Starting Date: December 2026

Status: Fixed term /Full Time

Child Safeguarding Policy: Level 3 – The job holder will have regular contact with children.

Reports to: Project Manager

Job Overview

The Social Scientist plays a key role in SolidarityNow’s project “CLEAR Communities: Clean Air, Equity and Resilience”, funded by the Clean Air Fund, which brings together air quality, energy poverty and community-level prevention in Athens and Thessaloniki. Based at the Athens Solidarity Center, the Social Scientist will identify vulnerable and low-income households affected by energy poverty and poor air quality, and actively support them in accessing the subsidies, benefits and programmes available to them, following each application through to resolution. The role also involves delivering monthly information sessions for the public, tracking new programmes and initiatives that can help households, and working closely with the Energy Poverty Alleviation Office of the Municipality of Athens, as well as with SN’s in-house legal advisory, social and accounting services.

Responsibilities

• Identify households eligible for energy support and assess their needs, drawing on the Solidarity Center’s services and on referrals from municipal social services and other local actors.
• Provide hands-on support to households in preparing, submitting and following up applications for benefits and programmes related to energy poverty, heating and energy efficiency (indicatively: the heating allowance, the Social Household Tariff, and energy upgrade and heating replacement programmes), until the process is completed.
• Prepare the material for, organise and deliver monthly information sessions, open to SN beneficiaries and the wider community, on the available programmes, benefits and rights, and attending relevant community events when needed.
• Continuously search for and monitor new programmes, calls and initiatives (public, municipal, European or civil society-led) that can benefit households, and integrate them into the support provided and into the information sessions.
• Work closely with the Energy Poverty Alleviation Office of the Municipality of Athens for referrals and coordination.
• Liaise with SN’s in-house legal advisory, social and accounting services to help resolve administrative or documentation barriers (e.g. residence permits, eligibility criteria, missing documents).
• Maintain case records, prepare progress reports and contribute to data collection and monitoring of the project.

Qualifications

• University degree in Social Sciences (e.g. Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science) from an accredited academic institution.
• Knowledge of programmes and benefits related to energy poverty, heating and energy upgrades in Greece, and of the relevant application procedures, or demonstrated ability and willingness to research and master them independently.
• Experience working with vulnerable or low-income populations.
• Ability to present and communicate clearly to groups of non-specialist audiences.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a caseload and adhere to tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Greek and English (written and spoken).
• Previous experience in supporting applications for relevant benefits or programmes is an advantage.
• Experience with refugees, migrants or Roma communities, and knowledge of other languages (e.g. Arabic, Farsi), is an advantage.
• High level of initiative, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Proficient with MS Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word business software.

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and motivation letter to recruitment@solidaritynow.org mentioning in the email subject “Social Scientist_ Energy Poverty Support_Athens”.

SN is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities and from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Recruitment processes reflect SN’s commitment to keeping children safe from harm and abuse. Employment is subject to SN Child protection standards, including background checks and adherence to SN Child Safeguarding Policy.

Due to the urgency of recruitment, SN reserves the right to complete the process as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified. Interested candidates should submit their applications (CV and motivation letter) no later than 23/11/2026.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.