Amani Centre for Street Children is seeking a qualified, experienced, and highly motivated Children Home Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of one of its residential children’s centres. The role involves overall leadership, management, and statutory compliance, ensuring every child receives safe, nurturing, and individualized care in accordance with relevant acts and policies.
Responsibilities
- Provide overall day-to-day leadership and management of the residential centre.
- Maintain a safe, clean, structured, and nurturing environment for all children.
- Ensure the effective delivery of essential services within the centre.
- Ensure the centre complies with the Children’s Homes (Regulation) Act, the Law of the Child Act, and relevant regulations.
- Maintain a valid operating licence issued by the Commissioner for Social Welfare.
- Ensure the licence is renewed before its expiry date.
- Implement Amani’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.
- Ensure staff, volunteers, and visitors are appropriately screened, trained, and supervised.
- Report and address safeguarding concerns, incidents, and allegations promptly in accordance with organisational procedures and legal requirements.
- Supervise, mentor, and prepare work schedules for house parents, caregivers, night staff, and support staff.
- Ensure adequate staffing and supervision throughout the day and night.
- Ensure at least one senior staff member is responsible for the centre at all times, in accordance with applicable regulations.
- Oversee children’s health, hygiene, nutrition, and general welfare.
- Ensure medical examinations, immunisations, and health records are maintained.
- Report illnesses, injuries, and deaths to the relevant authorities within the legally prescribed timeframes.
- Ensure every child has access to formal education, life skills, recreation, and psychosocial support.
- Monitor individual children’s educational progress and personal development.
- Promote the wellbeing, dignity, and development of every child.
- Maintain complete, accurate, and confidential records for every child and staff member.
- Prepare timely monthly, quarterly, and annual statistical and narrative reports for the Executive Director, Social Welfare Officer, and Commissioner for Social Welfare.
- Ensure the annual return is submitted by 31 March each year.
- Manage the centre’s operating budget, supplies, and assets responsibly.
- Work closely with the Finance and Administration teams to ensure efficient resource utilisation.
- Promote value for money and compliance with donor accountability requirements.
- Represent the centre in engagements with local government social welfare offices, police, health facilities, schools, donors, and the surrounding community.
- Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.
- Support government inspections, audits, and other regulatory reviews.
- Serve as the first point of contact for emergencies at the centre.
- Coordinate appropriate responses to medical emergencies, safeguarding incidents, and cases of children absconding.
- Ensure timely notification of relevant authorities and organisational management.
- Monitor and continuously improve the quality of care provided to children.
- Ensure services meet Amani’s internal standards and national childcare guidelines.
- Support external evaluations, inspections, and licensing reviews.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Community Development, Psychology, Sociology, Child Development, Education, or a related field.
- At least five years of progressive experience working with vulnerable children, including two to three years in a supervisory or managerial role within a residential childcare institution, NGO, or donor-funded child protection programme.
- Sound knowledge of the Law of the Child Act, 2009 (Cap. 13 R.E. 2019), its regulations, and the Children’s Homes (Regulation) Act (Cap. 61 R.E. 2002).
- Knowledge of national alternative care guidelines and the National Costed Standards of Care for Most Vulnerable Children.
- Demonstrated experience in case management, child protection casework, family tracing, reunification, or reintegration.
- Experience supervising residential care staff, preparing staff rosters, and managing a 24-hour care operation.
- Working knowledge of the Employment and Labour Relations Act (Cap. 366 R.E. 2019) and applicable OSHA requirements for residential care workplaces.
- Proficiency in record-keeping, basic reporting, and standard office software, including Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
- Must be at least 18 years old and a Tanzanian citizen, or possess a valid work and residence permit.
- Possession of a valid Police Clearance Certificate (Hati ya Polisi ya Tabia Njema) and willingness to undergo enhanced vetting checks.
- Provision of a medical certificate confirming good health and freedom from infectious or communicable diseases, with willingness for periodic medical examinations.
- Willingness to sign and strictly comply with Amani’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct, including mandatory reporting of safeguarding concerns.
- Willingness to reside on-site or close to the centre and work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, and be available for emergencies.
- Fluency in spoken and written Kiswahili and working proficiency in English.
- Genuine compassion for vulnerable children and the ability to provide firm, fair, and trauma-informed leadership.
- Strong knowledge of child development, child protection principles, and positive, non-violent approaches to discipline and behaviour management.
- Excellent leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to motivate, supervise, and hold a diverse residential care team accountable.
- Strong case management, problem-solving, and crisis-management abilities.
- The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure.
- High integrity, confidentiality, and good judgement when handling sensitive information.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills when working with children, families, staff, government officials, and community members.
- Strong organisational and administrative skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities in a 24-hour care environment.
- The ability to manage disagreements among children and staff calmly.
- A proactive, solutions-oriented approach and the ability to work independently while keeping the Program Manager informed of significant risks and decisions.
- Cultural sensitivity and commitment to gender equality, inclusion, and the rights and dignity of every child.
- Registration or membership with a relevant professional body, such as a social workers’ association in Tanzania (added advantage).
- A valid driving licence (added advantage).
Document Requirements
Application Instructions
- Combine the following documents into one PDF file
- A cover letter
- A detailed and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified copies of academic and professional certificates
- Names and contact details of three referees (current or former employers)
- Deadline: 29 October 2026, 5:00 PM East Africa Time (EAT).
