Location: Samos (Vathy town), Greece
Position Type: Full-time
Reporting to: Project Coordinator
Starting date: As soon as possible
Duration: 6 month volunteer agreement
Stipend: Monthly stipend of 350 Euros for accommodation, plus a monthly living allowance of 300 Euros
Organisational Context
The Human Rights Legal Project (HRLP) is a legal aid organisation based on Samos working to uphold the fundamental rights of displaced people at the borders of the European Union (EU) by providing legal assistance to affected communities, by pursuing strategic legal action to hold authorities accountable to their national and international obligations, and by advocating for a humane EU migration policy that respects the human rights of all people.
HRLP was founded in 2020, with the primary purpose of representing asylum-seekers and refugees who have suffered human rights violations in Greece, and along the border.
HRLP is a small organisation, challenging big power. We are politically and financially independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. HRLP consists of a team of 5 staff in its office in Vathy, and a Steering Committee of 5 women across Europe.
Purpose of the Role
As the organisation continues to expand and grow we are seeking to recruit a volunteer caseworker to support the two lawyers and the legal coordinator in the team, under the global supervision of the project coordinator.
Responsibilities
The volunteer caseworker will be an integral part of the HRLP team on Samos and support the organization in its response to the legal needs and cases as they arise. Primary tasks will include:
- Manage the hotline of the organisation, arrange appointments with clients, collect testimonies by conducting interviews, follow up on individual cases by preparing case files, contact authorities, refer to other actors, etc;
- Contribute to monitor human rights violations against asylum-seekers and refugees residing in the CCAC Samos. In particular, public authority violence and misconduct, false or unlawful detention, and medical negligence and denial of access to essential healthcare service;
- In cooperation with the legal coordinator participate in information workshops to the refugee community, explaining and promoting HRLP’s legal work;
- Develop relationships with the refugee and asylum seeking communities, and maintain secure administrative processes for recording and storing confidential data;
- In cooperation with the legal coordinator and the lawyers, maintain the case management system to accurately reflect the project’s caseload;
- Develop an understanding of the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the refugee and migrant community and provide input into programming.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- Currently studying or having completed a university level degree in a relevant field, like law, human rights, migration, political sciences, international and European studies, social work, journalism or other;
- Interest and motivation to work in the area of human rights and migration and dedication to the pursuit of justice and due process in the field of migration.
- Awareness of ethical guidelines for the humanitarian field.
- Ability and willingness to work in a dynamic and highly challenging environment.
- Ability to work in a team, adaptability and strong communication skills
- The right to live and volunteer in Greece for at least 6 months.
- Fully fluent in English.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Previous experience either working or volunteering in a humanitarian/migration context, in particular in Greece;
- Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, trauma-informed approach training;
- Comfortable speaking in public
- Ability to work independently, strong organisational skills;
- Knowledge of Greek, Arabic, Farsi or Somali;
Compensations and Benefits
- Opportunity for professional growth and career advancement
- 350 Euros accommodation stipend per month. HRLP does not provide the accommodation.
- 300 Euros living allowance per month
- 25 days annual leave + public holidays (pro rata to 12.5 days over 6 month period)
How to apply
Application Procedure
Please send a CV and Cover Letter, by 4 February, on how you meet the criteria listed above and how your experience is relevant to [email protected] . Recruitment will be conducted in line with safer recruitment principles. Only appropriately qualified candidates will be considered.
HRLP is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. HRLP encourages people with lived migration experience to apply.