JOB DESCRIPTION

Social worker

Job summary:

The Social Worker works in strict compliance with the quality principles and objectives of SOS Children’s Villages. He/she provides SOS parents with assistance in the pedagogical field for the implementation of school, family and professional education programs for children. He/she assists the local Alternative Care Coordinator in the psychosocial support of parents. He/She is responsible for collecting information on the child’s history and current situation and supports the SOS parents in their cooperation with the children’s family of origin. He/she ensures the proper conduct of the case management process and is at the level of SOS CV, the person in charge of the children’s file.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Admission and Development of children in a SOS Children’s Village

• Carry out social assessment of the situation of children applying for admission;
• Compile the files of the children to be submitted to the admissions committee;
• Ensure the preparation of the SOS parents, the child and the family of origin for admission;
• Record children’s information in the program database and regularly update information;
• Participate in the development and implementation of child development plans;
• Participate in the educational and professional orientation of children and young people in care;
• Identify obstacles and assess the potential of each child and young person in care;
• Participate in the annual assessment of the placement situation of each child with a view to family reunification or change of care setting;
• Assist the Local Alternative Care Coordinator in managing relationships with families of origin or caregivers of children, and social partners;
• Participate in the development of plans for the reintegration of children into their family of origin / or exit plan from care.

• Participate in the follow-up of children reintegrated into their families of origin.
• Maintaining relationships with children’s origins or foster families;
• Support SOS parents, aunts/family assistants and program managers in the health and nutritional monitoring of children;
• Participate in the identification of the socio-emotional difficulties of children/young people and propose solutions.
• Create with SOS parents, the framework for the social integration of SOS families and children and young people;
• Accompany/Interview children/young people on sexual and reproductive health.

Capacity building and supervision

• Provide SOS parents with the assistance they need to analyze and interpret information collected on children and their specific psycho-emotional needs;
• Contribute to the ongoing training of SOS parents for the proper care of children;
• Coach SOS parents for the appropriation of the L&D skills development approach;
• Participate in the performance evaluation of SOS parents;
• Work as a team with other staff members and SOS parents for the integral development of children;
• Keep confidential the information gathered during the interview sessions with parents and children;
• Get informed and trained to improve his/her practices;
• Participate in team meetings.
• Report any suspected cases of abuse, exploitation or inappropriate behavior between children or between an adult and a child.

Administration and Finance

• Compile the files of families and children on admission and update them regularly;
• Collect and update information in the program database;

• Take the necessary steps to obtain the children’s civil and legal documents;
• Perform the filing of files;

• Participate in the recruitment of SOS parents, aunts or family assistants;
• Participate in the development of SOS family budgets and ensure that the family budget is available on time (household allowances, clothing costs, school fees);

• Ensure the follow-up of the budget sheets;

• Advise SOS families on the use and maintenance of SOS house equipment;
• Prepare the minutes of the admission sessions, reports and quarterly plans for visibility of the actions implemented;
• Hold the hotlines for the reception of users of the psychosocial service, if necessary.

Qualifications and skills

• Have a degree in social work;
• Have a professional experience of at least (3 years) in the field;
• Be able to manage conflicts and personal and interpersonal relationships in a constructive way;
• Have strength of character, maturity and personal balance to deal with situations of distress;
• Have a sense of contact, diplomacy and patience;
• Ability to work under pressure and act calmly in difficult situations;
• Have the ability to listen and the ability to express ideas with confidence;
• Be rigorous and organized;
• Ability to demonstrate discretion, courtesy and integrity.
• Ability to write and speak in French and be fluent in at least the local language of the environment;
• Be open to continuous learning and personal development.
• Computer proficiency is an asset.
• Be prepared to live the philosophy of SOS: identify with the values, vision and mission of the organization and put the principles and standards into practice.

The employee agrees to perform other related activities of an appropriate level as may occur from time to time or in emergency situations.

Child Safeguarding