About Phakamani Young Minds Academy

Phakamani Young Minds Academy is a grassroots community-based organization based in Freedom Park, Devland, operating in the Federated States of Micronesia. Founded with a deep commitment to uplifting children, youth, and families in underserved communities, the Academy runs three core programs: Afterschool Care and Enrichment, Early Childhood Development (ECD), and Youth Readiness and Life Skills Preparation. With a growing community of over 1,300 engaged followers and strong local partnerships, Phakamani Young Minds Academy has become a trusted pillar in the Devland and greater Freedom Park area. Our mission is to nurture the holistic development of every child and young person we serve, ensuring they have access to safe spaces, quality education, psychosocial support, and pathways to meaningful futures.

Our team is small but deeply passionate. We work in resource-constrained environments, which means every team member wears multiple hats, collaborates closely, and contributes directly to the impact we create in the community. We believe in servant leadership, cultural sensitivity, and the transformative power of showing up consistently for the people who need it most.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Social Worker to join our growing team in Freedom Park, Devland. This is a hands-on, community-facing role where you will serve as the primary psychosocial support provider across all three of our programs: Afterschool, ECD, and Youth Readiness. You will work directly with children, adolescents, and their families, addressing a wide range of social, emotional, educational, and protection challenges that arise in their daily lives.

As our Social Worker, you will be responsible for ensuring that every child and youth enrolled in our programs receives the individualized support they need to thrive. This includes conducting assessments, developing care plans, facilitating one-on-one and group counselling sessions, engaging families, coordinating with external service providers, and safeguarding the welfare of all program participants in accordance with child protection legislation and best practices.

This position reports to the Program Coordinator and works closely with teachers, youth facilitators, community leaders, and partner organizations. You will also play a key role in building the Academy's internal capacity around trauma-informed care, child safeguarding, and psychosocial well-being.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive psychosocial and developmental assessments for children and youth enrolled in Afterschool, ECD, and Youth Readiness programs, using standardized tools such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and locally adapted assessment frameworks, completing initial assessments within the first two weeks of enrollment and follow-up reviews every quarter.
Develop and implement individualized care plans for at-risk children and families, setting measurable goals related to emotional well-being, school attendance, family stability, and social integration, and tracking progress through monthly case reviews.
Provide direct one-on-one and group counselling services to children, adolescents, and caregivers using evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy for younger children, and motivational interviewing techniques for youth, maintaining confidential case files in compliance with ethical standards.
Strengthen family engagement by conducting regular home visits (minimum of 10 per month), facilitating parent education sessions on positive discipline, child development, and household well-being, and mediating family conflicts to create safer home environments for children.
Lead safeguarding efforts across all programs by identifying and documenting signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, reporting cases to the appropriate child protection authorities in accordance with Micronesian child welfare regulations, and ensuring all staff complete annual safeguarding training.
Coordinate referrals to external service providers including health clinics, legal aid organizations, educational support specialists, and government social services, maintaining a current directory of referral partners and tracking referral outcomes to ensure families receive timely support.
Design and facilitate psychosocial support workshops and life skills sessions for youth enrolled in the Youth Readiness program, covering topics such as conflict resolution, healthy relationships, substance abuse prevention, financial literacy, and career planning, with sessions conducted at least twice per month.
Support the ECD program by training caregivers and facilitators on early childhood developmental milestones, attachment theory, and responsive caregiving practices, conducting monthly coaching observations and providing feedback to strengthen program quality.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date case management records using tools such as case management spreadsheets or platforms like CommCare, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, or similar data management systems, ensuring all case notes, assessments, and referral logs are documented within 48 hours of interaction.
Contribute to organizational learning by participating in weekly team meetings, preparing quarterly impact reports on psychosocial program outcomes, and recommending improvements to program design based on community feedback and observed trends.

Candidate Requirements

Education and Registration:

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or equivalent degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a closely related human services field from a recognized institution.
Current and valid registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) or equivalent professional registration body relevant to the Federated States of Micronesia or the applicant's home country, with proof of good standing.
Additional certifications in trauma-informed care, play therapy, or child and family welfare will be considered a strong advantage.

Experience:

Minimum of two (2) years of post-qualification professional experience working in the NGO or community development sector, with a demonstrated focus on children, youth, and families.
Proven experience in case management, including assessment, care planning, case conferencing, and case closure procedures.
Demonstrated skills in individual and group counselling with diverse populations, including children, adolescents, and adults.
Experience conducting family engagement activities, including home visits, parent education, and family mediation.
Track record of working within safeguarding and child protection frameworks, including mandatory reporting.

Personal Attributes:

Deep empathy and genuine passion for working with vulnerable children and communities.
Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work respectfully within the unique cultural context of Micronesian communities, understanding local customs, values, and communication styles.
Strong emotional resilience and self-awareness, with the ability to manage vicarious trauma and maintain professional boundaries.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to build trust with children, families, colleagues, and external partners.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also thriving in a collaborative team environment.
Flexibility and adaptability, especially given the resource-constrained setting and the evolving needs of the community.

Technical Skills and Tools

Competence in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or Google Workspace for reporting, data tracking, and presentations.

Familiarity with psychosocial assessment tools including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), PHQ-9 for adolescent mental health screening, and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment framework.

Understanding of referral pathway management and inter-agency coordination protocols.

Basic knowledge of child protection legislation, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and relevant Micronesian or regional child welfare policies.

Work Environment and Culture

Phakamani Young Minds Academy operates in a dynamic, community-embedded environment. This is not a corporate office setting. You will work directly in Freedom Park, Devland, engaging with families, visiting homes, and spending significant time in the communities we serve. The role requires a high degree of mobility, emotional stamina, and the ability to navigate complex and sometimes challenging social situations with grace and professionalism.

Our team culture is rooted in mutual respect, shared purpose, and continuous learning. We hold weekly team debriefs to support staff well-being and ensure no one carries the weight of this work alone. We value open communication, constructive feedback, and the contributions of every team member, regardless of title or tenure. While resources are limited, our commitment to impact is boundless, and we invest in our people because we know they are the foundation of everything we do.

Benefits and Compensation

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, benchmarked against NGO sector standards in the region.
Opportunities for professional development, including sponsored training in trauma-informed care, advanced counselling techniques, and leadership development programs.
A deeply meaningful role where your daily work has a direct and visible impact on the lives of children and families in need.
Supportive team environment with regular supervision and debriefing sessions to promote staff well-being.
Paid annual leave and sick leave in accordance with local labor regulations.
Potential for career growth within the organization as Phakamani Young Minds Academy expands its programs and geographic reach across Micronesia.

Career Growth

Phakamani Young Minds Academy is a growing organization with ambitious plans to expand its programs across additional communities in the Federated States of Micronesia. As our Social Worker, you will have the opportunity to grow into senior roles such as Senior Social Worker, Program Manager, or Psychosocial Programs Coordinator. We actively support internal promotion and invest in leadership development for team members who demonstrate commitment, competence, and a passion for community impact. You will also gain transferable skills in program design, community engagement, and NGO management that will serve you throughout your career in social services and humanitarian work.

If you are a qualified Social Worker ready to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children and youth in one of the most unique and underserved regions of the world, we want to hear from you.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your updated CV along with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience, motivation for applying, and your approach to working with children and families in community settings. Applications should be submitted via the apply link provided. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within two weeks of submission and invited for an initial interview, followed by a practical assessment involving a case study scenario. We aim to fill this position within 30 days of the closing date and encourage interested candidates to apply promptly.