ROLE OVERVIEW

Funsani is a charity that supports Funsani Home, an orphanage in Kitwe for children orphaned by HIV, alongside a number of partner projects and organisations across Zambia.

Funsani is looking for a Carer to help provide a safe, healthy and caring environment for children living in Funsani Home.

This would be a part time role, approximately 3 days per week, with some overnight stays.

ABOUT FUNSANI

Funsani is a UK-based charity that supports Funsani Home, an orphanage in Kitwe, Zambia. The charity is led by volunteers who believe each child who has been orphaned to HIV deserves an education and support to live a healthy, productive life. Funsani was founded in 2002 by Dr Apakakombwele Chisuse-van der Boom, a UK-based doctor with roots in Zambia.

Funsani is guided by our vision and mission statements:

Vision
“Every child in Zambia impacted by HIV has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”

Mission
“Our mission is to provide a safe, caring environment through Funsani Home and our partnership network to support the wellbeing and education of vulnerable children impacted by HIV in Zambia.”

Funsani prides itself on providing children with a safe and caring home life. Many of the children we have supported over the years are now working in stable jobs. In the last year we have been focused on welcoming a new generation of children to Funsani Home. Currently we are supporting 9 children, aged between 4 and 9.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Caregiving and supervision

• Build a trusting and loving relationship with each child
• Provide adequate levels of support and supervision, depending on the number of children and activity taking place

Record keeping

• Maintain organised and accurate records on each child (e.g. admission record, birth certificate, medical records, next-of-kin, child care plan)
• Maintain organised and accurate facility records (e.g. visitor records, vehicle safety checks, safeguarding records)

Child protection

• Report and liaise with Child Protection services regarding any concerns where a child is at risk of neglect or abuse

Cleaning 

• Generally maintain a clean and tidy atmosphere
• Wash up after meals
• Regularly clean and disinfect communal areas, bedrooms and sanitation facilities
• Tidy away toys, books and miscellaneous items
• Remove rubbish
• Clean up spills and breakages as soon as possible

Bathing and sanitation

• Keep sanitation equipment clean and in good working order
• Maintain high standards of personal hygiene, washing hands before and/or after key tasks (e.g. feeding, handling of food, toileting)
• Ensure children carry out or are provided with appropriate bathing and sanitation routines
• Assist younger children in toileting and bathing

Hazard prevention

• Ensure the home is free from hazardous risks (e.g. sharp or broken play equipment, medicines locked away, first aid supplies available, cleaning substances locked away, fire risks eliminated)
• Ensure children are aware of the right course of action in the case of a fire, serious accident or injury

Health care

• Ensure children have access to relevant medical treatment
• Provide simple medical treatment for scrapes, bumps and bruises
• Ensure over-the-counter or prescribed medicine is always taken in line with recommended usage and dosage
• Provide age-appropriate health education e.g. sex education

Education

• Always provide encouragement around school and education
• Ensure homework is being completed on time and in line with expectations, providing help and supervision if required
• Closely monitor educational attainment of the children, intervening where they may be falling behind
• Liaise with teachers

Cooking & feeding

• Buy food which provides the children with a balanced and nutritious diet
  Prepare two snacks and three meals per day

Transportation

• Ensure children are transported safely (e.g. to and from school)

Discipline

• Providing discipline which is both formative and respectful, appropriate to the age and development level of each child

ABOUT YOU
The ideal candidate will bring passion for working with children and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. You must be caring and organised and be able to demonstrate high standards of integrity and trustworthiness in a position of responsibility.

The following experience is required in line with the requirements set out in the Minimum Standards of Care for Carers within a Child Care Facility:

• Hold a Grade 12 school certificate or above
• Have satisfactorily completed a career certificate or vocational training programme in the provision of child care
• A Police Clearance Certificate (Certificate for Criminal Record) – ideally dated within the last year to allow an immediate start

A driving license and experience within a similar child care facility are both considered desirable.