Best Interest Determination (BID) Associate
OFFICE:UNHCR Representation in Uganda

• Branch Office-Extension, Kampala (1 position)
• Field Unit Kyangwali (1 position)
• Field Unit Kyaka II (1 position)
• Field Unit Nakivale (1 position)

DEPLOYMENT TO:
Kampala, Kyaka II refugee settlement, Nakivale refugee settlement, Kyangwali refugee settlement
DURATION OF DEPLOYMENT:6 months
EXPECTED START DATE: 23 November 2015

SHORT DESCRIPTION:
These four positions for trained child welfare professionals are part of a joint project between UNHCR and HIAS Uganda to increase the capacity of UNHCR to conduct Best Interest Determinations (BIDs) for children in the context of refugee resettlement. There will be one position each based in UNHCR’s Kampala office and in Kyaka II, Nakivale, and Kyangwali refugee settlements. These positions will each last for six months with the possibility of renewal.

BACKGROUND:
As of 6 August 2015, Uganda has a total of 484,946 refugees and asylum seekers. About 15% of refugees and asylum-seekers in Uganda live in Kampala and the rest in nine settlements: Adjumani clusters (Adjumani District); Rhino Camp (Arua District); Koboko (Koboko District); Kiryandongo (Kiryandongo District); Kyangwali (Hoima District); Kyaka II (Kyegegwa District); Rwamwanja (Kamwenge District); and Nakivale and Oruchinga in Isingiro District. On average Uganda has been hosting 161,000 refugees per year since 1961. Approximately 70% of refugees and asylum-seekers have arrived in the country in the last 5 years.
In Uganda the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Refugee Department is responsible for refugees on behalf of the Government. Uganda is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention relating to the status of refugees. The Refugees Act of 2006 and Refugee Regulations of 2010 are progressive. The Refugee Eligibility Committee (REC) conducts Refugee Status Determination (RSD). Uganda is a signatory to the 2009 AU Convention for the protection and assistance of IDPs in Africa.
General Situation Regarding Child Protection
In Uganda, some refugee children are growing up in conditions that put them at high risk of not developing to their full potential as healthy, social individuals and active citizens.
The numbers of unaccompanied minors (UAMs) and separated children (SC) are high in Uganda. Uganda experienced a high number of new arrivals in 2012 and 2013, due primarily to the conflict in the DRC. The new arrivals compounded the problem and the need to better address the issues of these vulnerable children.
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. Support from a dedicated BID Associate in the refugee settlements will greatly enhance the ability of UNHCR to ensure that this casework is done in an expedited manner.
The BID Associate will be integrated into the Resettlement Unit and report directly to the Resettlement Officer in Kampala and/or Field Team Leader in the Field Units.

Responsibilities
• Conduct BID casework including:
• Conduct 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.
• 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.
• liaise with relevant child protection partners to include all the information available on the child in the BID report;
• generate BID forms from proGres;
• ensure that 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 monthly progress reports;
Qualifications and/or special skills and expertise in a particular field (education / knowledge):
• Academic degree in relevant area (e.g. social work, child development, social science, education, public administration etc.);
• Fluency in English language, and fluency in other relevant language (e.g. French, Swahili);
• Knowledge of and/or preparedness to become familiar with and abide by UNHCR’s principles, Code of Conduct and humanitarian goals;
• Knowledge of the international legal framework governing refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and statelessness;
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines on refugee status determination and resettlement as well as UNHCR Best Interest Determination Guidelines.
• Awareness of gender issues and how to apply a rights- and community-based approach to identify and respond to specific needs;
• Awareness of the importance of preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks.
Particular other skills needed to fulfill the assignment(experience / demonstrable skills):
• Minimum 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.);
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills especially child interviewing skills-highly desirable.
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills;
• 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.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams;
• Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations;
• Experience giving advice on resettlement guidelines / policy – highly desirable;
• 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:
Excellent drafting skills in English is required. French and Swahili would be a great asset.

HOW TO APPLY:
NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS OF RELEVANT CONTACTS:
Send resume (CV) and cover letter to HIAS Kansanga. info@hiasuganda.org
07 588 367 59
07 882 293 98