solidarity

(Ελληνικά) ΒΙΩΜΑΤΙΚΟΣ ΟΔΗΓΟΣ ΔΡΑΣΗΣ ΣΕ ΧΩΡΟΥΣ ΓΥΝΑΙΚΩΝ

Posted on Thursday March 16th, 2023

PRESS RELEASE: Completion of the Conference: “Counter Trafficking in Human Beings in the Context of Forced Migration”

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The conference was successfully held with the aim of finding collaborative solutions to the issue of human trafficking between Greece and Bulgaria.

The conference was organized on March 14 in Athens by the administrators of the Active Citizens Fund program in Greece – SolidarityNow, Bodossaki Foundation – and in Bulgaria – Open Society Institute Sofia, Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation and Trust for Social Achievement. The participants included representatives from the Council of Europe, the Academic Area, Embassies, institutional bodies, and international, European and local civil society bodies, which are actively involved in issues related to trafficking in human beings, migration and the protection of human rights.

Why Greece and Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is mainly a country of origin of human trafficking victims, while Greece is a transit or destination country. According to data from the National Referral Mechanism for the Protection of Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings in Greece for 2020, out of the 167 victims registered, 74 were children and 33 of them originating from Bulgaria.

During the conference, the need for transnational cooperation was emphasized, among others, by the Vice-President of the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), Ms. Antoaneta Vassileva and the Special Secretary for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors and former Head of the Office of the National Rapporteur on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Mr. Heracles Moskoff, who honored the conference with their presence.

Ms. Vassileva stressed that “The governments of both countries should secure the funding for the implementation of actions against human trafficking. In addition, the use of the national referral mechanism is considered necessary and, equally important is the continuous education and training in the identification of potential victims by the professionals involved, police officers, lawyers, social workers, psychologists. Human trafficking is actual an invisible crime, which today in the digital environment is becoming even more invisible. Protecting victims is a collective duty and should be at the top of the agenda.”

During his speech, Mr. Moskoff underlined: “Human trafficking knows no borders and national laws. The goal of the slave traders is profit and their product is humans. To prevent all those who exploit human dignity, we need to overcome conventional perceptions and build a multidisciplinary cooperation between the state, international organizations and civil society in terms of Preventing the phenomenon, Suppressing crime and Protecting victims with a more inclusive and victim-centered approach. Respectively, and aiming at prevention, we operate the National Emergency Response Mechanism for the early identification and immediate accommodation of unaccompanied minors living in precarious conditions or homelessness. To date, more than 3,258 children have benefited from the mechanism.”

The three critical aspects

The conference program included three panel discussions with more than 20 prominent speakers, who focused on the three critical aspects of the issue: the protection of victims through the analysis of existing protection systems and the application of victim-centered approaches; the exchange of best practices to prevent and reduce trafficking in human beings and the identification of the obstacles depriving victims’ of accessing justice.

The discussions and the productive exchange of views between the speakers and the participants underscored that, due to their vulnerable status, migrants/refugees are potential victims, while special reference was made to e-trafficking as the new way of approaching potential victims. A common ground was the need for prevention through information, education and awareness-raising of all stakeholders, including both institutional bodies and services, but also all the dynamic parts of societies and citizens.

Worldwide, according to the International Labor Organization, 40.3 million people are victims of trafficking, 75% of them are women and girls, and 1 in 4 are children.

*The conference is a regional action of the Active citizens fund program, fund operated in Greece by Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow.

The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 13.5 m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The programme aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship, and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow.

PAYROLL & HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

Posted on Wednesday March 15th, 2023

Submit until: 17/04/2023
Location: Athens

Starting Date: ASAP

Status: Full Time

Child Safeguarding Policy: Level 1 – The job holder does not have regular contact with children

Reports To: Head of Finance & HR Manager

The Payroll/HR Officer is responsible for the proper handling of the payroll process of the Association and all employment issues according to the Labor Legislation.

Responsibilities:

Monitors and updates the employees’ data related to demographics and modifications related to the salaries, cost centers and positions.
Carries out the calculations in the Payroll System and issues the Payroll Statement and the Accounting Entries, the social security and tax statements
Ensures the implementation of the provisions of the Greek Labor and Insurance Legislation.
Controls and processes the whole procedure (HRM payroll system, timesheets, ERGANI system and statements to Public Authorities) of the leaving employees
Collects the necessary signatures for contracts’ termination and ensures the “closure” of the leaving employee’s physical file.
Checks, issues, and submits to the authorities the necessary statements for the recruitments. Manages the employment contracts.
Issues and checks the annual Labor Inspectorate Statements (eg E4, E11, etc);
Prepares ad-hoc documentation for employees
Participates in continuous internal audits and chartered accountants, by providing them the appropriate documentations for further checks.
Participates in the preparation of the Payroll Budget.
Manages workflow to ensure all payroll transactions are processed accurately and timely.
Files documents into appropriate files in a timely manner. Maintains employment records.

Requirements:

Knowledge of the PYLON payroll System
University degree in Business administration or Economics (or in Human Resource Management).
2 years’ experience in a similar position
Very good knowledge of payroll functions and procedures.
Fluency in Greek and English language.
Strong IT skills (excel, word, internet, etc.)

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

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 April 17th, 2023.

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.

JOINT STATEMENT: Children in Greece without documents, children still at risk

Posted on Tuesday March 14th, 2023

We, the undersigned, 16 organisations, members of the Child’s Rights Advocacy Network, working to support asylum-seeking and refugee children in Greece, wish to express our concerns about the proposed provisions for unaccompanied and separated children in a newly proposed Immigration Code and call on Greek authorities to reconsider Article 162 of this Code and amend it so that and updated version covers the serious legal gap currently facing unaccompanied children and ensures the rights of all unaccompanied children in practice, including once they have reached adulthood, or will soon reach adulthood, which is currently not the case.

Last week, we were both alarmed and disappointed to see that the newly proposed Immigration Code was suddenly published for an unrealistically short period of public consultation on 7 to 14 March 2023, without sufficient time provided for meaningful review and recommendations to ensure it aligns with what is best for unaccompanied children or that it addresses the significant gaps in legal status these children continue to face in Greece.

We are compelled to express our collective concern regarding not only the insufficient consultation provided, but also the content of the proposed new code, which does not offer solutions for the vast majority of unaccompanied children who remain outside the asylum system. Instead, the proposal seems set to create even more challenges for these children, increasing their barriers to gaining legal status in the country.

This comes despite the explicit commitment we received from the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Ms. Sofia Voultepsi, during the event “Children without documents, children at risk. Until when?” organized on July 12, 2022 by members of the Child Rights Advocacy Network. Both at that time and since, the Deputy Minister stated that there was a “clear political will” to address the gap in the legal status faced by unaccompanied migrant children in the country, before and after they reach adulthood.

And, yet the criteria stipulated in the new regulation of how adult citizens from third countries or stateless persons who entered Greece as unaccompanied minors can obtain a ten-year residence permit fail to reflect the reality on the ground.

With this legislative initiative, an important opportunity is lost; that of protecting and acknowledging unaccompanied and separated children who ultimately remain outside the asylum system. Absolutely no provision is included in the proposed bill for unaccompanied children whose request for international protection is rejected while they are minors. This is contrary to the best interests of the child, which should guide the decisions of all public authorities, but also contrary to public statements by these same relevant authorities. As a result, unaccompanied children are once again left without legal documents and exposed to all forms of exploitation, without substantial access to protection, health benefits or education.

As for unaccompanied children who become adults while in Greece, in order to receive the ten-year residence permit, the new Code requires them to have a permanent authorisation of stay in the country, i.e. a permanent residence permit. But, if these unaccompanied children who have just come of age had already secured such an authorisation, they would not even need the legislative intervention introduced by this article in the first place. This, in fact, despite the Prime Minister’s own statement on January 17, 2023 that “unaccompanied children turning 18 that have completed three (3) years of education should rightfully be given the possibility to remain in the country and to join the Greek state if they so wished.”

However, in addition to requiring that they already have a permanent residency permit, and already successfully completed at least three (3) grades of the Greek formal education, the potential beneficiaries of the ten-year residence permit must also have been accepted at either a Vocational Apprenticeship School of the Public Employment Service, a Vocational Training School, or a higher educational establishment.

This last requirement that they must have obtained admission to one of the above schools is particularly onerous since only a very limited number of unaccompanied minors who have reached adulthood can meet this condition. After all, experience in the field has shown us that, for unaccompanied children, even a 3-year “successful” attendance at the Greek school is a significant challenge. This is due to systemic and chronic issues impeding the effective inclusion of children with a migrant/refugee background in the Greek school system, causing a student population of “two speeds”.

Finally, we wonder why the second-generation children will now be left without a residency permit (see paragraph b of the above article). Previously, they were able to obtain one with the provisions of Law 4251/2014 regardless of their parents’ status, as long as they had established strong ties with the country (birth in Greece, school attendance, etc.).

The signatory organizations of the Children’s Rights Advocacy Network believe that a special residence permit should be granted to unaccompanied children solely based on the fact that they are children and that they are transitioning to adulthood, aiming to safeguard the best interest of each unaccompanied child in the country.

THE CO-SIGNING ORGANISATIONS

ARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth
Better Days Greece
ΕLIX
Generation 2.0 for Rights, Equality & Diversity
Greek Council for Refugees
The HOME Project
HumanRights360
International Rescue Committee (IRC) Hellas
INTERSOS Hellas
Lighthouse Relief
Mobile Info Team
Network for Children’s Rights
Safe Passage
Schedia (Raft) -Center for Artistic and Pedagogical Training
SolidarityNow
Terre des hommes Hellas

Phase 2

Posted on Thursday March 9th, 2023

Phase 2

The second team arrived safely in Adana, Turkey on February 23^rd (by plane and van – from Thessaloniki, to also transfer supplies and equipment). The second group immediately started activities with children, in the Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) that have been set up, in collaboration with the Turkish organisation SGDD-ASAM. The team implements a daily structured program of recreational and educational activities as well as continuous on-the-ground capacity building for the local organisation which will continue operating the spaces once the SN mission ends.

In detail:

In crisis situations, adults – and especially males – dominate the living spaces established for survivors. They attempt to find practical solutions for their new reality, and at the same time scramble to process their personal and family trauma. Children, whose everyday routine and education are abruptly interrupted, are often left in an unstructured and unfamiliar environment. As a result, they are exposed to potential dangers (playing among the rubble, exposure to sexual and gender-based violence…); at the same time, they are deprived of the space and time to process their recent traumatic experience. The situation in Antakya was no exception. In this situation, one of the chief emergency needs is the establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS), operated by personnel experienced in child protection, to provide children with the safety, structure, and emotional outlet they need. SolidarityNow’s field team was deployed, and partnered with SGDD-ASAM, to provide exactly that.
SolidarityNow staff members were present on a daily basis in three tent camps established for the earthquake-affected population, all within the Antakya metropolitan area. Upon the arrival of the second group, the physical setup of tents to host the Child-Friendly Spaces was complete in each of the three camps. The children of the camps were already visiting the CFS on a daily basis, where SGDD-ASAM and SolidarityNow staff welcomed them, and led them to play and socialize in a safe space, made for and dominated by children only.
Among the first priorities of the SN team was to provide on-the-ground capacity building to SGDD-ASAM, capitalizing on SN’s experience in providing child protection, and especially on operating Child-Friendly Spaces, in camp settings – an environment SGDD-ASAM had little familiarity with. SolidarityNow provided practical tips for safety & security, spatial organization, child protection considerations, and, most importantly, creative ideas for activities! Gradually, a daily routine was established in all three CFS, including structured psychoeducational activities, as well as free play. The talents and experiences of SN and SGDD-ASAM staff were used to formulate the activities, which included using music, drawing, storytelling, dance & kinetic activities, and outdoor group games to address several psychoeducational goals: help children establish safe boundaries, strengthen the team spirit, express their positive and negative emotions, and slowly begin processing the trauma from the earthquakes and their new living conditions. Of course, the common thread of the activities was to allow the children to have fun together!
Among the highlights of the activities was an interactive session on earthquake awareness, led by an SN team member who studied geology: the activity focused on explaining the earthquake’s causes (and fighting the disinformation spreading in camps), as well as providing practical tips on self-protection.
SN team continues to closely collaborate with SGDD-ASAM which will continue the intervention upon completion of the mission. SN will support their capacity building, transferring its long-standing experience and leave relevant items and equipment in this regard.
SN team participates in the coordination meetings with the local authorities and international organisations on the ground on a daily basis.
A need has been identified for hygiene kits for the local population, and specifically for women living in further away, rural areas, where support and goods don’t easily reach. SN will be purchasing sanitary pads, soaps, antiseptics, toothpastes and toothbrushes, toilet paper and baby wipes.

Trauma Management: Suggestions contributing to a tragic collective time

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from the Psychological Support and Counseling Service of the Athens Solidarity Center

The tragedy in the Vale of Tempe on March 1^st, creates undoubtedly a condition of national mourning that shows the extent of the collective trauma to which we have all been exposed. The collective trauma of injustice produces feelings of anger and rage, but also of betrayal that generates insecurity towards the institutions and the inadequate mechanisms that do not guarantee people’s safety. The common feeling is that there is no concern for the highest of goods, that of human life.

Dealing with this collective grief that recalls personal griefs and losses becomes manageable only if we allow ourselves to experience, recognize and share the emotions provoked.

The media exposure and detailed descriptions of the accident and the victims, worsen the trauma and take us away from the essence which is how to restore a sense of security through collective action.

The contact and connection with our closest people can be particularly beneficial since the feeling of a supportive network builds up the feeling of security and closeness.

Self-care is not an act of selfishness, but of protection. That’s why you need to find time for self-care even if you feel that this can’t be a priority.

Give time to yourself, your emotions and thoughts and allow the healing process of the traumatic experience, and of course if you feel you are at a dead end seek professional help.

The guilt that accompanies our thoughts, a co-responsibility in the context of how we have shaped the situation in our country, can become the motive that will lead us to collective actions so as to re-establish, practically but also in our conscience, trust, security and the sustainable functioning of the state towards its citizens.

* Since August 2022, the Athens Solidarity Center is financed by EEA Grants, with ΣΟΛ Crowe and HumanRights360 as the fund operator.

**The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

ANNOUNCEMENT: If you are between 18 and 25 years old, apply for Empower YOUth!

Posted on Tuesday March 7th, 2023

The Empower YOUth project aims to empower young people from all over Greece and especially those who come from vulnerable groups such as Roma, LGBTQI+, migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, people with disabilities, repatriates and young people from disadvantaged / remote areas, who wish to take the lead and bring positive change within their communities.

During the project’s first phase , 32 young people aged 18-25 from all over Greece will participate in two educational cycles (16 in each cycle) that will take place from 8 to 13 May in Athens and from 22 to 27 May in Thessaloniki.

The trainings will enable young people to: be trained in the tools needed to empower themselves, take an active role as ambassadors in their communities by bringing ideas and visions, but also promoting the positive changes they wish to see.

At the end of the trainings, participants will be able to submit proposals for small-scale actions that will be supported and funded by the project.

Distribution and meals as well as transportation costs for people living outside Athens and Thessaloniki will be covered by the project.

Register here, (scroll for English) by March 31st, 2023.

For more information, please contact:

Georgios Tsitiridis (Thessaloniki), gtsitiridis@solidaritynow.org, Thodoris Bogeas (Athens), tbogeas@solidaritynow.org

The “Empower YOUth” project is implemented in the framework of the Active citizens fund program, implemented by SolidarityNow and partnered by the Norwegian organization NorSensus Mediaforum.

The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 13.5 m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The programme aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow. More information: www.activecitizensfund.gr/en/

EMPLOYABILITY CONSULTANT

Posted on Monday March 6th, 2023

Submit until: 17/03/2023
Location: Thessaloniki

Starting Date: ASAP

Status: Full Time

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

Main Responsibilities:

Manage a diverse portfolio of cases to employment, job matching and career management service.
Provide information, advices and guidance to the POCs (refugees and asylum seekers) on key knowledge areas including; CVs, Job searching, Interview skills Coaching and Training/Education, to enhance current and future employability.
Analyze and understand current employment context and related opportunities.
Use labor market information to research and build additional relationships with employers, creating further employment opportunities appropriate to the needs of the POCs (refugees and asylum seekers) base.
Job match POCs (refugees, and asylum seekers) with vacancies and opportunities.
Carry out detailed job analysis to understand and guide on reasonable adjustments to maximize the likelihood of successful and sustainable employment services and encourage appropriate referrals.
Maintain a record system, case notes and other electronic files to a high standard to ensure high quality standards.

Essential skills & Attributes:

Previous Supported Employment.
Excellent case management skills to deliver a quality service to a large total caseload
Well organized, structured and self-disciplined, with excellent time-management skills

Recruitment experience will be considered as an asset
Very strong interpersonal and communication skills
Good networking and relationship management skills

Desirable Skills & Attributes:

Education in the career development, education, social service and/or human service-related field
Previous experience providing career and employment-based case-managed services
Experience of employment support for people with other vulnerabilities (physical and/or mental health, etc)
Knowledge and experience of Greek Employment Law as it relates to this type of service and role
Experience with NGO environment practices
Proficient with MS Office
Fluency in Greek and English
French is desirable

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

thes-recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “Employability Consultant_ Thessaloniki”.

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 a suitable candidate has been identified. Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and motivation letter) no later than by March 17th^th, 2023.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

ACCOUNTANT

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Submit until: 17/03/2023
Location: Thessaloniki

Starting Date: ASAP

Status: Part Time

Child Safeguarding Policy: Level 1 – The job holder does not have regular contact with children

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Provision of Accountancy Support and Guidance

Conduct Sessions with beneficiaries requiring advice and support on very basic accountancy issues
Guide beneficiaries for issuing Tax Related Certificates of Taxation Numbers Registration
Mediate with relevant authorities (in exceptional cases)

Data base and Case related info management

Filling and registering all cases and actions to the DataBase upon instructions of the supervisor (Project Coordinator)
Maintain hard and electronic files archive updated
Perform entries in the data base system as required by the above

Mentioned tasks

Other Duties

Collaborate with appointed persons for CASH Support, Accommodation, in kind aid or any other additional provision available
Brief and debrief beneficiaries for running programs availability and inform for any relevant change
Contribute to the identification of vulnerabilities and facilitate their access to available aid

Qualifications:

Required qualifications and skills

Essential

Degree in Accountancy or extended experience (+ 3 Years) in an accountancy office
At least 1 year of Previous Experience in providing accountancy support
Briefly familiar with Refugee and Migration Taxation Issues
Cross Cultural Awareness and flexibility
Computer literate & numerate
Well organized and efficient
Good interpersonal & communications skills
Fluent in Greek and English

Desired

Experience in NGO Providing Humanitarian Aid or relevant volunteer or professional Service in the Social Services
French Speaking

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

thes-recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “Part-Time Accountant_ Thessaloniki’’

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

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

SOCIAL WORKER

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Submit until: 17/03/2023
Location: Thessaloniki

Status: Full Time

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

Responsibilities

Social Services Provision

Provide comprehensive package of Social Services to beneficiaries.
Assess needs of beneficiaries and develop an intervention/pathway plan ensuring.
Special needs of most vulnerable are identified and addressed
Provide adequate information on available services and relevant procedures
Provide comprehensive package of Social Services to the beneficiaries in (and if requested out) of SolidarityNow Premises (for issuing Social Security Number, bank accounts, etc)
Providing F2F Counseling, Guidance
Ensure referrals internally and externally and follow up on referrals whilst always respecting confidentiality
Identify particularly vulnerable individuals/groups and facilitate their access to available aid
Perform occasional field visits
Able to manage Sexual-Gender Based (SGBV) cases and cooperate with competent authorities and professionals (doctors, public prosecutor) in managing such cases.
Experienced in efficient handling of Trafficking Victims

Data base and Case related info management

Brief and full social history taking

Other Duties

Collaborate with other actors in the area (public sector, NGOs and INGOs) to link the beneficiaries with the services needed
Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide a comprehensive case plan for beneficiaries
Organize group activities for beneficiaries aiming to their empowerment
Promote community engagement through structured activities

Required qualifications and skills

Degree on Social Work
Permission of Work
Experience in social work within the civil society sector, preferably working with vulnerable groups and refugees/migrants
3 years’ experience in relevant position (at least 2 years in Social Service and project serving refugees and migrants population)
Familiar with Refugee and Migration Issues
Cross Cultural Awareness and flexibility
Computer literate & numerate
Well organized and efficient
Good interpersonal & communications skills
Native in Greek
Fluent in English (both written and spoken)

Desired

Field work experience, e.g. in camps or temporary settlements
Interest and experience to work with vulnerable groups
Knowledge of Arabic, French or Farsi

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

thes-recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “Social Worker_ Thessaloniki’’

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

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.