The Project Officer is responsible for guiding and supporting the work with individual families participating in the project, for whom s/he has been allocated responsibility. This involves directly assessing the family situation of potential child participants and facilitating the development of a family’s first family development plan (FDP). Beyond the holder works closely with co-workers of the community-based partners (key implementation partners), to realize the program’s commitments towards the development of the family vis-à-vis the family’s own contributions, and to support the community-based partner in its role as the ‘first line’ of contact and support for the family. 

General aim of the position

• Facilitate community mobilization sessions together with the community-based organizations, local authority, community-based committees and the project coordinator. 

• Implement family development plan (FDP) at household level together with the community-based organizations, the project coordinator and local authorities based on the identified and prioritized needs

• Participate in strengthening the capacity of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to enable them support and care for the OVC to ensure sustainability

Priority Tasks & Responsibilities

• Facilitate community mobilization sessions together with the community-based organization, local authority, community-based committee and the project coordinator.

• Work towards to the promotion of Community based services in cooperation with the project coordinator and other SOS staff, CBOs, counterparts and beneficiaries

• Implement Family development plan (FDP) at household level together with the community based organization, project coordinator and local authority based on the identified and prioritized needs

• Participate in  strengthening the capacity of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to enable them support and care for the OVC to ensure sustainability

•  Provide technical support to the community  volunteers and project staff 

• Promote community based social integration for the OVC to ensure that children are protected and cared by their community

• Participate in the income generation activities with CBO and beneficiaries 

• Collect, analyse, update and compile data and status of beneficiaries on monthly basis

• Participate in the Identification of children with psychosocial problems/learning difficulties (if any) and refer them to an appropriate person for early intervention

• Conduct monthly meetings with the volunteers and beneficiaries, and report on the development

• Support the project coordinator in making appropriate decisions in relation to program activities

• Facilitate and arrange project related meetings, trainings and workshops 

• Represent the project coordinator during his/her absence 

• Network and collaborate with government departments and other NGOs involved in capacity building of communities

• Performs other similar duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor

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   

This job description outlines only the general scope of activity, and the basic tasks and responsibilities associated with this position. It is updated annually in the course of performance appraisal. It may be supplemented with a more detailed definition of tasks, responsibilities and involvement in processes.

Job Requirements

Must criteria

• Education:  Degree in Social Work or sociology or similar discipline.

• Experience:   4 years relevant experience

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 the knowledge of child right 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

CORE COMPETENCY (these competencies are relevant for every co-worker):

• 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 their references) electronically through SOS Children Villages Application portal (ICIMS) using THIS LINK

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.