Deadline: 27 November 2020

Location: Chimanimani, Buhera, Gutu, Mudzi, Rushinga and Mbire

Contract Period: 6 months with possible extension depending on funding availability

Background

FOST is a local NGO registered in 1997 as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO 3/97) with the aim to build capacity of communities to respond to the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe with particular attention to those in farming communities. FOST has ZERO tolerance to abuse and exploitation of children.

Job Description

Social Workers will be responsible for the facilitation and implementation of the FOST project activities at community level. They should be experienced, enthusiastic and committed to the welfare of children. They should have at least two years’ experience of relevant fieldwork, preferably in case management and training. Social Workers should have a degree in social work or equivalent, good communication skills in Shona and also be able to communicate in English. Social Workers will be based in a specific district and must be prepared to travel extensively within that district and to camp in the field when required. They will report to the Project Coordinator and will be expected to attend regular meetings at the programme office.

Responsibilities will include:

Maintenance of good channels of communication with all partners, including CBOs, NGOs, Government sector ministries, RDCs, and Churches. They will represent FOST on relevant District Forums; Raising awareness with partners regarding the conditions of orphans and vulnerable children, the scale of the crisis and potential strategies to mitigate the problems faced by vulnerable children and their caregivers.

Sensitisation of communities to the situation of orphans and vulnerable children within their community. Facilitation of discussions to motivate appropriate community responses. This includes community dialogues on prevention of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC). The Social Worker should have knowledge on the referral pathway for victims of abuse and violence; Promotion of community based Psychosocial Support; Helping communities to identify and implement potential care models for orphaned and vulnerable children; Promoting the establishment of community-based Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) to address the needs of orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) in communities. Support and capacity build these committees; Facilitation of systems of monitoring the welfare of OVC in communities; Motivation and facilitation of the registration of vulnerable children; Ensuring the safety and proper use of all FOST equipment in the district; Liaison with the Project Coordinator and other officers to develop FOST programmes; Facilitate the Case Management System in liaison with the Department of Social Welfare Officers