Social Worker

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, food, 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. Kypseli II"" with MIS Code 6016485 the Program "Greece Programme - Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027".

Under the overall supervision of the Project Coordinator or his/her designate and the direct supervision of the Shelter Coordinator, the successful candidate will support activities related to the above project in the assigned Shelter.

As a Social Worker of the Accommodation Center, the successful candidate will take care of and be responsible for the orderly operation of the assigned Accommodation Center. In particular, the Social Worker will undertake the following:

• Take the social history of the unaccompanied child.
• Facilitate access to community services, social programs, and vocational education and training opportunities for minors, ensuring they benefit from available local and public resources.
• Organize group and one-on-one sessions for the social support of the children, solving challenges that may arise during their accommodation, satisfying their requests or meeting their needs.
• Support the development of the children's social network, through the development of partnerships and functional relations with the local community (participation in sports clubs or creative employment workshops). Assist children with all necessary information to access local services.
• Support the continuous development of the abilities of each child, aiming at their gradual autonomy and the subsequent smooth transition to adulthood.
• Complete and post on the website www.anynet.gr the Individual Family Rehabilitation Plan of the child.
• Refer the beneficiaries to a primary or secondary medical care unit, if this is deemed necessary due to their state of health, as well as to a civil society organization or legal entity providing medical services.
• Monitor the vaccination schedule of each minor.
• 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Collect and monitor all the required beneficiaries’ documentation, on a monthly basis, for donor purposes.
• 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.
• Support the child in the smooth integration in activities inside or outside the Shelter.
• 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.
• 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:

• Escort the unaccompanied children (Asylum Service, Medical appointments or urgent, school, indoor and outdoor activities).
• 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.
• Reinforce the Accommodation Center rules at all times.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and ExperienceEducation

• University degree in Social Work from an accredited academic institution.
• Master’s degree in above field an advantage.
• Licensed Social Worker.
• Membership with the Association of Greek Social Workers.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Minimum one year of relevant experience desirable;
• Previous experience working with children considered as an asset.

Skills

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, personal commitment, efficiency and flexibility;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision;
• Good level of computer literacy;
• Ability to work under difficult conditions;
• Willingness to work in morning or evening shifts, during holidays and weekends; as well as night emergencies
• Valid driver’s license with at least five years of driving experience would be an advantage.

Languages

All IOM staff members in all categories are required to be fluent in one of the IOM's official languages (English, French, Spanish).

For this position, fluency in Greek is required (oral and written).

Working Knowledge of English or French is required (oral and written).

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies