Better Days is looking for an English Teacher.
Better Days Greece was founded in Greece in 2016 in response to the influx of refugees arriving in Lesvos, Greece. It is the Greek implementing partner of Together for Better Days, a Swiss NGO. Together we have supported many projects in Greece, Lebanon, Serbia, and Syria. We want to see a world where refugees and asylum seekers are guaranteed access to their rights and are treated with dignity and humanity. A world where no child under any circumstances is forced to endure the physical and psychological trauma currently faced by millions of children across the world. Some of our most successful projects to date include: The Olive Grove/Better Days for Moria, Elpida Refugee Centre, TAPUAT Child & Family Hub, EcoHub, Socrates Sports & Development, MIRE (Mapping, Identification & Registration Exercise for UASC), Central Triage Pharmacy, Themida Greece and of course our flagship Gekko Kids. Better Days’ primary missions are based in Athens and on Lesvos.
Better Days Greece has worked within the refugee community and as part of the grassroots and formal sector to support those seeking a safer future, with a specific focus on holistic support for unaccompanied and separated children and youth. Since inception, we have successfully implemented several interventions in Moria camp on Lesvos and designed and managed globally awarded and recognised humanitarian programs in Athens, Lesvos, and Thessaloniki. Our flagship project Gekko Kids (2017-2022), was an alternative educational centre for UASC (unaccompanied and separated children) implemented in Lesvos. Gekko is focused on providing high-quality, individualised education and support and was recently shortlisted by the 5th Global Entreps Awards Committee as one of the 100 Best Practices in the world on Sustainability (UN SDGs), Innovation and/ or Good Governance in education programming.
At Gekko, we strive to create a curriculum that expands outside the traditional academic structures and allows our students to explore different facets of education that inspire creativity and personal development. Our non-traditional and innovative teaching methods, the experience of our staff, and the individualised approach characterising our work have allowed our students to improve their educational and employment prospects, obtain accreditation and assume agency in their lives. The provision of a dignified, safe and child-friendly space is foundational for the effective implementation of our programs.
Job Description:
This is a field-based position that requires excellent organisational, communication and teaching skills. The position aims to reinforce Gekko Kids’ educational team, based in Athens. The right candidate must be experienced and confident to design and implement English language courses (curriculum, syllabus and lesson plans) for all educational levels. The ideal candidate(s) will have experience teaching English as a foreign/second language and will possess a strong understanding of or passion for the context we work in (displaced populations). They will be responsible for the daily provision of classes and the use of non-traditional education and alternative teaching methodologies (i.e Social Emotional Learning practices, one-on-one learning, co-teaching, experiential learning).
The right candidate should be prepared to teach students with exceptionalities and from diverse backgrounds and work in a multicultural environment. They must be comfortable working with adolescents and young adults with different learning needs and diverse educational backgrounds.
Main functions include:
- Design of English course curriculum. Continuous development depending on the needs of the population. This will include level-specific courses, preparation for accreditation, or theme-specific classes ie Business English Course
- Preparation of syllabus, lesson plans and assignments and teaching material
- Be diligent with the gathering and submission of data ie. maintain daily attendance, collect student feedback
- Support with School Administration as required
- Teaching in various size groups and one-on-one tutoring
- In person and online teaching
- Monitor and assess students’ progress as per student’s individual plan and report to the Academic Coordinator in planned intervals
Necessary Competence: (candidates who do not meet the below criteria will not be considered)
- Excellent level of English. Greek language is considered a plus but not required.
- Degree in teaching and/or Certification in English language teaching (TEFL/TESOL/CELTA or equivalent).
- Qualifications in Special Ed / Multicultural/Inclusive education and Social Pedagogy will be considered a plus,
- Advanced IT skills (G Suite: Docs, Sheets, Drive, Canva, Slack),
- 3+ yrs professional experience in teaching. Experience working with youth will be considered a plus.
- Experience delivering educational activities to vulnerable people, displaced populations and/or people with exceptionalities
Additional requirements
- Previous volunteer / humanitarian experience
- Key characteristics: versatile, resourceful, compassionate, self-driven, open to new learning and confident.
Post Conditions:
- The role is based in Athens, Greece
- Status: Full-time position, evening shifts or a shift-schedule may be required
- Starting date: immediate
- Duration: 3-month probationary period / with 6-month long extension(s)
Further information:
Better Days is a small and dynamic organisation looking to hire people who are passionate about humanitarian work, understand its risks and complexities, and are interested in investing in their role long-term. We are a quality-driven organisation determined to provide grassroots, holistic and effective solutions to support the integration and de-victimization of displaced communities in Europe, focusing on refugee education and empowerment of youth. Our colleagues come from all over the world, and our official business language is English. The ideal candidate will be inducted for two weeks and trained during the probation period. At the end of a third month’s contract, the candidate is expected to participate in Better Days’ Employee Survey and Self-Assessment which is part of their employee evaluation.
How to apply:
To apply, all applicants should please send their CV and a cover motivation letter in English to [email protected], with the subject “English Teacher Application”. Candidates who attach their CVs in any other language will not be considered.
Due to excessive workload only successful candidates who meet the minimum criteria will be contacted. Note that BD has a thorough 3-step interview process and our average processing time is 30-days depending on our workload. The position will be closed as soon as it is filled.
Closing date: 23/06/2023 or until the position is filled
