Orphans & Child Care Jobs Available

Position Title: Orphans & Child Welfare OSP Care Worker

Department: Programs

Organisation: Islamic Relief South Africa

Location: South Africa

Purpose of Position

· To perform the field work and administrative aspects of the Orphan Sponsorship Program (OSP) as per the OSP Operations Manual “the manual” as developed and established by Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), with the supplementary SOPs as developed and established by Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA).

Key Responsibilities

· Establish and maintain the Orphan Sponsorship Program within your service area(s)

· Establish a meaningful working relationship with orphans, families, and relevant stakeholders within your service area(s)

· Work closely with the liaison person and community leader where your satellite office is established to identify opportunities for sponsorship and address risks that may positively impact/negatively affect the operations of the Orphan Sponsorship Program within your service area(s)

· Conduct quarterly meetings with the liaison person and community leader to discuss sponsored orphans from your service area(s), identifying changes in eligibility for Sponsorship swiftly

· Conduct quarterly meetings with the liaison person and community leader to discuss potential orphans eligible for the Orphan Sponsorship Program

· Establish and maintain a close working relationship with the stakeholder(s) of your service area(s) where guardians expend their Food Aid Vouchers, ensuring guardians utilize the vouchers for its intended purposes in accordance with IRSA and IRW policies

· Conduct quarterly home visits to assess the living conditions, needs, and well-being of orphans and their families

· Ensure Annual Progress Reports (APRs) for all relevant Orphans are conducted between August of the previous year and March in the following year, and are uploaded to the Al-Yateem system

· Ensure the Al-Yateem system, housing the bio-data of orphans and guardians within your service area(s) are maintained and updated regularly.

· Monitor performance and progress according to the 6 dimensions as per the Goal-Getters project.

· Support children and families in accessing economic relief initiatives, including food support, clothing, and social grants.

· Identify safeguarding concerns and report cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in line with the IRW’s safeguarding policy.

· Participate in monthly case conferences and debriefing sessions with the broader child welfare team.

· Maintain accurate and timely documentation of each child’s progress using standard tools and digital systems where applicable.

· Assist the project manager in organizing community-based events, awareness campaigns, and life skills workshops.

· Strengthen relationships with caregivers to encourage nurturing, protective environments at home.

· Uphold confidentiality and dignity of every child and family engaged in the programme.

· Establish a close working relationship with the MEAL Focal Person and Regional Safeguarding Leads, periodically reviewing the nature of the project’s activities to ensure its alignment with IRSA and IRW safeguarding policies and procedures

Reporting

· Submit accurate monthly and quarterly narrative reports containing activity and movement within your service area(s) to the OCW National OSP Project Manager.

Project Governance and Documentation:

· Maintain detailed project files and documentation, including individual OVC files (hard and soft copies), ensuring adherence to IRSA and IRW policies.

· Develop and present case studies to support marketing and fundraising efforts for the OSP and Goal-Getters Projects

Quality Assurance and Risk Management:

· Frequently identify best-practices in working with Orphans and Vulnerable Children by liaising and networking with other orgs working within the same/similar sectors.

· Ensure the Orphan Sponsorship Programme activities are in line with partner, donor, and field structure needs and are developed in a way that minimises organisational risk.

· Ensure the quality of services in your service area(s), in line with IRW and IRSA’s broader departmental and organizational strategy and various codes of conduct.

Educational Qualification:

· Minimum qualification: Social Auxiliary Work certificate, or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), or a related qualification in Social Sciences, Psychology, or Child and Youth Care.

· Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) is advantageous (or required for social workers).

· Experience working with orphans, vulnerable children, or youth in community or institutional settings is essential.

· Relevant certifications in counselling, child protection, or trauma-informed care are advantageous.

· Basic child development, psychological, and Career Counselling training is beneficial for understanding the needs of vulnerable children.

Critical Skills & Membership:

· Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) or another relevant, reputable, recognised body

Skills & Knowledge Required:

· Proficient communication skills in English, with the ability to speak an additional local language (e.g., Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu) based on the project area.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, with attention to grammar, spelling, and clarity. The ability to produce quality reports, documentation, and case notes accurately.

· Time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively in a field setting.

· Ability to work as part of a collaborative team, both in the office and remotely in the field, while maintaining a professional and supportive approach.

· Knowledge of the community in which OVCs (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) reside, including cultural context, challenges, and community resources.

· Understanding of child protection laws and principles, including safeguarding practices and the ability to apply them in practice.

· Experience with basic counseling skills, particularly for intake processes and providing emotional support to children and families.

· Familiarity with child development, including the challenges faced by children living in vulnerable situations such as child-headed households.

· Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, including its impact on children and families, and ability to provide basic education on the subject.

· Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar) for effective documentation and communication.

· Creative problem solver, with a highly adaptable approach to addressing the needs of vulnerable children in dynamic environments.

· Organizational and detail-oriented, ensuring accurate record-keeping, case documentation, and timely reporting on OVC status.

· Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date records on OVCs’ status, progress, and any case interventions.

· Creative and innovative approach to both online and offline media, using different methods to engage children, families, and the community in program activities.

· Passion for community development and working with less fortunate children, with a strong commitment to improving their well-being.

· Enthusiastic and motivated individual, capable of staying focused and driven to meet program goals.

Other Job Related Conditions:

· Assist with program-related tasks and activities as and when the need arises, including supporting other team members and collaborating across departments.

· Willingness to work after hours, when required, to meet the needs of OVCs or respond to emergencies, ensuring the continuity of care and support.

· Report any legal matters or incidents relating to OVCs expeditiously to the line manager, ensuring compliance with child protection policies and legal requirements.

· Ensure the holistic well-being of each OVC entrusted to IRSA, addressing their physical, emotional, educational, and social needs through tailored interventions.

· Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures, including child protection, health and safety, and ethical guidelines.

· Participate in training and capacity-building sessions to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role and responsibilities.

· Maintain a flexible attitude towards role adjustments, being open to new tasks or changes in program direction as required by the needs of the OVCs or organizational goals.

· Collaborate with other stakeholders (e.g., community leaders, social services, and other organizations) to promote the well-being and safety of OVCs.

Key Islamic Relief Qualities Required:

· It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and sympathy with Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to IR’s vision and mission as per below:

¨ Excellence (Ihsan):Our actions in tackling poverty are marked by excellence in our operations and conduct which are deserving of the people we serve.

¨ Sincerity (Ikhlas):In responding to poverty and suffering our efforts are driven by sincerity to God and the need to fulfil our obligations to humanity

¨ Social Justice (Adl):Our work is founded on enabling people and institutions to fulfil the rights of the poor and vulnerable. We work to empower the dispossessed towards realising their God-given human potential and developing their capabilities and resources.

¨ Compassion (Rahma):We believe the protection and well-being of every life is of paramount importance and we shall join with other humanitarian actors to act as one in responding to suffering brought on by disasters, poverty and injustice.

¨ Custodianship (Amana): We uphold our duty of custodianship over the earth, its resources and the trust people place in us as humanitarian and development practitioners to be transparent and accountable.

Please forward your CV along with a certified copy of your ID and salary expectations to recruitment@islamic-relief.org.za

Over and above operational requirements Islamic Relief South Africa will take into account the country’s and organizational employment equity imperatives.