Programme Coordinator Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (Lesvos) At Stichting Bootvluchteling

We are looking for a coordinator for our Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) program on Lesvos. Do you have extensive experience in the field of MHPSS project management and working with refugees? Do you have a strong character and can you work independently in a stressful environment? And are you available for nine months? Then read on!

WHERE WILL YOU WORK?

Boat Refugee Foundation provides medical and psychosocial (emergency) aid and stands up for the rights of people seeking refuge. We take action where systems become inhumane and compassion is lost. Since 2015, we have been working in various locations at the borders of Europe. There our teams, which largely rely on volunteers, provide medical and psychosocial support.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

You will coordinate the MHPSS activities, develop the programme, lead a team of professional volunteers and maintain and build upon existing relationships with partner organisations and local authorities. The MHPSS-team on Lesvos which you lead consists of experienced psychologists and other mental health specialists. As a coordinator you will be part of a team of 3 coordinators and an Area manager. You will be managed by the Area manager on Lesvos and have regular feedback sessions together. You continue to assess the psychosocial needs of the population and work together with the area manager to develop and improve the programmes in accordance to the ever changing needs of the target population.

The focus of our MHPSS programme is on providing mental health and psychosocial support in the form of supportive conversations, education on stress management techniques and is based on empowerment. The programme is run by a team of MHPSS volunteers who provide support to patients visiting our medical clinic and by offering follow-up consultations outside of the medical shifts. We work in a trauma-sensitive manner and discuss cases as a team.

YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• You coordinate all aspects of the MHPSS team and activities to ensure high quality psychological care;
• You provide leadership to the MHPSS team and support them in the implementation of activities;
• You expand existing projects and set up new ones in accordance with changing needs;
• You attend relevant meetings with external actors including government officials and other organisations;
• You build and maintain existing relationships and networks and continue to collaborate with other organisations and local authorities;
• You contribute to the strong, multidisciplinary cooperation with the medical team and support the medical staff where necessary;
• You create and renew protocols, manuals, rules of conduct and external training material, among others;
• In collaboration with the Area Manager, you ensure mission quality and continuously work to improve processes and policies;
• You monitor and evaluate the activities of the programme and make proposals for improvement based on collected data and observations;
• Finally, you are the point of contact for substantive questions related to MHPSS.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

You have extensive experience in the field of MHPSS programme management and working with asylum seekers. You are a natural leader, you are able to set boundaries and you can work independently in a challenging environment. It is important that you are flexible and able to respond to an ever changing context where decisions need to be made on short notice and in accordance with priorities you have set together with your line manager. You are stress resistant, innovative and flexible.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• You have a master’s degree in (clinical) psychology, psychiatry or equivalent studies with technical knowledge of project management;
• You have at least 2 years of work experience in a clinical setting and in working with individuals with specific vulnerabilities such as SGBV survivors, victims of torture and violence, etc.;
• Experience working abroad and in an multicultural contexts is desirable;
• You have an affinity with working in a constantly changing and multicultural context with adult education and empowerment-oriented activities;
• You are fluent in English in word and writing. Speaking Dutch, Greek, Farsi, Arabic and/or French is an advantage;
• You have leadership/management experience. You have a natural preponderance and a good sense of what your team needs;
• You have strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills;
• You work independently, always see possibilities and you act in a solution-oriented manner;
• You are open to (self) reflection and open feedback discussions;
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation is an advantage;
• You have an EU drivers license B. This is a hard requirement.

WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU?

• A temporary contract for six months. (Extension after this period is possible);
• A salary in line with the character and purpose of our organisation;
• An allowance for cost of living;
• Allowance for your flight to and from Lesvos;
• (Shared) rental car + fuel.