Social Worker – Foster Care Service 206 views

SOS Children’s Villages in The Gambia is a non-governmental social development organisation that has been active in the field of children’s rights and committed to children’s needs and concerns since 1982. Focussing its work on children without parental care and children in families in difficult circumstances, the organisation has a wide range of programmes, which include: Children’s Villages, Youth Facilities, Family Strengthening Programmes, Kindergartens, Schools, a Mother and Child Clinic, Vocational Training Centres, Youth Empowerment projects, a Community Strengthening Through Green Economy and Education Project, a Monetising Waste Project and a Gender Equality Project

SOS Children’s Villages in The Gambia is looking for a suitably qualified candidate for the position of a Social Worker – Foster Care Service at the Bakoteh Location

Position summary:

The Social Worker – Foster Care Service is responsible for ensuring that children deprived of parental care are provided with safe, nurturing, and family-based care through professional case management and social work practice. The role involves managing foster care cases throughout the entire case management cycle, including the recruitment and assessment of foster families, facilitating placement and reintegration processes, and building the capacities of foster parents and stakeholders. The post holder will work directly with foster children, foster parents, biological families, communities, and relevant stakeholders to promote the best interests of the child and ensure positive developmental outcomes.
The Social Worker – Foster Care Service reports to the Alternative Care Coordinator and has a matrix reporting line to the National Programme Development Manager.

General aim of the position

• To support the development and implementation of foster care services in line with the Vision, Mission, Values, policies and standards of SOS Children’s Villages, national legislation, the National Foster Care Guidelines, and international child protection standards.
• Supports the development and implementation of foster care services and interventions.
• Conducts comprehensive assessments of children, foster families and biological families.
• Develops and implements individualized care plans with the active participation of children, foster parents, biological families and relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitates the matching and placement process between children and approved foster families in collaboration with relevant authorities and the foster care sub-committee of the National Child Protection Committee.
• Provides psychosocial support, counselling and guidance to foster children and foster families.
• Supports family tracing, assessment and reunification processes aimed at restoring children to their biological families whenever it is in their best interests.
• Organizes and facilitates orientation and training programmes for prospective and existing foster parents.
• Maintains proper case files and ensures that all case management processes are completed in a timely and professional manner.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with government institutions, community leaders, civil society organizations and other service providers.
• Promotes and upholds the SOS Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

Qualifications/Competencies required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Community Development, Social Sciences, Development Studies or related fields.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in social work, child protection, alternative care, family strengthening or related programmes.
• Experience in case management and psychosocial support.
• Experience facilitating training and capacity-building activities.
• Sound knowledge of child rights, child protection and alternative care systems.
• Strong counselling, facilitation, and report writing skills.
• Ability to build partnerships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Good digital literacy and ability to use databases and information management systems.
• Professional qualification in Social Work will be an added advantage.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel frequently between Bakoteh and Basse.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• A supportive team working environment
• Opportunity to work for a well respected and recognised NGO
• A vital role supporting the provision of family-based care for children without parental care

To apply, submit your letter of interest with Curriculum Vitae and certificates to: job.apply@sosgambia.org with the subject line: SOCIALWORKERFOSTERCARE2026. Closing date for submission of application is July 5th, 2026. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

For more information on this project please visit our website at www.sosgambia.org

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.