Informal Sector Supporter (Psychosocial) – WASTE Advisers
Job Description
WASTE Advisers/GEMS (WA/GEMS) is implementing a project funded by the European Union (EU) titled “Building Better! Post-COVID Economic Recovery through a National Recycling Campaign”. This project aims to support vulnerable groups and small businesses by promoting a circular economy in Malawi. Among various initiatives, the project works with waste pickers at landfills and streets in providing social and psychological support along with a subsidy program. Even though these groups are often neglected, they play a crucial role in the waste value chain. Therefore, WASTE Advisers/GEMS is seeking to recruit Informal Waste Pickers Psychosocial Supporter to assist in the execution of this project in Lilongwe.
Scope of Work
A. Mobilization and grouping of waste pickers
· Mobilizing waste pickers at Area 38 dumpsite and streets. Waste pickers at Mtaya should be respectfully engaged in a manner to develop trust
· Baseline data collection. Conduct face-to-face surveys with waste pickers, focusing on gathering detailed information on their activities, including types of waste collected, quantities, selling prices, and buyers.
· Ensure that the surveys are completed in a manner that is respectful and sensitive to the respondents’ situations.
· Data Entry and Management. Enter the collected survey data into a specified mobile or digital platform promptly and accurately.
· Establishing support groups where waste pickers can share experiences and offer mutual support.
B. Providing social psychological support sessions
· Carrying out a need assessment
· Helping pickers to understand and recognize the value they have through sessions that tackles following areas.
a. Self-identity and roles. They should understand themselves and the roles they play as a parent, worker and community member.
b. Self-esteem and Self-worth. They should recognize value and build a confidence as an economic contributing member in a society.
c. Goal setting and personal growth.
d. Values and beliefs. They should understand what is truly important to individuals and how it guides their behavior and decisions
e. Rights Awareness: Educating waste pickers about their legal rights and available services
· Supporting waste pickers through livelihood and trauma healing sessions
C. Providing entrepreneurship and finance management trainings
· Providing training sessions that focus on the following areas
a) Basic financial management (budgeting, savings and loans)
b) Entrepreneurship. Adding a value of waste and growing the business
c) Recycling of waste. Facilitating compost training
d) Marketing strategies
· Networking and partnership. Linking waste pickers to schools, private waste operators and recyclers to improve the collection and recycling of waste.
Required Qualifications
· A bachelors degree in Social Work, Theology, Community Development, Public Health, Social Science, Arts in Humanities, Environmental Sciences and any other related field.
· More than 3 years working experience related to working with communities, informal waste pickers
· Those that have worked in an environment of providing counselling shall have an added advantage.
· Ability to collect data using tools like KoboCollect or mWater.
· Ability to work in an informal environment
· Good command of oral and written English and Chichewa
· Skilled in writing comprehensive professional reports.
Mode of Application
Those that are interested and qualified should submit a technical proposal and financial proposal, copies of certificates and CV with minimum of three referees to hr@wasteadvisersmw.org and office@wasteadvisersmw.org not later than 4th December 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.