Youth Transition Program Coordinator

Job Description: Youth Transition Program Coordinator

Location: Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico (accommodation provided)

Start date: 1st of December 2022

Placement: Five days a week, 40 hours per week. The post holder will be required to work some evenings and weekends. A minimum commitment of 15 months is required, 18 months is preferred.

Reports to: Mision Mexico Foundation Director

Our Mission and Focuses

The Misión México Foundation aims to break cycles of poverty, abuse and inequality; providing opportunities for every child and youth that we care for to succeed. Through long-term solutions like education, practical and emotional care and community development, we provide tools and opportunities for children and youth to advance in every aspect of their lives, becoming the best that they can be. Our core focuses; education and extracurricular activities; safe homes with a family environment; health and wellbeing support; community development, personal development and life skills.

Role Context

Our Youth Transition Programme (YTP) was established in 2014 to enable older youth within Misión México to begin their transition to semi-independent living, and build the skills required to live independently. Misión México has procured an off-site Youth Transition House for our youth to live under supervision, whilst being supported to finish higher education or pursue career goals. They live in two separate transition apartments in a privately rented and secure apartment block. The YTP Coordinator works closely with our youth living at Misión Mexico (aged 15 years +) and our young adults living in the Youth Transition House (aged 18 years +). Our YTP Coordinator is expected to be both a role model and a source of authority to our youth and young adults.

Primary Objectives of the Role

The YTP Coordinator works to create a safe, secure, and stable environment for our youth, with a supportive learning environment that ensures their daily living skills are developed. The focus includes independent and practical living skills, health and nutrition, education and employment support, financial planning, and budgeting. Personal development is a critical element of the program to help improve their confidence, interpersonal and negotiation skills, and self-motivation.

Duties and Responsibilities

● Oversee the day-to-day running of the transition house including scheduling regular house meetings, demonstrating and encouraging good housekeeping skills, providing ongoing support and direction to ensure stability and harmony, and responding appropriately and effectively to day-to-day living situations including trauma-related behaviours

● Assist and encourage youth to develop and practice their independent living skills

● Help youth with any social presentation needs such as clothing and self-care needs

● Develop strategies to help youth identify and manage their emotions and behaviour

● Develop opportunities for youth to experience a wide range of activities, people and circumstances in an enjoyable, non-threatening manner so they may learn to relate positively in social situations

● Consistently be a positive role model to the youth of Misión Mexico

● Coordinate and facilitate weekly focus group sessions and activities for youth aged 15 years + living in the main Misión México house, facilitating the delivery of a life skills and wellbeing curriculum

● Coordinate and facilitate weekly cooking and budgeting classes for youth, including shopping for ingredients at a local supermarket, meal preparation and nutrition planning

● Assist in providing 1-to-1 development support and monthly/yearly goal settings with youth

● Assist in managing and supervising the youths’ medical appointments and off-site excursions

● Work alongside the Directors to ensure that the educational, health and wellbeing needs of the youth are met, including monitoring mental health. monitoring school/university results, assisting with transitions into higher education and managing involvement in any co-curricular activities

● Develop and maintain individual care plans and goals in conjunction with the youth

● Provide risk assessments for individuals and the household

● Complete assessments and introductions of youth into the program

● Contribute to the development and updating of a wellbeing and life skills curriculum

● Regularly meet with the Directors to discuss program and youth progress

● Contribute to the quarterly program report and monthly social media posts

● Work alongside the Director to manage the YTP budget and expenses

● Perform other duties as discussed and agreed upon with the Director

● Develop and maintain local partnerships with individuals and organizations who can assist with facilitating the program and workshops

Essential Criteria

● Extensive knowledge and experience working with youth from backgrounds of trauma and/or disadvantaged backgrounds

● Proven ability to engage positively with children and youth, whilst maintaining a high level of emotional support and understanding of boundary setting

● A relevant bachelor’s degree/higher qualification and/or minimum 1 years experience in the fields of Social Services, Human Service, or Education (paid or voluntary roles)

● Experience in facilitation and group work skills

● Ability to be an enabler, not a provider

● Strong conflict resolution, negotiation and problem-solving skills

● Ability to demonstrate patience, consistency, empathy, flexibility, initiative, humour, honesty and maturity

● Proven ability to work as part of a team and show leadership qualities

● Valid ‘Working with Children Check’ and undergo a Criminal Records Check prior to employment. Subsequently, staff must report any criminal charges or court appearances.

● A minimum of both conversational Spanish and conversational English

● Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, continual improvement, risk management and occupational health and safety

● Capacity to teach basic cooking and nutrition skills

● Effective administrative skills, including MS Office

● Effective time management skills with the ability to work autonomously including managing and prioritizing own workload

Desirable Criteria

● Experience working in a community/residential background

● Full driving with willingness to drive a 12-seater passenger van in Mexico if required

Additional

The YTP coordinator will live in a private 2-bedroom apartment, with another Mision Mexico Foundation staff member, in the same apartment block as the 2 transition apartments. Apart from secured housing, Mision Mexico Foundation will also offer a monthly local salary, monthly health and wellbeing vouchers, crisis support through a professional therapist, group/staff workshops and training, flexibility, and the opportunity to engage with your own personality.

On engagement of the role, there will be a 6-week probationary period at which time the Director and successful applicant will review the position and future of the role.

Annual leave and working hours will be negotiated with the Director.

This job description is not exhaustive and is provided to assist the post holder to know what her/his duties are. It may be amended from time to time, without change to the levels of responsibility and in discussion with the post holder.