Job Description
Position/Employment type:
Welfare Officer
Organization/Reporting line:
Reporting to HSE Officer/Manager
Place of work/Travel:
GardaWorld Lilongwe, Blantyre, Dwangwa, Nchalo Malawi
Contact and Cooperation:
Internally Main cooperation with Senior Management, QHSE and Compliance Manager, HSE Managers/Officers
Externally: Clients,
The Welfare Officer is responsible for ensuring the well-being and safety of employees and the community where we work in especially targeting the vulnerable members of the society. Their focus is creating a supportive environment for everyone in the communities in which the company operates.
Key Responsibilities:
- To develop and contribute to workplace initiatives to promote psychological wellbeing.
- To actively contribute to challenging stigma and judgement surrounding mental health in the workplace
- To identify local sources of psychosocial support and to establish relationships with local providers.
- Support implementation of the company’s Safeguarding/PSEA Policy and Code of Conduct.
- Conduct regular training/refresher sessions for staff and contractors on PSEA standards, zero tolerance, and mandatory reporting/whistle blowing policy.
- Create a focal point for safe, confidential reporting of concerns.
- Manage survivor’s referral for medical, psychosocial, and legal support.
- Support HR in investigation of all allegations against staff and that cases are escalated through the proper disciplinary and legal channels.
- Maintain a safeguarding incident register and help with investigations where required.
- Submit periodic reports on sensitisation activities, incidents received, referrals made, challenges.
- Liaise with local authorities, police, child protection officers, NGOs, and health facilities.
- Support survivors with referrals and follow-up, respecting confidentiality and survivor-centred approach.
- Work with local leaders, schools, youth groups, and women’s groups to build trust and open reporting pathways.
Authority:
As directed and delegated by the QHSE and Compliance Manager.
Accountability:
The Welfare Officer is accountable to the QHSE & Compliance Manager for their responsibilities stated in this job description. These responsibilities will be monitored and managed through the mid-year and annual performance review and supported through the monitoring of their KPI’s.
Competencies:
- Must have strong interpersonal skills, integrity, problem solving abilities and a deep commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the 6 guiding principles of trauma informed practice and how these can be promoted and implemented in the workplace.
- Demonstrate key personal attributes such as accessibility and pragmatism as well as the strength to challenge prohibited practices/workplace behaviours/cultures.
- Demonstrate motivation and a commitment to develop a positive culture within the workplace.
- Be creative, adaptable and flexible and to communicate effectively with different groups (i.e. people from different cultures/backgrounds, senior management and the welfare team)
Qualifications & Experience:
- A diploma in either Nursing or psychosocial field with a bias in counselling or related field.
- Minimum 2–4 years experience in community services with specific focus on facilitating counselling and creating community initiatives or interventions targeted at vulnerable members of the society.
- Strong understanding of different cultures and cultural norms
