Position 1: Kitale, Trans-Nzoia County  

Position 2: Rarieda, Siaya County

Full-Time  |  On-Site  | 

Reports to: Site Director

ABOUT BABA NYUMBANI

Baba Nyumbani is a faith-rooted micro-village of comprehensive care for orphaned and vulnerable children in Kenya. We exist because every child deserves safety, nourishment, love and a future. For over two decades, we have delivered on that belief through housing, health care, nutrition, education and life-skills programming. Equipping children not just to survive, but to flourish.

Our model is clear: from crisis to capability. We do not create dependency. We build self-sustaining, dignified futures. Approximately 3.6 million children in Kenya are classified as orphaned or vulnerable. Baba Nyumbani exists to be a faithful, consistent and effective answer to that reality.

ROLE SUMMARY

This role is not for someone who is still finding their footing. We are looking for a social worker who has already done the hard work. Who has sat across from a grieving parent, advocated firmly for a child in a difficult system, navigated complex family dynamics with both clarity and compassion, and walked away still committed to coming back.

As a Senior Child & Family Social Worker, you will be the frontline practitioner responsible for the wellbeing, protection, and progression of the children and families in our care. You will work directly with children - building trust, assessing needs, and walking with them through their journey. You will work with caretakers and parents - offering guidance, setting clear expectations, and having honest conversations when circumstances demand it. You will work with community and government stakeholders to ensure every child has the support network they deserve.

You will be expected to lead. To give direction. To hold the line when it matters — with empathy, not apology. If you carry the weight of this work with both professional discipline and personal heart, we want to hear from you.

• Conduct thorough psychosocial assessments and home visits to evaluate the needs, risks, and strengths of children and families within the Baba Nyumbani community
• Develop, implement, and regularly review individual case plans for children in care, with clear goals, timelines, and outcome measures
• Serve as a consistent, trusted presence for children — providing direct psychosocial support, facilitating life-skills conversations, and advocating for each child's best interests at every stage
• Engage caretakers and parents with directness and respect — providing structured guidance, identifying gaps in care, delivering difficult feedback when necessary, and holding all parties accountable to the child's welfare
• Lead family tracing, reintegration planning, and post-reintegration follow-up in alignment with Kenya's national child protection case management framework
• Maintain comprehensive, up-to-date case files and documentation for all children and families, meeting organizational and government reporting standards
• Liaise with Sub-County Children's Officers, government departments, community leaders, and partner organizations to coordinate referrals, legal processes, and wraparound support
• Identify and escalate protection concerns — including abuse, neglect, exploitation, or safeguarding risks — through appropriate internal and statutory channels, without delay
• Facilitate admission processes including assessment of incoming cases, court liaison, and coordination with program leadership on placement decisions
• Participate in regular case conferences, supervision sessions, and team debriefs — contributing professional insight and remaining open to feedback and growth
• Model and uphold the organization's child safeguarding policies in every aspect of practice

• Minimum 5 years of direct, field-based social work experience — with at least 3 years in a child welfare, child protection, or family support context
• Demonstrated experience conducting psychosocial assessments, developing case plans, and managing complex cases through to resolution or reintegration
• Proven ability to work directly with children across a range of ages and vulnerability types — including trauma, loss, neglect, and abuse
• Demonstrated capacity to engage adults — parents, caretakers, community leaders — with authority, clarity, and respect, including in difficult or high-stakes conversations
• Working knowledge of Kenya's child protection legal and statutory framework, including the Children's Act, Sub-County referral pathways, and CPIMS documentation standards
• Active membership or eligibility for membership with the Kenya National Association of Social Workers (KNASW) or KISWCD
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili
• Proficiency in basic computer applications and case documentation systems
• Emotional resilience, professional maturity, and demonstrated personal practices for managing the weight of this work
• Commitment to child safeguarding and the ethical standards of professional social work practice in Kenya
• Ability to work on-site in your assigned location (Kitale or Rarieda) with regular field presence in surrounding communities

Assets & Nice-to-Have Qualifications

These are not required, but will meaningfully strengthen your candidacy:

• Formal training in trauma-informed care, psychosocial first aid, or mental health first aid
• Experience with Kenya's deinstitutionalization and family reintegration programs, including MWENDO, 4Children, or similar frameworks
• Familiarity with the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) and digital case management tools
• Experience in GBV (gender-based violence) case management or working with survivors of exploitation or abuse
• Knowledge of best interest determination (BID) processes and formal case conferencing procedures
• Prior experience in a faith-based NGO, community micro-village, or residential care environment
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior social workers or community health volunteers
• Personal alignment with the faith-based values and child welfare mission of Baba Nyumbani

WHAT WE OFFER

At Baba Nyumbani, we understand that doing this work well requires being supported well. We invest in the people who show up for our children every day.

• Competitive salary benchmarked to the local NGO market for both Kitale and Rarieda 
• Full statutory benefits in compliance with Kenyan law: NSSF, SHIF health coverage, and Affordable Housing Levy contributions
• Field and transport allowance to support case visits and community engagement
• Airtime and data provision for case communication and coordination
• 21 days of annual leave plus all gazetted public holidays, per the Employment Act of Kenya
• Regular clinical supervision and professional support — because this work matters, and so do you
• A mission-driven, faith-rooted work culture grounded in dignity, accountability, and genuine care for people
• Direct, visible impact on the lives of children and families in your community
• Professional development opportunities and exposure to Kenya's national child protection framework and international best practice

HOW TO APPLY 

If this role reflects both your professional experience and your personal calling, we welcome your application. Please indicate clearly in your application which location you are applying for: Kitale (Trans-Nzoia County) or Rarieda (Siaya County). Applications that do not specify a location preference will not be considered.

Please submit the following documents to [email protected] with the subject line:

Senior Child & Family Social Worker — [Location] — [Your Full Name]

• Current CV or resume (PDF format preferred)
• Cover letter: addressing your relevant field experience and your connection to this mission
• Copies of academic and professional certifications
• Proof of KNASW or KISWCD membership (if applicable)
• Two professional references

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Baba Nyumbani is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, HIV status, religion, national origin, or any other protected characteristic under Kenyan law. Candidates residing in or near their respective site communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Baba Nyumbani is fully committed to child safeguarding. The successful candidate will be required to complete a background check, provide a certificate of good conduct, and sign our Child Protection Policy before commencing employment. This is non-negotiable.