Psychologist

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), UN Volunteers with at least twelve (12) months of continuous service in IOM, and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Organizational Context and Scope

IOM operates Five Accommodation Centers for Unaccompanied Minors (Shelters) providing accommodation and access to services for Unaccompanied Migrant Children (UMC). Besides accommodation, the following services are provided to the beneficiaries: addressing basic needs, catering, hygiene, legal counselling, and information about life opportunities in Greece, interpretation, psychosocial support, medical support, Greek learning programs, learning support, organization of intercultural activities, work and career guidance. In order to be proactive and be able to cover all urgent staff needs for the shelters on time, we upload vacancies through WAVE for all specialties required for the 24/7 operation of the shelters, aiming to create a pool of suitable candidates.

Within the framework of the action "Subsidy N.P. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM) MISSION GREECE for the implementation of the project "Operation of K.F.A.A. Ilion" with MIS Code 6016488 the Program “Greece Programme - Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027”, under the overall supervision of the National Project Officer or his/her designate and the direct supervision of the Shelter Coordinator, the successful candidate will provide support in implementing project activities through provision of psychosocial services for the UMCs in the accommodation facilities.

Responsibilities

As a Psychologist of the Accommodation Center, the successful candidate will undertake on the following:

1. Assess the mental health of the UMC and write a psychological evaluation.
2. Organize and participate in group and one-on-one sessions for the psychological support and development of activities and interventions.
3. Participate in the planning and implementation of interventions to inform and raise awareness of children.
4. Provide psychosocial support to the children in collaboration with the social worker or other members of the scientific team depending on the needs that arise. These might include: a) anxiety and anger management, b) conflict management and abrupt behavioral changes, c) coping mechanisms to effectively respond on crises related to mental or psychological pressure, e) improving interpersonal relationships and f) cultivating skills and talents.
5. Refer children to primary or secondary medical care services if this is deemed necessary based on their mental health status.
6. Map existing national and humanitarian mental health and psychosocial services that are available and accessible to the Accommodation Center.
7. Ιmplement the responsibilities of the reference person (Case Worker assigned specific children).

As a Case Worker assigned specific children, the successful candidate will undertake on the following:

1. In collaboration with the rest of the team, implement necessary actions for the achievement of the objectives of the Individual Action Plan in accordance with the best interests of the child.

2. In collaboration with the child's Guardian, conduct Best Interest Assessments (BIA) or prepare other similar reports and identify the needs and vulnerabilities of unaccompanied children.

3. Keep and update the individual file of the child. Collect all information and documents regarding the medical, psychosocial, and educational history, the legal status from all available sources and respective professionals, including the information provided by the child.

4. Collect and monitor all the required beneficiaries’ documentation, on a monthly basis, for donor purposes

5. Support the child in the Accommodation Center entry process, explain and discuss the rules of accommodation. Be their stable contact person and meet with the child at least once a week. Inform the child in advance of who will be responsible in case of each of your absences or leave.

6. Support the child in the smooth integration in activities inside or outside the Shelter.
7. In collaboration with trained Shelter staff and external actors, inform and train the children with the aim of strengthening them against any form of mental, sexual or other physical abuse and neglect, preventing dangerous situations, and learning how to react in the event of such situations. Information is provided to minors through various methods, such as information leaflets (translated into a language that each minor understands), group and individual sessions.
8. Plan and perform necessary actions to prepare the children for their departure from the Accommodation Center and completion of their accommodation.

General support of Accommodation Center activities:

1. Escort the unaccompanied children (Asylum Service, Medical appointments or urgent, school, indoor and outdoor activities).
2. Distribute food, clothing, and personal hygiene kits to the children, according to their needs, in cooperation with the rest of the staff employed in the Shelter, if needed.
3. Reinforce the Accommodation Center rules at all times.
4. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• University degree in Psychology from an accredited academic institution.
• Master’s degree in above field an advantage.
• License to practice the profession or/and certificate of registration with the relevant professional association.