Gender Based Violence (GBV) Officer -Open to Kenyan Nationals Only at HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya

Vacancy Number HRTK/GBV-O /9/2019

Reporting to: Head of Programs

Duration: 1 Year Contract with possibility of renewal subject to availability of funding and performance

Introduction

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;

• Forcibly displaced women, girls, sexual and gender minorities face a reduced risk of GBV,
• Survivors of sexual and physical violence have access to coordinated psychosocial, health, and legal services,
• 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.

The GBV Officer will be expected to implement designed strategies on prevention and response to Gender Based Violence amongst refugees in Kenya. 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, and LGBTQ-identified individuals. The officer will be responsible for contributing to the timely and quality implementation of GBV related activities and GBV case management for the urban refugee community.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Implement and monitor Gender Based Violence prevention and response activities/interventions for the urban refugee community.
• Contribute to the establishment of community based prevention mechanism, risk mitigation strategies and support for the vulnerable persons of concern including survivors of GBV
• Support the implementation of safe spaces to women and girls build peer support networks to enhance their economic and social assets
• Contribute to the design of new ways of engaging men in ending violence against refugee women and girls.
• Support Gender-based violence survivors received at HIAS offices and identified in the refugee community through the provision of survivor centered case management services to respond to the needs of clients, provide them information and resources to access services and make appropriate referrals to other service providers if required.
• Conduct timely Follow up on referrals and action plans, and support services provided to GBV survivors, ensuring that the survivors receive the assistance recommended
• Support qualitative assessments through Focus Groups Discussions/ Tango talks to better understand the risks of GBV and map out service support structure for GBV survivors,
• Engage with the refugees’ community representatives to understand needs and gaps in Gender-based violence programming with a priority focus on the voices and leadership of survivors.
• Participate in capacity building initiatives for staff, partners and other stakeholders to create awareness, ensure quality and comprehensive delivery of project activities
• Closely work with case workers, community outreach workers to ensure that best practices on GBV are respected and the international standards are met in responding and preventing GBV
• Plan, attend and facilitate monthly meetings with community leaders, support groups and other stakeholders on GBV Prevention and Response
• Ensure community members are mobilized to participate in anti-GBV activities and awareness campaigns
• Organize, attend, and/or facilitate workshops and Training of Trainers sessions for community workers, support groups and agency workers.
• Contribute in the development of project proposal, concept notes and sector publications
• Participate in research on good programming practices on GBV prevention and response issues.
• Ensure ongoing maintenance/update of GBVIMS (Gender Based Violence Information Management System) and preparation of qualitative reports on GBV Program

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Community Development Studies, Social Science and/or other related fields of study
• Desirable Experiences
• Minimum of 2 years previous job experience related to GBV response.
• MUST have in-depth knowledge and experience in Refugee Protection
• Demonstrated experience working directly with refugees who are survivors of GBV
• MUST have an in-depth technical expertise on Gender Based Violence related issues, response and prevention and 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 a must with strong knowledge of Access, Excel and Word
• Ability to work in a team, maintain 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