Social Work jobs

Job Description

Position Title: Block Support Officer (BSO)

Reporting To: District Support Officer (DSO)

Location: Block headquarters of Balangir, Jharsuguda, Kendujhar, Nabrangpur, and Sambalpur districts of Odisha.

Position Purpose

The Block Support Officer (BSO) will support the implementation of the School-to-Work (STW) Transition Programme at the block level by facilitating convergence among schools, government institutions, skill training providers, industries, and community stakeholders. The position will support the formation, operationalization, and effective functioning of the School-to-Work Block Implementation Forum (BIF) and ensure coordinated implementation of STW interventions. On another track, the BSO will identify and map industries, MSMEs and local entrepreneurs to the intervention schools and create platforms for seamless coordination among these institutions to provide support to the students in the School to Work Transition journey. The position will be responsible for overall implementation of the project in the assigned block including planning, implementation, program monitoring, data collection & reporting.

Key Responsibilities

1. Block-Level Government Coordination and Convergence

· Build and maintain relationships with Block Education Officers, Block Development Officers, BRCCs, CDPOs, ORMAS, livelihood mission and other relevant departments .

· Facilitate convergence between education, skill development, vocational education, livelihoods, and youth development initiatives.

· Support implementation of government schemes relevant to school-to-work transition.

· Ensure regular coordination meetings with block-level stakeholders.

2. Support to Block School-to-Work Steering Committees

· Facilitate formation and operationalization of Block School-to-Work Implementation Forum.

· Coordinate scheduling and conduct of committee meetings.

· Prepare meeting agendas, presentations, minutes, and action trackers.

· Follow up on decisions and support implementation of agreed actions.

· Support the District Support Officer in organizing district review meetings.

3. School-Level Planning and Implementation Support

• Support schools in preparing contextualized School-to-Work action plans.
• Support schools in developing students’ career portfolios
• Assist schools in rollout/implementation of the StW related curriculum
• Facilitate integration of career guidance and transition activities within school annual plans including institutionalization of My Career Adviser application.
• Assist schools in identifying local opportunities for higher education, vocational education, skill development, entrepreneurship, and employment.
• Provide handholding support to teachers and school leadership on implementation of STW interventions.

4. School–Industry and Institutional Linkages

• Map industries, MSMEs, local entrepreneurs, training institutions, ITIs, Polytechnics, colleges, and livelihood institutions within assigned blocks.
• Facilitate partnerships between schools and local industries/institutions.
• Coordinate career talks, exposure visits, workplace visits, and interaction sessions.
• Mobilize local employers and entrepreneurs to participate in career guidance and mentoring activities.

5. Internship, Apprenticeship and Workplace Exposure

• Identify local opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, and workplace immersion.
• Facilitate agreements between schools and employers.
• Coordinate student participation in workplace exposure programmes.
• Track participation and document outcomes.

6. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Organize orientation sessions for PRI members, parents, School Management Committees, and community leaders on school-to-work transition.
• Promote awareness of available education, skill, and livelihood opportunities for adolescents.
• Facilitate engagement of local institutions and community-based organizations in programme implementation.

7. Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain records of meetings, partnerships, and programme activities.
• Update stakeholder databases and institutional mapping.
• Track progress against block implementation plans.
• Document case studies, success stories, and promising practices.
• Submit periodic reports and data to the District Support Officer.

Key Deliverables

• Functional Block School-to-Work Implementation Forum in assigned blocks.
• School-to-Work plans prepared and implemented in all assigned schools.
• Database of local industries, institutions, and transition opportunities established and regularly updated.
• Partnerships facilitated between schools and local institutions.
• Career exposure and workplace learning activities conducted as per plan.
• Timely submission of progress reports and documentation.

Qualifications

Education

· Graduate degree in Social Work, Rural Development, Education, Sociology, Development Studies, or related disciplines.

· Postgraduate qualification will be preferred.

Experience

· 2–5 years of experience in education, livelihoods, youth development, skill development, community mobilization, or government programmes.

· Experience working with government departments and schools will be preferred.

· Experience in stakeholder engagement and field coordination in rural areas.

Competencies

· Strong interpersonal and networking skills.

· Understanding of government systems and schemes.

· Excellent facilitation and coordination abilities.

· Good documentation and reporting skills.

· Ability to work independently across multiple blocks.

· Proficiency in MS Office and digital reporting tools.

· Fluency in Odia and working knowledge of English.

· Willingness to travel extensively within assigned blocks.

Pay: ₹30,000.00 - ₹38,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person