Senior Social Worker

Position requires the successful completion of an extensive criminal background check.

Job Summary

The Senior Social Worker will serve as an integral part of the AGCI House of Hope Care Team. He/she leads and equips a team of social workers to support residents and families in AGCIs reunification program, conducting and coordinating various assessments and interventions that promote child health and well-being. The Senior Social Worker manages communication with administration authorities, local communities and project beneficiaries including children, families, partners, and other stakeholders, providing support and assistance to improve the outcomes for vulnerable children and their families.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides a wide variety of child and family welfare services in areas such as intake and referral, case management, protective services, court services, education, resource coordination for children, preventative services, health and mental health resources, and other welfare services
• Leads the management of resident and family caseloads through the reunification and/or reintegration process, providing highly skilled, intensive casework services to children, families, and their relatives
• Provides pre and post reunification and reintegration support including conducting various assessments, facilitating group and individual trainings, and utilizing clinical judgment in casework
• Manages team of social workers, leading team members in making ethical and child-centered decisions regarding a multitude of sensitive child and family cases
• Support and supervise social workers daily by managing schedules, leading conflict resolution, conducting performance evaluations, encouraging team members, and administering other support
• Utilizes a high degree of diagnostic and treatment skills to perform intensive non-clinical counseling and therapy in a variety of complex casework areas surrounding children and families
• Carries a caseload requiring a high degree of technical competence and use of judgment and discretion
• Develops and implements social treatment plans for residents and families; ensures all services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive, and appropriate manner and in conformance with organizational requirements
• Assists clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish case plan goals
• Consults and cooperates with other team members within the department and with other stakeholders and groups in carrying out treatment plans
• Utilizes AGCI case management software, collecting and assessing data, reporting on child and family progress, and analyzing outcomes
• Prepare and maintain case records, reports, relevant correspondence, and databases, communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations and case plans to clients, families, and service providers
• Conduct suitability assessments within families, communities, and partner organizations to determine the eligibility of reunification and/or reintegration
• Conduct assessments that determine the need for ongoing organizational support - relationally, financially, emotionally, or otherwise
• Conduct home visits in connection with casework assignments
• Consult with individuals and various groups to provide a better understanding of social aspects of environmental, emotional, and physical challenges and appropriate methods of alleviating them
• Conducts assessments on the status of children and families at institutions or other partner organizations, as necessary
• Interview clients individually, in family or in group settings, assessing their situation, capabilities, and challenges to determine what services are required to meet their needs
• Participate in training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of social work processes and achieve technical and trauma-informed competence
• Address legal issues such as child abuse, familial conflict, or other legal disputes, assist with hearing and providing testimony if necessary
• Serve as a liaison between children, families, partners, counselors and support specialists, clinics, courts, protective services, medical centers, and other contacts to assist in determining outcomes
• Develop training manuals and reports as necessary
• Conduct timely data entry in AGCIs case management system for all activities facilitated in HOH or any field activities
• Develop monthly and weekly plans, monthly reports, quarter reports and biannual reports in collaboration with various programs and departments
• Work collaboratively with the House of Hope Program Director, Care team, and US team members to meet frequently on progress updates and goal setting for each child
• Protect children from physical and psychological injuries; ensure the safety of the child in compliance with AGCIs Child Protection Policies
• Prepare resident and families for appropriate discharge upon completion of the program and preparation for reintegration into family or community care
• Incorporate trauma-informed care practices and strategies in all activities
• Become knowledgeable in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) skills and practices and utilize intervention methods daily with children
• Maintain client confidentiality, perform all duties in conformance with AGCI Child Protection Policy
• Develop success stories of reunified and reintegrated children and families to assist in the fundraising and marketing efforts of AGCI
• Perform other tasks within the scope of his/her work, assigned to him/her by House of Hope Program Director

General Administration:

• Communicates compassionately and confidently, educates and engages diverse populations, and absorbs information quickly and thoroughly
• Maintains positive relationships with local administration offices, communities, and beneficiaries
• Attend and represent the organization in different meetings organized by AGCI or stakeholders, as directed
• Ensure the protection of all children and families served by AGCIs programs
• Work with AGCI Headquarters to highlight the impact of AGCIs HOH program in Ethiopia with individual sponsors, donors, and foundations, as requested
• Collaborates with the Country Director, Africa Programs Director and AGCI headquarters to report program activities as requested
• Provides administrative and/or hosting support for AGCI vision trips including assisting in the organizing of site visits, engaging in conversation with AGCI major donors during the trip to help them understand AGCI's work and programs in Ethiopia, as requested
• Maintain high standard of services to beneficiaries, partners, and external guests
• Lead and participate in HOH care planning meetings or report outs
• Maintain punctual, regular, and predictable attendance; can work evenings and weekends, as required.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and training courses as required
• Exemplify a collaborative, trust-based and relational team environment with a spirit of cooperation and humility. Leads by example by being open to all levels of work and support for the organization.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Reports To: AGCI House of Hope Program Director

Status: Full-Time Staff

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in psychology, social work, or related field plus at least 5-7 years experience
• Experience working in an international NGO required
• Experience working with clients that are affected by issues including neglect, child abuse domestic violence, mental health, and substance abuse
• Extensive knowledge of community resources and ability to work efficiently with public and private agency professionals
• Extensive experience in entering data in case management software in English
• Ability to thrive and work effectively in a fast paced and rapidly growing program in addition to remaining self-motivated and goal oriented
• Experience in creatively advocating and providing support to families
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and listening skills
• Ability to address conflict and offer alternative solutions in a direct, constructive, and positive manner
• Ability to participate in collective, non-hierarchical decision making within all staff environments
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to speak and write report in both Amharic and English
• Excellent interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills
• Experience and ability to work with children of all ages including teenagers
• Ability to maintain reliable transportation
• Exemplify a collaborative, trust-based and relational team environment with a spirit of cooperation and humility. Leads by example by being open to all levels of work and support for the organization.