RefugePoint seeks to fill the position of Protection Officer – Case Review in its Nairobi office. RefugePoint’s urban programs provide life saving assistance to refugees who have fallen through the cracks of humanitarian assistance. A variety of urban protection programs and interventions are implemented from the Nairobi office, including individual and group counselling, food assistance, access to safe shelter, education support, best interest assessments and determinations, provision of medical care and public health information, assistance with registration and family tracing, protection assessment, resettlement referral, and research. The urban program utilizes a comprehensive case management approach, providing holistic care to vulnerable refugee individuals and families identified during daily field work carried out by RefugePoint staff. RefugePoint medical, counselling and protection staff work collaboratively to ensure the highest standard of service provision and organizational effectiveness. The organization endeavours to identify and pursue long term solutions to urban refugee protection needs and to improve urban refugee assistance systems and overall understanding of urban refugee situations.
The Protection Officer – Case Review position is primarily concerned with conducting the final stage of quality assurance review for resettlement referrals and best interest determinations. The position requires solid experience and exceptional skill in drafting resettlement referrals, conducting and drafting best interest determinations, and conducting review and quality assurance of resettlement casework. The Protection Officer – Case Review will be responsible for conducting review of highly sensitive case information according to established guidelines, guiding revisions and follow-up interviews, finalizing referrals for submission, and conducting direct casework as needed. The Officer will be adept at paying attention to detail, working under deadline, resolving questions in a collaborative manner, liaising as needed with external partners, and maintaining responsive lines of communication with various levels of management and protection staff. The position will also involve a variety of other duties to support the smooth functioning of the protection unit, as determined by need.
Some of the core qualities and characteristics required for the successful fulfilment of the position include:
Extensive resettlement experience, preferably including a combination of work on the reception and integration side of refugee resettlement (in the resettlement country), and the identification, referral and/or processing of refugees in countries of asylum. Prior work with UNHCR is an advantage.
- Experience interviewing refugees and documenting persecution claims.
- Excellent English language skills, ability to proofread and edit for accuracy, consistency, conciseness and thoroughness.
- Familiarity with issues impacting refugee resettlement processing and refugees’ post-arrival well-being, such as: custody and best interest determination guidelines; family composition and placement; and reporting of medical issues and special needs. Ability to analyze and assess the above.
- Exceptional understanding of the application of refugee law, resettlement criteria, and exclusion and inadmissibility criteria.
- Strong familiarity with African refugee issues and populations preferable.
- Ability to maintain secure and accurate client files at all times. Commitment to confidentiality principles and proper conduct in handling sensitive information.
- Ability to work closely with senior managers to ensure smooth operation of the protection unit as a whole, including scheduling, field work, and follow up on assigned cases.
- Commitment to transparent and responsive communication; able to sensitively manage complex issues and questions in collaboration with others.
- Knowledge of and adherence to professional ethical obligations in refugee work.
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