Youth Care Officer at SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia

SOS Children's Villages Ethiopia

Position: Youth Care Officer

Job Time: Full-Time

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Hawassa - Ethiopia

Posted date: 1 month ago

Deadline: Submition date is over

Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, the Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those who are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government, and community-based organizations across seven program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect, and security.

Why do we need you?

We are looking for a Youth Care Officer who is responsible for guiding the SOS CV youth according to SOS CV policies and procedures towards independence so that when they leave the care of SOS CV they shall be self-sufficient contributing members of society.

What do we provide?

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth by providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

Your role?

While working with us as a Youth Care Officer you will be in charge of the following,

Priority Task and RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as a role model for the youth

The Youth Care Officer

• At all times behave in an exemplary manner to the youth under his/her care
• Lives close to or in the youth facility/village, and is present during weekday evenings, weekends, and holidays to develop close and meaningful relationships with the youths
• Follows the rules and regulations of the youth facility and at all times acts under the SOS CV policies and procedures to ensure that the youth are offered the best possible care

Fulfilling management and administrative duties

The Youth Care Officer

• Properly manages the paperwork and administration for the youth facility in collaboration with the national office
• Helps in budget preparation and administration. Accounts for all financial transactions as instructed by his/her manager or the operations department ensuring responsible financial planning at all times
• Ensures the properties/facilities and goods in the youth facility are effectively managed
• Produces good quality regular and ad-hoc reports in line with requirements from his/her manager and/or the national office
• Acts in a professional manner and treats all documentation and information in the strictest of confidence and line with all SOS policies and procedures
• Collects and shares youth care good practices
• Ensures the implementation and follow-up of the youth care evaluation

Guiding the personal development of youths

The Youth Care Officer

• leads the Individual Development Plan (IDP) process and ensures that each youth has an IDP and that this is used effectively
• leads the transition process where the youths are transferred from the village to the youth homes and then the resettlement process when the youths finally leave the youth homes
• Creates a safe environment for the youths to live in and promotes a supportive environment where each individual is encouraged to be involved in the day-to-day running of the home
• Enables the youths to take responsibility for their development and supports them in learning the required personal and practical skills needed to live an independent life

Creating opportunities for contact with the youth's family of origin, the SOS family, and the community

The Youth Care Officer

• Helps the youths in developing and maintaining good relationships with their wider families and communities
• Supports the youths to have regular and ongoing contact with their families of origin, facilitating specific opportunities for them to visit where possible
• Encourages them to gain an understanding of their social, religious, and cultural background
• Works with the mothers in the SOS village from where the youths have been transferred
• Ensures the youths maintain close contact with the SOS mothers, aunties, brothers and sisters

Supporting education and career development of the youths

The Youth Care Officer

• Motivates the youths to play an active part, both academically and socially, in the school/education facility. Helps them to see their strengths and weaknesses and encourages them to be responsible for their development
• Maintains close contact and links with the schools/educational facilities to ensure a good understanding of each youth’s educational abilities and needs
• Attends school meetings where required
• Guides the youths towards finding suitable employment once they have finished their education. Makes contact with colleges, and employers and gives career and interview guidance and advice
• Helps the youths gain the financial skills and responsibility needed to lead a secure and independent life outside of the youth facility

Supporting the SOS Mothers and village life

The Youth Care Officer

• Ensures the SOS mothers remain involved in the important discussions and decisions affecting the youths in the youth facility
• When required, meets with SOS mothers or head of FBC to discuss each youth's progress
• Encourages the youths to continue as active and supportive members of the SOS village community, attending events and supporting the SOS mothers in their family lives and homes
• Maintains good working relationships with the SOS mothers and all other co-workers within the village/FBC program

Child Safeguarding

• Responsible for ensuring that all beneficiaries are receiving ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about SOS Children’s Villages Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct.
• Ensure that all support is provided in the best interest of the child.
• Responsible for taking part in awareness-raising sessions and capacity-building trainings concerning CS and the Code of Conduct and for preventing and protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence, and discrimination
• Support children and young people to make them understand the CS risks and protection mechanisms
• Responsible for reporting any CS suspicion, concern, allegation, or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the CS team at the program level and/or to the respective line manager

Job Requirements

Up for the challenge...

Then check out our criteria:

Must Criteria

Education Requirements

• Ideally a post-high school Diploma/Degree (university, higher colleges) in a relevant discipline (for example education/childcare or child and/or youth care, community/social work)
• Fluency in English (official language) and working knowledge of (other or local languages)

Experience

• At least 3- 5 years’ previous experience in child/youth quality care
• Work experience in education, social work, or community development is desired
• Work experience with adolescents’ is desired
• Work experience in the national/local environment is desired

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Competences

• Good knowledge of child, youth, family, and community development
• Good knowledge of national childcare legislation and children’s rights
• Strong and highly effective interpersonal, listening, and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrates a high level of empathy/emotional intelligence, particularly when working with young people and adolescents
• Understanding and knowledge of subjects relating specifically to the care of adolescents (e.g. sexual health, HIV/Aids, relationships)
• Ability to work in a busy and pressurized environment
• High level of personal responsibility and integrity
• Good knowledge and understanding of the local and national culture and background
• ICT skills including working knowledge of Microsoft tools
• Ability to present professionally and effectively both on 1:1 and large groups basis

Core competency

• Kindness: Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.
• Continuous Learning: Make an effort to learn, understand, and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes.
• Inclusiveness: In any actions show respect and care for others.
• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act, and adapt to change when necessary.
• Results Orientation: look for solutions and focus on desired results.