MHPSS Caseworker

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 influx of refugees in Greece, the IRC Protection program aims to ensure that the crisis-affected populations have improved access to humanitarian services, rights, and entitlements and plan to achieve this through culturally sensitive case management, psychosocial support, safe spaces for women and children, protection monitoring and referral.

Job Overview/Summary: We are looking for a caseworker who, under the guidance and direct supervision of the MHPSS Manager, will support the MHPSS team in their work with people suffering from mental health concerns, both from the refugee and the host community. They will enhance individual and collective well-being and safeguard vulnerable people, including children and adults, from harm.

Reports to: MHPSS Manager

Major Responsibilities:

• Conducting comprehensive assessments of individuals and families, developing action/therapeutic plans, delivering direct service provision, referrals, and follow ups for an assigned caseload;

• Offering information, support, and advocacy to individuals and families, including escorting them, if necessary, to relevant services;

• Providing individual and/or group counseling to the target population as required;

• Recommending the best course of action for a particular person or family based on their needs;

• Liaising with and making referrals to, other agencies and conducting follow-ups to assess progress;

• Develop and facilitate mental health awareness activities and group sessions in relation to psycho-social support and increased well-being of the target population;

• Facilitate capacity-building activities for other professionals and/or volunteers as needed;

• Updating mapping of services regularly and networking with organizations, public entities, schools, and other facilities as necessary;

• Ensuring effective working relations with the Public Services and other actors related to the interventions;

• Facilitating the transportation of clients from the camp to the counseling office and back as needed with an IRC car;

• Working in close collaboration with MHPSS and other IRC colleagues;

• Participating in multidisciplinary teams, case conferences, working groups, ad hoc workshops, and thematic training when required;

• Maintaining accurate and secured records and update them in a timely manner;

• Communicating regularly with the MHPSS team and if relevant, with other protection staff, for updates on achievements and challenges;

• Participating in MHPSS training, supervision, and team meetings;

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs;

Job Requirements:

• Technical diploma or degree in social work, psychology, or a related mental health field;

• Minimum of 2-year experience in mental health or social work/case management in Greece, preferably with mental health patients and institutions;

• Experience and demonstrated understanding of working with a refugee or migrant population;

• Understanding of mental health and psycho-social issues;

• Ability and composure to deal with crises and stressful incidents

• Knowledge of standard legal procedures;

• Personal qualities: Great teammate, flexible, well organized, network-builder, able to handle pressure well and work in cross-cultural setting;

• Fluency in English and Greek;

• Experience working with international development programs is highly desirable;

• Valid driving license (category B)

TRAVEL: Travel will be expected to/from program implementation sites, and the office, as needed.

Professional Standards

• Maintain confidentiality

• While in transit sites, all IRC staff must wear appropriate IRC visibility

• Adhere to safety and security SOPs and processes, respect the communication trees and follow the instructions of the Security Focal point

Standards of Professional Conduct the IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of 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, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

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.

Working Environment

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualifications