Sports Intern At Lighthouse Relief

Department: Mental Health & Psychosocial Support

Location: Attica region

Start date: ASAP

Duration: 4-6 months (1 month probation period)

Context

Lighthouse Relief fills the support gaps for people seeking international protection in Greece, so they can meet their survival needs and build a foundation for a secure future. Since our early days of running a shoreline response on the Aegean island of Lesvos, we have evolved to meet the shifting needs and circumstances. Today, we provide resources to help refugees and asylum seekers cover their immediate needs, acclimate to new surroundings, and open pathways to integration. We currently operate in the broader Attica region.

Areas of Support:

• Emergency Response – Food and NFIs distribution, streetwork, helplines, and emergency housing for people living under precarious conditions in Athens.
• Social and Integration services – Information points, case management, booking medical and public service appointments, and referrals for other means of integration support such as language classes, job placement, etc.
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – Safe spaces, sports and recreational activities (including music, art, informal education or capacity-building) for children, women, and youth.

Lighthouse Relief is a nonprofit humanitarian organisation registered in Sweden and Greece with no political or religious affiliation. We make it a priority to include people who share our values from all stakeholder communities in our decision-making and activities.

Position Summary

The Sports intern will be directly involved in supporting the Project Officer and Project Coordinator in developing, planning and implementing all sports activities and initiatives as part of LHR’s MHPSS Programme.

The sports intern will be directly involved in the day-to-day running of sports activities, monitoring and evaluation, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including partner organisations and community leaders, while enhancing the impact and reach of the project, in line with LHR’s programmatic objectives. They will ensure the creation of a safe and inclusive environment for participants to engage in sports, in addition to adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures to protect the rights and well-being of participants.

As an intern, the individual will receive guidance and supervision from the Project Officer and the Project Coordinator and will have opportunities for learning, skill development, and exposure to using sports for community development. The intern will not have decision-making authority but will contribute to the implementation of the project under their guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Project Officer in the development and planning of sports activities and initiatives aligned with organizational goals and objectives;
• Collaborate with the rest of the team to exchange information and ensure that LHR programmes are responding to the evolving needs of the target population;
• Maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders, including referral organizations, community groups, and other implementing partners;
• Support the implementation and organization of sports activities, events and tournaments, ensuring they are safe, inclusive, and accessible to the target population;
• Engage with the target population and participate in outreach activities and communications with stakeholders;
• Coordinate with project staff, volunteers, and partners to ensure the smooth implementation of activities;
• Promote inclusiveness and non-discrimination in all sports activities, regardless of gender and cultural and religious background;
• Assist in the collection and analysis of data for monitoring and evaluation purposes;
• Regularly monitor project activities to ensure they are on track and report any necessary adjustments;
• Engage with community members to understand their needs, gather feedback, and ensure their participation in project activities;

Reports to: Project Coordinator

Collaborations:

● Internal: Programmes
● External: close collaboration with other humanitarian actors, local NGOs, and government service providers

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or ongoing studies in sports science, physical education, psychology, social work, or a related field;
• Proven experience in designing and implementing sports activities for children and youth, preferably in the field of humanitarian aid, is a distinct advantage;
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and principles of mental health and psychosocial support is a distinct advantage;
• Familiarity with the local context in Greece and understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers;
• Fluency in English;
• Basic knowledge of Greek and/or Arabic, Farsi, French, Turkish, Urdu, Lingala, and Somali is a distinct advantage;
• Experience in working with vulnerable populations is an asset;
• Proven ability to work in a highly volatile environment;
• Strong communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills;
• Valid work visa for the Schengen area;
• Willingness to work on an irregular schedule;
• Ability to work independently;
• First aid qualification;
• Criminal Background Check.

Terms and Conditions

• ● Volunteer contract with 40 hours weekly working schedule;
• ● Daily transportation to/from work is eligible for reimbursement.

As the responsibilities listed here cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.