Social Worker / Counselor at HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya (HRTK)
Based in Nairobi, Kenya (Position open to Kenyan nationals only)
HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya (HRTK) is a non-profit non-governmental organization committed to the assistance, protection and durable solutions needs for refugees at heightened risk in Africa, through the provision of direct psychosocial, social and resettlement services as well as through community outreach and capacity building for partners.
HRTK seeks to recruit qualified and well experienced Social Worker / Counselor.
Under the direct supervision of a Counseling Psychologist, the incumbent will provide social services including the following functions:
- Conduct field visits for case assessments in coordination with other HRTK staff and keeps track of socio-environmental risks faced by refugees at heightened risk.
- Implement and monitor merit based social assistance informed by socio-environmental assessment in individual cases in accordance with HRTK SOPs with timely updates to the psychosocial panel.
- Supervise provision of social assistance including food and non-food items as necessary.
- Interview separated children, unaccompanied minors and other children-at-risk for the purpose of preparing Best Interest Assessment/Best Interest Determination (BIA/BID) reports.
- Draft BIA reports for submission to the Psychosocial Panel, effect subsequent BIA panel decisions and enter data into database.
- Liaise with the Child Protection Officer to ensure services are reaching separated and unaccompanied minors, including specific services as recommended by the BIA Panel.
- Provide basic counseling to less complex cases and facilitate external services or appointments.
- Assist in the organization and facilitation of capacity building activities e.g. workshops, trainings or information dissemination.
- In coordination with the supervisor, liaise with and foster a collaborative networking relationship with other entities to facilitate social assistance to HRTK clients.
- Liaising with the Gender Officer to ensure that GBV survivors have access to services including referrals to shelters and other GBV services.
- Collecting GBV data by filling in the GBVIMS intake form and forwarding the same to the Gender Officer.
- Prepare periodic reports on social services.
- Perform other duties as required.
Work Station/Duration: The successful candidate will be stationed at Eastleigh HIAS office and should be willing to be engaged for an initial period of 3 months with possibility of extension.
Requirements
- Education – University degree in social work, community development and/ or psychology or related field with a strong bias in social work.
Skills and Competencies
- Computer literacy a must: excellent working knowledge with WORD, ACCESS and EXCEL.
- Good knowledge of human rights doctrine and working experience in counseling.
- Experience in capacity building including facilitation of community-based training and awareness raising.
- Good knowledge of child rights and prevention and response to SGBV issues.
- Good knowledge of Nairobi and its environs.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Experience
- No less than 2 years previous work experience, including at least 1 year in community / social work preferably in an NGO setting.
- Experience working with refugees a plus.
Languages: Proficiency in English and Swahili.
Closing Date: 9th January 2015.
Positions will be filled on a rolling basis based on identification of suitable candidates.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to recruitment@hiasafrica.org indicating Vacancy Notice No HRTK/KEN/SW/15/01 in the subject line.
Important:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Canvassing will lead to immediate disqualification.
Late applications will not be considered.
Male candidates with fluency in Somali are encouraged to apply.
