Community Outreach Worker

TITLE: COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKER (Ethiopian nationality)- open to refugees only

TYPE: JOB

DEPARTMENT: MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT (MHPSS)

HIRING MANAGER: HR MANAGER

SUPERVISOR: SUB OFFICE COORDINATOR

LOCATION: NAIROBI (Eastleigh Office)

START DATE: 2ND DECEMBER 2024

END DATE: 14TH SEPTEMBER 2025 (Renewable contract subject to availability of funds and performance)

GRADE: 1

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS works with communities’ natural systems to optimize support for Persons with Specific Needs (PSNs). This approach enables HIAS to meet the safety, psychosocial, economic, and justice needs of PSNs; and facilitate their access to appropriate care. HIAS seeks to recruit a Community Outreach Worker who will be required to identify the most at risk and vulnerable refugees, provide them with necessary information as needed and link them with opportunities for psychosocial assessment and vulnerability assessment preceding appropriate intervention.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Identification of the most vulnerable refugees in the community in need of protection and psychosocial support (including counselling, food assistance, protection concerns, financial assistance, medical assistance etc.)
• Participation in community awareness and information dissemination to members of the community.
• Assist in referral of vulnerable refugees in the community to partner agencies for appropriate intervention.
• Provide support to Associates in the follow up and tracking of individual cases and updating the status accordingly.
• Assist in the provision of direct assistance to refugees in the community.
• Assist with translation for refugees in the community during assessments, home visits, counseling sessions and other activities as may be required.
• Assist in the mobilization of community members for support groups, community forums and sensitization campaigns within the communities.
• Accompany case workers for home visits, conduct individual visits, follow-ups and provide feedback reports to the case workers.
• Provide weekly and monthly quantitative and qualitative reports to the line manager highlighting individual performance, progress against targets and client needs and outcomes of assistance provided.
• Attend regular staff meetings, monthly debriefings, trainings, and other meetings as required and ensure regular personal development and supervision.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• 1 year working experience, including at least 6 months working with the refugee community, preferably with an NGO.
• Experience in the field of refugee protection and assistance is an added advantage.
• Basic literacy, writing and numeracy skills.
• Should be well integrated to the dynamics and needs of members of the refugee community within their areas.
• Good working knowledge of the community needs and gaps.
• Ability to work with members of the community with little or no supervision.
• Computer literacy
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Basic counselling skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong training skills in community development and working with PSN will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP)
• Knowledge of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in English or Kiswahili and other languages spoken within the Ethiopian communities eg: Amharic, Oromo etc.

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

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice

We Pursue Justice

Empathy

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience

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.

Required documents.

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae with at least 3 names and contacts of referees
• Valid and updated refugee ID
• Proof of registration
• Academic and Training Certificates