Youth Care Officer

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 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 we provide?

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

 Your role?

While working with us 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 behaves 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 in order to develop close and meaningful relationships with the youths
• follows the rules and regulations of the youth facility and at all times acts in accordance with 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 in 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 developments 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 own development and supports them in learning the required personal and practical skills needed to live an independent life

Creating opportunities for contact with the youths family of origin, 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 on-going contact with their families of origin, facilitating specific opportunities for them to visit where possible
• Encourages them to gain 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 individual strengths and weaknesses and encourages them to be responsible for their own 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 education. Makes contact with colleges, 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 discussion and decisions affecting the youths in the youth facility
• When required, meets with SOS mothers or head of FBC to discuss each youths progress
• Encourages the youths to continue as an active and supportive member 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 to ensure 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 on the best interest of the child.
• Responsible to take part in raise awareness raising sessions and capacity building trainings in relation to CS and Code of Conduct and to prevent and protect 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 to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the CS team at programme level and/or to the respective line manager

Job Requirements

 Up for the challenge…

 Then check out our criteria’s:

 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 child care legislation and child’s rights
• Strong and highly effective interpersonal, listening and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrates a high level of empathy/emotional intelligence particularly 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.

How to Apply

 Excited to take on a new Challenge..

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

 Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts 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, police clearance reference check processes.

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