POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks to recruit a Best Interest Determination (BID) Specialist who will carry out program goals and objectives associated with all Child Protection activities. The Specialist will be responsible for the Best Interest Assessment and Determination process for all identified children.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Overall management of the Best Interest Assessment (BIA) and Best Interest Determination (BID) processes of all identified children and finding durable solutions.
• Work closely with the Child Protection Coordinator to ensure effective management of assessments and documentation processes of the Refugee and Asylum seekers children.
• Support conducting and follow ups of BIA/ BID interviews for case management.
• Review BIDs & BIAs presented by the Child Protection Associates to ensure they meet the required standards before submission to the BID panel.
• Submit BID cases with findings and make recommendations on a bi- weekly and monthly basis to the Child Protection Coordinator.
• Present reviewed BIDs and BIAs to the Child Protection Coordinator.
• Support and foster inter-partnership coordination on child protection project with UNHCR & other partners
• Coordinate closely with other partners and the County/ Sub County Children’s Officer, ensuring compliance with the Children’s Act of Kenya, and other legal and institutional frameworks, and promote the sustainability of initiatives undertaken.
• Represent the organization at external meetings as may be assigned by the Child Protection Coordinator.
• Be a strong advocate for children’s best interest in all care arrangements and wider discussions affecting children’s welfare.
• Support Organizational compliance to the Child Protection Policy.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Education

• Degree in Law, International Relations, Social work, Gender and Development Studies, Community Development or Counseling Psychology.

Experience

• Previous practical experience in the BID process; minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in Child Protection Programs.
• Demonstrate experience in Child rights & protection issues in the Kenyan context including knowledge of international and national legislation and policies.
• Solid knowledge of UNHCR BIP Guidelines (2021) and Field Handbook for the Implementation of UNHCR BID Guidelines.
• Solid knowledge of Alternative Care in Emergencies toolkit, Guidelines for the Alternative Family Care of Children in Kenya and Childrens Act (2022)
• Experience in designing and conducting trainings such as UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Child Protection Policy, Effects and Forms of Child Abuse among others for a variety of actors.

Skills

• Strong self-starter with demonstrable ability to adapt to changing program priorities and emergency priorities that may arise.
• Ability to work successfully within deadline requirements.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Positive attitude towards community work with emphasis on the ability to learn from communities and support participatory, innovative approaches to problem solving.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathetic with all children
• Knowledge and skill in Computer Applications
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Ability to work in a demanding and high-pressured environment
• Knowledge in Accountability to Affected Populations
• Knowledge in PSEA