Social Welfare Worker

Overview

Support vulnerable children's holistic well-being and development.

You have:

• Completion of 14th Grade or a Diploma in relevant social sciences.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in Education, child protection, or community-based programs.
• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto; basic English required for reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ethical sensitivity is essential.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is required.
• Experience working with street-connected or at-risk children is preferred.

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)Job Description:

Job-Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Project Officer, the Social Welfare Worker is a key frontline position responsible for the holistic well-being and development of vulnerable, at-risk, and street-connected children. The facilitator is charged with the integrated implementation of daily psychosocial support (PSS), structured remedial education, and child protection activities within designated Remedial classes and Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS). This role ensures a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can recover, learn, and develop through life skills sessions, recreational activities, and tailored counselling.

The position focuses on early identification of protection concerns, provision of basic support, and timely coordination with case management staff for referrals and follow-up. The Social Welfare Worker also supports positive family and community engagement through awareness activities and collaboration, contributing to safer and more protective environments for children.

Implementation of Integrated Project Activities

• In coordination with the Project Officer, identify street-connected and working children and facilitate their inclusion in remedial classes, community-based centers, and temporary learning spaces, ensuring their regular participation in a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment.
• Plan and conduct structured remedial classes in core subjects (e.g., literacy, numeracy) for children, utilizing adaptive teaching methods to address learning gaps and support educational recovery.
• Facilitate recreational activities, group play therapy, and storytelling to build confidence and social skills.
• Conduct life skills sessions focusing on communication, self-esteem, teamwork, personal hygiene, and resilience building.
• Conduct confidential individual counseling sessions for street working children and vulnerable children to address emotional distress, strengthen coping skills, and promote positive behavior.
• Observe children with special needs, ensure their inclusion in activities, and facilitate referrals to specialized services when needed.
• Support the identification of children at risk or subjected to abuse, neglect, violence, or exploitation, provide basic psychosocial support, and coordinate referrals to designated case management staff and relevant services, while contributing to follow-up through regular engagement with children and families as required.
• Conduct regular family and parental counseling meetings to support caregivers in resolving conflicts, improving communication, and fostering nurturing home environments.
• Respond to questions from parents and community members regarding remedial education and CFS activities, and support awareness-raising with community leaders on child well-being, positive parenting, and safe learning environments.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with community shuras and key actors to ensure project access and acceptance.

Reporting, Documentation & Administration

• Maintain accurate daily records of children’s attendance and participation in remedial education, psychosocial support (PSS), and life skills sessions. • Ensure activity records and basic child information are documented confidentially and shared with relevant team members in line with organizational procedures. • Contribute to weekly and monthly activity reports, including information on participation, session achievements, challenges, and material or supply needs. • Support the updating of service mapping and referral information to facilitate timely coordination with relevant services when needed.

Coordination, Networking & Safeguarding

• Collaborate closely with other education and child protection teams for integrated programming and smooth inter-sectoral referrals.
• Maintain professional relationships with partner agencies and service providers to enhance referral systems.
• Adherent without exception to World Vision’s Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and accountability standards. Report any safeguarding concerns immediately through established protocols.
• Participate in internal meetings and coordination forums as required.

• Be prepared to support the implementation of World Vision Afghanistan's Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs plans.

• Ensure full compliance with WVI’s Accountability Frameworks, Safeguarding Policies, Code of Conduct, and donor requirements by actively participating in AAP mandatory trainings and integrating accountability mechanisms into all project activities.

• Conduct meaningful AAP community engagement and sensitization during field visits, including distribution of CFM cards to beneficiaries and facilitating awareness sessions on the feedback and complaints mechanism throughout project implementation.

• KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND EXPERIENCE

  Required Education, training, license, registration, and/or

  Certification

  • 14th Grade or a Diploma in TTC, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Sociology, Community Development, or other relevant social sciences.
  • Certification or recognized training in Education, Protection, Child Protection, PSS, Psychosocial First Aid, or Education in Emergencies is an asset.
  • Basic knowledge of child protection principles, case management standards, and safeguarding policies.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills – able to communicate effectively and with ethical sensitivity with children, caregivers, and community leaders.
  • Computer Skills: Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Required Professional Experience

  • Minimum of 1 year of experience implementing Education, child protection, PSS, or community-based education programs in a humanitarian or fragile context.
  • Demonstrable experience in facilitating group activities for children (PSS, life skills, or recreational), providing basic counseling or emotional support to vulnerable children and families, and engaging with communities on sensitive issues.
  • Practical experience in facilitating learning sessions (teaching, tutoring, or remedial education) is a strong asset.
  • Worked effectively in a team setting and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.

• Required Language(s)

  • Language: Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto is essential. A basic level of written and spoken English is required for reporting.

• Required travel and/or work environment accommodations. The position is based in Herat with frequent travel to the project districts and communities.

  Position’s physical requirements

  Able to travel

  Preferred Experience, Knowledge and/or other Qualifications

  • At least two years of direct experience working with street working children, children engaged in labor, or children affected by crisis in an urban or peri-urban setting.
  • Prior experience as a teacher, teaching assistant, or remedial class facilitator in a formal or non-formal education setting, preferably within a humanitarian context.
  • Demonstrated experience in community mobilization and leading awareness-raising sessions on child rights, protection, and education with diverse community groups.

• · Good understanding of the Child Protection in Humanitarian Action Minimum Standards, the Inter-Agency Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies. ·

  Knowledge of the local child protection system, service providers, and referral pathways in Herat province.

  · Familiarity with positive discipline techniques, learner-centered pedagogy, and basic child development principles.

Applicant Types Accepted:

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: wvi.org