Protection Officer
Full time @HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya posted 39 minutes ago in Legal Shortlist Email JobJob Detail
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Career Level Officer
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Experience 3 Years
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Qualifications Degree Bachelor
Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY
HIAS Kenya seeks to recruit a Protection Officer who will support the implementation of integrated MHPSS and protection programming in Kenya to improve access to appropriate psychosocial care, strengthen protective environments, and promote the well-being and resilience of refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable populations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Programming
- Establish and support implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the provision of MHPSS services to refugees and asylum seekers in line with HIAS and IASC MHPSS guidelines.
- In coordination with protection colleagues, support intake processes by developing and applying brief psychosocial assessments to identify emergency and ongoing MHPSS needs.
- Provide and facilitate culturally appropriate individual, group, family, and community-based MHPSS interventions.
- Facilitate evidence-based MHPSS approaches, including Doing What Matters in Times of Stress and Self-Help Plus (SH+).
- Develop and facilitate structured psychosocial activities that promote coping, resilience, social cohesion, and wellbeing.
Protection & Case Management Integration
- Ensure MHPSS services are delivered within a rights-based, survivor-centered, and protection-oriented framework.
- Work closely with protection and case management teams to identify psychosocial risks and protection concerns.
- Support safe identification, referral, and follow-up of individuals requiring specialized protection, health, or mental health services.
- Promote safe, confidential, and ethical information management in line with protection and data-sharing protocols.
- Contribute to protection risk mitigation and strengthening of protective community environments through MHPSS interventions.
Vulnerable populations such as women, girls, boys, and men
- Facilitate MHPSS interventions tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations
- Facilitate positive parenting skills sessions to support caregivers and strengthen family functioning.
- Support vulnerable communities’ community activities that promote safety, psychosocial wellbeing, and resilience.
Community-Based Approaches & Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)
- Ensure community-based approaches are central to MHPSS programming, recognizing communities as key stakeholders and partners.
- Support community awareness-raising on stress management, coping strategies, and available services.
- Promote accountability, dignity, and participation by integrating feedback and complaint mechanisms into MHPSS activities.
- Document community feedback and contribute to adaptive programming.
Capacity Building & Technical Support
- Provide ongoing technical support, coaching, and PSS supervision to HIAS staff and implementing partners.
- Deliver capacity-building trainings on:
- MHPSS guidelines and standards
- Psychological First Aid (PFA)
- Basic psychosocial support skills
- Support partners and local organizations to integrate basic PSS support within inter-sectoral services and referral pathways.
 Coordination, Partnerships & Representation
- Serve as the primary point of contact for HIAS on MHPSS-related matters with local partners and stakeholders.
- Actively participate in inter-agency, multi-sectoral technical working groups and coordination forums.
- Coordinate with partners to strengthen referral pathways and ensure integration of MHPSS across health, protection, and other sectors.
- Support capacity strengthening of local organizations delivering MHPSS and protection services.
Reporting
- Contribute to regular progress reports, situation reports (SitReps), and donor reporting.
- Support in ethical data collection, confidentiality, and informed consent practices.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
- Degree in psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in MHPSS programming, preferably with refugees, asylum seekers, or migrant populations in emergency or humanitarian settings.
- Demonstrated experience in operationalizing MHPSS global standards, including IASC guidelines.
- Experience in capacity building, community-based training, and awareness raising.
- Strong understanding of protection principles, safeguarding, PSEA, and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural team environments.
- Professional, responsible, and ethical conduct