Best Interest Determination (BID) Specialist at HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya

DEPARTMENT: Child Protection

SUPERVISOR: Child Protection Officer

START DATE: 10th March 2022

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

GRADE: 6

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks to recruit a Best Interest Determination (BID) Specialist who will carry out program goals and objectives associated with all Child Protection activities. The Specialist will be responsible for the Best Interest Assessment and Determination process for all identified children. This includes children with mental health challenges, which impair their normal functioning.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Overall management of the Best Interest Assessment (BIA) and Best Interest Determination (BID) processes of all identified children and finding durable solutions.
2. Work closely with the Child Protection Officer to ensure effective management of the assessment and documentation processes of the Refugee Children.
3. Support conducting and follow ups of BIA/ BID interviews for case management.
4. Review BIDs & BIAs presented by the Social Workers to ensure they meet the required standards before submission to the BID panel.
5. Submit BID cases with findings and make recommendations on a bi- weekly and monthly basis to the Child Protection Officer.
6. Present reviewed BIDs, BIAs and Home Visit reports to the Child Protection Officer
7. Support and foster inter-partnership coordination on child protection project with UNHCR & other partners
8. Coordinate closely with other partners and the District Children’s Officer, ensuring compliance with the Children’s Act of Kenya, and other legal and institutional frameworks, and promote the sustainability of initiatives undertaken.
9. Represent the organization at external meetings as may be assigned by the Child Protection Officer
10. Be a strong advocate for children’s best interest in all care arrangements and wider discussions affecting children’s welfare.
11. Support Organizational compliance to the Child Protection Policy.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Education

· Degree in Law, International Relations, Social work, Gender and Development Studies, Community Development or Counseling Psychology.

Experience

· Previous practical experience in the BID process; minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in Child Protection Programs.

· Demonstrate experience in Child rights & protection issues in the Kenyan context including knowledge of international and national legislation and policies.

· Solid knowledge of UNHCR BID Guidelines and Field Handbook for the Implementation of UNHCR BID Guidelines.

· Solid knowledge of Alternative Care in Emergencies toolkit and the Kenya’s National Guidelines on Alternative Care.

· Experience in designing and conducting trainings such as UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Child Protection Policy, Effects and Forms of Child Abuse among others for a variety of actors.

Skills

· Strong self-starter with demonstrable ability to adapt to changing program priorities and emergency priorities that may arise.

· Ability to work successfully within deadline requirements.

· Fluent in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.

· Positive attitude towards community work with emphasis on the ability to learn from communities and support participatory, innovative approaches to problem solving.

· Excellent communication skills and ability to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathetic with all children.

· Knowledge and skill in Computer Applications

· Excellent analytical and report writing skills.

· Ability to work in a demanding and high-pressured environment

· Knowledge in Accountability to Affected Populations

· 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.

VALUES:

1. Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • הכנסת אורחים (Hachnasat Orchim)
2. We Welcome the Stranger
3. Justice • Justicia • Justice • צדק (Tzedek)
4. We Pursue Justice
5. Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • חסד (Chesed)
6. We Approach our Clients with Empathy
7. Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • חברותא (Chevruta)
8. We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership
9. Courage • Coraje • Courage • אומץ (Ometz)
10. We Act with Courage to Build a Better World
11. 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.