Job Description

GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone was established in 1974 (the village in Freetown being the second oldest in Africa), we work with partners in communities to help families care for their children or to provide an alternative, for instance an SOS family, in which the love of a Care Giver is essential.

Located in Freetown, Bo and Makeni, SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone has a wide range of programmes (Children’s villages, youth facilities, educational facilities, clinics) which supports more than 4,199 children in accessing and exercising their rights.

In addition to quality care, we seek to provide quality education to all the children through our Herman Gmeiner International Schools and Kindergartens through service providers.

SOS Children’s Villages Sierra Leone is recruiting to fill the positions of Guidance Counsellors, to provide a comprehensive competency-based counselling program focused on the learning, personal/ social and career/ vocational needs of all pupils, conduct career and educational planning activities.

The Guidance Counsellor would be required to adhere to and support School policy, school guidelines, administrative rules and directives.

Make him/herself available to all students seeking guidance and counselling services.

He/she should be able to advocate on behalf of the student and/or his/her family.

Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students.

Facilitate outreach efforts to provide services to students, parents/guardians and staff.

Connect students, parents/guardians and staff with specialized referral agencies.

Understand, evaluate, and interpret academic performance data. Interpret information about students to the student, their parents/guardians, and staff.

Qualifications and Experience

Degree in Guidance and/or School Counselling, Education or counselling psychology.

Minimum of three years of teaching, counseling, or other experience working with children similar in age to the position hired.

Good communication skills.

Positive and professional approach, able to work in a team of field workers

Able to work in a team of field workers yet also able to work independently

Able to take initiative, being organised.

Good knowledge of children’s rights and Child Protection.

Must have knowledge on Child Protection and Child’s Rights Issues.

Having an excellent knowledge and understanding of the aims and understanding of the SOS Ideals, Vision, Mission and Values is an asset.

Must have leadership qualities with a positive approach to work under pressure and be prepared to work if necessary, outside the normal working hours.

Strong commitment and dedication the SOS association, staff, students and parents.

WORK CONDITIONS

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: Three (3) one for each location (Freetown, Bo and Makeni)

STARTING DATE: 21^st March 2022

DURATION OF CONTRACT: One year with a possibility of an extension based on performance and/or

availability of funding

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS: According to profile

LOCATION: Freetown, Bo and Makeni

To apply: submit a letter of interest, with Curriculum Vitae, photocopy of certificates, and three (3) professional references with at least one (1) from a direct supervisor, by email only to apply.sl@sossierraleone.org  Please indicate in the subject line the position, the location and the subject area desired, for example: “Teacher to teach Chemistry ”.

Closing date for the submission of applications is Monday 14^th March, 2022

Only the successful candidates will be contacted.

In accordance with the organisation’s child protection policy, all employment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record checks.

What We Stand For:

SOS Children’s Villages is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment, which promotes its core values, and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation, be it within or outside of our organisation, and always respond to any case of proven, alleged or attempted abuse within our sphere of influence according to its nature. Efforts ensure that mechanisms are in place to raise awareness, aid prevention, encourage reporting and ease response. They range from human resource development actions such as training and counselling to measures such as suspension, dismissal, and legal action.

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