MHPSS Assistant (volunteer)

Boat Refugee Foundation (BRF) is looking for an assistant who can support the MHPSS Coordinator in leading the psychosocial programme on Lesvos. Are you a psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatric nurse or certified in (ortho)pedagogy and want to use your expertise to help people in need? Do you have at least two years of working experience, including experience working abroad? Are you also able to make independent decisions regarding mental health and available for three to six months? Please read on!

WHERE WILL YOU WORK?

Boat Refugee Foundation provides medical and psychosocial (emergency) aid and stands up for the rights of people seeking refuge. We take action where systems become inhumane and compassion is lost. Since 2015, we have been working in various locations at the borders of Europe.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

The MHPSS team on Lesvos consists of experienced psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatric nurses and other mental health professionals. The focus of the MHPSS programme is on providing mental health and psychosocial support in the form of supportive conversations, education on stress management techniques and empowerment. The MHPSS Assistant provides quality psychosocial support to people on the move in the refugee camp on Lesvos, with an often-changing MHPSS team. They are a stable factor in the often rapidly changing volunteer team. In addition to working a couple of MHPSS shifts per week, the MHPSS assistant will be working closely with the MHPSS coordinator to take care of ad-hoc case management and long-term follow-up on service users, capacity building of the volunteers and administrative tasks.

YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for long-term follow-up for BRF’s MHPSS service users;
• Provide MHPSS back-up at weekends or in the evening alternating with the MHPSS coordinator;
• Take over tasks of the MHPSS coordinator in their absence;
• Coordinate additional tasks of the MHPSS volunteers, in addition to MHPSS shifts;
• Contribute to optimising the work of the MHPSS team;
• Plan and schedule simulation training for the volunteer team.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• A relevant degree (higher professional education or university degree);
• At least 3 years of work experience in a clinical setting. Preferably including experience years relevant clinical work experience, including working with (intercultural) groups (abroad or with refugees/migrants in another context);
• Ability to make independent decisions;
• Willingness to take on a wide range of MHPSS and non-MHPSS responsibilities from time to time;
• Teamwork and ability to cope well with changing working hours;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written in English;
• Highly flexible and stress resistant. Ability to deal with emotional and confronting situations and able to separate work from personal topics;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a broad spectrum of people;
• Strong negotiation and organisational skills;
• Creativity and ability to work with limited resources;
• Eligible to live and work in an EU country;
• EU drivers licence B. This is a necessary requirement for the position;
• Availability for 3-6 months.

WHAT DO WE OFFER YOU?

• Volunteer stipend of €210 per month;
• Free living accommodation in our volunteer house;
• (Shared) rental car + fuel. For work purposes.