JOIN US

Join our team on Samos!

We work in a demanding context.

Volunteers should expect to live and work in an environment that can, at times, be physically and emotionally demanding. On certain occasions, we have to work very long hours at short notice and deal with unfamiliar and challenging situations, including emergencies. 

We provide support and training for our team. Still, everyone applying to volunteer should be confident that they will be able to cope with the situation here both mentally and physically. 

General Volunteering

We are looking for team players who are also able to work independently. We need people who are patient, professional, and prepared to respect the pre-existing systems and code of conduct we’ve developed over the years to make our services as fair and smooth-running as possible, but who can also bring new, fresh ideas, energy, and enthusiasm.

Our timetable and each volunteer’s role vary depending on day-to-day needs. For this reason, an open mind and a flexible approach to work are essential.

You may assist with:

• Reception shifts;

• Facilitating recreational activities,

• Cleaning and maintenance of our spaces,

• Teaching classes,

• Translation (if applicable),

• Distributing clothing in our warehouse and/or free shop,

• Sorting and stocking our Non-Food Item donations,

• Other tasks depend on our projects and needs.

Language teachers

We are looking for volunteers to join our team on Samos and teach adult English language classes.

We are looking for enthusiastic people who are passionate about teaching and education.

Although a teaching qualification would be beneficial, it is not required.

If you have teaching experience or would be interested in teaching and you can commit for eight weeks or more, we would love to hear from you!

In your volunteer application below, make sure to mention you are interested in the teaching position.

The Logistics Officer is mainly responsible for maintaining and improving the Samos Volunteers buildings (community centers, warehouses, and volunteer houses) and vehicles. They will work under the supervision of the Logistics and Distribution Coordinator, also supporting with other tasks, including operating our clothes free shop and managing the warehouse.

We offer a stipend of 200 EUR to cover personal expenses and free accommodation in our volunteer houses.

Key responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

1) Maintenance of vehicles and buildings:

• Safety and security of the buildings (e.g., checking fire extinguishers);

• Maintenance of the spaces (Alpha Centre, Alpha Land, warehouse, and volunteer houses): repairs, cooperating with plumber, electrician, etc.;

• Bring the cars regularly to the mechanic and ensure they are safe and clean.

2) NFI distribution:

• Support the smooth operation of the free shop and ensure all beneficiaries receive an equal amount of items;

• Support the registration of beneficiaries using Boxtribute and Google Sheets;

• Act as the security focal point for the warehouse in the absence of the coordinator;

• Ensuring the warehouse and free shop are clean and tidy together with the coordinator;

• Support in the procurement of NFI and sorting incoming donations.

Key Requirements:

• Minimum commitment of 3 months;

• Basic maintenance and building skills (e.g., building shelves, fixing tents, repairing furniture);

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Strong organisational, decision making and conflict resolution skills;

• Experience in logistics and NFI distribution

• An understanding of the complexity and challenges of humanitarian work, ideally with experience in a similar organisation or environment;

• Flexibility. Living and working on Samos is constantly changing and adapting; two days never look the same. The ability to be adaptable and flexible is extremely important;

• Driver licence;

• Fluent in written and spoken English.

The Alpha Centre Officer and Alpha Land Officer oversee our community centres, including organising recreational activities. The roles also include leading the daily shifts and managing the volunteers on shift, ensuring that the centres are a safe and secure space for all service users in cooperation with the coordinators, stocking up on supplies and materials, and ensuring the centres are clean and organised.

We offer a stipend of 200 EUR to cover personal expenses and free accommodation in our volunteer houses.

Key responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee the Community Centre space;

• Organise recreational activities and create the schedule;

• Lead the shift in the Community Centre and manage the volunteers on shift;

• Ensure that the space is safe and secure for all service users in cooperation with the coordinators;

• Ensure the space is clean and organised;

• Stock up on supplies and materials;

• Co-facilitate our Women's Safe Space and/or LGBTQ+ support group.

Key requirements:

• Minimum commitment of 3 months;

• Experience in working with vulnerable or displaced populations;

• Experience in working in a community space or psychosocial projects;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Strong organisational, decision making and conflict-resolution skills;

• An understanding of the complexity and challenges of humanitarian work, ideally with experience in a similar organisation or environment;

• Flexibility. Living and working on Samos constantly changes and requires adapting; two days never look the same. The ability to be adaptable and flexible is extremely important;

• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Communications Officer

The Communications Officer is mainly responsible for our social media, supporting the Communications, Advocacy, and Fundraising Coordinator. The officer contributes to our project’s long-term sustainability through our social media, website, newsletter, and general donor relationship management. The role is especially rewarding because it involves taking on tasks on your own initiative. Next to these core tasks, it is possible to get involved in advocacy and/or fundraising. On a part-time basis (around 30%), the officer also supports our team with the different services we provide, to develop a clear understanding of our work, values, and daily operations.

We offer a stipend of 200 EUR to cover personal expenses and free accommodation in our volunteer houses.

Key responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Manage the social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter);

• Create and design content for these platforms;

• Take photos and videos in our spaces for social media use;

• Support with fundraising campaigns on social media;

• Ensuring our social media is in line with our guidelines and values;

• Support in writing the quarterly newsletter;

• Draft donation receipts and provide support to general donor management.

Key requirements:

• Minimum commitment of 3 months;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Fluent in written and spoken English; desirable: working knowledge of Greek

• The ability to follow a style guide and communications strategy;

• Previous experience in communications or social media (preferred for humanitarian, charitable and/or political causes);

• Graphic design, photography, video editing and writing skills are preferred;

• An understanding of the complexity and challenges of humanitarian work, ideally with experience in a similar organisation or environment;

• Flexibility. Living and working on Samos is constantly changing and adapting, and two days never look the same.

Key Requirements

• Minimum commitment of 6 months and ability to stay in Greece without visa support;

• Aged over 24;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

• Strong management, decision making and conflict-resolution skills;

• Experience in NFI distribution and logistics for a minimum of 6 months;

• Experience working in grassroots organisations (in Greece or a similar context);

• Understanding of the complexity and challenges of humanitarian work, ideally with experience in a similar organisation or environment;

• Flexibility. Living and working on Samos is constantly changing and adapting, and two days never look the same. The ability to be adaptable and flexible is extremely important;

• Driver’s licence;

• Fluent in written and spoken English.

• Desirable skills, knowledge, experience

• Farsi, Dari, Arabic, Greek or French languages are a plus;

• Good understanding of the asylum process in Greece;

• Good communication skills;

• Good team management skills;

• Awareness of the cultural diversity of the camp community

Equal Opportunities

All applications will receive equal treatment regardless of the applicant's sex, ethnic or national origin, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religious or political beliefs, marital status or family circumstances. Our aim is to foster a culture of inclusivity and to embrace and celebrate our differences. Therefore, we encourage applicants from under-represented backgrounds, such as people with lived experience of migration, people of colour, those who identify as LGBTQI+, and those from low-income backgrounds.

Further information

• The coordinator will have their reasonable living expenses refunded by the organisation in the form of a stipend of 700€ per month. A private room in one of our shared houses is provided free of charge.

• Mandatory time off: one week after three months of engagement; two weeks after six months if the engagement is extended for at least two more months.

• The selected candidate will have to be able to provide a criminal record check and two references.

• By sending your application, you consent to Samos Volunteers to process your personal data. You have the right to withdraw your data at any time. Read our Privacy Notice and Data Protection Policy for more information.

• If you have any questions about this role or want to learn more, please contact our project manager at projectmanager@samosvolunteers.org.

The Logistics and Distribution Coordinator is responsible for NFI distributions, including all the supply chain of in-kind donations from current donors, finding new donors, managing the warehouses and Free-shop, procurement and ensuring the maintenance of our spaces and vehicles.

Key responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Management of supply chain and procurement

1.1 Need Assessment

• Collect and manage data to assess needs and numbers of the asylum seekers population and plan the NFI distribution;

• Plan and oversee the main bi-yearly distributions (summer and winter distributions) for people present in the camp, with ongoing distributions of new arrivals;

1.2 Stock Management

• Ensure the warehouses and free-shop are clean, safe and tidy;

• Sort incoming NFI donations;

• Organise the stock of clothes by using tools ( e.g. Boxtribute) to make the distribution and the stock tracking possible (in case return/recycle excess stock);

1.3 Procurement

• Source of NFI donations and procurement of items not available through in-kind donations;

• Be a point of contact for NFIs donors and suppliers and circulating the stock needs list;

• Receive donations: manage their shipment, track the delivery of donations, providence evidence of use/implementation of donated items to donors, securely storing donations;

1.4 NFI Distribution

• Provide support to people not being able to access the Free-shop in collaboration with other NGOs (e.g. prepare clothing packs for hospitalized people);

• Plan and adapt the distributions based on the number, age, gender of people in the camp, as well as the available stock;

• Manage the Free-shop and ensure the distribution is fair to all the beneficiaries;

• Be responsible for the online registration system, work on improvements and adjustments;

• Adapt the Distribution to the changing needs of the displaced people and to the available stock;

• Assist beneficiaries during their distribution in the Free-Shop and support the team with the restock of the shop;

• Premises and vehicles maintenance

• Ensure safety and security of the spaces (e.g. ensure fire extinguishers are present and check expiry date);

• Be responsible for the maintenance of the spaces (Alpha Centre, Alpha Land, warehouses and volunteer houses): repairs, coordinating interventions from plumber, electrician etc.;

• Bring the cars regularly to the supplier/garage for regular checks and making sure they are safe and clean.

• Payment of the vehicles rental, utilities (water, electricity etc.) and supplies for our spaces (tea, coffee, cups, cleaning supplies etc.).

• Manage logistics volunteers’ team

• Liaise with Volunteer Coordinator about the number of volunteers needed for the logistics team;

• Direct management of a Logistics Officer;

• Direct responsible for the management of a team of at least 3 volunteers;

• Organise and chair daily logistics team meeting;

• Induct and train new volunteers;

• General coordination tasks

• Support with shifts in the community spaces;

• Attend weekly Field Coordination meetings;

• Join team building activities and weekly team meetings;

• Support the coordination team in covering additional tasks;

• Data collection, monthly reporting and strategic planning for the project;

• Report to the Project Manager;