About the role
The aim of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) program at Fenix is to ensure that Fenix clients have access to high-quality mental health support. Our team of psychologists includes local and international staff providing urgent care and ongoing support to vulnerable asylum seekers. The team attends particularly to the day-to-day challenges associated with the refugee experience, as well as to severe mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), self-harm and psychosis. Our MHPSS services have a particular focus on vulnerable populations, including but not
limited to survivors of gender-based violence and torture, people with serious medical concerns, LGBTIQ+ individuals, single mothers, alleged minors. We are convinced that a simplistic approach to legal aid in humanitarian crises is insufficient and dehumanizing. Addressing the whole person, including their physical, psychological, emotional, social and legal needs, is an essential part of achieving a just and equitable outcome in the asylum process, which is the first step towards starting a new life in a safe country. Besides providing legal services to asylum seekers in the camps in Lesvos, we prepare a holistic plan of action for the wellbeing of the client including mental health. A crucial part of focusing on the well-being of our clients consists of creating a space where clients feel safe, heard and supported.
Responsibilities will include, but are not necessarily limited to:
General
- Adhere to internationally-recognized best practices for evidence-based psychological interventions with refugees anddisplaced populations, including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS in emergencies guidelinesand the World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP);
- Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, Fenix’s mission and Professional Code of Conduct;
- Ensure all work with clients is confidential and that ethical practices are observed, including respecting clients’ ownchoices and decisions about their wellbeing;
- Provide age-appropriate, culturally-relevant, gender-sensitive and trauma-informed therapeutic individual and/orgroup psychological interventions;
- Establish a safe, inclusive and accessible space to conduct private and confidential sessions with clients;
- Conduct thorough mental health assessments and develop care plans in collaboration with the MHPSS Coordinator,including making referrals to appropriate services;
- Refer clients to other health professionals such as psychiatrists, neurologists and/or other clinicians as necessary;
- Assist in the provision of direct assistance to clients, including accompaniments to medical appointments asnecessary;
- Proactively address any concerns and bring them in a timely fashion to the awareness of the MHPSS and FieldCoordinators;
- Attend regular clinical supervision, weekly staff meetings, monthly debriefings, training sessions and other meetingsas required;
- Maintain professional work standards and effective working relationships with Fenix staff and external stakeholdersincluding referral actors and community partners.
Administrative
- Compile reports, store client data, and maintain accurate qualitative and quantitative information, in accordance withorganizational standards and procedures;
- Produce accurate and thorough documentation in support of asylum and family reunification cases upon completionof a previously agreed upon number of sessions with clients;
- Assist with data collection activities on a monthly basis.
Other
- Work in line with the Code of Ethics European Federation of Psychologists’Associations (EFPA) and the GreekAssociation of Psychologists (SEPS);
- Other duties as assigned.
About Fenix Aid
Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid is a US non-profit organization and Greek MKO, federally registered with Greece’s Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Our team of lawyers, protection officers, legal assistants, translators, psychologist and experts from different academic backgrounds, provides legal aid, protection and psychosocial services to refugees and asylum seekers on Lesvos, with the support of over 20 volunteers working remotely on translation, research, communication and fundraising.
What you’ll need
- Essential degree in Psychology with License to Practice in Greece;
- Fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic, Farsi, Dari, French or other languages is an asset;
- Desirable professional experience providing psychological interventions to vulnerable populations; Previousexperience with refugee and displaced populations is an asset;
- Desirable experience in community-based psychosocial and/or trauma focused programs;
- Experience conducting assessments, using culturally-relevant standardized screening tools, and creating individualcare plans for clients;
- Knowledge of different therapeutic techniques;
- Familiarity with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) MHPSS in emergencies guidelines;
- Positive and professional attitude, including ability to work in a team setting and under pressure;
- Ability to conduct counselling sessions with cultural mediators.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for an independent, adaptable and responsible individual who is willing to work in a very demanding and dynamic work environment. Our clients need great advocates who demonstrate compassion, patience, hard work and empathy in extremely dire circumstances. The successful candidate must be an excellent communicator, a cooperative, respectful team player, and have the ability to multitask and prioritize in an ever-changing context.
The successful candidate must be an excellent communicator, a cooperative, respectful team player, and have the ability to multitask and prioritize in a constantly shifting context.
6+ months, full-time
6 months, full-time
Start date: Immediately
Start date:
