Kenya: Project Officer Protection

Reports To: Programme Manager Protection

Level II

Location: Kakuma

Classification: Fulltime

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Duration: 1 year with a possibility of extension

BACKGROUND: 

IsraAID is an Israel-based non-governmental organization that was founded in 2001 and has since its inception worked in emergency and long-term development settings in over 55 countries. IsraAID’s mission is to support people affected by humanitarian crises by partnering with local communities around the world to provide urgent aid, assist recovery, and reduce the risk of future disasters. IsraAID Kenya is a Safe environment for children.

JOB PURPOSE: 

The purpose of this position is to provide leadership and support for the implementation of quality community based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Child Protection (CP) programs for refugees and host communities in Turkana West sub county. The project officer II will be expected to provide technical oversight and supervision to CP project officer I and Community Outreach Workers (COW) to ensure all activities are planned and conducted in accordance with IsraAID Standard Operating Procedures and within MHPSS/CP global guidelines. This position involves close coordination and working with the Protection technical team, MEAL officer and WASH officers.

The Project Officer Protection (POP) II will report to the Protection Manager and will also serve as a focal point for IsraAID and implementing partners on technical matters relating to CP, MHPSS and Gender Based Violence (GBV) service provision for refugee and host community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program Management: 

• Plan and oversee the establishment of community based mental health and psychosocial support groups
• Work as a case manager in the area of operation
• Leads CP/ MHPSS program through provision of technical expertise on program implementation.
• Support and assist CP manager in establish/strengthen community based child protection mechanisms.
• Actively participate in the development of professional, effective, and appropriate psychosocial programming, including direct individual and group counselling support.
• Provide professional and confidential one-on-one and group counselling services to participants with personal and social challenges
• Lead mental health awareness raising and/or sensitization campaigns among refugee populations in the community
• Co-facilitate engaging trainings on mental health and psychoeducation
• Participate in and contribute to the development of mental health training curriculum
• Assist with preparing all relevant reports regarding psychosocial activities.
• Develop Individual case plans for all clients. Conduct group and individual work sessions aimed at promoting healing and restoring bell-being;
• Conduct awareness campaigns relating to Child protection and GBV
• Facilitate Adolescent Friendly sessions
• Oversee the maintenance of an updated and comprehensive database on mental health and psychosocial cases.
• Facilitate and contribute to the development of IsraAIDs’ CP, GBV and MHPSS country strategy.
• Support assessment, documentation of lessons, and strengthening of evidence based and scalable interventions
• Responsible for CP/GBV/MHPSS weekly and monthly planning, and ensures timely efficient and effective implementation of the activities
• Accountable for upholding and ensuring adherence to IsraAIDs’ policies, procedures, ethics professional standards and best practices for operational efficiencies.
• Work collaboratively with other IsraAID Program Staff such as WASH, Health, MEAL
• Monitor and provide participatory leadership in the provision of CP/GBV and MHPSS services in line with national and international standards and guiding principles.
• Support CP team (officer 1 and COW’s) to provide psychoeducation to community members using culturally appropriate coping strategies.

Administration: 

• Maintaining and updating supply inventory for all project implementation
• Attend scheduled staff meetings
• Provide daily reports on activities to the Project Officers/Programme Manager
• Compile and maintain accurate information and case reports and provide relevant information to relevant staff/stakeholders
• Attend meetings, trainings or workshops as required from time to time

Coordination with External Partners: 

• Maintain relationships with other agencies working in the field
• With direction from the Project Officer/ Programme Manager liaise with community and other organisations within the programme parameters.
• Liaise and maintain relationships with Water Management Committees and community leaders.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• A Minimum of Diploma in Counselling Psychology, Social Work or related field
• Minimum of three years working with a specific focus on MHPSS programming.
• Experience in community based MHPSS, GBV, Child Protection and related sectors program implementation approaches to refuges and host communities in a humanitarian context

SKILLS

• Must possess excellent listening and interviewing skills,
• Computer skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively lead individuals and groups sessions.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills and adherence to deadlines
• Self-motivated and able to work independently when necessary.
• Professionalism and organization skills
• Must have a passion to work with vulnerable children, youth and families
• Must have a passion to work with vulnerable children, youth and families

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND DEMANDS:

• Ability to work in hardship areas (previous experience in a camp setting will be an added advantage)

Level of Contact with Children:

• High contact: Frequent interaction with Children

LANGUAGES: 

• Essential: English and Kiswahili

COMPLIANCE & ETHICS: 

• Promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics;
• As applicable to the position, maintains a clear understanding donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Conduct work with the highest level of integrity. Communicate these values to staff and to partners and require them to adhere to these values;
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles of non-discrimination, local ownership, sustainability, inclusiveness, local partnership, do-no-harm, and apolitical approach; codes of conduct against sexual exploitation and abuse; and against child exploitation and modern slavery.
• Commitment to abide by IsraAid’s and UN’s codes of conducts and principles.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles. 

How to Apply: 

Submit only one document containing a Cover letter and an updated Curriculum Vitae to hrkenya@israaid.org by 22nd December 2023. The Application Document to be saved using your First Name and your Last Name. In addition, indicate the position’s name on the subject line.

NOTE: This is a national position and only Kenyan nationals are encouraged to apply.

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer.