Social Worker - Street Educator

Organization Overview

The Amani Centre for Street Children is a nationally registered NGO headquartered in Moshi, with branches in Arusha and Singida Regions. Amani is committed to reducing the number of children living and working on the streets in Tanzania by providing a safe place for homeless children to heal, grow, and learn, and when possible, re-uniting them with safe and healthy homes.

Purpose of the Role

To build trust-based relationships with street children in Moshi and surrounding areas, offering them emotional, psychological, and physical support. Through outreach efforts, assist children in transitioning from street life to the Amani Children’s Home, facilitate family reunification, and collaborate with various agencies to ensure long-term well-being and successful integration into safer environments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Street Outreach and Engagement

Contact and Relationship Building

• Engage with street children aged 7-15 through daily visits to their work and living locations in Moshi.
• Build trust by chatting, playing, hanging out, and providing emotional support.
• Counsel them on their past, present, and future, sharing meals (chai/snacks) as part of the trust-building process.

Counseling

• Offer guidance to help children leave the streets and either return to their families or come to the Amani Children’s Home.
• Counsel them about their life situations and help them see the possibilities of a better future.

2. Motivating and Facilitating Transitions

Family Reunification & Amani Children’s Home

• Assist children in traveling to the Amani Centre, ensuring they are welcomed and provided with basic needs such as clothes, food, and hygiene products.
• Work with the center’s staff to ensure their registration and proper care.

Identifying Fresh Runaways

• Identify newly arrived street children and help them transition to Amani for rescue and possible family reunification.

Drop-In Center

• Direct street children to the Amani drop-in center to access showers, food, and basic medical care.
• Ensure they receive a formal assessment from social workers and are linked to care plans.

3. Follow-up and Aftercare

Tracking and Documentation

• Keep detailed records of the children contacted, including their backgrounds, current needs, and progress.
• Use street work forms to log support actions taken, future steps, and any emerging challenges.

Follow-up for Reintegrated Children

• Monitor children who have returned to the streets after previous interventions or dropped out of Amani programs.
• Investigate the reasons for their return and guide them back to the Amani Children’s Home or reunite them with their families.

Aftercare Support

• Support children post-rescue to ensure placements with families or care facilities do not break down.
• Provide continuous outreach support to address issues early on.

4. Collaborative Work

Partner Agencies

• Work with other organizations and agencies to provide necessary services for the children, including health care, education, legal aid, and more.
• Keep documentation of each collaboration, ensuring that every child receives tailored support.

5. Crisis Intervention

First Aid and Emergency Response

• Offer first aid to children in need while on the streets and identify those in crisis for immediate intervention.
• Refer them to appropriate This is Full-time Job,  agencies or care facilities as required.

Public Education and Awareness

• Educate the public and communities about the challenges faced by street children.
• Address exploitation issues and raise awareness of available resources.

6. Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned by your employer.

Key Competencies and Skills

• Empathy and Compassion: Ability to connect with children facing trauma and hardships, providing them with emotional support and practical help.
• Counseling and Mentoring: Experience in counseling vulnerable populations, particularly children, and guiding them towards positive life choices.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: Strong documentation skills to track the progress of each child and follow procedures for case management.
• Crisis Management: Ability to handle emergencies calmly and provide immediate assistance, including first aid where necessary.
• Collaboration and Networking: Ability to work with other agencies and professionals to coordinate the best possible care for each child.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, or any other related discipline.
• Three years of experience working with street children or vulnerable children.
• A strong command of English and Kiswahili.
• Ability to work as a team player and to plan strategically.
• Good writing and analytical skills and the ability to work independently.
• Honest and trustworthy.

Details

• Contract Type: Contractual starting with a six-month probation period, renewable depending on performance.

Application Instructions

Send your CV (including two letters of professional referees), copies of relevant certificates/diplomas, and an application letter explaining why you are suitable for the post.

Email: jobs@amanikids.org

Deadline: 25th October 2024.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.