Head of Child Care at Stand by Me Ethiopia

Stand by Me Ethiopia is a children’s charity committed to rescuing vulnerable children from poverty and giving them the care, education, and support they need to thrive. In Ethiopia, we work alongside local communities to ensure children are safe, healthy, and equipped for a brighter future. Our vision is to see every child we care for reach their full potential and become everything they were born to be.

Location: Bekoji, Arsi, Ethiopia

Organization: Stand by Me

Deadline: April 6, 2026

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Head of Child Care to lead our childcare programmes in Bekoji. You will be responsible for our Social Work, Community Empowerment, Medical and Children’s Homes teams.

Along with our Head of Education and Head of Admin & Finance you will report to the Project Director and will play a key strategic role to enhance the support given to over 500 beneficiaries and their families, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Strategic leadership & programme development to lead a world-class standard of care at Stand by Me Bekoji project
Operational oversight of all Child Care Services
Line Management and Leadership Development for Nurse, Children’s Home Manager, Social Work Manager and Community Empowerment Officer
Safeguarding Leadership & Accountability
Integrating holistic care, by ensuring coordination between the different child care departments
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
Representing Stand by Me and Partnering with other organisations to enhance our services

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in social work, Child Development, Psychology, Public Health, Education, or related field.
Minimum 7 years’ experience in child-focused programming.
At least 3 years in senior leadership overseeing multi-disciplinary teams.

Essential

Strong safeguarding leadership and case management experience.
Proven operational management experience.
Experience implementing standards, policies, and training frameworks.
Strong planning, budgeting, and reporting capability.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
High integrity and commitment to child protection.
Experienced and confident in working directly with children aged 6 – 18

Desirable

Master’s degree in relevant discipline.
Experience transitioning residential care toward family/community-based models.
Experience in East Africa.
Experience implementing livelihood or income-generation programmes.
Experience in Monitoring & Evaluation systems.

Required Skills

People management
Communication
Strategic Planning & Execution
Ability to work with children and adults from diverse backgrounds.

Please see full job description at: Head of Child Care Job Description for the specific responsibilities within each of the above areas.

How to Apply

Application Process

Download the Application form HERE or Through: www.standby.me/ethiopiajobs
Send the completed Application form both with your CV and Cover Letter (maximum 500 words outlining your suitability for the role) to: ethiopia@standby.me.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who share our passion for making a lasting difference in the lives of children. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information about Stand by Me visit: www.standby.me

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