POSITION SUMMARY

HIAS Kenya seeks to recruit a Protection Officer who will support the implementation of integrated MHPSS and protection programming in Kenya to improve access to appropriate psychosocial care, strengthen protective environments, and promote the well-being and resilience of refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable populations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Programming

• Establish and support implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the provision of MHPSS services to refugees and asylum seekers in line with HIAS and IASC MHPSS guidelines.
• In coordination with protection colleagues, support intake processes by developing and applying brief psychosocial assessments to identify emergency and ongoing MHPSS needs.
• Provide and facilitate culturally appropriate individual, group, family, and community-based MHPSS interventions.
• Facilitate evidence-based MHPSS approaches, including Doing What Matters in Times of Stress and Self-Help Plus (SH+).
• Develop and facilitate structured psychosocial activities that promote coping, resilience, social cohesion, and wellbeing.

2. Protection & Case Management Integration

• Ensure MHPSS services are delivered within a rights-based, survivor-centered, and protection-oriented framework.
• Work closely with protection and case management teams to identify psychosocial risks and protection concerns.
• Support safe identification, referral, and follow-up of individuals requiring specialized protection, health, or mental health services.
• Promote safe, confidential, and ethical information management in line with protection and data-sharing protocols.
• Contribute to protection risk mitigation and strengthening of protective community environments through MHPSS interventions.

3. Vulnerable populations such as women, girls, boys, and men

• Facilitate MHPSS interventions tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations
• Facilitate positive parenting skills sessions to support caregivers and strengthen family functioning.
• Support vulnerable communities' community activities that promote safety, psychosocial wellbeing, and resilience.

4. Community-Based Approaches & Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)

• Ensure community-based approaches are central to MHPSS programming, recognizing communities as key stakeholders and partners.
• Support community awareness-raising on stress management, coping strategies, and available services.
• Promote accountability, dignity, and participation by integrating feedback and complaint mechanisms into MHPSS activities.
• Document community feedback and contribute to adaptive programming.

5. Capacity Building & Technical Support

• Provide ongoing technical support, coaching, and PSS supervision to HIAS staff and implementing partners.
• Deliver capacity-building trainings on:
  • MHPSS guidelines and standards
  • Psychological First Aid (PFA)
  • Basic psychosocial support skills
• Support partners and local organizations to integrate basic PSS support within inter-sectoral services and referral pathways.

6. Coordination, Partnerships & Representation

• Serve as the primary point of contact for HIAS on MHPSS-related matters with local partners and stakeholders.
• Actively participate in inter-agency, multi-sectoral technical working groups and coordination forums.
• Coordinate with partners to strengthen referral pathways and ensure integration of MHPSS across health, protection, and other sectors.
• Support capacity strengthening of local organizations delivering MHPSS and protection services.

7. Reporting

• Contribute to regular progress reports, situation reports (SitReps), and donor reporting.
• Support in ethical data collection, confidentiality, and informed consent practices.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in MHPSS programming, preferably with refugees, asylum seekers, or migrant populations in emergency or humanitarian settings.
• Demonstrated experience operationalizing MHPSS global standards, including IASC guidelines.
• Experience in capacity building, community-based training, and awareness raising.
• Strong understanding of protection principles, safeguarding, PSEA, and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural team environments.
• Professional, responsible, and ethical conduct

Remuneration: Gross pay of Kshs 108,000 per month.

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.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

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.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Important: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

HIAS is an equal opportunity employer, does not charge candidates for recruitment, and dissociates itself from any entity defrauding candidates.