Program Coordinator Mental Health and Psychosocial Support At Stichting Bootvluchteling

We are looking for a coordinator to lead 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, do you dare to set boundaries and are you able to work independently in a stressful environment? Are you also an innovative and flexible jack-of-all-trades and available for nine months? Then read on!

What will you be doing?

You will coordinate the MHPSS activities, develop the program, lead a team of professional volunteers and maintain contacts with partner organizations and local authorities. The PSS-team on Lesbos which you lead consists of experienced psychologists and other mental health workers. 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 Lesbos and have regular feedback moments together. You work in an environment where you are bound by the rules of the Greek government. You continue to look for opportunities. You respond to the ever changing needs of the target group and the context.

Our focus is on providing psychological support in the form of supportive conversations, stress-reducing techniques and empowerment. We work in a trauma-sensitive manner and discuss cases as a team. If necessary, we refer severe cases involving serious psychopathology to specialized actors. Under no circumstances do we offer trauma therapy, as the context of the refugee camp is not suitable for this.

You have the following responsibilities:

• You expand existing projects and set up new ones where necessary.
• You attend relevant meetings with other organizations.
• You maintain and build a network and collaborations with other organizations and local authorities (camp management, police).
• 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 trainings, 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 program 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 project management and working with refugees. You have a strong character, you dare to set boundaries and you can work independently in a stressful environment. It is important that you can respond quickly to change, dare to make decisions and can set priorities. In doing so, you keep the interests of the target group, the organization and your team well in mind. You are stress resistant, innovative and a flexible jack-of-all-trades.

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 with working abroad is a definite plus.
• You have affinity with working in a constantly changing and multicultural context.
• 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 knowledge of people. You have a good view on qualities and pitfalls and you start conversations to get to know people better. This knowledge enables you to put the team in its best strength.
• You are very social and communicative.
• You know how to get to work, always see possibilities and you act in a solution-oriented manner.
• You are not averse to (self) reflection and open feedback discussions.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation is a plus.
• Finally, you are in possession of a driver’s license B. This is a hard requirement.

What do we offer you?

• A temporary contract for nine months. (Extension after this period is possible).
• A modest salary appropriate to the character and purpose of our organization.
• A budget for accommodation, for which you are responsible.
• Outward and return flight
• (Shared) rental car + fuel
• Reimbursement for telephone expenses