Protection Officer

Role Overview

HIAS Kenya is recruiting a Protection Officer who will support the implementation of integrated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and protection programming in Kenya. The goal is 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.

Key Responsibilities

Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Programming

• Establish and support the 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.

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.

Support for Vulnerable Populations

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

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.

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), and basic psychosocial support skills.
• Support partners and local organizations to integrate basic PSS support within inter-sectoral services and referral pathways.

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.

Reporting

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

Qualifications and 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.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application via the HIAS recruitment portal at hias.hrmdirect.com.