Mental Coach - Refugee Accomodation

Where are you going to work?

The Netherlands Red Cross plays an active role in supporting refugees and displaced people across the country. Our activities include supporting emergency and crisis accommodation facilities, Humanitarian Service Points, transportation to and from reception locations, helplines, and restoring contact between family members who have been separated. In addition, we establish and support accommodation facilities within the Netherlands when needed, often in collaboration with municipalities or The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). Currently, the Netherlands Red Cross coordinates three accommodation locations for displaced people from Ukraine in the Amsterdam-Amstelland region.

What to Expect?

As a Mental Coach at an  your primary goal is to reduce psychosocial stress and support residents in managing their emotions and overall wellbeing. You will do this through one-on-one conversations, active listening, and maintaining regular contact with residents.You have a professional background that matches the needs of the target group, speak their language, and understand their cultural context. Through an approachable and accessible working style, you provide support to residents who wish to talk about their experiences, concerns, or everyday challenges.When specialized support is required, you guide residents towards appropriate healthcare or support services and follow established referral and escalation procedures.

You will be employed through an external staffing agency and assigned to work for the Netherlands Red Cross. You will be part of a team, which consists of a Location Manager, a Site Coordinator, and Resident Support Officers. While you work independently on a day-to-day basis, the Location Manager will be your primary operational contact. In addition, a regional Coordinator is available for professional guidance and support. Internal escalation procedures are in place for consultation and referral to external care providers whenever necessary.

What are your core tasks going to be?

• Conduct individual support conversations with residents who wish to speak with you. Provide a listening ear and help reduce general stress levels while supporting residents in emotional regulation.
• Create a safe environment in which residents can share their experiences and concerns.
• Assess support needs and distinguish between general psychosocial support and situations requiring specialized care. Refer and guide residents to appropriate professional healthcare or support services when necessary, in consultation with internal advisors.
• Record and report the number of conversations held. Periodically discuss signals, trends, and operational challenges with the Location Manager and Regional Coordinator.

What do you bring?

• A Bachelor’s degree in either Psychology, Social Work, Counselling or a related field
• Experience conducting supportive conversations with people in vulnerable situations.
• A compassionate yet pragmatic approach, combined with a respectful attitude towards residents.
• Strong analytical and empathetic skills, with the ability to motivate and encourage others.
• Knowledge of and experience working with refugees, displaced populations, or similar target groups.
• A strong commitment to confidentiality, privacy, and the careful handling of personal information.
• Flexibility to work evenings when this better meets the needs of residents.
• Basic Dutch and good English language skills.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and/or Russian.
• Commitment to the mission of the Red Cross and the Seven Fundamental Principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality
  

What We Offer

The work you do has real social impact. You will contribute directly to an organisation dedicated to helping people in vulnerable situations.

• A people-centred working environment where your wellbeing matters and where there is room for initiative and personal development.
• An agency contract through Aethon with a zero-hours agreement, with an average of 12 hours per week (working days and hours to be agreed).
• Salary in Scale 9  as mentioned in the collective agreement (CAO) of the Netherlands Red Cross, depending on education and experience, ranging from €3,306.85 to €4,415.57 gross per month based on a full-time employment contract of 40 hours per week.
• Travel allowance and holiday allowance.

Join Us

Interested? Please submit your CV and motivation letter through the application button. We encourage motivated candidates to apply as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until suitable candidates have been identified. For questions regarding this vacancy, please contact Jazz van Wegen, Talent Manager Netherlands Red Cross at Aethon, via: rodekruis@aethon.nl

Recruitment Process

After clicking the application button, you will be redirected to the Aethon website, where you can complete the application form and upload your CV and motivation letter. Aethon will manage the recruitment process on behalf of the Netherlands Red Cross. The selection process may consist of multiple interview rounds. Integrity screening, including a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), online assessment and reference checks, may form part of the recruitment process.For more information about the work of the Netherlands Red Cross, please visit www.rodekruis.nl or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X..

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.