Background

In response to the increased refugee arrivals into Europe, the IRC established the program initially in Greece, which was expanded with programs in Serbia and wider Balkans and with programs in Germany. Following a first assessment conducted in January 2017 in Italy and another one in July 2017, several critical protection gaps were identified within assistance provided to refugees and migrants in Italy: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), assistance to unaccompanied children, information provision and legal support. To respond to the identified gaps IRC established a small presence in Italy. The IRC in Italy provides essential safety, empowerment, education, livelihood and health services to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Our programs operate across the country, including in Trieste, Milan, Rome, Turin and various locations in Sicily and Calabria, with a strong focus on supporting the most vulnerable populations, such as women and children.

Context of the Assignment

IRC, in partnership with Ente Nazionale Acli Istruzione Professionale (E.N.A.I.P.) Piemonte, Ente Nazionale Acli Istruzione Professionale (E.N.A.I.P.) Friuli Venezia Giulia, Powercoders, Progetto Tenda, has been implementing the Digital Horizons project in Turin and Trieste, since February 2025.

Digital Horizons helps young refugees and migrants in Italy accessing sustainable employment through free software development training, job support, individual guidance and social support. The project focuses on youth aged 16–30, arrived in Italy in recent years, who are seeking to break down integration barriers, improve mental health and build pathways to long-term work opportunities.

By working with public job centers (PES), vocational training providers (VET), IT companies and employers, the project prepares participants for high-demand digital careers and supports them with mental health services, individual job counselling and psychosocial support, job placement, a safe and quiet space to study, access to social services, language training, and childcare.

Simultaneously, it also builds the capacity of institutions and employers to create more inclusive opportunities for the target population.

To support the participants who need individual mental health support, IRC is seeking a psychotherapist, to deliver individual online counseling sessions, to support students’ mental and psychosocial wellbeing during the project and while integrating positively into the host country.

Job Overview:

The consultant will manage the provision of targeted mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for individuals impacted by trauma, while working closely with the IRC team. MHPSS services will be specific to the needs of migrant and refugee youth and will be informed by an understanding of traumatic experiences, cultural norms around mental health and gender perspective. The psychologist will ensure services are survivor-centered, rights-based, and integrated with protection, case management, and referral pathways.

The Consultant will be based in Italy and support IRC response to youth, under the “Digital Horizons” project, working remotely. The position will report to the Program Manager, Economic Wellbeing and work in collaboration with the IRC Italy Integration counselor and integration caseworker, based in Turin and Trieste.

During the Term of the Agreement, Contractor shall complete the following deliverables (the “Deliverables”):

• Intake of beneficiaries, psychological assessment and treatment planning
• Providing online individual psychological support
• Psychosocial orientation and referral of clinical cases requiring psychiatric care;
• Maintain clinical records compliant with data protection and GBV/child safeguarding standards and regularly updating anonymized narrative and quantitative data

Timeframe:

The assignment will end upon completion of above-listed deliverables and in any case no later than on 30th September 2026. Individual sessions’ schedule will be decided in agreement with beneficiaries.

Competencies and Skills:

• Licensed psychotherapist
• At least 3 years of proven clinical experience
• Experience with GBV, intersectional gender issues, intersectional identities and/or LGBTIQ+ community is required. Gender studies or GBV training are an asset.
• Experience with youth is required
• Experience with migrants and refugee population, in humanitarian and protection contexts is highly desirable
• Trauma‑informed, culturally sensitive practice
• Ability to work via remote sessions with robust data security practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ethical judgment, boundaries, and safeguarding
• Personal qualities: empathy and patience, works well in and promotes interdisciplinary teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible, communicates clearly.
• Knowledge of English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Ukrainian, Urdu, Pashtu, Farsi is an asset

Application Documentation:

• CV in English OR Italian

Agreement and Payment Terms:

The specific details of the agreement, including the scope of work, timelines, deliverables, intellectual property rights, and any other pertinent provisions, will be negotiated and outlined in the contractual agreement to ensure clarity, transparency, and mutual understanding between IRC and the consultant/group of consultants.