HelpAge International is a global network of more than 113 organizations in 75 countries. As the world’s leading organization dedicated to promoting the wellbeing and inclusion of older women and men as well as reducing poverty and discrimination in later life, HelpAge envisions a world in which all older people can lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. HelpAge has been working in Ethiopia since 1992 in the areas of health and HIV & AIDS, emergency response and disaster risk management, social protection, livelihoods and care and support, as well as building the capacity of older people associations.

HelpAge International is currently responding to the needs of drought affected population in selected woredas of Gambela Region. As part of emergency response program, we NCA would like to invite interested applicants for the following position:

Summary of the Role:

Under direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and technical support from inclusion, health and nutrition, and livelihood officers; the Social Welfare Supervisor will be responsible for refugee camp level implementation of project activities of HelpAge International in Jewi, Kule, Tierkidi and Nyuenyiel Refugee Camps. The social welfare supervisor will oversee community based care providers and incentive workers, directly assists mapping, proper targeting, and effective participation of older person refugees and other target communities of the project. The  tasks of the Supervisors will also involve negotiating provisions, set up in new and complex systems, dealing with grief and loss and the effect of trauma, and adjustment to the refugee situation and interaction with host community. Using effective communication skills, the social welfare supervisor serves as key educator of other camp level service providers about the specific/special needs of older person refugees. Tasked with direct involvement/support of older persons and with facilitation of collaboration with other service provides at camp level, the social welfare supervisor helps ensure the needs and strengths of older person refugees are understood and addressed.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Undertake beneficiary mapping and gathering of data necessary for identification of older persons and their specific needs for intervention,
• Work in synergy with Old Person Groups , Old Citizens Monitoring Group, Home-Based Care Providers and paralegal workers in the camps where the project is implemented and ensure effective integration at camp level,
• Supervise the activities of home based care providers and incentive workers  and ensure quality
• Responsible for representation of HelpAge in camp level coordination meeting and advocate with evidence for inclusion of older persons needs in exiting response interventions,
• Responsible for supporting the  target older people and other beneficiaries,  follow up and provide support to OPAs, community volunteers and  ensure referral linkages with other services providers,
• Facilitate intergenerational dialogue session and identify and report incidence (neglect of older person’s needs) violations of entitlement of older people through established networks of community volunteers, Old Person Associations, Persons with Disabilities, Refugee Central Committee  and other actors,
• Responsible for community education and awareness raising activities which includes facilitating celebration of key international commemoration days,
• Using the M&E tools developed for the project, the social welfare supervisor is responsible for maintaining documentation of day-to-day execution of project activities and generation of lessons learned from the project,
• Participate on periodic internal review and reflection meetings of the project and other project progress update events,
• Facilitate processes for quarterly camp level stakeholder review
• Ensure effective utilization of  older friendly multi-purpose centers and  community based counselling
• Empower older persons and their families through information sharing and other appropriate means to explore and use services available within the Gambella refugee response context,
• Work in collaboration with  partner organizations, ARRA, UNHCR, as well as other service providers and the refugee community to harmonize HelpAge response with the overall humanitarian assistance  and  ensure that unmet needs of older person  and PWDs given proper attention,
• Adhere to organizational codes of conduct and demonstrate optimum accountability and transparency in dealing with project implementation.

Vacancy  Ref No:              HAI/Prog/018/18

  CONTRACT:                      1 year fixed term (with possibility of extension)

  WORK EXPERIENCE:        5 years in refugee response projects

Minimum Requirements:

• First Degree in community development, social work, public relation, sociology, psychology, public health,  nursing,
•  Relevant work experience of 5 years in refugee response projects,
• Interpersonal skills and effective communication and cultural sensitivity and social respect for differences in beliefs, values and perceptions of the refugees,
• Direct working experience with persons with special needs,
• Experience in NGO setting is an advantage,
• Commendable facilitation and negotiation  skills,
• Excellent analytical, documentation,  report writing skills
• Knowledge of Neur Language is must