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 Program Officer- Youth Care & Development  who is responsible for guiding the youth under the targets of SOS CVE  according to SOS CVE Youth Development guide and procedures towards independence, so that when they leave the care  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 an Program Officer- Youth Care & Development, you will be in charge of the following,

• Leads the Individual Development Plan (IDP) process and ensures that each youth has an IDP and that this is used effectively; enabling them to take responsibility for their own development and supporting them in learning the required soft and life skills needed to live an independent life

• Prepares awareness raising session for youth & Adolescent girls on sexual violence protective measures and sexual reproductive health.

• Supports psychological development of young people and their identity finding as well as to promote mental health through psycho-social support and training activities

• Identifies risk behaviors in young people and risk situations young people are exposed to in their communities in order to jointly prevent and respond to them

• Identification and referral for Sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) cases for legal support, medical treatment, MHPSS and livelihoods support;

• Facilitates regular health check-ups of the children, caregivers and youth to ensure they are well nourished and healthy.

• Plays an active point of contact for care leavers, nurturing long term links to caregivers and maintain contact information, with consent of young people

• Supports the maintenance of good relationships of the young people with their SOS family, their family of origin and the community

• Organizes and coordinates youth-related leisure time activities, whenever possible using the offers of the community.

• Supports and counsel caregivers living and working with young people in individual and/or group settings

• Builds young people’s participation skills in order to empower young people towards actively participating and getting involved in decision-making

• Provides young people with on-going career counselling and job orientation based on a clear understanding of each person’s skills, abilities, aspirations and matching them with labor market requirements

• Guides the youths towards finding suitable employment once they have finished education.

• Supports the youths to have regular and on-going contact with their families of origin, facilitating specific opportunities for them to visit where possible.

• Ensures the implementation and follow up of the youth care & development evaluation

• Regularly updates the Programme Database in relation to youth development

• Monitors young people’s development and transition to independence 

Child Safeguarding

• Responsible to raise awareness of the SOS Child Protection Policy principles and to prevent and protect children and young people from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination

• Ensures strong focus on CS prevention by organising informal and formal discussions, workshops and other capacity buildings activities for 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  

• Ensures strong focus on CS prevention by organising informal and formal discussions, workshops and other capacity buildings activities for children and young people to make them understand the CS risks and protection mechanisms  

Job Requirements

Must criteria

Education: BA Degree in Sociology, Social Work, Psychology or related discipline with health background.

Experience: At least 3 years  previous experience in child/youth quality care.

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Profound comprehension and knowledge of youth care and development

• Knowledge about trauma (trauma-informed care) and mental health

• Familiarity with and awareness of UNCRC (UN Child Rights Convention), child and youth care acts & other relevant national (and local) legislation in connection with safeguarding

• Good comprehension of planning, implementation and monitoring of child, youth and family development 

Methodical competencies

• Youth-centered

• Participatory and creative

• Playful and dynamic approach

• Analytical and constructive

• Capability for goal-oriented planning, reporting and acting

• Practical and proactive

• Leading by example

 Social competencies

•  Empathy and cultural sensitivity

• Active listening

• Openness and honesty

• Respect for young people, positive, strengths-based, gender-sensitive view of young people

• Ability to realistically assess young people’s talents, skills and interests

• Counselling skills

• Motivational skills

• Conflict management

• Clear communication

• Able to forge partnerships

• Networking skills

• Practical and solution-oriented

 Personal competencies

•  Strong interest in child and youth care and in working with young people

• Readiness to make a long-term commitment and to live with young people (for residential staff)

• Stable, mature and reflective personality

• Self-management

• Responsibility

• Resilience

• Ability to work under pressure

• Ability to ask for professional support/ supervision when needed

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 CLICK HERE

 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.