The Cyprus Refugee Council is interested to hire two motivated individuals to carry out the tasks of the (a) Social Advisor (full-time) for the project Strengthening Asylum in Cyprus funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Country Office in Cyprus, (b) Social Advisor/project officer (part-time) to work on projects related to victims of torture and violence.
Organizational Context
The Cyprus Refugee Council is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with a focus on refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking victims and survivors of torture. CY.R.C. strives to safeguard, support and advocate for the rights of vulnerable groups in Cyprus as well as promote their effective integration into local society.
(a) Vacancy – Social Advisor (full-time)
Major Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide counseling and assistance to international protection beneficiaries and asylum seekers in order to ensure that they have access to their rights as these are envisaged in national, European and international law.
- Assist individuals, both asylum seekers and persons with international protection, in accessing services conducive to their well-being and integration, including access to medical services, vocational training, language classes, employment and welfare support.
- Monitor access to the aforementioned rights and prepare detailed reports for evidence-based advocacy interventions with the authorities, including through monitoring visits to reception facilities, house visits and community outreach activities.
- Analyze the cultural, political and economic capacities of communities of concern and, based on the information gathered, implement activities that enhances their communal capacities and resilience.
- Identify individuals with specific needs, including older persons, persons with disabilities, unaccompanied and separated children, single parents, survivors of torture, trafficking and sexual and gender-based violence, and assist them, including through advocacy with the authorities for their prompt identification and access to special support.
- Coordinate and conduct multi-functional participatory assessments for identifying the protection risks and appropriate response for persons of concern across the island.
- Provide information, advice, and guidance to persons of concern both in one-on-one meetings and in sessions.
- Liaise with the authorities and NGO partners for the better coordination of service-provision to persons of concern.
- Ensure that men, women, girls, boys of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and abilities participate in the assessment, planning and implementation of all protection, social and educational activities.
- Undertake other duties as required.
Academic Qualifications Required
- University degree in Social Sciences, Counseling, Psychology or other related field.
- Additional training in counseling, crisis intervention, conflict management or related fields will be considered an asset.
Relevant Experience Required
- 3 years experience in social support, case management and counseling.
- Experience in community mobilization and capacity-building.
- Experience working with vulnerable groups, particularly children and adolescents.
- Experience working in a multi-cultural and multi-national context.
Skills required
- Excellent command of Greek and English language; knowledge of an additional language, such as Arabic or French, would be considered an asset.
- Excellent writing and drafting skills.
- Analytical skills: ability to conduct situation analysis, social analysis of risk factors, as well as analysis of the political and economic context.
- Ability to mobilize resources including within communities of persons of concern.
- Ability to coordinate various activities and partners, including persons of concern, for an optimal use of resources.
- Ability to assess training needs and design training modules and deliver training to educate other people.
- Negotiating skills.
- Counselling and mentoring skills, both individually and in groups.
- Communication, inter-personal skills and team work
- Good computer skills, including excellent use of word processing and spreadsheet software.
(b) Vacancy – Social Advisor/project officer (part-time)
The position is on a contract based until the end of 2018 with a possibility of renewal.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assess vulnerabilities and needs during individual meetings with persons of concern
- Provide information, advice, and guidance to persons of concern both in group sessions and one-on-one meetings
- Assist persons of concern in accessing their social rights and available services, properly document problems and intervene with the authorities as necessary and appropriate
- Liaise closely with other local organisations and partner organisations abroad
- Support the project coordinator in carrying out the project related administrative tasks and organization of advocacy activities
- Travel within Cyprus and abroad as requested
Academic and Training Qualifications required
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or other related field.
- Training or experience related to project management is highly desired
- Training on sexual and gender based violence, counseling, and crisis intervention is desirable
Relevant Experience Required
- Minimum one (1) year experience in social support, case management and counseling.
- Experience working with vulnerable groups.
- Experience working in a multi-cultural and multi-national context.
Relevant Experience and Skills Required
- Excellent command of Greek and English language
- Excellent writing and drafting skills.
- Counseling and mentoring skills, both individually and in groups.
- Good knowledge of gender related issues and situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Cyprus
- Communication, inter-personal skills and team work
- Good computer skills, including excellent use of word processing and spreadsheet software.
Applications for both vacancies MUST include a CV and a cover letter. Please send your completed application to info@cyrefugeecouncil.org, and state in the subject the position you are applying for.
Deadline for applications : 15 July 2018. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.