HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya (HRTK) – Kenya Office

Vacancy Notice – Open to Kenyan Nationals Only

Job Title: Project Officer

Reports to: Legal Protection Program Manager

Liaises with: MHPSS Program Manager and Gender & GBV Program Manager

Grade: 6

Location: Nairobi with frequent travel to Mombasa

Duration: 10.5 months Contract with possibility of renewal subject to availability of funding and performance

Introduction:

HIAS is an international non-profit organization that stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity. HIAS’ operation in Kenya was established in 2002 with the mission to serve the most vulnerable refugees through community-based protection including psychosocial support, Gender Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response, resilience building and the provision of durable solutions.

HIAS is guided by its Refugee Rights Framework. This rights-based approach, based on international human rights and humanitarian and refugee law and practice, provides a programming framework for HIAS’ focus on refugee protection. HIAS’ programming impact seeks to ensure that forcibly displaced people become contributors to the society through the realization of their legal and civil rights and social and economic rights, to include 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.

HIAS Kenya seeks to recruit a project officer to coordinate implementation of a project entitled ‘Strengthening community-based protection for victims of torture in Nairobi and Mombasa’. The project seeks to contribute to:

· Improving the mental health and well-being of refugee survivors of torture including LGBTQ persons,

· Strengthening community-based legal protection and facilitating access to durable solution for refugees’ victims of torture.

Key duties and responsibilities:

· Support HIAS Kenya institutional strengthening activities through coordination of

· trainings for HIAS staff, partners, trainer of trainers (ToTs) from the refugees and asylum seekers community, on prevention and response to torture. Enhance knowledge, skills, and capacities of HIAS staff and partners to identify victims of torture in the refugee community.

· Screening of clients at intake and providing legal advice to clients

· Assist in protection mainstreaming of victims of torture

· Facilitate access for victims of torture to local support networks within the Kenyan community and organizations

· Maintain and develop relationships with key stakeholders and partners to advocate for rights of victims of torture from the refugees and asylum seekers community

· Provide legal support in community awareness and advocacy initiatives

· Contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs with partners for protection, medical, financial and psychosocial needs of survivors of torture.

· Enhance community-based protection mechanism and support for survivors of torture

· Develop monthly budget request, track projects’ progress and ensure timely activity implementation according to work plan and the budget

· Closely work with protection monitors and case workers to ensure that regular assessment of needs of vulnerable survivors of torture who are refugees and asylum seekers are conducted.

· Coordinate the registration and payment of National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) premiums, provision of cash-based Interventions to victims of torture in the refugee and asylum seekers

· Facilitate access to, and referrals for, appropriate Legal, medical/health and psychosocial services for victims of torture

· Coordinate timely follow up on referrals and support services provided to survivors of torture.

· Contribute in the development of project proposals, concept notes and sector publications

· Work closely with two protection monitors based in Mombasa.

· Able to perform other duties as and when required

Required qualification:

· Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Gender Studies, Community Development, Legal Studies and/or other related fields of study including project management.

Desirable experiences:

· Minimum of 3 years’ previous job experience related to Human Rights

· Demonstrated experience working directly with victims of torture.

· MUST have a demonstrated understanding of and experience working with diversity and inclusion for persons of diverse Sex, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SSOGI).

· Good knowledge of Human Rights principles and doctrines

· MUST have Understanding of regional and international human rights mechanisms.

· Experience working with refugees and asylum seekers is an added advantage

Required skills and competencies:

· 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 the 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 staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders

· Ability to maintain one’s composure while under pressure

· Knowledge of Accountability to affected populations

· Knowledge of PSEA