Requisition ID: req51771
Job Title: Caretaker
Sector: Child Protection
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No
Location: Athens, Greece
Work Arrangement: In-person
Job Description
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. In response to the arrival of refugees in Greece in 2015, the IRC has been offering SMS, WASH, Livelihoods, and Protection services to children, women, and people in need of mental health support. IRC Hellas currently has offices in Athens, Lesvos, and Thessaloniki.
The current program (Supported Independent Living – SIL) aims at offering quality, community- based, and age-appropriate accommodation, care, and support to adolescent unaccompanied children, empowering them and equipping them with the necessary skills to ensure a smooth transition into an independent life.
Job Overview: We are looking for a Caretaker who under the guidance and supervision of the SIL Unit Coordinator, will be responsible for implementing daily independent living care plans, supervision, and monitoring of unaccompanied adolescent children (UAC) residing in the SIL apartments. The job holder will be responsible for ensuring the children are safe and participating in daily non-formal educational activities. They will be responsible for the implementation of activities related to the daily house management and housekeeping and the life/soft skills building of the children, in cooperation with the social worker.
This position is subject to funding availability.
Major Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
•Establish positive relationships with the UAC to facilitate the provision of daily psychosocial support, socialization, and mentoring activities by specialized staff;
•Consistently monitor/assess the safety and security of UAC, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to the social worker and the SIL Unit Coordinator.
•Proactively identify any behavioral changes or issues the children might have and immediately report them to the social worker;
•Communicate regularly with the social workers and the SIL Unit Coordinator on critical incidents, UAC achievements and challenges;
•Whenever needed, participate in the formulation of UAC case plan reviews, case plans, and case consultations/conferences;
•In coordination with the social worker, coordinate with medical services to ensure the physical/health needs of the children are met.
•Assist the children in the operation of daily care routines/chores and thorough upkeep of the apartments.
•Participate in the reception of the new UAC arriving at the apartment, provide instructions and guide them through the rules and responsibilities they have, and fill in the appropriate documents.
•Ensure that UAC follows daily care routines including daily waking/hygiene, dressing and showering, meal and dietary requirements including group dining and attending appointments;
•Ensure the proper use of the cash allowance of the UAC and assist in planning their expenses;
•Assist in the coordination and implementation of activities and be responsible for making appropriate arrangements for appointments and scheduled regular activities;
•Coordinate with the social workers and the interpreters to implement structured, group life/soft skills building activities;
•Motivate the UAC to participate in group activities that will promote their development, well-being, and integration into the Greek and/or European society;
•Proactively organize thematic sessions and groups around various issues that are of interest to the children, such as living together, healthy lifestyle e.tc;
•Organize homework support groups in collaboration with the Educator;
•Organize daily lessons in Greek and English language if needed;
•Foster an inclusive attitude that will establish the engagement of all children residing in the apartments;
•Provide interpersonal support and guidance to young UAC in independent living skills, daily problem-solving, budget management, and communication skills with family & community networks;
•Facilitate the cohabitation between the UAC and the rest residents of the block of flats;
•Facilitate monthly resident meetings with the children living in all 5 apartments;
•Deal with cases of emergency, along with the social worker and the coordinator;
•Perform safety and security checks as needed;
•Whenever needed, undertake along with the participation of the adolescent children any house reparations.
•Ensure daily that the apartment and its equipment are not damaged or broken and are safe for the UAC to use;
•Provide input for daily, weekly, and monthly activity reports;
•Update the daily reports and records, with respect to the confidentiality principle;
•Directly communicate effectively with the rest team members on the quality and effectiveness of individual UAC case plans;
•Regularly attend team meetings and other internal and external meetings;
•Create and maintain effective working relationships with other IRC departments and external services, including guardians, other CP actors, UN agencies etc.
•Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to protect and support the UAC and enable and develop IRC programs.
•Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC Greece.
•Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
Job Requirements:
•Bachelor’s degree in education, cross-cultural education, Greek philology, or a related field, is considered as an asset;
•A minimum of 1 year experience in working as a caretaker or/and educator/teacher with adolescents/teenagers, experience working with UAC is highly preferred;
•Experience implementing group activities with adolescents is highly desirable;
•Experience in shelters/safe zones/hotels/SIL for UAC is an asset;
•Good verbal communication and interpersonal skills with adolescents;
•Demonstrated empathy and understanding of vulnerable unaccompanied adolescents;
•Previous experience in supporting dependents in obtaining independent living skills and enacting daily routines & self-care plans;
•Personal qualities: Team player, responsive, flexible, able to handle stress and high- pressure work environments effectively & work in culturally and linguistically diverse work settings;
•Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures;
•Strong sense of personal integrity;
•Strong negotiation and coordination skills;
•Strong attention to detail and ability to multi-task while working in a fast-paced environment;
•Fluency in Greek and English is required. Preference will be given to candidates with fluency in the following languages: Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, Dari, Kurdish, Arabic, and Somali;
•Computer skills: Knowledge of MS Office, Internet, Outlook, and competency with new technologies required
OTHER:
•Must successfully complete criminal background check and submit a clean criminal record
•Able to work in a rotation shift –schedule, including night shifts, weekends, and holidays.
•Able to participate in physical activities with children that may include running, bending, stooping, and moderate lifting.
Work Environment:
Working hours: shift schedule during afternoon hours and night hours.
Travel and other requirements: travel requirements between the apartments within Attica and occasionally to other areas of IRC programs within Athens.
Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to impact lives. Applications for this position are open from 09/05/2024 to 30/05/2024. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews by 07/06/2024.
We kindly request all applicants to apply through this platform and attach a cover letter outlining their qualifications, experiences, and motivations relevant to the position. If you encounter any difficulties during the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at RAIEurope.jobs@rescue.org.
Apply now and be part of something truly meaningful!
Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity or , gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privilege
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