Protection Associate

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Protection associate will be expected to contribute towards promoting and protecting the rights of persons with specific needs among the refugee community. The Protection associate will also serve as a resource and focal point for HIAS Kenya and implementing partners on technical matters related to Community-based Protection and service provision for urban refugees.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Promote and protect the rights of the most vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced persons
• Offer legal representation on GBV and Child Custody Cases.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the HIAS Kenya program strategy
• Research and development of training curricula and conduct presentations on a need-basis in line with the program goals and objectives
• Follow up on protection cases and provide the forcibly displaced persons with legal counseling and feedback on the status and processing of individual cases.
• Assist in the development of the activity reports and preparation of internal and external project-related reports.
• Assist in the organization and facilitation of Community-Based activities including community empowerment
• Assist in protection mainstreaming by providing insight in protection interventions for vulnerable refugees.
• Participation in protection co-ordination meetings.
• Facilitate the establishment of community-based protection mechanisms and support for vulnerable persons with specific needs
• Ensure ongoing case management and documentation of protection violations
• Produce accurate, detailed, and timely reports highlighting objectives, achievements, and impact on project activities.
• Ensure weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports are analyzed, compiled, and submitted to the Legal Protection Manager for sharing.
• Update protection cases in the Case Management System (CMS)
• Performing other duties as and when required

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Social Work, Gender Studies, Community Development Studies and/or other related fields of study.
• Advocate to the High Court of Kenya is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 1-2 years’ previous job experience related to refugee protection.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with refugees who are PSNs.
• MUST have a demonstrated understanding of key principles of community engagement.
• Good knowledge of human rights and protection mainstreaming principles.
• Training and capacity-building experience, particularly using participatory techniques for training related to refugee protection.
• Knowledge of Accountability to Affected Population.
• Knowledge in PSEA and Anti-Fraud.

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.

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.