Youth care Worker

Mission of the position: The Youth Care Worker is responsible for assisting the Youth Care Leader in his/her role and replace him/her whenever absent based on a weekly schedule shared with HROD and NACA. In achieving this, the Youth Care Worker should be seen as a peer and a role model providing guidance, support and a positive example to the Youth. He/she is responsible to organise and lead the development of the youth on the social level, educational, mental wellbeing, and life skills levels, and career orientation. Consequently, he/she either holds one-to-one individual interventions, or holds group awareness sessions. In addition, he/she is responsible to organise recreational activities for the youth. The Youth Care Worker reports to the Youth Care Leader and follows Youth Leader's directions in managing the Youth House, and closely collaborates with the social worker, psychologist, and other therapists. He/she ensures his/her availability to cover night shifts at the Youth House as per a monthly attendance schedule

Key performance areas and main responsibilities:

1. Acts as a Role Model for the Youth

1. Gives an example of integrity and lives the SOS values.
2. Behaves in an exemplary manner at all times so that the youth may have a model from which they may learn how to live successful independent lives.
3. Lives in the Youth Home and is present during weekday evenings, weekends and holidays in coordination with the Youth Care Leader in order to guide the Youth during their rest, meal and study hours.
4. Follows the rules and regulations of the Youth Home and lives as a fully contributing member, participating in day-to-day chores and activities.

2. Guides the Personal Development of the Youth

1. Monitors each youth’s personal development to observe social, physical or other changes which may indicate a need for counselling.
2. Assists the youth in addressing any personal or social problems they may face, supporting them and guiding them through difficult times.

3. Provides Educational and Career Guidance for Youth

1. Prepares the youth to live an independent life as respected members of the community
2. Develops a clear understanding of each youth’s skills, abilities, future prospects and aspirations, in order to provide meaningful guidance, and career orientation in collaboration with the YouthCan! advisor.
3. Encourages youth to take initiatives in researching career opportunities in collaboration with the YouthCan! advisor.

4. Encourages Youth to take Responsibility for Themselves

1. Assists the youth living within the Youth Home to autonomously keep a hygienic and homely living environment.
2. Facilitates the establishment of Youth Home rules and regulations by the youth themselves.
3. Ensures the youth report any maintenance required in the Youth Home to the Youth Care Leader.

5. Child Safeguarding (CS)

• Prevent and protect children/young people from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination in coordination with the NCSA as per the SOS child safeguarding policies and principles.
• Ensures strong focus on CS prevention by organising informal and formal discussions, workshops and other capacity buildings activities for young people to make them understand  CS risks and protection mechanisms in coordination with the SW and CS advisor.
• Responsible to report any CS suspicion, concern, allegation or incident immediately, following Child Safeguarding reporting procedures. CS reports should be made to the national CS team
• Makes sure the CS reporting channels are accessible for all youth and all CS related personel

Must criteria

• • Minimum 2 years’ experience with children/young people, ideally adolescents
  • Strong interest in working with young people, willingness to take on mid-term commitment (3-5 yrs)  
  • Readiness to work in shifts
  • Computer literacy  
  • Good knowledge of educational and social welfare system
  • Management and organisational skills

Competencies – knowledge, skills, abilities

• • Ability to build interpersonal relationships: getting along with others, working in teams, setting up and maintaining solid relationships; able to empathise with and understand others, able to handle communication processes with an adequate emotional respond, emotional perseverance
  • Highly resilient, able to work under high pressure, ability to set boundaries  
  • Reflective personality, readiness for ongoing development, sense of humour 
  • Intercultural, gender, diversity and disability sensitive
  • Counselling skills
  • Pro-active, participative and ability to promote practical skills in daily life and youth activities
  • Practical and flexible approach towards work
  • Ability for goal-oriented planning, reporting and acting
  • High level of communication skills, networking and partnership building skills
  • Good in conflict and crisis management
  • Strategic thinking and planning skills
  • Has a Driving license