Caretaker

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 uprooted and struggling to endure. In response to the arrival of refugees in Greece in 2015, the IRC has been offering SMS, WASH, and Protection Services. Among others, through its child protection programs, the IRC has offered individual support through case management to vulnerable children and their families, non-formal educational activities for children through Safe Healing and Learning Spaces, and emergency accommodation and protection of unaccompanied children.

The current pilot program (Semi-Independent Living – SIL) seeks to contribute to the broader scope of deinstitutionalization by offering quality, community-based, and age-appropriate accommodation, care, and support to Greek-born adolescents and young adults previously living under institutional care in Greece, empowering them and equip them vital skills in order to ensure a smooth transition into an independent life!

Are you ready to transform the lives of vulnerable ones? We invite you to apply!

SCOPE OF WORK: We are looking for a Caretaker who, under the mentorship and supervision of the SIL Unit Coordinator, will be responsible for implementing daily independent living care plans and supervising and monitoring adolescents/young adults residing in the SIL apartments. The successful candidate will ensure the adolescents/young adults are safe and participate in daily educational activities and extracurricular, recreational, and integration activities. Will be responsible for the implementation of activities related to daily house management and housekeeping and the life/soft skills building in cooperation with the social worker. The caretaker will further ensure the adolescents/young adults are safe during night hours.

Position objectives:

Regarding Adolescents/young adults:

1. Support and coordinate individual daily care plans.

2. Provide daily supervision in ensuring the health and safety, and security consistent with IRC’s security procedures/policies and according to the SIL Standard Operating Procedures;

3. Coordinate and facilitate involvement in community-based educational, social, health, recreational, and integration programs/activities;

4. Directly work with the rest team members to efficiently and effectively deliver case plans and all the related activities.

Key responsibilities:

• Establish positive relationships to facilitate the provision of daily psychosocial support, socialization, and mentoring activities by specialized staff;

• Assist in the operation of daily care routines/chores and thorough upkeep of the apartments;

• Ensure that the daily waking/hygiene, dressing and showering, meal and dietary requirements, including group dining and attending appointments, are being followed

• Ensure that adolescents/young adults understand, agree on, and follow safety/cohabitation rules as described in Internal Rules of Procedure;

• Consistently supervise/assess the safety and security, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to the social worker and the SIL Unit Coordinator;

• Consistently supervise and identify any accessibility challenges that adolescents/young adults with disabilities may encounter; promptly report arising issues to the social worker and SIL Unit Coordinator and cooperate in solutions;

• Proactively identify any behavioral changes or issues might have and immediately report them to the social worker;

• Whenever needed, participate in the formulation of the case plan reviews, case plans, and case consultations/conferences;

• In coordination with the social worker, coordinate with medical personnel to ensure the physical/health needs are met;

• Cultivate an inclusive demeanor that will establish the engagement of all adolescents/young adults residing in the apartments;

• Facilitate bi-weekly residents’ meetings with the adolescents/young adults living in all 3 apartments;

• Assist in any other task, as per each shift’s needs;

• Whenever needed, undertake, along with the participation of the adolescents/young adults, any house reparations and assist in fixing any damages;

• Provide input for 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 case plans;

• Regularly attend team meetings and other internal and external meetings;

• Create and maintain effective working collaborations with IRC departments and external services, including other CP actors, UN agencies, e.tc.;

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or relevant diploma/certificate, nursing, pedagogical or educational studies preferred;

• A minimum of 1-year experience in working with adolescents/young adults and/or persons with disabilities;

• Experience implementing group is highly desirable;

• Experience in an institution/safe zone/shelter/SIL for children/young adults and persons with disabilities, and possession of creative, fine arts, or technical skills, such as wood-working, electronics, painting, music, e.tc. is an asset;

• Excellent communication and social skills and validated emotional intelligence and understanding of vulnerable ones.

• Previous experience in supporting dependents in obtaining independent living skills and enacting daily routines & self-care plans;

• Personal qualities: Great teammate, responsive, flexible, able to handle stress and high-pressure work environments effectively & work in culturally 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, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task while working in a fast-paced environment;

• Proficiency in Greek and a good solid understanding of English are required;

• Digital literacy: Knowledge of MS Office, Internet, Outlook, and proficiency with new technologies required.

Other:

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including afternoons, evenings, nights, and weekends;

• Must successfully complete a criminal background check;

• Able to participate in physical activities with adolescents/young adults, including running, bending, stooping, and moderate lifting.

Work environment:

Working hours: shift schedule mostly during afternoon, evening, and night hours, including weekends.

Travel and other requirements: travel requirements between the apartments within Attica and occasionally to other areas of IRC programs within Athens.

Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an extensive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

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Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. 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 privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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Qualifications