- Location: Athens
- Status: Full-time position, evening shifts, or a shift-schedule may be required.
- Starting Date: Immediately
- Duration: probationary period of 3 months with the possibility of extension
About Better Days
Better Days was founded in January 2016 in response to the influx of refugees in Lesvos, Greece. Our first project was the Olive Grove, an unofficial camp adjacent to Moria camp that supported the needs of thousands of people passing through Lesvos. During its first six months of operation, Better Days and its partners provided aid (medical, food, shelter, and non-food items) to approximately 70,000 people. Since Olive Grove, Better Days has implemented more than ten projects providing legal aid, recreational activities, non-formal education, counselling support, and other essential services to people on the move.
Today we focus on providing an integrated approach to education through educational and counselling services for displaced young people to enhance their opportunities for personal development, academic growth, and independence. Our educational flagship, Gekko, was selected by the 2021 5th Global Entreps Awards Committee from among 5000 candidates in 126 territories as one of the 100 Best Practices in the world for the implementation of the UN Sustainability Goals. Global jurors highlighted Gekko’s mission to improve conditions for displaced and disadvantaged children and asylum seeking people in Lesvos, combined with quality education, as unique in the world. Our new Gekko educational centre in the heart of Athens offers displaced young adults (15-24 years old) access to quality personalised education and counselling in a safe, trauma-informed, and dignified learning space.
About Gekko
Gekko was conceived by Better Days on Lesvos in May 2017 to challenge existing models of education in emergencies by integrating high-quality education with mental health and psychosocial support services in a dignified, trauma-aware environment. Gekko operations in Lesvos reached optimal capacity in 2019-20 with 915 registered students and 452 psychosocial support sessions. Due to interconnected factors including Covid-19, the fire that destroyed Moria camp, and the implementation of closed, securitised camps on the islands, we expanded our projects to mainland Greece.
Displaced young people in Athens are in need of services that lie at the heart of Gekko: a safe space to access counselling support and high-quality, individualised education. Thus, Gekko in Athens was born. Our summer pilot program (50 students) was launched in July 2023, and the full-scale project (120 students) launched in fall 2023. Gekko offers a safe learning environment for 15-24 year-olds who are experiencing displacement, and serves as a space where they can offload their troubles and fight for their dreams. We aim to reduce the barriers students face and pave the path to quality education and accreditation.
Working with Better Days
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.
Role Description
This is a position that requires versatility and excellent organizational and time-management skills. The role focuses on providing case management and counselling services to Gekko students. To that end, Better Days has designed and developed a counselling procedure which will guide the implementation of all actions required to provide quality services.
Our goal is to support Gekko students in improving their academic and personal performance, safely exploring challenges and perspectives, facilitating positive change, and developing skills. It also aims to connect students with resources for mental and emotional health, including referrals to external professionals as needed.
This is a field-based position, and the right candidate must be experienced with case management and the provision of MHPSS services. They should be prepared to be very involved with Gekko students and work closely with the academic team and other team members to fulfil the expectations of the role.
As School Counselor, they will be responsible for carrying out the different administrative tasks relevant to the position (i.e. reporting, filing, M&E etc). They should be confident with teaching and training the team and others in core areas such as Child Protection, Safeguarding, Trauma Support and SEL methodology. They will also be responsible for promoting a trauma-aware environment and creating a safe space in which staff, volunteers and students can seek advice about difficult matters in privacy.
The candidate will work closely with Gekko’s Academic Coordinator and Gekko’s Admissions team.
Examples of tasks to be performed by the School Counsellor, in line with BD’s Counselling Procedure:
- Receive referrals from the team or requests by students for counselling support. Review and proceed with the Discovery session.
- Diagnose students’ individual needs to access, attend and meet their learning objectives.
- Provide one-on-one counselling sessions using suitable tools and methods. Monitor student progress.
- Refer students to external partners or procure services as required to allow our students to access adequate care in areas such as basic aid, mental health, medical care, social support, education and so forth.
- Collect and analyse student feedback and identify opportunities for improvement with Gekko’s counselling services
- Facilitate the Case Management meetings and support the field team to address concerns.
- Manage staff or volunteers who implement MHPSS activities
- Contribute to the provision of Learning and Development (L&D) opportunities for all staff and volunteers to ensure that Gekko Kids’ services meet quality standards. Train the team in areas of expertise: SEL, Child/Youth Protection, Self-Care, Inclusive Education, Humanitarian Standards, and Safeguarding, to mention but some.
- Support with HR recruitment and performance management of both staff and volunteers involved with MHPSS activities.
- Represent BD in national or international advocacy forums (as required) and lead advocacy efforts in their area of expertise.
- Monitor compliance with BD’s Child Safeguarding and Protection standards by all staff, volunteers and partners. Ensure that robust safeguarding strategies (preventive measures and coping mechanisms) have been established to promote a positive experience of education for all and prevent harm within the premises of Gekko Kids.
- Monitor KPIs and produce senior-level reports as required.
Requirements
Candidates who do not meet the below criteria will not be considered.
- Eligibility to work in Greece.
- Excellent level of English. Candidates who are fluent in Greek language will be prioritised.
- Able to practise Psychology, Counselling, or Social work. Candidates with accreditation in teaching, school or child psychology, social education, special education,, and/or refugee education will be prioritised.
- Advanced IT skills (G Suite, Slack, Canva)
- 3+ yrs professional experience as a psychologist/ school counsellor/ social worker or a similar position.
Priority will be given to candidates with:
- Candidates with previous experience working with displaced populations in Greece will be prioritised.
- Familiarity with the operations of the Greek mental health public system.
- Previous experience working with youth will be considered an asset.
- Farsi, Arabic, French language is considered an asset.
- Key characteristics: experienced, determined, self-driven, versatile, resourceful, positive, excellent communicator with project management skills and passionate about the cause
How to Apply
To apply, send your CV and a Cover Letter in English to [email protected], with the subject “School Counselor Application”. Candidates who attach their CVs in any language other than English will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Application closing date: until the position is filled.
Better Days retains applicants’ information and submitted documentation for 6 months. After this period, all data is deleted. For further information on how we handle personal data, please refer to Better Days Privacy Policy, available at our website, or contact [email protected] for further inquiries or requests.
