Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator At Samos Volunteers

Samos Volunteers (SV) is an independent group of volunteers providing non-formal education, psycho-social support, NFI distribution and hygiene 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.

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 programme*
• Oversee the Vaccination & Glasses Support programme***
• 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

• Be the focal point for safeguarding and protection policies within the organisation.
• Referrals of protection cases to other organisations.
• Liaison with other protection actors.
• 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 in the 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.
• Support the Advocacy coordinator in supporting community leaders in information sharing and advocacy.

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

• Background in social work and/or psychology or other related field;
• Minimum commitment of 6 months;
• Aged over 24; 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;
• Being part of the LGBTQI+ community;
• Somali, Farsi, Dari, Arabic, Greek or French speaking.