Social Workers (Shamva & Mazowe)

FOST is looking for suitably qualified persons to fill in vacancies that have arisen within the organisation. 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 maintains a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Position: 2 x Social Workers (Female candidates are encouraged to apply)
Location: Shamva and Mazowe
Contract Period: 3 months

The duties and responsibilities of the Social Worker

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 (1) case management, (2) Facilitation skills. (3) Knowledge and understanding of psychosocial support (PSS) is a pre requisite.
Be a holder of a Social work degree or equivalent qualification with good communication skills in Shona and also be able to communicate in English. Social Workers will be based in specific districts and must be prepared to travel extensively within that district and to camp in the field when required. They will report to the Programmes Coordinator. The candidate MUST possess a clean class three (3) or class three (4) driver’s license.

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 Fora.
• 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.
• 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 and child protection services through case follow up and making referrals to support services.
• Working closely with pregnant adolescent and young mothers in preventing SGBV.
• Helping communities to identify and implement potential care models for orphaned and vulnerable children.
• Promoting the establishment of community-based Child Protection Committees (CPCs) 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.
• Liaison with the Programmes Coordinator and other officers to develop FOST programmes
• Facilitate the National Case Management System in liaison with the Department of Social Welfare Officers

To apply, send application letter outlining expected salary & benefits, indicating the districts of preference, and CV, with three traceable referees to fostzw@gmail.com no later than 19 September 2022