Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator

Samos Volunteers (SV) is an independent group of volunteers providing hygiene, informal education and psycho-social support to people living in the CCAC on Samos.

The responsibilities of the MHPSS Coordinators position are diverse and we are looking for someone who has a good understanding of community-based approaches to protection & psychosocial support. Whilst challenging, this role allows the coordinator a high degree of flexibility to be responsive to the ever-changing needs on the ground.

As part this role involves overseeing Samos LGBTQI+ Group we especially welcome applications from people who identify as part of the LGBTQI+ community, however this is not a requirement of the role.

Starting date: ASAP

Location: Samos, Greece

Status: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

1) Psychosocial Support

• Oversee recreational and psychosocial activities.

• Support the education coordinator (and teaching team) to take a Trauma informed approach.

• Oversee the employability & Integration programme*

• Oversee the Women’s & Girls Safe Space and Empowerment programme*

• Oversee our supplementary health services [Vaccination & Glasses Support]*

• Oversee and organise workshops with partner organisations such as Psychoeducation, Legal Information, SGBV.

• Leading training for the team on MHPSS topics.

* (with the relevant lead volunteer)

2) Protection & Safeguarding

• Execute the protection training for all incoming volunteers.

• Keeping overview of SV protection & safeguarding policies and implementation.

• Referrals of protection cases to other organisations.

• Liaison with other protection actors (including Advocacy).

• Complaints mechanism management (protection phone).

• Prevention of Sexual harassment or abuse of service users and volunteers.

• Identify protection gaps and liaise with partner organisations to highlight and address these.

3) Community Centre Responsibilities

• Execute the Alpha Induction for all incoming volunteers.

• Overseeing Shift & Building Guidelines.

• Liaising with the Logistics coordinator re:maintenance and supplies at Alpha

4) Community Based Approach

• Support the coordination team in the implementation of SV’s community based approach.

• Assist the volunteer coordinator in supporting our Community Volunteer Team.

• Assist the welfare team in the implementation of welfare activities for all volunteers.

• Support the advocacy coordinator in supporting community leaders in information sharing and advocacy.

• Leading feedback and evaluation mechanisms of SV activities in conjunction with other coordinators.

5) Samos LGBTQI+ Group

• Oversee the implementation of the LGBTQI+ Support Group.

• Lead weekly meetings (including psychosocial workshops).

• Maintain bi-directional referral pathways with partner organisations.

• Support research and advocacy initiatives.

• Liaise with the camp and other authorities regarding protection concerns for the LGBTQI+ community.

Key Requirements

• Minimum commitment of 6 months;

• Aged over 21; with at least 1 year of proven experience of working with vulnerable people or in MHPSS settings, ideally in the refugee context in Greece;

• Highly organised;

• Fluent in written and spoken English;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to interact with various actors and express ideas and concepts in written and oral form;

• An understanding of the complexity and challenges of humanitarian work, ideally with experience in a similar organisation or environment;

• Proven ability to work and learn independently, show initiative as well as work collaboratively within teams.

• Flexibility. Living and working on Samos means constant change and adaptation, no day is ever like another. The ability to be adaptable and flexible is extremely important.

• Good understanding of the asylum process in Greece;

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with a good understanding of anti-discriminatory & anti-oppressive practice

Desirable but not mandatory skills, knowledge, experience

• Previous experience of working in a position as a protection and/or MHPSS position;

• Background in social work and/or psychology or other related field;

• Being part of the LGBTQI+ community;

• Lived experience of seeking asylum

• Somali, Farsi, Dari, Arabic, Greek or French speaking.

If you have any questions about this role or would like to find out more please contact our current MHPSS through email ([email protected]).

Further information:

The Coordinator will have their reasonable living expenses refunded by the organisation. This will be on average between 380-420 euros

All applications will receive equal treatment regardless of the applicant’s sex, ethnic or national origin, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religious or political beliefs, marital status or family circumstances. Our aim is to foster a culture of inclusivity and to embrace and celebrate our differences. We therefore particularly encourage and will support applicants from under-represented backgrounds, such as people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQI+, and those from low-income backgrounds.