Legal Protection Program Manager at HIAS Refugee Trust of Kenya

DEPARTMENT:      Legal Protection

SUPERVISOR:       Program Directo

START DATE:         27th June 2022

END DATE:              14th September 2022 (Renewable contract subject to availability of funds and performance)

GRADE:                    9

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS’ legal protection work directly supports refugees’ and other forcibly displaced individuals’ ability to access territory, legal status, and other basic legal rights, as provided for in key instruments of international law (e.g., Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Convention on the Rights of the Child, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). Within the Refugee Rights Framework, this work contributes to the broader set of legal and civil rights that support refugees’ ability both to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity after displacement and to contribute to society through sustained legal and systemic change.

The overall goal of HIAS Legal Protection programming is for refugees and other forcibly displaced people to be able to access territory, legal status, and other basic legal rights in the country of asylum. HIAS achieves this goal through three key outcome areas:

(1)  Refugees and forcibly displaced people can safely access territory

(2)  Refugees and forcibly displaced people can access and secure asylum or other protective legal status

(3)  Refugees and forcibly displaced people can access basic rights to health, shelter, education, and work.

HIAS seeks to recruit a Legal Protection Program Manager who will oversee the day to day running of the Legal Protection Program, supervise protection staff and provide leadership. The incumbent will also spearhead provision of timely, effective, and quality Legal protection responses to persons of concern. He or she will be required to provide technical oversight and supervision to Legal Protection program staff to ensure all activities supported are designed and conducted in accordance with HIAS Standard Operating Procedures and within the local and global guidelines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide leadership to protection staff and manage unit’s workflow relating to refugee protection activities, whilst ensuring adherence to relevant national and international laws and sector standards.
2. Lead the implementation of HIAS Legal Protection program through provision of strategic direction and technical advice on program design and development.
3. Collaborate with Technical Advisors to reinforce guidance and strategize new approaches to plan and implement program activities and for quality programming.
4. Provide mentoring and on the job training to Legal Protection staff to become experts in protection and mainstreaming in line with the accredited standards.
5. Develop interventions including, but not limited to creating awareness of HIAS activities on Legal Protection.
6. Oversee the overall case management of the program and supervise case workers and community-based protection monitors to implement tracking and reporting of rights violations effectively.
7. Facilitate establishment of community-based protection mechanism and support
8. Maintain and develop relationships with Key stake holders and partners to advocate for rights of refugees
9. Ensure timely reporting and contribute to resource mobilization and other organizational development efforts;
10. Ensure implementation of protection related Age, Gender, Diversity in the program
11. Monitor and report program activities to ensure quality of work vis-a-vis contractual and grant commitments while ensuring impact is realized
12. Contribute to initiatives to enhance national and local protection capacities.
13. Undertake routine correspondence, draft reports and compile statistics for the protection program.
14. Develop strategic partnerships in Legal Protection through participation in co-ordination meetings
15. Participate and contribute to the identification of grants for funding opportunities for Legal Protection Projects.
16. Contribute to the drafting of concept notes, project proposals, monitoring of periodic activity reports.
17. Take lead in project planning and oversee budget expenditures to ensure effective use of resources against planned activities and outputs related to HIAS Legal Protection work.
18. Senior Management team. As a member of the SMT you will be required to attend meetings, ensure alignment of major policies and procedures, advise the country leadership on matters pertaining to Legal Protection, participate in the recruitment and management of staff in the department, collaborate with other departments in ensuring that the HIAS goals are met.
19. Performing other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Law
2. Certified by the Bar to represent clients in Court
3. Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Community Development Studies, Social Science and/or other related fields of study is an added advantage.
4. A minimum of 7 years working experience in a management position with at least 3 years in Project Management, monitoring, and evaluation with a specific focus legal protection.
5. Demonstrated experience working directly with refugees
6. Knowledge of international legal frameworks governing refugees, human rights/human rights law preferred,
7. Excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent interviewing and counselling skills and ability to interact with refugee populations, strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills.
8. Strong analytical, managerial, leadership and team building skills.
9. Strong computer skills, in particular Microsoft Office, excellent organizational and time management skills.
10. Proficiency in English, knowledge of Kiswahili
11. Ability to work and supervise a team, maintain respect for diversity, uphold integrity, respect and accountability
12. Self-starter with an ability to work with minimal supervision, in a culturally diverse team
13. Excellent Analytical, Communication and Report writing skills
14. Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders
15. Knowledge in Accountability to Affected Populations
16. Knowledge in PSEA

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.

Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer and background check.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.