Functional Rehabilitation Officer (Physiotherapist)

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) works to promote the rights, dignity, participation, and inclusion of persons with disabilities. In Ethiopia, HI’s Inclusive Education projects aim to improve access to and participation of children with disabilities in education by addressing functional, environmental, and attitudinal barriers.

GENERAL

Reporting to the Inclusive Education Project Manager, the Education Cannot Wait (MYRP-II) Functional Rehabilitation Officers contribute to the implementation of the mandate and the 10-year strategy of Humanity & Inclusion in the country where s/he is based. S/he is responsible for implementing his/her project in a target area.

Under the supervision of the Inclusive Education Project Manager and technically Reporting to the Rehabilitation Specialist, the Education Cannot Wait (MYRP-II) Functional Rehabilitation Officer, based in Somali Region, Bombas Office, is responsible for leading, initiating, ensuring, coordinating, and following up of all activities related to physical and functional rehabilitation services (identification of children with disabilities, capacity building, medical referral, mapping of service provider outside Physical rehabilitation scope and distribution of mobility aids/devices) to conflict, manmade and natural disaster affected people.

The position holder (Physiotherapist) is expected to coordinate the Social Workers, teachers, and Field administration of the project in close collaboration among project partners, consortium members, internal referral project beneficiaries, as well as external referral for services outside the project scope and consortium partners.

Responsibilities

1. Assessment and Rehabilitation

• Identify and screen children with disabilities and functional difficulties affecting education participation.
• Conduct physical and functional assessments and identify rehabilitation needs and participation barriers.
• Develop and implement individualized rehabilitation goals and intervention plans.
• Provide child-centred physiotherapy to improve mobility, balance, strength, posture, coordination, endurance and functional independence.
• Provide caregivers with guidance on home-based exercises, positioning and functional activities.
• Monitor progress and adjust interventions as required.
• Refer those children requiring specialized rehabilitation, medical, surgical or assistive technology services and follow up on referrals.

2. Family and Community Engagement

• Educate parents and caregivers on children’s rehabilitation and functional needs.
• Conduct home visits when required and demonstrate appropriate home-based activities.
• Work with community rehabilitation workers to ensure continuity of rehabilitation.
• Support community awareness on disability, rehabilitation, inclusion and children’s rights.

3. Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Identify training needs of teachers, caregivers, community workers and rehabilitation staff.
• Provide practical training on child mobility, positioning, transfers, rehabilitation exercises and prevention of secondary complications.
• Coach and mentor project staff and relevant partners.
• Contribute to technical and training materials related to rehabilitation and inclusive education.

4. Assistive Technology

• Participate in assessment and identification of children’s assistive product needs.
• Support selection, fitting, training and follow-up of mobility and other assistive products within the physiotherapy scope of practice.
• Identify repair, replacement or modification needs.
• Contribute to school accessibility and environmental assessments.

5. Documentation, Monitoring and Quality

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of assessments, interventions, referrals and follow-up.
• Use HI rehabilitation and project monitoring tools and contribute to project databases and indicators.
• Prepare technical/activity reports and document good practices and lessons learned.
• Ensure interventions comply with professional standards and HI technical guidance.

6. Safeguarding and Inclusion

• Comply with HI safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, confidentiality, and other organizational policies.
• Maintain professional boundaries and report safeguarding/protection concerns through established procedures.
• Promote dignity, rights, participation, and non-discrimination of children with disabilities.

Contract Duration-6 months

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from a recognized institution.
• Valid professional registration/licensing in Ethiopia, as applicable.
• Training in pediatric rehabilitation, disability inclusion, community-based rehabilitation, assistive technology or inclusive education is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in physiotherapy, preferably with significant experience working with children.
• Demonstrated experience in pediatric/developmental rehabilitation.
• Experience in community-, home- or school-based rehabilitation.
• Experience working with children with physical disabilities, developmental delays and other functional difficulties.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in disability inclusion and/or inclusive education is strongly preferred.
• NGO, humanitarian or development experience is an advantage.

Technical Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of pediatric physiotherapy and functional rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of child development, mobility, positioning, transfers and assistive products.
• Understanding of disability inclusion, accessibility and reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to conduct functional assessments and develop individualized intervention plans.
• Strong training, coaching, facilitation and mentoring skills.
• Good communication, documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage field activities and travel frequently.
• Strong teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and professional integrity.

Working Environment and Coordination

The position will support activities across the Somali region and requires frequent travel to schools, communities, health and rehabilitation facilities, and other project locations, including challenging field settings.

The Physiotherapist will work closely with Inclusive Education Officers, Rehabilitation Specialist, Prosthetists/Orthotists, social and protection staff, community rehabilitation workers, teachers, education authorities, health and rehabilitation providers, families, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and HI partners.

HI Commitment

The post holder is expected to uphold HI’s values and policies, including safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, confidentiality, accountability and respect for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. HI is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applications from qualified women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from diverse backgrounds.