APE-MPE: The difficulties of six unaccompanied refugee children turning 18 at the Athens International Film Festival


The journalist Maria Kouzinopoulou interviewed Mustafa and Benji who lived in Greece as unaccompanied minors and now they have to face life all by themselves without the previous provided supportive network because they are turning 18. Mustafa and Benji are two out of the six protagonists of the short movie titled “I Woke Up 18” directed by Vera-Iona Papadopoulou and produced by SolidarityNow.

Six children. Six unaccompanied children. One word, one world of difference. Six people talk about life in the new country, Greece, a life that changes abruptly turning incredibly difficult at 18. Dreams, disillusionment, fear and hope of six young people.

The short movie will be presented for the first time on Friday, September 30th, 2022, during the Athens International Film Festival.

You can read more here. (in Greek)

INTEGRATION LEARNING CENTER (ILC) ASSISTANT

Submit until: 12/10/2022
Location: Ioannina

Starting Date: ASAP

Status:  Full Time

Child Safeguarding Policy   Level 2 – The job holder will have sporadic contact with children

Reports To: ILC Coordinator

Job overview

The ILC Assistant supports the Coordinator of the Center in the smooth and effective operation of the day-to-day operations, supporting in various ways, including communications, scheduling, data entry and secretarial services. The role of the ILC Assistant involves a great deal of multitasking.

Responsibilities 

  • Assists the coordinator on a daily basis, in order to ensure the smooth ILC operation
  • Schedules events/ classes/ meetings etc.
  • Collects the necessary data for the goals of the project (e.g. student attendance) and cooperates with all the relevant specializations (educators, front desk administrator, ILC Coordinator)
  • Develops and maintains effective filing systems, both electronically and hard-copy
  • Communication with beneficiaries and provision of information about the integration courses.
  • Supports the beneficiaries regarding their requests
  • Updates the ILC databases
  • Oversees the maintenance & purchases, storage & safety of the premises in collaboration with the ILC Coordinator.
  • Undertakes any other tasks requested by the ILC Coordinator.

Qualifications

  • University Degree in Humanities, Political Science, Communications, Business Administration, Education and/or related field.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience in similar position, preferably in the NGO/humanitarian and/or Education and/or client-oriented services.
  • Excellent organization, verbal and written communication skills, in person and over the phone.
  • Proven experience of successful administrative support in a fast-paced working environment.
  • Fluency in Greek and English
  • Strong sense of initiation, responsibility, ownership and excellent attention to detail.
  • Proficient with MS Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word business software and Microsoft Teams application.
  • Comfortable in managing multiple tasks, with a problem-solving attitude.
  • Cross cultural awareness and flexibility.
  • Ability to organize and prioritize workload, using initiative when appropriate.

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and motivation letter to thes-recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “ILC Assistant_ Ioannina”.

SN is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities and from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Recruitment processes reflect SN’s commitment to keeping children safe from harm and abuse. Employment is subject to SN Child protection standards, including background checks and adherence to SN Child Safeguarding Policy.

Due to the urgency of recruitment, SN reserves the right to complete the process as soon as the suitable candidate has been identified. Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and motivation letter) not later than by October 12th, 2022.

Only short-listed candidates will receive a written reply.


Remarks: Before submitting your CV, please read carefully the employees’ privacy notice on the processing of personal data pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the respective Greek legislation.

For roles that will have regular contact with vulnerable populations SolidarityNow is obliged to seek information about criminal convictions and offences, and selected candidates will be requested to provide a recent copy of criminal record.

Following the preventive measures against COVID-19, holding a vaccination certificate or undergoing Covid-19 antigen tests as per government directions is mandatory.

INTERPRETER (LINGALA)

Submit until: 10/11/2022
Location: Roving/based in Athens

Starting Date: ASAP

Status:  Full-Time

Child Safeguarding Policy: Level 3 – The job holder will have regular contact with children

Generic responsibilities

  • Provides clear and accurate interpretation services, during sessions on legal cases for beneficiaries of international;
  • Provides clear and accurate interpretation services, during informative sessions, briefings, trainings, in courts or public services etc.;
  • Provides written translation of documents to English or Greek;
  • In coordination with other team colleagues, participates in field-trips and other external activities;
  • In coordination with other team colleagues, ensures that all beneficiaries feel comfortable and safe to share their concerns freely;
  • Respects the code of conduct of the organization, with emphasis on confidentiality;
  • Performs other position-related duties as assigned by the respective Team Leader.

Qualifications

Essential:

  • Fluent in Lingala and English/Greek
  • Familiar with refugee and migration Issues
  • Cross cultural awareness and understanding
  • Computer literacy & numeracy
  • Well organized and efficient
  • Good interpersonal & communications skills

Desired:

  • Previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered an asset
  • Field Working Experience in Camps/Temporary Settlements of refugee/migrant population

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and motivation letter to recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “Interpreter Lingala”.

SN is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities and from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Recruitment processes reflect SN’s commitment to keeping children safe from harm and abuse. Employment is subject to SN Child protection standards, including background checks and adherence to SN Child Safeguarding Policy.

Due to the urgency of recruitment, SN reserves the right to complete the process as soon as the suitable candidate has been identified. Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and motivation letter) not later than by  November 10th, 2022.

Only short-listed candidates will receive a written reply.


Remarks: Before submitting your CV, please read carefully the employees’ privacy notice on the processing of personal data pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the respective Greek legislation.

For roles that will have regular contact with vulnerable populations SolidarityNow is obliged to seek information about criminal convictions and offences, and selected candidates will be requested to provide a recent copy of criminal record.

Following the preventive measures against COVID-19, holding a vaccination certificate or undergoing Covid-19 antigen tests as per government directions is mandatory.

PRESS RELEASE: SolidarityNow at the Athens Democracy Forum: “Migrant Children’s Transition to Adulthood”

Copyright Myroslava Klius for SolidarityNow On the left: Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University & President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, On the right: Stelios Zavvos, Chairman of the BoD SolidarityNow

Breakfast briefing titled: “Migrant Children’s Transition to Adulthood”

SolidarityNow organized today, within the framework of the annual Athens Democracy Forum, a discussion on the topic of unaccompanied children becoming 18 years old in Greece and the challenges they face deprived of any previous supporting framework.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of SolidarityNow, Mr. Stelios Zavvos welcomed the participants stating: “It is important to strengthen democracy, especially in today’s geopolitical situation, with the continuous crises including the climate one, notably in a Europe plagued by populism and the aging of population. We speak for and experience democracy when we take care of everyone, let alone young people, the most active part of the population, which with its dynamic and diversity can push all sectors of our society forward”.

Afterwards, the Special Secretary for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, Mr. Heraclus Moskoff, spoke about the work of the Special Secretariat and its impact on the lives of unaccompanied children living in the country, recognizing the importance of substantial support for unaccompanied children coming of age. “To date, the Secretariat has supported the relocation of 1,271 children in 13 European countries. The main priority of the SSPUAM is the integration of the children who remain in our country, offering them opportunities for education and employment”.

The Head of the Unit for Integration and Support of UAMs of the Special Secretariat, Ms. Gelly Aroni, emphasized on the importance of education, the exchange of good practices, and the participation of the children themselves in the decisions that concern them while underlining that: “Today, we are working on integration practices of the children but essentially what we need to do is to draw up a policy”.

The discussion was honored by the presence of the internationally renowned economist, academic and political analyst, Jeffrey Sachs. In his presentation, Mr. Sachs referred to the global challenges and their consequences on migration, to the imperative need to plan policies, while criticizing the West and especially his birthplace and global superpower America, for its stance on current geopolitical issues with reference to the war in Syria and Russia from 2008 onwards.

In addition, the academic Ms. Jennifer Cavounidis, a member of the Board of SolidarityNow, emphasized the importance of education for integration, stating that: “24% of students attending Greek schools are first or second-generation migrants. We need to support them for their well-being and development, but also for the society”. Marilyn Polena, General Manager of SolidarityNow, summarized the work of the organization for unaccompanied children and the need for further support, especially in the first years of adulthood, with the aim not allowing marginalization to be an option for any child.

The conclusions from the discussion highlighted the gap that arises in the care of unaccompanied children once they turn 18 and the need for further initiatives. It was particularly pointed out that investing in the future needs to be done on children’s potential and not on their vulnerability. The aim is to bring out the children’s talents, through the provision of opportunities for education and skill development, to create a two-way benefit relationship- both for the young people and the society in their new country.

In the context of the meeting, a short video-testimony of an 18-year-old from Gambia was presented, through which the difficulties, anxiety, and impasse experienced by children when they turn 18 were expressed. The issue of the transition of unaccompanied children to adulthood is also addressed by a short film entitled “I Woke Up 18” directed by Vera-Iona Papadopoulou and produced by SolidarityNow which will be shown for the first time tomorrow September 30th at 17:00 at the Danaos cinema, as part of the Athens International Film Festival.

INTERPRETER (FARSI)

Submit until: 07/10/2022
Location: Ioannina

Starting Date: ASAP

Status:  Full-Time

Child Safeguarding Policy: Level 3 – The job holder will have regular contact with children

Generic responsibilities

  • Provides clear and accurate interpretation services, during educational activities for adult beneficiaries of international protection;
  • Provides clear and accurate interpretation services, during informative sessions, briefings, trainings etc.;
  • Provides written translation of documents to English or Greek;
  • In coordination with other team colleagues, participates in field-trips and other external activities;
  • In coordination with other team colleagues, ensures that all beneficiaries feel comfortable and safe to share their concerns freely, as well as participate in classes and other educational activities;
  • Respects the code of conduct of the organization, with emphasis on confidentiality;
  • Performs other position-related duties as assigned by the respective Team Leader.

Qualifications

Essential:

  • Excellent command of Farsi;
  • Excellent command of English and/or Greek;
  • Minimum one-year professional experience as an interpreter or cultural mediator;
  • Familiar with protection issues related to refugee population;
  • High professional ethics;
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with children of all ages, background and diversity;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in multi-ethnic environment; Cross Culturally Aware and flexible;
  • Strong team player;
  • Well organized and efficient, flexible, able to handle pressure well and adapt in different working environments;

Desired:

  • Previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered an asset
  • Field Working Experience in Camps/Temporary Settlements of refugee/migrant population
  • Computer literacy

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and motivation letter to

thes-recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “Interpreter Farsi Full-Time Ioannina”.

SN is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities and from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Recruitment processes reflect SN’s commitment to keeping children safe from harm and abuse. Employment is subject to SN Child protection standards, including background checks and adherence to SN Child Safeguarding Policy.

Due to the urgency of recruitment, SN reserves the right to complete the process as soon as the suitable candidate has been identified. Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and motivation letter) not later than by October 10th, 2022.

Only short-listed candidates will receive a written reply.


Remarks: Before submitting your CV, please read carefully the employees’ privacy notice on the processing of personal data pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the respective Greek legislation.

For roles that will have regular contact with vulnerable populations SolidarityNow is obliged to seek information about criminal convictions and offences, and selected candidates will be requested to provide a recent copy of criminal record.

Following the preventive measures against COVID-19, holding a vaccination certificate or undergoing Covid-19 antigen tests as per government directions is mandatory.

PRESS RELEASE: SolidarityNow presents the short movie “I Woke up 18” at the 28th Athens International Film Festival


Dreams, disillusionment, fear and hope of six young people

SolidarityNow invites the public in the premiere of the short film “I Woke up at 18”, on Friday, September 30th at 5:00 p.m., at the Danaos cinema (109 Kifissias Avenue).

The film “I Woke up 18” presents through the stories of its six young protagonists, the difficulties that unaccompanied children face as soon as they turn 18 and is hosted at the 28th Athens International Film Festival.

According to the data of the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors-Ministry of Migration and Asylum, on September 1st, 2022, the estimated number of unaccompanied children in Greece was 2,224. Greece takes care of them, by providing accommodation in suitable structures, psychosocial and legal aid and access to education. When children “turn 18” however, they are asked to leave the structures, regardless of their legal status, and make the transition to independent adult life. They thereby lose the care, security and the supportive framework provided so far. Consequently, previous social integration efforts are interrupted, and children are often deprived access to fundamental human rights such as health, work and education, pushed to the edge of society.

Director and script writer: Vera-Iona Papadopoulou

Directors of Photography: Nikos Palaiologos and Thodoris Nikolaou.

Trailer link: https://youtu.be/EE7-V8ZSo4I.

*The short movie was produced in the context of the European project “Building Futures, Sharing Good Practices: Supporting Migrant Children’s Transition to Adulthood” implemented by 5 partners: the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors-Ministry of Asylum and Migration and SolidarityNow from Greece, Convive – Fundación Cepaim from Spain and NIDOS, guardianship for refugees from the Netherlands, under the coordination of the Council of Europe. The project is funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Council of Europe.

INTERPRETER (FARSI)

Submit until: 25/09/2022
Location: Ioannina

Starting Date: ASAP

Status:  Part-Time

Child Safeguarding Policy: Level 3 – The job holder will have regular contact with children

Generic responsibilities

  • Provides clear and accurate interpretation services, during educational activities for adult beneficiaries of international protection;
  • Provides clear and accurate interpretation services, during informative sessions, briefings, trainings etc.;
  • Provides written translation of documents to English or Greek;
  • In coordination with other team colleagues, participates in field-trips and other external activities;
  • In coordination with other team colleagues, ensures that all beneficiaries feel comfortable and safe to share their concerns freely, as well as participate in classes and other educational activities;
  • Respects the code of conduct of the organization, with emphasis on confidentiality;
  • Performs other position-related duties as assigned by the respective Team Leader.

Qualifications

Essential:

  • Excellent command of Farsi;
  • Excellent command of English and/or Greek;
  • Minimum one-year professional experience as an interpreter or cultural mediator;
  • Familiar with protection issues related to refugee population;
  • High professional ethics;
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with children of all ages, background and diversity;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in multi-ethnic environment; Cross Culturally Aware and flexible;
  • Strong team player;
  • Well organized and efficient, flexible, able to handle pressure well and adapt in different working environments;

Desired:

  • Previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered an asset
  • Field Working Experience in Camps/Temporary Settlements of refugee/migrant population
  • Computer literacy

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and motivation letter to

thes-recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “Interpreter Farsi Part-Time Ioannina”.

SN is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities and from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Recruitment processes reflect SN’s commitment to keeping children safe from harm and abuse. Employment is subject to SN Child protection standards, including background checks and adherence to SN Child Safeguarding Policy.

Due to the urgency of recruitment, SN reserves the right to complete the process as soon as the suitable candidate has been identified. Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and motivation letter) not later than by September 25th, 2022.

Only short-listed candidates will receive a written reply.


Remarks: Before submitting your CV, please read carefully the employees’ privacy notice on the processing of personal data pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the respective Greek legislation.

For roles that will have regular contact with vulnerable populations SolidarityNow is obliged to seek information about criminal convictions and offences, and selected candidates will be requested to provide a recent copy of criminal record.

Following the preventive measures against COVID-19, holding a vaccination certificate or undergoing Covid-19 antigen tests as per government directions is mandatory.

SOCIAL SCIENTIST

Submit until: 28/09/2022
Location: Thiva with occasionally visits to Thermopyles (covered expenses)

Starting Date: ASAP

Status: Full-Time

Child Safeguarding Policy: Level 3-The job holder will have regular contact with children

Reports to: Senior Teacher

Main Duties & Responsibilities

  • In collaboration with the teaching staff, identify and provide individualized support to children with psychosocial and/or special educational needs and/or disabilities;
  • Organize an identification and referral system for children at risk including services such as medical, legal, psychological, WASH, shelter etc;
  • Perform social work duties and undertake procedures implementation when referral(s) to other services are required;
  • Organize and facilitate awareness-raising and group psychosocial support activities on a broad range of issues for children as part of the life skills development learning process inside the classroom;
  • Organize and facilitate parents’ meetings and provide specialized support to parents combating school dropout and resolving challenges that might arise regarding school attendance and children’s needs;
  • Conduct regular mapping of beneficiaries across Ioannina & Epirus region, needs assessment and service mapping ensuring the access of refugee children to formal education and non-formal education/after-school support opportunities.
  • Promote and enable the access to school for refugee children through the provision of technical and administrative support to parents and education stakeholders (RECs, public school administration and teaching staff etc.;
  • Cooperate with interpreters where needed for the provision of social services or other required activities;
  • Closely cooperate with other team members, passing on crucial information and expressing the need of action clearly and concisely;
  • Directly support and coach beneficiaries through the usage of simple communication and moral uplifting techniques;
  • Regular and ad hoc reporting and data keeping.

Required qualifications & skills

  • University degree in Social Work, or other Social Science (e.g. Psychology);
  • License to work as Social Worker/Psychologist
  • Minimum one-year professional experience in social work within the civil society sector, preferably working with vulnerable groups and refugees/migrants;
  • Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team;
  • Ability to troubleshoot and ease potential tensions between the project’s beneficiaries;
  • Ability to perform fact finding tasks and clearly articulate results in a fair and balanced way;
  • Previous experience in a job entailing direct contact and exchange with vulnerable groups of beneficiaries is an asset;
  • Fluency in Greek and English required;
  • Proficient with MS Outlook, Excel, and Word business software;
  • Experience in community mobilization;
  • Cross-cultural awareness and flexibility;
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with parents and children of all ages, background and diversity;
  • Strong team player and able to handle pressure well;
  • Well organized and efficient, with ability to organize and prioritize workload, using initiative when appropriate;
  • Good report writing skills;

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and motivation letter to recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “SN Social Scientist_Thiva”.

SN is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities and from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Due to the urgency of recruitment, SN reserves the right to complete the process as soon as the suitable candidate has been identified. Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and motivation letter) not later than by September 28st, 2022.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.


Remarks: Before submitting your CV, please read carefully the employees’ privacy notice on the processing of personal data pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the respective Greek legislation.

For roles that will have regular contact with vulnerable populations SolidarityNow is obliged to seek information about criminal convictions and offences, and selected candidates will be requested to provide a recent copy of criminal record.

Following the preventive measures against COVID-19, holding a vaccination certificate or undergoing Covid-19 antigen tests as per government directions is mandatory.

FEMALE FRIENDLY SPACE FACILITATOR

Submit until: 19/09/2022
Location: Oinofyta

Starting Date: ASAP

Status:  Full Time

Child Safeguarding Policy: Level 3 – The job holder will have regular contact with children

Reports To: Team Leader

Job Overview

The Female Friendly Space Facilitator acts as the coordinator of the space for women and girls. She facilitates access and ensures overall smooth functioning of the space; she conducts tailored psychosocial activities, identifies protection needs and works with other team members in providing support (including counseling and referrals); she encourages the participation of women and girls in group and individual activities (including awareness-raising on SGBV issues, among other themes, and skills-building sessions), so as to facilitate their overall integration and wellbeing in Greece.

Generic responsibilities

  • Maintains a comfortable and safe environment where women and girls can participate in psychosocial activities and receive appropriate support, while also including toddlers with their mothers in the services provided
  • Prepares and implements structured activities for women, girls and mother-child, including the design of weekly schedules and timetables, through a participatory approach, tailored to their needs, skills and cultural diversities
  • Identifies protection and other support needs and refers them to respective colleagues or/and other service providers
  • In coordination with the team’s social scientists, assists in case management and provision of psychosocial support to vulnerable women and girls
  • Carries out awareness raising sessions focusing on gender issues/GBV, Health/Hygiene, Nutrition, Livelihoods, Skills-building etc. Other group activities may include informal trainings, counselling, discussions, information-sharing, art therapy, playtime etc.
  • Carries out community mobilization around the FFS by disseminating clear messages on its role and objectives
  • Liaises with other service providers onsite and follows referral pathways, upon consent of the beneficiaries
  • Keeps accurate attendance records and reports in a timely manner, following respective deadlines and procedures
  • Performs other position-related duties as assigned, pending on setting.

Qualifications

Essential

  • University Degree in Social Sciences or Humanities or Political Sciences
  • Due to the requirements of the position, female candidates are preferred
  • Minimum one-year professional experience in implementing activities for women and girls
  • Good understanding of human rights, gender equality, child-marriage, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in regular and emergency situations
  • Experience in community mobilization
  • Cross-cultural awareness and flexibility
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with women and girls of all ages, background and diversity.
  • Strong team player and able to handle pressure well.
  • Well organized and efficient
  • Fluency in Greek and English required
  • Proficient with MS Outlook, Excel, and Word business software
  • Good report writing skills
  • Adhere to and promote GBV guiding principles
  • Possess empowering imagination
  • Driving license – Category B

Desired

  • Experience in case management procedures
  • Demonstrated commitment to women’s empowerment and protection through previous assignments (volunteer or paid) in women’s groups, or other relevant experience.
  • Field working experience in camps/temporary settlements of refugee/migrant population
  • Engagement in refugee focused projects

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and motivation letter to recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “FFS Facilitator_Oinofyta”.

SN is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities and from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Recruitment processes reflect SN’s commitment to keeping children safe from harm and abuse. Employment is subject to SN Child protection standards, including background checks and adherence to SN Child Safeguarding Policy.

Due to the urgency of recruitment, SN reserves the right to complete the process as soon as the suitable candidate has been identified. Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and motivation letter) not later than by September 19th, 2022.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.


Remarks: Before submitting your CV, please read carefully the employees’ privacy notice on the processing of personal data pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the respective Greek legislation.

For roles that will have regular contact with vulnerable populations SolidarityNow is obliged to seek information about criminal convictions and offences, and selected candidates will be requested to provide a recent copy of criminal record.

Following the preventive measures against COVID-19, holding a vaccination certificate or undergoing Covid-19 antigen tests as per government directions is mandatory.