Youth Worker, Part-Time (Young Hearts)

Overview of Young Hearts Red Cross House / Young Hearts centres (Yishun, Tampines, others)

The Young Hearts (YH) programme is built on a simple belief: when children are seen, heard, valued and supported, they can thrive as individuals and be empowered to uplift others in their communities.

Grounded in the programme pillars of Education, Enrichment and Excursions, and guided by our cultural pillars of Encourage, Empower and Elevate, Young Hearts addresses intergenerational vulnerabilities and socio-educational disparities with a strong emphasis on socio-emotional development and mental well-being. Through creating safe, nurturing and engaging spaces, we support children and youth to grow in confidence, resilience, empathy and purpose, enabling them to be positive contributors in their homes, schools and communities, one young heart at a time.

JOB PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Youth Worker plays a key role in strengthening the quality and intentionality of youth engagement across the Young Hearts programme. Working closely with the Executive (Operations), Social Worker (Family, Children & Youth) and Youth Work Associates, the Youth Worker provides on-ground team leadership in youth development, mentoring and programme facilitation while supporting the expansion of Young Hearts into new communities.

The role combines direct engagement with children and youth, practice guidance for junior staff and operational support to ensure that youth programmes remain safe, purposeful and developmentally meaningful.

Key Job Responsibilities

Youth Engagement & Development
1. Plan, facilitate and strengthen youth engagement initiatives
2. Build meaningful and trusting relationships with children and youth through consistent presence, positive role-modelling and strengths-based practice.
3. Support the design of age or strengths-appropriate activities that promote socio-emotional learning, resilience, life skills, empathy, leadership and community-mindedness.
4. Work with the Executives and Social Worker to identify opportunities for mentoring, youth exposure, volunteering, career exploration and other developmental pathways for older youths.
5. Observe and identify emerging needs, strengths or concerns among children and youth

Programme & Operations Support
1. Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching and support to Youth Work Associates, e.g., facilitate regular operational debrief to strengthen reflective practice and continuous improvement.
2. Model effective behaviour management, relationship-building and youth engagement strategies on the ground.
3. Support daily operational support at centres, including tutoring, relief coverage and programme facilitation where necessary.
4. Participate actively in team discussions and ongoing professional development.
5. Assist in establishing and supporting operations and youth programmes at new Young Hearts locations where required.

Stakeholders, Partnerships & Community Engagement
1. Support partnerships that create meaningful developmental opportunities for children and youth, including mentoring, workplace exposure, volunteering and community engagement initiatives.
2. Work collaboratively with team, internal and external stakeholders, tutors, volunteers, caregivers and community partners to provide a positive, meaningful and coordinated experience.

Administrative
1. Maintain timely documentation and programme updates as required.
2. Uphold safeguarding standards, maintain professional boundaries at all times and escalate safeguarding or welfare concerns promptly in accordance with established protocols.

Job Specifications

Aptitude & Attributes

1. Passionate about working with children and youth from diverse and vulnerable backgrounds.
2. Warm, approachable and able to build authentic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
3. Demonstrates sound judgement, initiative and emotional maturity in working with young people.
4. Confident facilitating small groups and engaging youths through both structured and informal interactions; able to coach and support junior staff while working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
5. Adaptable, dependable and comfortable working across different programme sites and operational needs.

Qualifications and Experience

1. Degree in Youth Work, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Community Development or a related discipline is advantageous.
2. Relevant experience working with children and youth in community, education or social service settings is strongly preferred.
3. Candidates with demonstrated aptitude, maturity and significant practical experience in youth engagement are encouraged to apply, even without formal youth work qualifications.
4. Experience facilitating group programmes, mentoring or outdoor/ community activities would be an advantage.

WORK SCHEDULE (subject to change)

This is a part-time position requiring regular evening work to support programme delivery.

Working hours are:

Monday & Wednesday: 5.00pm – 10.00pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 1.00pm – 6.00pm
Friday: 9.00am – 1.00pm Occasional weekends (time-off in lieu)

Location: Young Hearts centres (Tampines, Yishun or others); Red Cross House (HQ)