JOB DESCRIPTION

HOUSE MENTOR

Job Title: House Mentor
Reports to: Country Director
Location/ Department: Kharis House, Ndola, Zambia
Number of Direct Reports: 0

Job Summary

The House Mentor is responsible for providing holistic care and supervision to the residents who live in Kharis House (KH). The House Mentor plays an active role in parenting the young pregnant teens (YPT) and young mothers in her home with appropriate love, discipline and home organization. The House Mentor understands it is her duty to place the welfare and safety of  all residents in the house as utmost priority. The House Mentor serves as a role model for the residents who are learning to embrace motherhood themselves.

THE HOUSE MENTOR MUST EMBRACE AND LIVE BY KHARIS HOUSE STATEMENT OF FAITH AND CORE VALUES

Specific Tasks  

People Management 

• Attend all relevant staff meetings.
• Communicate information to residents as needed.
• Assist residents in keeping time for all appointments and daily routines.
• Cooperate with supervisor to ensure stable home environment for the residents.
• Coordinate with course trainers and other volunteers & staff regarding the residents individual schedules.
• Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity of cases and details of residents.

Home Management 

• Manage inventory in homes and teach residents how to properly care for all home items.
• Manage food items within the home and adhere to menu.
• Report all maintenance and repair needs in a timely manner.
• Ensure residence and grounds are in good working order and are kept clean and neat.

Discipline, Character-Building, and Spiritual Formation 

• Uphold the Discipline Code of Conduct within the home and make all necessary documentations  regarding behavior.
• Teach residents the difference between wrong and right behavior; mentor residents as they learn how to  grow in maturity and in their relationship with the Lord.
• Facilitate and lead nightly devotions with the residents in the home.
• Encourage and ensure residents participation in church, devotions, or other related teachings.
• Mediate conflict resolution among the residents in the house when necessary.
• Create a safe, fair environment in the home for all residents.
• Implement all relevant KH parenting training materials.
• Oversee a developmentally appropriate chore program that actively engages residents in  participating in home care, while also learning responsibility.

Parenting Skills and Home Management Training 

• Teach residents proper procedures for living in a house, using and caring for items within the  house and campus.
• Teach residents in home how to properly wash, pack, and wear clothing on a daily basis.
• Teach residents proper behaviors for living in a home with other residents and with adults.
• Teach residents basic food preparation skills in the kitchen.
• Train residents in mothering skills; i.e. diapering, feeding, burping, baby development,  play, caring for sick residents, etc.
• Assist residents with middle-of-the-night feedings with residents, when needed.
• Care for babies when the young moms are in sessions or appointments.
• Assist residents in schoolwork as needed.

Health and Medical 

• Collect and distribute hygiene products to residents each month.
• Teach residents proper hygiene procedures, such as washing hands, brushing teeth, bathing, etc… for both themselves and their residents.
• Collect and administer all medicines for sick residents and residents in the home.
• Accompany YPT, young mommas and babies to medical appointments and/or hospital visits, as needed.

The Employee shall also be expected to undertake any responsibilities as may be delegated by his or her  supervisor.

Collaborations: 

1. Social Worker – coordinate and collaborate in regards to medicines, clinic visits, hospital stays, counseling  appointments, etc…

2. Operations and Groundskeeping – receive food and supplies distribution for the home, communicate maintenance needs

3. Course Teachers and Trainers – coordinate residents’ schedules for classes and courses; provide and receive  feedback about individual residents

4. All KH staff – any other KH staff, including but not limited to, counseling, occupational therapist, executive  director, etc.

5. Other – all other governmental agencies or partner organization staff

Other skills / Success factors:

• Demonstrate commitment to KH mission, vision, and values.
• Share knowledge and experience.
• Passion for equipping and empowering the vulnerable and traumatized YPT
• Previous experience caring for residents, teenage residents, and/or traumatized residents.
• Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development and apply newly acquired skills.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and positive constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
• Remains calm, in control, and good humored even under pressure.
• Responds positively to critical feedback and demonstrates teachable attitude.
• Ability to multi-task and competently manage several projects at one time.
• Strength in administration, organization, and efficiency.
• Adhere to all deadlines.
• Demonstrates ability to foster and maintain appropriate and engaging relationships with residents.
• Complete Child Protection training and adhere to all procedures and policies

Academic and Professional Requirements:

• Certificate in Home Base Child Care, Psychosocial Counseling, or another related field.
• Minimum grade 12 certificate.
• Must be fluent in English.
• Must have mentorship experience.
• Must have experience working with young girls.
• Irregular work shifts.
• Ability to meet health and physical requirements of the position.