Action for Education alongside our partner organisation ASsIST are looking for social workers to work in our centres, and in the legal organisation ASsISt.
Profile and Role Description
The rationale for the creation of this position
It is clear that there are big gaps in the support offered to asylum seekers and recognised refugees in Greece. Many refugees are staying for extended periods of time on Chios Island as the mainland situation remains without real opportunity.
A designated person supported by a team of cultural mediators will help applicants for, and beneficiaries of international protection to navigate the Greek welfare system.
Proposed announcement for the position:
Volunteer Social Worker Asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection
Location: Chios Island, Greece.
The position includes:
Leading and supervising others
High quality assessments of service users’ needs
Successful supervision of service users’ behaviour, grief and emotions
Building relationships with key public services, with A.Ss.I.S.T. colleagues, service users and partner organisations
Assisting people on a day-to-day basis with effective communications and service
Meeting service users on a one-to-one basis and arranging group programmes as appropriate.
The successful applicant will have:
Relevant degree qualifications
Current registration
Proven written and verbal communications skills in English
Experience working in a similar or comparable position
Experience working in cross-cultural contexts within multi-national teams
Sound understanding of public services outlined in the position description. A high standard of relevant computer and computer software skills
Desirable:
Written and verbal skills in Greek - highly desirable
Proficiency in Arabic, Farsi and French - an advantage
Position description:
Title: Volunteer Social worker Status: Full time - 3 months with possibility of extension
Hours of work: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday to Friday
Reporting to: A.Ss.I.S.T. Legal Representative
Key responsibilities
Provide high quality support, case work, community education and assistance to applicants for and beneficiaries of international protection as well as undertake related advocacy and policy work.
Assist in the delivery of information and referral functions, including maintenance of resources and referrals data base.
Input service user’s information into a data base and assist in maintaining statistical recording systems on an adhoc basis.
Main tasks
To identify service users at risk and provide counselling and support as appropriate
To provide and follow up on referrals for a) Accommodation
Legal aid
Psychosocial support
Training and formal and non-formal education
To facilitate registration with the a) Tax office (AFM & Taxisnet)
Labour and National Insurance Card (AMKA)
Municipality for homeless clients
Integration programmes e.g. IOM Helios Program.
To facilitate access to services, including
Banks (setting up accounts)
Citizens Services Office (KEP)
Social Services (government and NGO)
Education (primary school and opportunities for adolescents and adults)
Health care
Employment opportunities
The position holder will be supported by cultural mediators and interpreters and will be responsible for the supervision and assessing the performance of the support volunteers during the provision of the above services.
If you are interested, please forward a covering letter addressing the criteria for the position together with your CV providing two referees and their contact details to: manager@assistchios.info