Position Overview:
Heshima Kenya is a nonprofit organization based in Nairobi, Kenya dedicated to identifying, protecting and empowering refugee children and unaccompanied and separated refugee children, especially adolescent girls, through our specialized shelter, education and advocacy programs. The Best Interest Determination Coordinator will carry out program goals and objectives associated with all Child Protection activities. The Officer will be responsible for the Best Interest Assessment and Determination process for all identified children and will report to the Child Protection Manager.
Responsibilities:
- Overall management of the Best Interest Assessment and Best Interest Determination process of all identified children and finding durable solutions.
- Work closely with the Child Protection Manager to ensure effective management of the assessment and documentation process of the Refugee Children.
- Support conducting and follow ups of BIA/ BID interviews for case management.
- Support the preparation of BID reports, review and presentation of reports to the UNHCR and other BID panel partners.
- Submit BID cases with findings and recommendations bi- weekly and on a monthly basis to the Child Protection Manager.
- Prepare Field Site progress reports and follow up reports.
- Support and foster inter-partnership coordination on child protection.
- Coordinate closely with other partners and the District Children’s Officer, ensuring compliance with the Children’s Act of Kenya, and other legal and institutional frameworks, and promote the sustainability of initiatives undertaken.
- Represent Heshima Kenya at external meetings as may be requested by the Child Protection.
- Be a strong advocate for children’s best interest in all care arrangements and wider discussions affecting children’s welfare.
- Coach, mentor, and support opportunities for continual staff development in the program.
- Support Organizational compliance of the Child Protection Policy.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree in Social work, Diploma in Community Development or Counseling.
- Previous practical experience in the BID process; minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in Child Protection Programs.
- Demonstrate experience in Child rights & protection issues in the Kenyan context including knowledge of international and national legislation and policies.
- Solid knowledge of UNHCR BID Guidelines and Field Handbook for the Implementation of UNHCR BID Guidelines.
- Solid knowledge of Alternative Care in Emergencies toolkit and the Kenya’s National Guidelines on Alternative Care.
- Experience in designing and conducting trainings for a variety of actors.
- Strong self-starter with demonstrable ability to adapt to changing program priorities and emergency priorities that may arise.
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
- Ability to work successfully within deadline requirements.
- Fluent in written and spoken English; Somali language skills a major advantage.
- Positive attitude towards community work with emphasis on 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;
- Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with challenges.
- Commitment to upholding Heshima Kenya’s Child Protection Policy, other Partners and Kenyan Government Policies.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send your application letter and a detailed CV with daytime telephone contact by email to:
The Country Director, Heshima Kenya. P.O Box 63192-00619. Nairobi/ Email: info@heshimakenya.org
Deadline for applications is 18th January 2015
