About HIAS:
HIAS protects refugees—including women and children, and ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities—whose lives are in danger for being who they are. Guided by our Jewish values and history, we help refugees rebuild their lives in safety and advocate to ensure that all displaced people are treated with dignity, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or place of birth.
About UNHCR Project:
The Office of The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) are implementing a joint project whose focus is to increase the capacity of UNHCR to conduct Best Interest Determinations (BIDs) for children in the context of refugee resettlement. Efforts to streamline and harmonize the Best Interest Determination (BID) process in Uganda and to use it as a broader child protection tool can only be successful if there are adequate resources dedicated to this activity and full cooperation between the Community Services Section and the Protection Section, including the Resettlement Unit.
Job Summary: The Best Interest Determinations Associate will provide support in the refugee settlements will greatly enhance the ability of UNHCR to ensure that this casework is done in an expedited manner.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· Carry out interviews with refugee children and other members of the family to determine the best interest of the child and complete Best Interest Determination (BID) and, when appropriate, Best Interest Assessment (BIA) reports.
· Conduct home visits with refugee families as part of the BID process.
· Provide counselling to refugees, explaining the BID and BIA processes, prospects, and problems involved in the processes.
· Ensure proper monitoring and follow-up of cases including updating proGres database and any internal monitoring and tracking systems are regularly updated with the necessary events.
· The incumbent will implement Child Protection policies, BID and BIA procedures, and existing SOPs (including fraud prevention SOPs) with guidance from respective Community Service, Protection and Resettlement colleagues.
· Work closely with relevant child protection partners to include all the information available on the child in the BID report;
· Generate BID forms from ProGres;
· The incumbent will ensure that all BID reports are in compliance with UNHCR protection principles as well as best international practice.
· Attend BID panels on a monthly basis and present BIDs;
· Conduct additional assessment on BID cases as per recommendation by the BID panel;
· Prepare BID Addendum for BIDs which were completed more than one year ago;
· Prepare and submit monthly progress reports;
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The ideal candidates for the UNHCR BID Associate jobs must hold a relevant academic degree in relevant area (e.g. social work, child development, social science, education, public administration etc.);
· At least two years’ work experience in relevant work area (e.g. as a social worker, child counsellor, community development worker, educator, conducting social assessments, individual case advocacy, assisting with family reunification, working with refugees in a resettlement context etc.);
· Working knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, Code of Conduct and humanitarian goals;
· Comprehensive knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness;
· Detailed understanding and knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on refugee status determination and resettlement as well as UNHCR Best Interest Determination Guidelines.
· Broad awareness of gender issues and how to apply a rights- and community-based approach to identify and respond to specific needs;
· Keen awareness of the importance of preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks.
· Excellent interviewing and counselling skills especially child interviewing skills-highly desirable.
· Excellent drafting and analytical skills;
· Possess the ability to conduct assessments and identify protection risks of individuals and groups;
· Understanding of mental and physical development of children as well as International Convention on Child Rights.
· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams;
· Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations;
· Significant experience giving advice on resettlement guidelines / policy – highly desirable;
· Prior experience in the area of refugee resettlement – conducting refugee resettlement assessments and submissions – highly desirable.
· Languages required, spoken and/or written, and level of fluency:
· English language fluency. Fluency in other relevant language (e.g. French, Swahili) would be a great asset.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified applicants should send a CV and cover letter to: HIAS Kansanga, info@hiasuganda.org
NB: Please clearly indicate “Best Interest Determination (BID) Associate – Uganda” in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. These positions are open to Ugandan nationals only.
Deadline: 4th November 2015