Program Officer

[Full time - Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand]

At Ashiyana, we believe that when children and youth experience inner transformation through safe spaces and positive and deep relationships, they can heal themselves, change their behaviors, become self-reliant, and disrupt the cycle of poverty and violence.
Ashiyana works with at-risk youth in Mumbai, ages 14-22 years old, most of whom have dropped out of school, lived on streets, are addicted, have been arrested and faced multiple challenges. Ashiyana works to transform the lives of the children within closed government residential homes and once they leave, out in the world.
We are now expanding our footprint and will be partnering with the government of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand on a change management initiative intended to provide capacity building support to the staff at their various child care institutions as well as to conduct on-field programs with the children and youth to help in their physical and emotional wellbeing by imparting them various life and socio-emotional skills.

Position Overview:
This position is an invitation for you to join our family as a Program Officer. Program officers will be assigned a Child Care Institution (CCI) and will work with the children and staff. You will build intentional relationships with children and youth, engage them in a variety of programming, facilitate sessions, support in the process of behavior change, and enable a smooth transition from institution to society. With the staff, you will hold group sessions, support in the implementation of new ideas, and co-facilitate sessions with children. Program Officers will report to the Program Manager.

This is a full-time position based in Mumbai/Chhattisgarh/Jharkhand and requires sensitive, passionate, and committed candidates.

Key responsibilities:
● Facilitate individual and group sessions with children as per the designed program with sensitivity to the program intention and group needs.
● Supporting the children’s committee to organize, plan, and lead events.
● Facilitate and conduct sessions with staff of CCI on talking circles, participatory methods, and weekly meetings.
● Liaison with volunteers and organize online workshops through volunteers and resource persons for the children on Saturdays.
● Implement the baseline and end-line in the CCIs
● Identify and support children and youth that require special attention and care.
● Support teachers and children to implement the library program.

● Organize family circles/reentry circles with the support of the staff of CCI if need be to bridge the gap between the child and the family.
● Closely work with other stakeholders - Staff of the institution like Probation officers, housemasters, guards, superintendent, family members
● Coordinate with stakeholders like the Juvenile Justice Board and the District Child Protection Unit.
● Maintain each child’s record and document individual children’s progress in circle work and key shifts in the children.
● Document staff progress and key shifts in the staff through the circle process.
● Document all processes carried out in the CCIs.
● Cater to the needs of children as well as the organization by being part of other initiatives of Ashiyana as and when expected.

Youth Development Coordinator is someone who:
• Feels called to be part of the healing and transformation of children and youth in closed institutions and sees them as capable of becoming self-reliant and positive contributors to the world.
• Self-starter and proactive can work under minimum supervision.
• Adept at problem-solving and decision making while working with stakeholders at the local level.
• Is able to influence and collaborate effectively across stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Enjoys challenging and volatile situations and is able to find creative ways to deal with complex problems.
• Is comfortable working with youth individually as well as in groups. Good facilitation skills required.
• Is reflective, a good listener, and exhibits a strong willingness to learn.
• Has a bold and yet flexible personality to adjust within the individual-centric and yet versatile work approach of Ashiyana
• Team player, resourceful and works with a sense of possibility.
• Is willing and keen to develop an awareness of one’s own emotional, spiritual, and intellectual learning process
• Is flexible and willing to work outside of normal business hours and holidays and/or weekends as needed.
• Is willing to travel, as and when required.
Professional/computer skills: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Knowledge of the Juvenile Justice system(preferred).
Prior experience in group work and facilitation skills preferred.

Location:
Mumbai - 1
Chhattisgarh - Raipur -1 | Bilaspur -1 | Durg - 1
Jharkhand - Ranchi -1, Hazaribaug - 1
Age: 25years & above
Language Skills: Excellent communication, interpersonal & language skills. Proficiency in Hindi and
English is a must.
Educational Qualification: Graduate/Postgraduate (preferably in Social Work)
Salary: Subject to the skill-set, experience, and location