Social Worker - AM Shift

Project Description:

The project “QALAM: Building Bridges to Safe, Inclusive, and Quality Education” aims to contribute to the qualitative improvement and inclusive modernization of the education sector in Lebanon, following the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), with a specific focus on the most vulnerable areas of the governorates of Nabatieh and South Lebanon. It aims to enhance school learning environments to ensure safety and inclusiveness for school-aged boys and girls, teachers, parents, and caregivers, improving learning outcomes, school retention, and the socioemotional well-being of students, as well as strengthening the capacities of teachers in the areas of digitalization, inclusive education, first aid, and emergency response.

The project will directly benefit school-aged children and youth enrolled in seven public schools across Nabatieh and South Lebanon governorates. Children and youth (grades1-12) from six schools will engage in structured recreational, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), sports, arts, and robotics activities that promote well-being, inclusion, and school engagement. All children and youth in the seven schools will benefit from academic retention support in Arabic, English, Mathematics, and ICT aimed at improving learning outcomes and reducing dropout risks. Additionally, approximately 918 children (grades 1-6) will participate in social-emotional learning (SEL) and psychosocial support (PSS) activities, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.

The project also supports grade 12 students through intensive exam preparation, life skills training, and career counseling, facilitating their successful transition to higher education and future employment. In parallel, teachers and school staff will receive professional development in digital learning, inclusive education, social-emotional learning, and emergency preparedness, strengthening both teaching quality and the overall safety and inclusiveness of the school environment. Parents and caregivers will be involved through reactivated parents’ committees and community initiatives in all targeted schools, contributing to improved school-community collaboration and student retention.

Job Purpose

The social worker will be responsible for identifying the direct target group in the project “QALAM: Building Bridges to Safe, Inclusive, and Quality Education” in the governorates of Nabatieh and South Lebanon. She/He will conduct outreach work in the schools in close collaboration with the educators, assistant educators, the field coordinator, and the project coordinator. She/He will assist in the implementation of project activities and report to both the field coordinator and project coordinator as well. She/He will be based in public schools in Sour and/or Nabatieh governorates.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

Task #1 – Outreach- Identification of Targeted Students

• Planning and following up on the identification of the students eligible for education activities in collaboration with educational assistants and school staff.
• Following up on the participation in the activities.
• Updating the database/attendance sheet on a weekly basis.

Task #2 –Identification of Cases and Activation of Referral

• Establishing and maintaining internal referral pathways within the project team and with other AMEL programs.
• Identifying cases in need of referral through regular observation and coordination with PSS animator and education assistants.
• Managing and coordinating referral processes, including mapping services, liaising with partners, and following up on referred cases.
• Developing and maintaining AMEL’s referral network in the area, including mapping available service providers and liaising with external partners, with the support of the coordinators.
• Following up on cases referred internally and externally, and sharing relevant updates with the team members to support case-informed adaptation of practices.

Task #3 – Student Guidance and Empowerment

• Assisting educators and educator assistants in the implementation of intensive preparatory courses to support students in grade 12 in the preparation for official exams,
•  Supporting the implementation of career counseling programs for grade 12 school students, including administering assessments and facilitating group counseling sessions.

• Supporting the implementation of life skills sessions for Grade 12 students, covering topics including communication, problem-solving, decision-making skills, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.
• Assisting facilitators in conducting group psychosocial support (PSS) activities for primary school pupils (Grades 1-6).

Task #4 – Child Protection and Safeguarding

• Adhering to AMEL's code of conduct and Safeguarding policies and procedures in all activities.
• Ensuring a child-centered approach and act in the best interest of the child at all times.
• Reporting any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

Task #5 – Community events, Parents and children’s Committees and Campaigns

• Identifying, with the support of principals, existing parent committees and, where none exist, will launch a proposal to reach a total of seven committees, one for each school.
• Identifying parents/caregivers potentially interested in joining the committees.
• Acting as facilitators, encouraging quarterly parent committee meetings to support the organization of semi-annual community events.

• Task #6 – Strengthening the School Population and the Local Community Through Awareness-Raising

• Conducting awareness sessions on the issues of safety and protection, children's rights, gender equality, and social inclusion, with particular attention to vulnerable school-age boys and girls and parents/caregivers, conducted in each school involved in this project.
• Designing a monthly plan with the team members to provide psychosocial activities;
• Task #7 – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
• Contributing to data collection and monitoring activities as required by the project.
• Submitting weekly reports to the field and project coordinators.
• Preparing narrative reports on activities conducted, including success stories, focus group discussions, activities, and awareness sessions.

• Task #8 – Quality Standards

• Coordinating with other project staff (educators, educational assistants, etc.) to ensure effective implementation of activities.
• Participating in team meetings and training sessions as required.

• Ensuring that recognized international best practices, Amel’s policies, as well as methodologies developed by Amel’s Education program, are applied in the support provided to the children, the caregivers, and the community members.

Other Responsibilities

The social worker may support additional tasks and carry out other responsibilities that are not mentioned above, depending on the needs of the education program.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Psychology, or related field
• Minimum 2 years of experience in education and/or child protection, preferably within an NGO setting

• Strong knowledge of Child Protection principles and safe referral mechanisms.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong documentation, research and report-writing skill 
• Ability to build relationships with community members and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office and data management tools.
• Languages: Proficiency in English and Arabic.

Working Hours: Part-timer (3 days a week with an average of 18 weekly working hours/ including Fridays and Saturdays)

Location: Nabatieh or South Lebanon governorates