Greece: Children Friendly Space (CFS) Manager

Lifting Hands International is looking for a Child Friendly Space Manager to start in September 2024 in Greece with a minimum six-month commitment.

About Us: 

Lifting Hands International operates a community center in Serres, a small city about an hour from Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. We work with a population of 1000+ refugees & asylum seekers at the local camps, providing regular aid distributions and a range of psychosocial support programs.

Role Profile: 

The Child Friendly Space (CFS) is a safe space for children (Under 13), The CFS is primarily a play based development programme for Early Years Children. CFS also offers school aged children sports, and an After School Club so they can relax and play.

Main Responsibilities: 

• Managing the daily running of the space:
  • Coordinating facilitators to run an inside Early Years development programme and outside After School Club games. Also providing Outside and Inside After school clubs games and sports activities;
  • Ensure resources are well looked after and the space is kept clean and tidy;
  • Stock control: ensure the space is well resourced for activities.
• Managing a team of visiting and community volunteers;
  • Training new CFS facilitators and conducting tri-weekly check-ins with them. Providing further training opportunities for facilitators as the need arises;
  • Lead weekly CFS meetings, planning activities and delegating tasks;
  • Lead monthly CFS community meetings;
  • Delegate roles based on programme needs.
• Programme development:
  • Monitoring and evaluation of visions and goals, writing reports;
  • Implementing strategies to engage children and community members in the space;
  • Adapt routines within the programme structure to meet the needs of children and the context;
  • Managing collaborations with partner organizations and visitors.
• Safeguarding children:
  • Maintain a stable and routined environment for children;
  • Be a responsible role model for children and facilitators;
  • Behavior management;
  • Report any child welfare concerns.
• Assisting with other duties when required. 

Essential Criteria: 

• Quick thinker, proactive, motivated, open-minded, easily adaptable to a fast-paced working environment, positive and adaptable to work with limited shared language with program participants.
• Previous experience in working with children in a refugee, forcibly displaced person, or at-risk youth context. (Previous experience working with children with a variety of ages from 3-12 is a plus)
• Be solution focussed, an active listener and possess a kind, understanding and approachable attitude.
• Understanding of how to put children’s rights into practice; maintaining routine and structure.
• Previous experience in people management
• Professional attitude, able to remain calm under pressure in a busy environment.
• Able to work well in a large, multicultural team
• Minimum six-month commitment
• Fluent English speaker
• Some knowledge and understanding of child development, and trauma informed care and practice with children

Desirable Criteria: 

• Understanding of the implementation of Psycho-Social-Support programs
• Understanding of the benefits of play for child development and stress reduction.
• Potential to stay on the team for 6-12 months
• Knowledge of Greek / Arabic / Kurmanji / Farsi
• International Drivers License

We Offer: 

• Free shared accommodation
• Five-day work week + full week break after every 6 to 8 weeks of work
• Monthly reimbursement (starting from 550 euros per month)

How to Apply: 

To apply, please fill out https://forms.gle/3vu1twYJLHGYDr3x7.

To learn more about Lifting Hands International in Greece and around the globe, visit our site at https://www.liftinghandsinternational.org/.

Please send any questions to our HR Director, Harvey, at volunteers@liftinghandsinternational.org.