Social Worker At HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya

HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya (HRTK) – Kenya Office

Vacancy Notice – Open to Kenyan Nationals Only

Job Title: Social worker

Reports to: Gender and GBV Program Manager

Grade: 5

Location: Kenya

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

Introduction:

HIAS is an international non-profit organization that stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity. HIAS’ operation in Kenya was established in 2002 with the mission to serve the most vulnerable refugees through community-based protection including psychosocial support, Gender Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response, resilience building and the provision of durable solutions.

Organizationally, HIAS is guided by its Refugee Rights Framework. This rights-based approach, based on international human rights and humanitarian and refugee law and practice, provides a programming framework for HIAS’ focus on refugee protection. HIAS’ programming impact seeks to ensure that forcibly displaced people become contributors to society through the realization of their legal and civil rights and social and economic rights, to include 1) the right to protection from harm, violence and discrimination, 2) the right to recovery from the shock of displacement, and 3) the right to economic self-sufficiency and inclusion.

The overall goal of HIAS’ global GBV Prevention and Response programming is for forcibly displaced refugee women, girls, sexual and gender minorities to pursue their potential and to access their human and legal rights, free from violence and oppression. This means HIAS GBV programming works to ensure;

(1) Forcibly displaced women, girls, sexual and gender minorities face a reduced risk of GBV,

(2) Survivors of sexual and physical violence have access to coordinated psychosocial, health, and legal services,

(3) Family, community, and institutions support refugee women, girls, sexual and gender minorities in accessing and using their rights.

HIAS Kenya seeks to recruit a social worker who will support in implementing a project, whose goal is: ‘Improved access to, and uptake of, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual. Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) refugees of reproductive age in Nairobi’. The project seeks to contribute to:

· Improved enabling environment among LGBTQ refugees in Nairobi

· Enhanced capacity of LGBTQ refugees to address their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues

· Enhanced capacity for LGBTQ community-based organizations (CBOs) to advocate for their SRHR in Nairobi

He/she/they will assist, and support, in provision of social interventions and assistance to the most at risk and vulnerable LGBTQ refugee clients and implement case management, including follow-up to ensure the clients are receiving the relevant services based on their prioritized needs.

Key duties and responsibilities:

· Assist the Project Officer in organizing for activities under the project; trainings for HIAS Staff, partners, Trainer of Trainers (ToTs) from the LGBTQ refugee and asylum seeker community, LGBTQ-led CBOs and SRHR-focused agencies on SRHR, sexual and gender diversity, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and capacity building of the CBOs to advocate for their increased access to SRHR services and information, where applicable

· Identify the most vulnerable sexual and gender minority persons of concern from the refugee community, facilitate individual case management: case assessments/follow-up and referrals and keep track of socio-environmental risks faced by them

· Implement and monitor merit-based social assistance informed by Social Assessments in individual cases in accordance with HIAS’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with timely updates to the psychosocial panel

· Determine beneficiaries’ progress and work on an exit strategy that allows them to earn a livelihood and meet their needs and their dependents.

· Assist in coordinating and networking with other LGBTQ local organizations to strengthen GBV service uptake and response

· In collaboration with other social/case workers, assist with the design, implementation and evaluation of programs with partners for protection, medical and psychosocial needs of the LGBTQ refugees

· Assist in working on monthly budget request, track projects’ progress and ensure timely activity implementation according to work plan and the projects’ budget

· Closely work with community workers and protection monitors to ensure that regular assessments of needs of vulnerable LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers are identified and met

· Implement payment of National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) premiums, provision of cash-based transport allowance to LGBTQ CBOs for access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and hygiene packs to the LGBTQ refugee and asylum seeker community

· Liaise with the protection monitors and peer educators to facilitate access to, and referrals for, appropriate LGBTQ-friendly medical/health services for the sexual and gender minority refugees and asylum seekers that is inclusive of counselling, HIV testing and administration of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

· Ensure regular updates in the Gender Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS)

· Liaise with protection monitors and peer educators to conduct timely follow up on referrals and support services provided to LGBTQ GBV survivors, ensuring that the survivors receive the assistance recommended, including by other agencies

· Update client’s information into the data entry sheet and provide a periodic analysis of the data

· Prepare periodic reports on client’s progress and prepare a final report of all the activities

· Assist in the development of project proposal, concept notes and sector publications

· Perform other duties as, and when, required

Required qualification:

· Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Gender Studies, Community Development, Legal Studies and/or other related fields of study.

· Minimum 1-2 years working experience in the field of Social Work.

· Experience in working with LGBTQ NGOs or LGBTQ refugees will be an added advantage.

Required skills and competencies:

· Proficiency in English and Swahili

· Ability to work in a team, maintain confidentiality and respect for diversity, uphold integrity, respect and accountability

· Good knowledge of prevention and response to GBV

· Demonstrated experience working directly with LGBTQ refugees who are survivors of SGBV

· MUST have a demonstrated understanding of diversity and inclusion for persons of diverse Sex, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SSOGI)

· Good knowledge of Human Rights Principles and doctrines

· Experience in capacity building including facilitation of diversity and inclusion, community based training and awareness raising

· Knowledge of Computer Applications with strong knowledge of Access, Excel and Word

· Ability to work in a demanding and high pressured environment

· Excellent Analytical, Communication and Report writing skills

· Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders

· Knowledge of Accountability to affected populations

· Experience working with refugees and asylum seekers is an added advantage