Social Workers -Kemissie (2 Positions)

Empathy for Life Integrated Development Association (ELiDA), established in 2008 and licensed by the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (Certificate No. 1143), is a women-led organization working to empower women, girls and children in Ethiopia. ELiDA promotes women’s leadership and participation in decision-making while advancing poverty reduction and inclusive development. The organization works across key regions of Ethiopia on girls’ education, women’s economic empowerment, peacebuilding, human rights, GBV prevention & response, child protection, and climate action, striving for a more just, equitable, and peaceful society.

The Social Worker is responsible for providing quality, survivor-centered case management, psychosocial support (PSS), referral coordination, and community-based protection services for women, adolescent girls, and young people affected by or at risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs). The position will support the implementation of GBV prevention and response interventions in accordance with organizational policies, national GBV guidelines, and international humanitarian standards.

Reporting directly to the GBV Project Officer, the Social Worker will work closely with consortium partners, government institutions, health facilities, One-Stop Service Centers (OSSCs), Women and Children Affairs Offices, community structures, and other service providers to ensure timely, confidential, and coordinated support for survivors.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Survivor-Centered Case Management and Psychosocial Support

• Provide confidential, survivor-centered case management services to GBV survivors in accordance with the national GBV Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring the principles of safety, confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination, and informed consent.
• Conduct comprehensive needs and vulnerability assessments, prepare individualized case management plans, and regularly follow up on survivor progress to ensure quality service delivery.
• Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA), emotional support, and structured psychosocial support (PSS) services for survivors, at-risk adolescents, and vulnerable community members.
• Facilitate safe and timely referrals to health, legal, protection, psychosocial, police, shelter, and livelihood services through established referral pathways, ensuring survivors receive comprehensive support.
• Support the identification, verification, and follow-up of beneficiaries eligible for emergency cash assistance and other specialized protection services.

2. Community-Based Protection and Prevention

• Support the GBV Project Officer in establishing and strengthening Women’s Support Groups (WSGs) and facilitating coffee-based dialogue sessions that promote gender equality, GBV prevention, and the elimination of Harmful Traditional Practices.
• Conduct community outreach, awareness-raising sessions, home visits, and group discussions targeting women, girls, adolescents, men, boys, caregivers, religious leaders, and community leaders to promote GBV prevention, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and available protection services.
• Assist in organizing community campaigns, training sessions, and awareness events and support the distribution of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials developed under the project.
• Identify individuals and households with protection concerns and facilitate appropriate referrals and follow-up support through community-based protection mechanisms.
• Promote positive coping strategies, social inclusion, resilience, and community participation among survivors and vulnerable adolescents.

3. Coordination, Reporting and Consortium Collaboration

• Report directly to the GBV Project Officer and provide regular updates on case management, psychosocial support activities, community outreach, referrals, and emerging protection concerns.
• Coordinate closely with consortium partners, government offices, health facilities, schools, OSSCs, police, justice institutions, and other service providers to strengthen integrated GBV response services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences, coordination meetings, technical working groups, and consortium review meetings as assigned by the GBV Project Officer.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date case files, beneficiary records, referral documentation, attendance records, and activity reports in accordance with organizational policies and donor requirements.
• Support project monitoring activities by collecting quality data, contributing to indicator tracking, documenting success stories, lessons learned, and preparing weekly, monthly, and quarterly activity reports for submission to the GBV Project Officer.

4. Safeguarding, Accountability and Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with organizational safeguarding policies, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Safeguarding, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and the organization’s Code of Conduct.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of survivor information and ensure secure management of all case records and sensitive information at all times.
• Uphold survivor-centered programming principles and ensure all interventions are implemented in accordance with the “Do No Harm” approach, national GBV guidelines, and international humanitarian standards.
• Immediately report safeguarding concerns, serious incidents, protection risks, and security issues to the GBV Project Officer in accordance with organizational procedures and referral protocols.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the GBV Project Officer that contribute to the successful implementation of the project and achievement of consortium objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Community Development, Public Health, Social Sciences, or another relevant field.
• Additional training in GBV case management, psychosocial support, counselling, child protection, or protection programming is an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in social work, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), protection, psychosocial support, child protection, case management, or humanitarian programming.
• Demonstrated experience working with women, girls, adolescents, and vulnerable populations.
• Experience implementing projects in collaboration with government institutions, NGOs, or consortium partners is highly desirable.
• Experience working in humanitarian, conflict-affected, or fragile settings is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and policy influence.
• Leadership and partnership building.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Strong communication and public speaking abilities.
• Results orientation and accountability.
• Cultural sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Integrity and commitment to safeguarding.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in complex operational environments.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Amharic is required.
• Knowledge of other languages is essential.