YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WORKER

SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES GHANA is a child welfare organization that provides a stable Family-Like Care (FLC) for children in need. We also provide social services for families at risk through our Family Strengthening Projects. Currently, we operate in four locations; Tema, Asiakwa, Kumasi and Tamale with the National Office in Accra. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and dynamic persons for appointment as:

Youth Development Worker (Asokore Mampong, Kumasi)

Purpose

To supervise the day-to-day management of the Youth in the community & Youth Transitional Centre in the areas of social, educational and emotional development of the youth.  The Youth Development worker is responsible for guiding SOS Youth (within the Village, Community and the Youth Transitional Centre) towards independence, so that they may eventually become self-sufficient, contributing members of society.  In achieving this, the Youth Development worker should be seen as a peer counselor and role model providing guidance, support and a positive example to the Youth. As far as the personal development of the youth is concerned, the Youth Development worker acts as a facilitator.

Position Demands

Degree in Psychology, Social Sciences, Family Life Education, Social work, Guidance and Counseling with at least 3years of experience

Proven ability in problem-solving, provision of group and individual counseling of adolescents/youth, good communication, planning, interpersonal and organizational ability, social investigation and reporting skills

Previous experience in coordinating youth activities is highly desirable

Patient, caring loving, tactful, fair and firm and emotionally balanced.

Proficiency in basic computer packages like MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook and MS PowerPoint

Principal Responsibilities

Acts as a Role Model for the Youth

Follows the rules and regulations of the Youth Transitional Centre, guiding and participating in the day-to-day chores and activities of the Youth in the Youth Transitional Centre, village and in the community.

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. Strives to be exemplary in all spheres of his/her own life at all times.

Be present and accessible to the youth at all times (weekdays, evenings, weekends) to guide them.

Build relationships with the youth that are based on mutual respect.

Have informal and formal forums regularly, which allow the youth to be free to open up to the youth leaders. (Formal forums at least once a month).

Be able to win and keep the confidence of the youth.

Guide the Personal Development of the Youth

Maintain and keep up-to-date and in-depth Individual Development Plans for each of the youth which have been developed with input from the youth about his/her capabilities – academic and nonacademic, and input from the SOS Parents, Social Worker, and Village Director.

Monitor each youth’s personal development to observe social, physical, or other changes, which may indicate a need for counseling.

Assist the youth in addressing any personal or social problems they may face, supporting them, and guiding them through difficult times.

Organize periodic performance appraisals for the youth

Provide Educational and Career Guidance for Youth

Provide guidance and counseling for the youth at all times

Develop a clear understanding of each youth’s skills, abilities, future prospects, and aspirations, to provide meaningful guidance.

Be actively involved in the education of the youth formally and informally. Assist youth to actively organize and participate in any seminars organized in the location.

Constantly provide youth with current and relevant ongoing career counseling and job orientations and encourage youth to take the initiative in researching career opportunities.

Get the youth into schools that will best bring out the youths’ potential academically and non – non-academically, depending on individual youth performance, potential, and abilities to maximize the educational opportunity offered and to safeguard misuse of resources.

Visit the youth in schools and or places of work as a parent to understand what exactly they do, and their needs, and provide the required support.

Ensure that examination results/transcripts for the youth in schools are received before the next term/semester fees are paid.

Provide the youth with information that will help them to make informed choices in terms of career choices, sex and sexuality, relationships, HIV/AIDS, and drug and substance abuse.

Work in partnership with professionals from other organizations that support young people

Work with the private sector to educate and coach youth in skills that meet the demands of the labour market and guide them to internships and subsequently a decent job

 Identify and pursue sources of funding for projects to improve services and/or resources for young people

Promote the development of business start-up skills (e.g entrepreneurship training) among the youth

Support the youth with business plans for social business initiatives in the communities, including the design and application of specific programs

Build partnerships with small, medium and large-scale organizations to create internship, coaching, mentorship, and decent employment opportunities for young people in the program location

 Encourage Youth to take Responsibility for Themselves

Assist the youth living within the youth home to manage the household allowances, maintain the home themselves and to live effectively and interact with the community. 

Ensure the youth report any major maintenance required in the Youth Home, and that they carry out simple maintenance work. Ensure that those living in the rented houses are able to coordinate repairs with the landlord/caretaker.

Delegate responsibilities to the youth in the youth facility.

Promote Community Service and Integration

Get the youth in the community involved in the activities of the village and youth home e.g. Academic coaching services during the holidays, clean-ups, forums for sharing real-life experiences etc. This is aimed at encouraging those in the village and youth home to start getting a real picture of how life is on the outside.

Identify and promote community service opportunities among the youth. Administer the placement of youth in short or long-term programmes.

Assist with the integration of youth into the community. Develop consistent and effective community service programmes in the youth facilities.

Involve the youth in serving their immediate community to create in them a sense of wanting to give back to the community.

Encourage the youth to use some of the allowances that they get in community service.

Form networks and relationships with Community-Based Organizations and Charitable Organizations, which would help SOS CV identify the areas in which the youth’s services would be best situated.

Encourage the youth to be proactive in the socio-political and socio-economic affairs that affect the country, through facilitation of civic education  forums and training, debates, visits to such places as parliament, ensuring the timely acquisition of national ID cards and encouraging them to exercise their rights during elections and referendums

Prepare youth for their resettlement and integration into the community

Supports the fulfillment of the requirements of the International Sponsorship Office

Support the Sponsorship Officer to ensure that all international child sponsors are provided with a Christmas card each year, a mid-year progress report in respect of the relevant child and an updated photograph of the child at least every year.

Ensure that the content and language used in the external correspondence are appropriate.

Support the Location Sponsorship Officer to ensure that the International Sponsorship Office is properly informed of all departures from the village.

Data Protection and Records Management

Keep an updated file on each youth

Combine and rearrange data from source documents where required, enter data from source documents into a prescribed computer database, files and forms

Transcribe information into the required electronic format, Scan documents into document management systems or databases and store completed documents in designated locations.

Check completed work for accuracy; maintain logbooks or records of activities and tasks undertaken on/in the databases.

Respond to requests for information and access relevant files while ensuring compliance with data integrity and security policies

Ensure that data on all program participants is accurate and up to date as per the set standards/frequency of updating and review (every 3  Months)

Ensure that the personal data of Youth, donors, sponsors, SOS CV beneficiaries and their families as well as SOS co-workers is handled confidentially and following prevailing SOS-Kinderdorf International data protection laws.

Undertake administrative tasks, maintain effective recording systems and respond to queries

Child Protection & Safeguarding

Avoids at all times, actions or behaviour that could be construed as poor or potentially abusive practice. All decisions should be with the youth’s best interest in mind.

Creates an enabling environment to safeguard the youth for their growth and development

At SOS Children’s Villages Ghana, we believe in creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. Our hiring process is based on skills, qualifications and experience. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, or bias of any kind. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all.