Protection Officer at HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya

Grade: 6

Reporting to: Protection Program Manager

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

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Promote and protect the rights of the most vulnerable refugees.
• Give support and direction in designing, planning and implementation of legal protection activities
• Coordinate the promotion of international refugee law principles and standards
• Provide policy guidance and support on all protection related issues.
• Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to persons of concern
• Assist in protection mainstreaming by providing insight in protection interventions for the PSN (Persons with Specific Needs) population
• Maintain and develop relationships with Key stake holders and partners to advocate for rights of refugees
• Develop strategic partnerships through participation in co-ordination meetings
• Contribute to the design and implementation of program with partners for protection needs of refugees
• Facilitate establishment of community based protection mechanism and support for the vulnerable persons with specific needs
• Ensure ongoing case management and documentation of protection violations
• Follow up on cases and provide partners and refugees counseling and feedback on the status and processing of individual cases
• Build Capacity for HIAS staff, partner staff and other stakeholders on protection of persons of concern
• Produce accurate, detailed and timely reports highlighting objectives, achievements and impact on project activities.
• Contribute in the development of project proposal, concept notes and sector publications
• Ensure weekly, monthly and quarterly reports are analyzed, compiled and submitted to the Protection Program Manager for sharing.
• Performing other duties as required by management

Required Qualifications

• Minimum Academic Attainment Required: University Degree in Law. Preferable an Advocate of the high court of Kenya.
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in Legal Protection programming; preference for candidates that have previous experience with advocacy for favorable policies and laws
• Good knowledge of human rights doctrine or extensive field experience in international refugee law.
• Strong training and capacity building experience, particularly using participatory techniques for training related to refugee protection

Required Skills and Competences

• Proficiency in English, knowledge of Kiswahili
• Computer literacy a must with strong knowledge of Access, Excel and Word
• Ability to work and supervise 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