HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya (HRTK) – Kenya Office

Program:        Gender and Gender Based Violence(GBV)

Grade:             5

Reporting to:  Gender and GBV Program Manager

Duration:        8.5 months’ contract with possibility of renewal subject to availability of funding and performance                   

Introduction

HIAS is an international not for profit organization with a vision for a world in which refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers find welcome, safety and freedom. HIAS operation in Kenya was established in 2002 with the mission to serve the most vulnerable refugees through protection, resilience, economic inclusion and provision of durable solutions.

Organizationally, HIAS is guided by its Refugee Rights Framework. This rights-based approach, based on international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law and practice, provides a programming framework for HIAS’ focus on refugee protection. This framework prioritizes programming impact that ensures forcibly displaced people realize their potential and become contributors to society, with this impact being achieved through the realization of legal and civil rights and social and economic rights including through 1) the right to protection from harm, violence and discrimination, 2) the right to recovery from the shock of displacement, and 3) the right to economic self-sufficiency and inclusion.

The overall goal of HIAS’ global GBV Prevention and Response programming is for forcibly displaced refugee women, girls, sexual and gender minorities to pursue their potential and to access their human and legal rights, free from violence and oppression. This means HIAS GBV programming works to ensure; 

(1)    Forcibly displaced women, girls, sexual and gender minorities face a reduced risk of GBV,

(2)    Survivors of sexual and physical violence have access to coordinated psychosocial, health, and legal services,

(3)    Family, community, and institutions support refugee women, girls, sexual and gender minorities in accessing and using their rights.

HIAS uses a survivor-centered, community-based approach. Our programs consider the voices and needs of survivors and prioritize their leadership in program design and implementation. HIAS works with   communities’ natural systems in order to optimize support for survivors, building partnerships to promote and protect the rights of survivors, women, girls, sexual and gender minorities. This approach enables HIAS to meet the safety, psychosocial, economic, and justice needs of survivors; facilitate their access to appropriate care; and empower communities to lead efforts that challenge beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that perpetuate or condone violence against women, girls, sexual and gender minorities in the community.

HIAS seeks to recruit a GBV caseworker who will support the project through contributing to the timely and quality implementation of GBV related activities and GBV case management for the urban refugee community.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Carry out individual case management for Gender-based violence survivors received at HIAS offices and those identified within the refugee community


• In collaboration with community outreach workers conduct regular assessment on the needs of the refugee women and girls


• Conduct field visits for case assessments in coordination with other HIAS staff and keep track of socio-environmental risks faced by GBV survivors, sexual and gender minority refugees;


• Assist in qualitative assessments through Focus Groups Discussions/ Community Dialogues(Tango Talks) to better understand the risks of GBV and map out service support structure for GBV survivors 


• Process referrals for support services for GBV survivors to other agencies.


• Conduct timely follow up on referrals and support services provided to GBV survivors, ensuring that the survivors receive the assistance recommended


• Work with stakeholders to strengthen referral networks and monitor the implementation of the referral pathway survivors access to confidential, safe GBV services in a timely manner


• Assist in carrying out GBV trainings for all relevant community actors on GBV topics


• Implement and monitor merit based social and financial assistance informed by vulnerability assessments in individual cases in accordance with HIAS’ Standard Operating Procedures


• Ensure regular updates in the Gender Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS)


• Evaluate beneficiaries’ progress and work on an exit strategies aimed at supporting client’s self-reliance


• Prepare a monthly analysis on GBV key issues based on case trends to disseminate information on services available and referral pathways


• Contribute in the development of project proposal, concept notes and sector publications


• Perform other duties as and when required

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Gender Studies, Community Development Studies and/or other related fields of study

Desirable Experiences

• Minimum of 1-2 years’ previous job experience related to GBV response.


• Demonstrated experience working directly with refugees who are survivors of GBV


• MUST have a demonstrated understanding of a survivor-centered approach. .


• MUST have experience with operationalizing GBV principles, knowledge of International humanitarian standards for GBV prevention and response.


• Experience working with GBVIMS preferred (Gender Based Violence Information Management System)

Required Skills and Competences

• Proficiency in English and Swahili


• Computer literacy is a must, with strong knowledge of Access, Excel and Word


• Ability to work in a team, maintain confidentiality and respect for diversity, uphold integrity, respect and accountability


• Self-starter with an ability to work with minimal supervision in a culturally diverse team


• Excellent Analytical, Communication and Report writing skills


• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders


• Ability to maintain one’s composure while under pressure


• Knowledge of accountability to affected populations is an added advantage