Lay Counselor Educator

Overview:

MSF Italy has identified migrant and refugee survivors of torture and other forms of intentional violence (SoT) among the most vulnerable and neglected people.

For this reason, since 2020, MSF has developed in the Palermo metropolitan area a program specifically aimed at this target population through a multidisciplinary model of care (medical, psychological, and socio-legal support); until March 2023, the program has been implemented in collaboration with the Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale (ASP) of Palermo and the PROMISE department Forensic Medicine; the socio-legal assistance is strengthened through the collaboration with the association CLEDU.

From October 2023 two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) have been signed with the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico (AOUP) "Paolo Giaccone" and the University of Palermo with the aim of strengthening the SoT program in both clinical and research components.

The Project also aims to identify SoTs through outreach activities both in formal migrants/refugees' reception centers and informal settlements in the Palermo metropolitan area and beyond, to become a center of referral and provision of specific care for SoT.

Responsibilities:

The Lay Counselor Educator:

• Performs educational activities to patients, families, communities, in collaboration with other team members and partners.
• Provides information to patients on existing social and health care services at local level.
• Visits hospitalized beneficiaries who are taken in charge or evacuated from Lampedusa to inform on socio-legal/health rights services.
• Supports the rapid and safe transfer of beneficiaries to reception facilities, in Palermo or other places.
• Supports beneficiaries for: i) follow up of all registrations and integration documentation (STP/SSN instruction; TEAM; residence; etc.); ii) housing options; iii) enrolment in Italian language courses, public (CPIA, main option) or private; iv) job search; v) access to other services for autonomy; etc.
• Refers beneficiaries in need of accommodation, vocational training courses and employment to local stakeholders with specific mandate.
• Organizes appropriate referral and follow-up of beneficiaries with social needs discharged from the SoT Service or not taken in charge by the Service after the First Assessment, according to the SoT Project guidelines.
• Supports group activities and survivors engagement activities.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Essential second level high school diploma.
• Desirable formal degree in social work/anthropology.
• Desirable knowledge of migration context and legal framework in Italy.

Experience:

• Essential previous experience in migration context, access to territorial services, community engagement practices.
• Desirable working experience in reception centers, social services.
• Desirable volunteering and networking with local associations.
• Makes part of the target group of patients and is willing to share his/her own experiences (only valid for peer educators/counselors) (Desirable).

Languages:

• Essential Italian (B2).
• Desirable English language (B2).
• Knowledge of one of the languages of countries of origin of the target population or French is considered as a plus.

Knowledge:

• Essential computer literacy.

Competencies:

• Teamwork and cooperation.
• Behavioral flexibility.
• Results & quality orientation.
• Stress Management.
• Cross-cultural awareness.
• Commitment to MSF principles.

Requirements:

• Driving license B is a plus.
• Residence permit or citizenship is essential.

Conditions:

• Duty Station: Palermo.
• Contract: Fixed Term Contract (12 months), Part-time 62.5%, level IV of CCNL of Commerce.
• Gross Annual Salary: Min €15.650,00 - Max €18.800,00 depending on the experience of the selected candidate.
• The selected candidate will be entitled to a luncheon voucher worth €5,00 for each day worked for the entire period of his/her contract.
• MSF will cover a round trip ticket at the beginning and at the end of the contract.

Deadline for applications: 18/12/2024

Desired starting date: 15/01/2025

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants not invited for interview within 2 weeks from the closure of the vacancy may consider their applications unsuccessful.