Organization: UNHCR
Location: Nairobi (CO), Kenya
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Today
Job Requisition ID: JR2445033
Hardship Level: B
Family Type: Family
Target Start Date: 2024-07-04
Job Posting End Date: July 22, 2024
Terms of Reference
1. General Background
The UNHCR Operation in Kenya is managing a mixed refugee situation, which includes long-term refugees and continuous new arrivals. UNHCR also facilitates solutions for refugees through voluntary repatriation, resettlement, and socio-economic inclusion. Refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya are hosted in Kakuma refugee camps and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement (285,238 persons), Dadaab refugee camps (382,639 persons), and urban areas such as Nairobi and its environs (102,378 persons).
This position focuses on the urban refugee program, addressing the needs of approximately 500 LGBTQI+ refugees seeking international protection based on LGBTQI+ claims. The Refugees Act, 2021, which came into effect in February 2022, forms the foundation for refugee protection in Kenya. Despite this legislative framework, same-sex relations remain criminalized under the Kenyan Penal Code.
LGBTQI+ refugees face significant challenges, including operational delays in documentation, discrimination, limited access to services, and unrealistic resettlement expectations. Current interventions prioritize mainstreaming LGBTQI+ refugees into existing programs, inclusion in national services, livelihoods, protection support, and durable solutions.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Activities, tasks, and responsibilities include:
- Monitoring and Needs Mapping: Liaise with key UNHCR partners to regularly monitor the LGBTQI+ population, mapping protection, health, psychosocial, and other needs, and incorporating this information into programming.
- Community Engagement: Maintain robust networks with LGBTQI+ refugee-led organizations to enhance their capacities and harness community-based protection initiatives.
- Livelihoods Programs: Oversee and provide direction on implementing LGBTQI+ livelihoods programs, mapping external actors who exclusively program for LGBTQI+ persons.
- Coordination: Chair the urban LGBTQI+ working group to ensure coordinated and complementary assistance by both implementing and operational partners.
- Partnership Building: Build and maintain a network of partnerships with local, regional, and international actors to benefit the provision of services and information to LGBTQI+ persons of concern.
- Training and Sensitization: Contribute to and undertake LGBTQI+ sensitization training for UNHCR, government, and partner staff on legal, procedural, and social issues.
- Case Management: Identify vulnerable LGBTQI+ cases, follow up with the RSD Unit for strategic fast-tracking of cases, and assist in individual case management.
- Data Management: Undertake regular identification exercises and update ProGres to maintain accurate data on the LGBTQI+ population.
- Safe Spaces: Identify and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ persons of concern, such as community centers and safe houses.
- Research Missions: Conduct research missions to build a comprehensive understanding of the LGBTQI+ refugee population, especially vulnerable groups.
- Documentation: Document interactions and actions taken for individual cases in individual files to ensure a complete understanding of the individual’s situation.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
- Document interactions and actions taken for individual cases.
- Ensure an Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) approach across all programmatic levels.
- Monitor new developments and ensure timely dissemination of information.
- Support accurate data entry into ProGres V4 to maintain updated statistics on the LGBTQI+ community.
4. Qualifications and Experience
Education:
- 3 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma; or 2 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor or equivalent or higher in Law, political science, international relations, gender studies, or another related field.
Work Experience:
- Essential: 3 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma; or 2 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor or equivalent or higher, preferably in human rights, gender issues, refugee protection, or international humanitarian law.
- Desirable: Previous experience interacting with LGBTQI+ persons, NGOs, project coordination, livelihoods/empowerment projects, refugee protection, or GBV.
Key Competencies:
- Sound knowledge of SSOGI issues, especially in Kenya/East Africa.
- Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of English; Swahili or Luganda would be advantageous but are not required.
Functional Skills:
- IT-Computer Literacy
- PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
- PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards, and indicators
Standard Job Description
The Protection Associate reports to the Protection Officer or Senior Protection Officer and monitors protection standards, operational procedures, and practices in line with international standards. Responsibilities include assisting in eligibility and status determination, contributing to child protection and education plans, managing individual protection cases, facilitating information management, and participating in initiatives to strengthen national protection legislation and procedures.
Duties:
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic, and cultural developments.
- Apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR policies.
- Provide protection advice to PoC and liaise with competent authorities.
- Conduct eligibility and status determination.
- Contribute to measures to prevent and reduce statelessness.
- Manage individual protection cases, including GBV and child protection.
- Assist in identifying durable solutions for PoC.
- Contribute to protection-related programming with partners.
- Facilitate effective information management through data provision.
- Participate in capacitating authorities and NGOs.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 3 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma; or 2 years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor or equivalent or higher.
Relevant Job Experience:
- Protection Learning Programme
Functional Skills:
- IT-Computer Literacy
- PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
- PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards, and indicators
Language Requirements:
- Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station.
Additional Qualifications:
- Certificates in International Law, Political Science, or other related fields.
Other Information:
- This position does not require functional clearance.
- All UNHCR staff members must contribute to a safe working environment and demonstrate no tolerance for inappropriate conduct.
Application Process:
Please submit your application and CV via the specified channels by the closing date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.