SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya implements programs in five (5) of Kenya’s 47 Counties namely Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Meru. We seek to recruit suitably qualified persons to fill the position:
YOUTH CO-CARE WORKER – 1 POSITION (ELDORET)
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Programme Director, The YCCW is responsible for guiding SOS Children’s Villages Kenya youth (within the Village and the youth homes and community) towards independence, so that they may eventually become self-sufficient, contributing members of society.
In achieving this, the youth leader should be seen as a peer, counsellor and role model providing guidance, support and a positive example to the youth. The youth leader is the facilitator of the personal development of the youth.Main Clients:
- SOS
Children’s Villages Kenya children
- Young
adults
- Youth
Care Workers
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as a Role Model for the
Youth
- Follow
the rules and regulations of the youth homes and live as a fully
contributing member, participating in day-to-day chores and
activities.
- Behave
in an exemplary manner at all times so that the youth may have a model
from which they may learn how to live successful lives
- Strive
to be exemplary in all spheres of own life at all times.
- Live
in the youth home and be present at all times in order to guide the youth.
Be accessible to the youth at all times – weekdays, evenings,
weekends.
- Build relationships with the
youth that are based on mutual respect for each other. • Have
informal and formal forums on a regular basis, which allow the youth to be
free to open up to the youth leaders. Be able to win and keep the
confidence of the youth.
- Guide the Personal Development
of the Youth
- Develop
and maintain up-to-date and in-depth Individual Development Plans of each
of the youth which have developed with input from the youth in
relation to his/her capabilities – academic and non – academic input
from the SOS Children’s Villages Kenya care givers, ACC and
Programme Educator.
- Monitor
each youth’s personal development to observe social, physical or other
changes, which may indicate a need for counselling
- Assist
the youth in addressing any personal or social problems they may face,
supporting them and guiding them through difficult times.
- Provide Educational and Career
Guidance for Youth
- Develop
a clear understanding of each youth’s skills, abilities, future prospects
and aspirations, in order to provide meaningful guidance.
- Provide
young adults and children with ongoing career counselling and job
orientation. Encourage youth to take initiatives in researching
career opportunities.
- Keep up-to-date with available
vocational training and educational opportunities. • Get
the youth into colleges that will best bring out the youths’ potential
academic and non – academic
- Provide the youth with
information that will help them to make informed choices in terms of
career choices, Reproductive health, relationships, HIV/AIDS, Drugs
and substance abuse etc. • Conduct business management courses for
aspiring youth so that they are able to make informed proposals for
their business ventures, including detailed research or feasibility study. • Put
in place business monitoring tool with proper documentation. Encourage the
youth to form business groupings where possible.
- Encourage Youth to take Responsibility
for Themselves.
- Assist
the youth living within the youth home and community to manage the
household themselves and to live effectively with others. This
includes facilitating the establishment of youth homes rules and
regulations in consultation with the youth.
- Ensure
the youth report any maintenance required in the youth home, and that they
carry our simple maintenance work.
- Promote Community Service and
integration
- Identify
and promote clearly mapped out community service programme with proper
checks and balances.
- Identify
and promote community service opportunities among the youth. Administer
the placement of youth in short or long-term programmes.
- Encourage
youth to take advantage of opportunities which integrate them with the surrounding
community, and which expose them to life outside SOS Children’s Villages,
such as clubs etc.
- Assist with the integration of
youth into the community. Develop consistent and effective community
service programmes in the youth facilities.
- Involve
the youth in service in their immediate community – this will be done for
the youth in the youth home and the village with the hope of
creating in them a sense of wanting to give back to the
community.
- Work
out a way to enable the youth use some of the allowances that they get in
community service.
- Form
networks and relationships with Community Based Organisations and
Charitable Organisations, which would help SOS Children’s Villages
Kenya identify the areas in which the youth’s services would be best
situated.
- Work
in close consultation with SOS Children’s Villages Kenya staff to involve
the children in the village in community service that is undertaken
by the youth.
- Encourage
the youth to be proactive in the socio-political and socio-economic affairs
that are affecting the country.
- Create & Maintain Links
with the SOS Children’s Village
- Participate
in annual planning of activities
- Ensure
youth living in the Youth Home maintain close contact with their SOS
Mothers and families. This includes participating in special family events
and supporting their SOS Mothers.
- • Involve the SOS Mothers in the youth
activities. Consult SOS Mothers on major decisions affecting the
youth’s future, e.g., a transfer to the youth home or to a different
school.
- Develop
a close interaction between youth within the Village and those living in
the Youth home or to a different school. Interact with the children
in the villages so as to create awareness and a sense of
responsibility to enable them take an active role in their family houses.
- Assist
the Alternative Care Coordinator and SOS Mothers in identifying teenagers
for admission into the youth homes, and help those newly admitted to
adjust to their new life and home.
- • Create a database of all the youth in the
youth facilities, giving details of where they stay, and the
activities they are involved in.
- General
- Seek
avenues to increase own knowledge and understanding of youth and youth
issues.
Required Qualifications/Abilities
- A Degree in Social Sciences and any other related courses in youth
development programs 2. Skills and knowledge in Youth
Entrepreneurship development will be an added advantage. 3. Must
be computer literate.
- Experience
working with youth-focused organization/s for a minimum of 3 years
Child Protection Policy
At all times, avoid
actions or behaviour that could be construed as poor or potentially abusive
practice. Whatever decisions and actions taken should be with the best
interest of the child in mind.
Data Protection Policy
At all times ensure that
personal data of donors, sponsors, SOS Children’s Villages Kenya beneficiaries
and their families as well as co-workers is handled confidentially and in
accordance with prevailing SOS Kinderdorf International data protection laws.
How to Apply
If you believe your experience, competencies and qualifications
match the job and role specifications described; send a Cover Letter & updated CV in PDF with details of 3 traceable referees one of
which must be your immediate former employer to recruitment@soskenya.org addressed to the Human Resources Manager to reach us on or
before 20th May 2022. Please
specify the position interested in.
Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted