Assistant Resettlement Officer at HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya

DEPARTMENT: Resettlement

SUPERVISOR: Resettlement Coordinator

START DATE: 3rd March 2022

END DATE: 31st March 2022 (Renewable contract subject to availability of funds and performance)

GRADE: 6

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks to recruit an Assistant Resettlement Officer; the incumbent will be expected to contribute towards meeting the departmental goals, aimed at promoting resettlement as a durable solution for the most at risk refugee populations. The Assistant Resettlement Officer is responsible for intake interviews, resettlement interviews, the analysis of claims and need for resettlement and the drafting of Refugee Resettlement Forms (RRFs). The Assistant Resettlement Officer should be qualified to represent HIAS resettlement clients in the Kenyan courts and provide legal information and assistance as it pertains to the client’s resettlement case. The Assistant Resettlement Officer will contribute to reporting for both internal HIAS purposes at the country and HQ levels and to donors. As part of the case management process, the Assistant Resettlement Officer with liaise with external referral stakeholders and partners and will conduct thorough case conferencing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Conduct resettlement interviews, analyse claims, and apply applicable international law in accordance with HIAS Standards Operating Procedures.
2. Advise and represent clients in court for child custody matters.
3. Draft Resettlement Referral Forms and send to the Resettlement Coordinator for review.
4. Complete resettlement forms for submission to relevant Embassies.
5. Follow up on status of cases from submission to departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on persons of concern being considered for resettlement; ensure that records on individual cases are kept up to date.
6. Keep the Resettlement Coordinator abreast of weekly resettlement activities during weekly departmental meetings and by-weekly case tracking.
7. Conduct individual counselling to clients on the HIAS internal resettlement process and HIAS anti-fraud policy.
8. Provide timely and accurate feedback and information to HIAS resettlement partners and stakeholders.
9. Provide technical and administrative support for resettlement-related training activities
10. Attend case counselling sessions for individual clients with the aim of providing clients with timely and accurate feedback on the status of their cases.
11. Maintain a database and an individual case management strategy for cases under resettlement consideration.
12. Update status of resettlement cases on the Case Management System
13. Maintain accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.
14. Conduct follow up for cases referred to external referral partners and provide timely updates on the status of the follow ups.
15. Attend theme group meetings with various stakeholders and report back during weekly departmental meetings.
16. Assist in preparing a budget for resettlement activities as well as monitoring expenditures and accounting for the same
17. Facilitate and participate in trainings on resettlement and anti-fraud, including but not limited to preparing training materials and conducting research.
18. Assist in the development of IEC materials on anti-fraud and resettlement case processing; and,
19. Perform other duties as and when required.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Education

1. University Degree in Law.
2. Must be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

Experience

Minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in working in refugee related contexts or in an NGO related context. Refugee Resettlement experience is preferred.

Skills

1. Knowledge of international legal framework governing refugees, human rights/human rights law preferred,
2. Excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent interviewing and counselling skills and ability to interact with refugee populations, strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills,
3. Strong computer skills, in particular Microsoft Office, excellent organizational and time management skills.
4. Proficiency in English and Swahili required. **
5. Knowledge of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)**
6. Knowledge in PSEA

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.

Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer and background check.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • הכנסת אורחים (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • צדק (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • חסד (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • חברותא (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • אומץ (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • רוח (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.