Working at SCD

A Career That Makes a Difference

Working at SCD means being part of an organisation that exists for one purpose: to support children and young people to build better futures. Every role in our organisation — whether in direct care, coordination, safeguarding, or administration — contributes directly to that purpose. When you join SCD, you join a team that takes its responsibilities seriously, invests in its people, and is guided every day by the values of respect, compassion, and integrity.

We recruit people who believe in the capacity of every young person to change and grow — and who are committed to providing the consistent, skilled, and humane support that makes that change possible. We are an equal opportunities employer and actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience that helps them connect authentically with the young people we serve.

All SCD roles are subject to satisfactory background checks and references. Successful candidates will be required to complete SCD's comprehensive induction and mandatory training programme before commencing work with young people.

Why Work at SCD?

Meaningful work that directly improves the lives of children and young people across Nigeria

Regular professional supervision and reflective practice support

Comprehensive mandatory and continuing professional development training

Annual appraisal and clear pathways for career progression within SCD

A values-driven, collaborative, and supportive working environment

The opportunity to work within one of Nigeria's most respected youth-focused NGOs

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7 positions currently open across all states

01 Youth Support Worker
Full Time Multiple States Now Recruiting
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About the Role

The Youth Support Worker is the cornerstone of SCD's direct work with children and young people aged 11–18. This is a frontline role in which you will build meaningful, professional relationships with young people, implement their individual support plans, and provide the day-to-day consistency and care that enables them to feel safe, understood, and supported in all aspects of their lives.

You will work as part of a dedicated team, supported by regular supervision and a comprehensive induction programme, and guided by SCD's evidence-based frameworks including trauma-informed practice, TCI, the Sanctuary Model, and restorative practice.

Key Responsibilities

  • Building and sustaining positive, professional, and boundaried relationships with young people
  • Implementing individual support plans in collaboration with senior staff
  • Facilitating structured programme sessions — mentoring, life skills, emotional wellbeing
  • Monitoring and reporting on young people's wellbeing, safety, and progress
  • Maintaining accurate and timely records of all interactions and observations
  • Participating in team meetings, supervision, and mandatory training
  • Working collaboratively with families, schools, and partner agencies

Person Specification

  • Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Child Development, or related field — OR demonstrable experience working with young people aged 11–18
  • Genuine commitment to SCD's values and a belief in the capacity of every young person to grow and change
  • Excellent communication skills — with young people, families, and professional colleagues
  • Ability to work calmly and effectively in demanding and emotionally challenging situations
  • Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and shifts as required
  • Satisfactory enhanced background check and two professional references
Role Details
SalaryCompetitive, commensurate with experience
ContractFull-time, permanent
Hours37.5 hrs/week including shift work
LocationMultiple states — see application
Reports ToSenior Youth Support Worker
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02 Senior Youth Support Worker
Full Time Multiple States Now Recruiting
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About the Role

The Senior Youth Support Worker combines high-quality direct work with children and young people with supervisory responsibility for a team of Youth Support Workers and volunteers. This is a pivotal leadership role — you will be the first line of professional accountability for quality and safety on your shift, modelling excellent practice and ensuring SCD's standards are maintained at all times.

Key Responsibilities

  • Providing direct, high-quality support to young people — modelling best practice for colleagues at all times
  • Supervising and supporting Youth Support Workers and volunteers during shifts
  • Leading shift handovers — ensuring complete and accurate communication between teams
  • Making real-time decisions on the management of challenging behaviour
  • Reviewing and contributing to support plans, risk assessments, and documentation
  • Conducting or contributing to Life Space Interviews following significant incidents
  • Identifying training and development needs within the team

Person Specification

  • Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Residential Childcare, or related field
  • Minimum 2 years' experience in a youth support, residential care, or social care setting working with young people aged 11–18
  • Experience of supervising or leading a team in a care setting
  • Strong understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and TCI
  • Excellent record-keeping, communication, and decision-making skills
Role Details
SalaryEnhanced rate — commensurate with experience
ContractFull-time, permanent
Hours37.5 hrs/week including shift work
LocationMultiple states — see application
Reports ToProgramme Manager
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03 Night Support Worker (Residential)
Nights / Rota Multiple States Now Recruiting
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About the Role

The Night Support Worker provides safe, calm, and professional overnight supervision within SCD's residential settings. This role demands full professional alertness throughout every shift — the overnight hours are as important as any other, and young people in residential care deserve the same quality of skilled, compassionate attention at 3am as they do at 3pm. You will work as part of a paired overnight team, supported by an on-call senior manager throughout every shift.

Key Responsibilities

  • Maintaining a safe, calm, and settled environment throughout the overnight shift
  • Conducting regular welfare checks on all young people in line with SCD's protocols
  • Responding sensitively and effectively to young people who are distressed, unwell, or unable to sleep
  • Managing and de-escalating incidents using TCI and trauma-informed approaches
  • Maintaining accurate overnight logs and completing all required records before handover
  • Conducting a thorough shift handover to the incoming day team each morning
  • Administering medication where required, in strict accordance with SCD's medication policy
  • Maintaining the security and safety of SCD's premises throughout the night

Person Specification

  • Level 2 or above in Health and Social Care or related field — OR 2 years' professional experience working with young people aged 11–18
  • Experience in a residential childcare, youth work, or overnight care setting is highly desirable
  • Ability to maintain full professional alertness and responsiveness throughout overnight shifts
  • Calm, patient, and empathetic approach — especially when responding to distressed young people in the night hours
  • Willingness to work a rolling overnight rota pattern
Role Details
SalaryCompetitive with night enhancement
ContractFull-time, permanent (nights rota)
HoursRolling overnight rota
LocationMultiple residential settings
Reports ToSenior YSW / On-call Manager
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04 Mentoring Coordinator
Full Time Multiple States Now Recruiting
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About the Role

The Mentoring Coordinator leads the development, delivery, and quality assurance of SCD's mentoring programme across a designated region or programme area. You will recruit, train, and supervise mentors; manage the matching process between mentors and young people; and ensure that every mentoring relationship is safe, productive, and progressing towards positive outcomes for the young person. This is both a programme management and a direct practice role, requiring strong organisational skills alongside a deep understanding of what makes mentoring effective.

Key Responsibilities

  • Recruiting, screening, inducting, and training volunteer and paid mentors
  • Managing the thoughtful, appropriate matching of mentors with young people
  • Providing regular supervision and group support to mentors
  • Monitoring the progress and safety of all active mentoring relationships
  • Tracking and reporting on outcomes against agreed targets and KPIs
  • Continuously improving the mentoring programme based on evidence and participant feedback
  • Maintaining accurate records in compliance with SCD's data and confidentiality policies

Person Specification

  • Level 3 or above in a relevant field (youth work, social care, education, coaching)
  • Demonstrated experience in mentoring, coaching, or youth work with young people aged 11–18
  • Experience of recruiting, training, or supervising volunteers or staff
  • Strong programme management, organisation, and communication skills
  • Understanding of safeguarding requirements for mentoring contexts
Role Details
SalaryCompetitive, commensurate with experience
ContractFull-time, permanent
Hours37.5 hrs/week, office hours primarily
LocationMultiple states — see application
Reports ToProgramme Manager
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05 Safeguarding Officer
Full Time Multiple States Now Recruiting
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About the Role

The Safeguarding Officer holds designated responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across SCD's programmes within their assigned area. This is one of the most critical roles in the organisation — you will be the focal point for all safeguarding concerns, the lead for safeguarding training and compliance, and the primary link with statutory child protection agencies. The role demands exceptional professional judgement, a thorough command of safeguarding legislation and practice, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

  • Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) — receiving, assessing, and acting on all safeguarding concerns
  • Making referrals to statutory child protection agencies when required
  • Maintaining a confidential log of all safeguarding concerns, actions, and outcomes
  • Designing and delivering safeguarding training for all staff, volunteers, and partners
  • Ensuring SCD's safeguarding policies are current, compliant, and consistently applied
  • Leading safe recruitment processes for all SCD staff including background checks
  • Providing regular written safeguarding reports to senior management

Person Specification

  • Level 3 or above in a relevant field; Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training essential
  • Minimum 3 years' experience in a safeguarding, social care, or child protection role
  • Thorough knowledge of safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice
  • Experience of working with statutory child protection agencies
  • Exceptional judgement, integrity, and ability to handle sensitive information with complete confidentiality
  • Enhanced background check and comprehensive professional references required
Role Details
SalarySenior scale — commensurate with experience
ContractFull-time, permanent
Hours37.5 hrs/week
LocationMultiple states — see application
Reports ToDirector / Senior Management
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06 Community Engagement Worker
Full Time Multiple States Now Recruiting
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About the Role

The Community Engagement Worker is SCD's ambassador in the communities we serve. You will spend much of your time outside of SCD's facilities — in schools, community centres, homes, and community events — building the relationships and partnerships that multiply the impact of our direct services. This role requires confidence, warmth, cultural sensitivity, and a genuine commitment to working alongside communities rather than simply delivering services to them.

Key Responsibilities

  • Building sustained relationships with families, schools, community leaders, and local organisations
  • Delivering community awareness sessions on the needs and rights of young people
  • Conducting outreach to identify young people who may benefit from SCD's support
  • Supporting parents and carers through family engagement sessions and home visits
  • Representing SCD at community meetings, events, and partnership forums
  • Collecting and reporting community feedback to support programme improvement
  • Maintaining accurate records of all community contacts, activities, and referrals

Person Specification

  • Level 3 or equivalent in community development, youth work, social work, or related field
  • Demonstrated experience in community outreach, family support, or engagement work
  • Cultural competence and sensitivity — ability to work respectfully across diverse communities
  • Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills — confident engaging with community leaders, schools, and families
  • Ability to work independently, manage own schedule, and travel within a designated area
Role Details
SalaryCompetitive, commensurate with experience
ContractFull-time, permanent
Hours37.5 hrs/week — community-based
LocationMultiple states — see application
Reports ToProgramme Manager
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07 Administrative Support Officer
Full Time FCT Abuja / Multiple Offices Now Recruiting
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About the Role

The Administrative Support Officer provides the operational foundation that enables SCD's teams to focus fully on delivering excellent services to young people. While not a direct care role, the quality of SCD's administrative work directly affects the quality and safety of the care we provide — and we regard administrative excellence as an essential contribution to our mission. You will join a professional, organised, and supportive team committed to running SCD's operations to the highest standard.

Key Responsibilities

  • Managing SCD's administrative systems — correspondence, filing, record keeping, and scheduling
  • Maintaining accurate, confidential records of young people, referrals, staff, and organisational activities
  • Supporting the referral and intake process — logging enquiries and coordinating assessment appointments
  • Managing communications — telephone, email, and post — with professionalism and discretion
  • Providing administrative support for meetings, training events, and reporting
  • Supporting financial administration including expense records and invoice processing
  • Maintaining office supplies, equipment, and smooth day-to-day operational function

Person Specification

  • Proven experience in an administrative role with strong organisational and IT skills
  • Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Sound knowledge of data protection principles and experience handling confidential information
  • Professional, welcoming, and effective communication skills — written and verbal
  • Commitment to SCD's values and a genuine interest in supporting the organisation's mission
Role Details
SalaryCompetitive, commensurate with experience
ContractFull-time, permanent
Hours37.5 hrs/week, office-based
LocationFCT Abuja / Multiple offices
Reports ToOffice Manager / Programme Manager
Apply Now Enquire About This Role
What We Offer

Benefits of Working at SCD

01

Professional Development

Comprehensive induction, mandatory training in trauma-informed practice, TCI, safeguarding, and restorative practice — plus ongoing continuing professional development and annual appraisal with clear progression pathways.

02

Supervision and Support

Monthly individual supervision, regular team reflective practice sessions, access to specialist consultation, and an organisation that genuinely cares about your wellbeing and professional growth.

03

Values-Driven Culture

A working environment shaped by the same values — respect, integrity, compassion, and collaboration — that guide our work with young people. A place where what you do every day genuinely matters.

04

Competitive Remuneration

Competitive salaries commensurate with experience and responsibility, with night enhancement for overnight roles and a transparent pay framework linked to progression and performance.

05

National Reach

The opportunity to work within one of Nigeria's most established youth-focused NGOs, with a footprint across eleven states and a growing national reputation for quality, integrity, and impact.

06

Meaningful Work

Every day at SCD, you will contribute directly to better outcomes for children and young people. The work is demanding — and it is among the most meaningful and rewarding work available in the social care sector.

How to Apply

The Application Process

SCD's application process is designed to be straightforward, transparent, and respectful of your time. Here is what to expect.

01

Create an Account

Register on SCD's applicant portal to create your account. You will need to provide your name, email address, and contact details to begin your application.

02

Submit Your Application

Complete the online application form, providing details of your qualifications, relevant experience, motivation for applying, and the names of two professional referees.

03

Review and Shortlisting

SCD's recruitment team will review all applications and contact shortlisted candidates within ten working days. All applicants will receive written confirmation of the outcome of their application.

04

Interview and Checks

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview. Successful candidates will be subject to enhanced background checks, reference verification, and completion of SCD's induction programme before commencing work.

Create an Account and Apply Contact Our Recruitment Team
Equal Opportunities

Society for Community Development is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, and we actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of the challenges facing the young people we support. All appointments are subject to satisfactory enhanced background checks and professional references.