Social Animator

The Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh), with headquarters in Lausanne and an office in Zurich, is the leading Swiss child rights organisation with more than 2000 employees worldwide. We stand together with children to uphold their rights, protect their lives and improve their well-being. We achieve this through innovative programmes focused on health, migration and access to justice, specially designed to have a positive and sustainable impact.

Tdh has been working in Afghanistan since 1995 and carry out projects related to Child Protection, Mother and Child health and Livelihood Programs in Kabul, Balkh, Kunar and Nangarhar provinces

Job Summary :

Under the direct supervision of the Project Assistant, project officer/project manager the Animator/Educator is responsible for identifying vulnerable children for Psychosocial Support (PSS) activities and implementing recreational, psychosocial, and non-formal educational activities for children and adolescents in Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) and other designated locations.

• The children with specific needs are referred to the social workers for CMS.

• PSS activities are carried out with all registered children based on Tdh PSS guidelines.

• Keeping good coordination with social workers and for better implementation of the activities.

• Children preparation for school integration, particularly the children registered in CFSs activities.

• The beneficiaries are aware of the Tdh and AHF/Ijteam4 project and their activities.

• Make sure during the beneficiaries’ selection the percentage of 20% returnees: 40 % IDP, 40% HC are considered.
  
  Main responsibilities:

• Identify the outdoor and indoor games for all categories of children and adolescents properly.

• Take part to procure good quality materials relevant to PSS and non-formal educational activities.

• The Child Friendly Spaces are identified within the communities with close collaboration of community volunteers based on Tdh PSS centers’ selection criteria.

• Identification of proper and secure places with close coordination of social workers and community elders to organize PSS activities.

• Regular visit to the targeted villages for conducting PSS activities.

• Build the capacity to raise awareness on child’s rights, and child protection issues.

• Design and implement recreational and psychosocial support (PSS) activities, actively involving children and adolescents (with a strong focus on children’s specific needs and vulnerabilities)

• Ensure that children get all necessary support during the activities and that rules and discipline are set up in a positive and constructive way

• Prepare activities plan/schedule and arrange materials needed for the activities on regular basis.

• Manage the work of the community volunteers in the CFSs

• Collect information (attendance sheets, questionnaires, etc.) and report identified cases of children with specific needs/extremely vulnerable children are referred to the social workers

• Document lessons learned and success stories and share them with the Project Assistant for reporting purposes.

• Arrange PSS training for Community volunteers with preparation of all the training materials needed.

• Attend all required internal and external training and meetings properly.

• Report on a weekly basis to the line manager on the progress of his/her activities.

• Warmly receive children when they come to the activities

• Make sure to have enough recreational, educational materials at the CFSs and create local materials for smooth and appropriate approach for PSS, educational activities with children.

  Be careful not to offend any child in the course of your work (do no harm)

• Data collection and maintenance of records on the children database and shared with Data clerk.

• "Animation: Organize the children by age groups and implement the activities according to their needs:

• Activities with a psychosocial aim, which include organized and free games and sports,

• Expressive activities, i.e. small group discussions on children’s concerns (in collaboration with the Social Workers),

• Ensure confidentiality of the data.

• Preparation of the children to be integrated into formal schools already registered in CFSs whose age is from 7 to 13 years.

• Perform any other related duties assigned by the line manager.

Education :

• Minimum High School Diploma required, bachelor’s degree in education, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Child Development, Community Development, or a related field is preferred.

Experience/Skills :

• Minimum 2–3 years of experience working with NGOs/INGOs in Child Protection, Education, PSS, CFS, or community-based programs.

• Strong understanding of Psychosocial Support (PSS), child development, and child-friendly approaches.

• Ability to facilitate recreational, educational, life-skills, and psychosocial activities for children and adolescents.

• Good knowledge of child protection principles, safeguarding, PSEA, and referral pathways.

• Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to engage children of different age groups in structured and non-structured activities.

• Ability to identify children with specific needs and refer them appropriately through established referral mechanisms.

• Good coordination skills and ability to work closely with social workers, community volunteers, schools, and community leaders.

• Experience in conducting awareness sessions and group activities with children, caregivers, and communities.

• Ability to manage Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for children.
  

Languages:

• Fluency in local Languages is required. Basic English skills are an asset.
  

IT knowledge :

Microsoft Office package

Tdh General Code of Conduct and Ethical Policies :

• Commits to promoting and complying with the Global Code of Conduct, systematically reporting any violations of the Code through Tdh's formal reporting mechanisms and dealing with any violations of procedures and processes appropriately.

• Raises awareness of the Foundation of the risks of policy non-compliance, violence and abuse, and related rights, towards children, community members and our own employees.

• Undertakes to comply with key ethical policies and guidelines, including the Safeguarding Policy, the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, the Conflict-of-Interest Policy and other policies related to the prevention of terrorist financing and criminal activities, as well as workplace behavior.

• Commits to putting values and principles into practice through exemplary behavior, in full compliance with the Code of Conduct, and always respecting established procedures and processes.

• Commits to developing a compliant and enlightened management culture within the organization and in our work with children and the communities in which we operate.

References :

Please note that all job offers will be subject to satisfactory references and checks (criminal record and anti-terrorism funding check). Terre des hommes will ask the Human Resources of previous organisations to provide references on any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment as well as fraud and corruption, during employment, or incidents under investigation at the time the candidate left employment.

Procedure:

Only complete applications (updated and accurate CV + covering letter) received through Tdh online application platform will be processed. It is essential that all information provided is complete, truthful and verifiable, as any discrepancies may affect your eligibility in the recruitment process.

Additional documents (diplomas, work certificates, etc.) will be requested at a later date. 

Please note that

• Only applications submitted through the online platform will be considered. Applications submitted by email, in person, or through other means will not be accepted.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.

• Tdh upholds the principles of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion, and maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any harm, abuse, or exploitation of children or vulnerable adults by staff, representatives, or partners.

• Female candidates and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Tdh values the diversity, perspectives and contributions each individual brings to the team.