Project Community Social Worker

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, 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’s and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that 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 we need you?

We are looking for a Project community Social Worker who will engage in ensures the holistic development of children in street situations including physical and behavioural and ensure the empowerment of families in childcare and protection.

What we provide?

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

Your role?

As a Project community Social Worker, you will be in charge of the following, you will be in charge of the following: 

• Prepares and submits for approval long- and short-term plans for social services
• Formulate, updates and/or recommends policies and procedures governing the development of social service programs, internal regulations issues, etc. in an effort to properly raise children and prepare them for better adult life and to become responsible members of the society.
• Direct, coordinates, supervises and performs social welfare programs that are being implemented by the children in street situation project.
• Reporting child abuse cases, providing support services, participating in investigations of abuse based on the existing procedures.
• Developing and implementing case plans including reviews and evaluations.
• Follows-up, evaluates and recommends measures to be taken in order to improve services to children in street situations.
• Develops and recommends child admission criteria.
• Initiates, coordinates and provides guidance and counseling services to children and young people in close cooperation with project counselors.
• Guides the youth and develops programs to help them to build self-independent life. easily integrate with the communities.
• Ensures and encourages the participation of children and youth in developing programs, especially in need assessment undertakings.
• Collaborate with different external offices on matters of common concern for the provision of better services for the children in street situations, attend workshops and meetings as assigned by the project coordinator.
• Advises and assists the social workers who provide service in dropping centers in implementing child protection principles.
• Developing and implementing case plans including reviews and evaluations.
• Updating data on children in street situations.
• Facilitating workshops as required.
• Ensures that children receive medical attention/ first-aid services if they are ill, injured and need medical treatment, refers serious cases to clinics and follows-up referral cases to hospitals.
• Performs other similar duties as assigned by the children in street situation project.
• Actively engage in Child Safeguarding activities to ensure Child Friendly environment.

Your role?  (CHILD, YOUNG PEOPLE, ADULT AND ASSET) 

• Responsible for taking part in awareness-raising sessions and capacity building training in relation to Safeguarding to prevent and protecting children, young people, adults and asset from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination
• Support children, young people and adults to make them understand the safeguarding risks and protection mechanisms  
• Ensure that safeguarding measures are in place within area of his/her responsibility and that staff, associates and other key stakeholders are aware of safeguarding principles and measures.
• Responsible for reporting any safeguarding suspicion, concern, allegation, or incident immediately, following the safeguarding reporting procedures. Safeguarding reports should be made to the safeguarding team at the program level and/or to the respective line manager; and
• Responsible for ensuring behaviours and all relationships are based on safeguarding and in line with the Code of Conduct and adhering to it in every situation.
• Conduct themselves by the Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Local/Country Policies and Procedures.
• Be vigilant about any possible form of abuse/harm, neglect, harassment, or exploitation against children, youth and adults in personal and professional lives.
• Report any safeguarding incident or concern within 24 hours to the Incident Management Team, focal person or concerned party through the defined channels for reporting the allegation.

Job Requirements

 Must Criteria

• Education: Degree in Social Work or sociology or similar discipline.
• Experience: A minimum of 4 years of direct, hands-on experience working with highly vulnerable children. 

 Desired Criteria 

• Experience in facilitating workshops and community awareness-raising sessions on topics like child rights, protection, and safeguarding.

• Experience in program development, including designing, implementing, and evaluating social service programs from needs assessment to final review.

• Direct experience in case managing or working within a formal child protection referral system.

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• The incumbent requires knowledge of social work theories, practices and procedures.
• The incumbent requires knowledge and understanding of all pertinent legislation and policies.
• The incumbent requires specific knowledge in the areas of needs assessment, family dynamics, the impact of trauma, psycho-social functioning theories and practices and child protection theories, models and practices.
• The incumbent requires knowledge of case management, case conferencing and investigation and intervention theories and practices.
• The incumbent must be able to respond or assist in emergency situations and have very good interpersonal, mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• The incumbent must also has knowledge of child rights and UNCRC
• He/she must have well developed organizational, verbal and written communications skills, interviewing and analytical skills and good computer skills.
• The incumbent must be flexible, adaptable and able to work effectively in a variety of settings and in a cross-cultural situation and be knowledgeable of the services available in the community. He/she must demonstrate sound judgment particularly in dealing with aggressive care givers and children at risk.
• Communication
• Planning and organizing
• A desire to help children in need
• Conflict resolution
• Report Writing
• Counselling techniques Computer literacy

Lead and Core competencies:

Lead competency:

• Role model: Act as a role model for the organization, living our values and inspiring and learning from others.
• Collaboration: Remove barriers to participation, share decision making and build partnerships.
• Empowerment: Promote inclusion and equitable sharing of power.
• Strategic Thinking: Live the values and mission, setting realistic goals and translating them into actionable plans.

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: Prioritize safeguarding, look for solutions and focus on desired results.

How to Apply

Excited to take on a new Challenge...

Then send us your application (application letter, detailed CV containing contact details of their references) electronically through SOS Children Villages Application portal (ICIMS)

Click to view our EVP Brochure

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.  Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection, and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, and police clearance reference check processes.

SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia provides equal employment opportunities to all co-workers & qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.