the vacancy reference number CFCVGR20-212 and full name in the subject line.

Due to the volume of applications received, IOM Greece Human Resources will not be able to respond to all inquiries about the application status and will only contact shortlisted candidates.

Posting period: From 16 November 2020 to 22 November 2020

The International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.

As the leading international organization for migration, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to: assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management; advance understanding of migration issues; encourage social and economic development
through migration, and; uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.

In Greece, IOM is focusing on responding to the Mediterranean migrant’s crisis, in support of the Greek Government and in cooperation with all other agencies involved. IOM currently implements interventions within the areas of emergency, preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction, livelihoods, healthcare and psychosocial assistance, assisted voluntary return of migrants, migration and development, resettlement and repatriation, family reunification, counter human trafficking, assistance to vulnerable migrants.