Cook at HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya

DEPARTMENT:          Protection

DIVISION:                   Safe House

HIRING MANAGER: Human Resource Coordinator

SUPERVISOR:           Centre Manager

START DATE:             3rd October 2022

END DATE:                 31st December 2022

GRADE:                      1

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Cook who will be responsible for preparing ingredients, producing meals and following health and safety guidelines at HIAS’ Safe House.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures ingredients and final products are fresh
• Oversees and participates in the preparation, cooking and serving of well-balanced main meals to shelter residents.
• Determines quantities to be cooked and size of portions to be served, considering the total population at the safe house
• Handles and stores ingredients and food
• Maintains safety and sanitation standards throughout all food preparation and storage areas
• Maintains a clean and safe work area, including handling utensils, equipment, and dishes
• Ensures that high standards of hygiene and health are maintained in the kitchen
• Checks quantity and quality of ingredients received and notifies Head Cook of any deficiencies
• Performs any other duties as may be required

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• A certificate in hotel and catering management or food and beverage
• Must have a valid medical certificate
• Should have a minimum of 1 year of experience in the catering industry  
• Ability to accurately read, measure, convert and follow recipes and assemble ingredients according to cooking standards and recipes.
• Fully conversant with various cooking methods like boiling, baking, roasting and steaming.
• Comprehensive understanding of food hygiene regulations including safe temperatures at which ingredients must be kept and to which food must be prepared to avoid foodborne illness
• Ability to work independently and as a contributing member of a team to ensure deadlines, goals and objectives are met.
• Interpersonal skills to interact with a variety of other people from different backgrounds such as the Safe House residents and other staff
• Calm demeanor to work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment
• Experience of high-volume catering in a busy workplace.
• Knowledge in basic computer skill is an added advantage 
• Knowledge of Accountability to Affected Populations is an added advantage
• Knowledge of PSEA is an added advantage

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:

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.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.