HIAS is an international nonprofit organization which stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and freedom. HIAS’ operation in Kenya was established in 2002 with the mission to serve the most vulnerable refugees through community-based protection including psychosocial support, resilience building, resettlement, and the provision of durable solutions.
The Best Interest Determination (BID) Specialist 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. These include children with mental health challenges and/or intellectual disabilities which impairs their normal functioning.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
· Provide overall management of the Best Interest Assessment (BIA) and Best Interest Determination (BID) process of identified refugee and asylum seeker children
· Work closely with the Child Protection Officer to ensure effective management of the assessment and documentation process for identified refugee and asylum seeker children
· Conduct interviews with children and their caregivers and follows-up on BIAs and BIDs
· Review BIAs and BIDs presented by the HIAS Social Workers to ensure that the assessments meet the required standards before finalization and in some cases submission to the BID panel
· Submit high quality BIDs with findings and recommendations on a bi-weekly basis to the Child Protection Officer
· Present reviewed BIDs, BIAs and Home Visit reports to UNHCR liaising with HIAS Child Protection Officer
· Support and foster inter-agency coordination for child protection of refugees and asylum seekers in Nairobi with UNHCR & other partners
· Coordinate with partners and the Government of Kenya’s (GOK) District Children’s Officer, ensuring compliance with the Children’s Act of Kenya and other legal and institutional frameworks
· Promote the sustainability of initiatives undertaken regarding child protection in Nairobi through the coordination with partners
· Represent HIAS at external meetings as assigned by the Child Protection Officer
· Act as a strong advocate for the best interest of children in all care arrangements and wider discussions affecting the welfare of refugee and asylum seeker children in Kenya
Management and Administration
· Provide continued guidance to team, mentorship and coaching
· Ensure regular communication with team on work flow, processes and policies and procedures
· Provide continued feedback to direct reports
Other duties assigned by supervisor
Qualifications and Skills
· Degree in Law, International Relations, Social Work, Gender and Development Studies, Community Development, Counseling Psychology, or another related area of study.
· Minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in child protection programs, with previous practical experience in the BID process;
· Preferred management experience
· Demonstrated experience in child rights & child protection issues in the Kenyan context including knowledge of international and national legislation and policies
· Solid knowledge of UNHCR BID Guidelines and the Field Handbook for the Implementation of UNHCR BID Guidelines
· Familiarity with the interagency Alternative Care in Emergencies (ACE) Toolkit and the GOK’s Guidelines For the Alternative Family Care of Children in Kenya
· Experience in designing and conducting trainings on topics such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Child Protection and forms of child abuse and/or neglect
· Strong self-starter with demonstrable ability to adapt to changing program priorities and emergency priorities that may arise
· Excellent analytical and writing skills
· Ability to work successfully within deadlines
· Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili
· Positive attitude towards community work with 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 programs and applications
· Ability to work in a demanding and high pressure environment
Job Title: Best Interest Determination (BID) Specialist
Reports To: Child Protection Officer
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] indicating the Vacancy Number HRTK/BD/8/2018 on the subject line by 28th August 2018. Please also indicate your current and expected salary. Applications not bearing this subject label will not be considered