Department: Advocacy – Programs
Term: Full-Time 2-year renewable contract
Position Description: Heshima Kenya is an NGO based in Nairobi, Kenya dedicated to identifying, protecting and empowering unaccompanied refugee minors, especially adolescent girls, through our specialized shelter, education and advocacy programs.
The legal advocacy officer will manage legal advocacy services, in line with Heshima Kenya, International, Regional and National refugee legal instruments (laws, policies and procedures).
Along with working with Government of Kenya Agencies, and National and International multi-agencies involved in protection of refugee rights, the post holder will support staff in service delivery and safety planning regarding the urban refugee population.
The Legal Advocacy Officer also assists in the development of a best practices framework for refugee protection, research projects, and policy positions that further illuminate the needs and challenges experienced by urban unaccompanied refugee minors and young refugee women.
The Advocacy Officer reports directly to the Senior Programs Manager.
Primary Responsibilities:
Assist refugees with legal advice, and where necessary refer them to other partners for legal support and representation.
Conducts Refugee Rights/Obligations Awareness Campaigns and facilitates Human Rights Education within the broader community.
Conducts monthly and quarterly Rights Awareness Outreach/Workshops/meetings with refugee communities and other stakeholders including Government departments.
To advocate for refugee rights, both verbally and in writing, in a range of settings including in civil and criminal proceedings and with criminal justice professionals and systems.
To recognize, respect and address the needs of refugees who face particular barriers when accessing the advocacy services, including those from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, LGBTQ communities, disabled people, women with complex needs and other hard to reach groups.
Responsible for providing legal advice pertaining to asylum procedure and protection of refugees; assisting asylum seekers and refugees to exercise basic human rights and access public services and opportunities; promoting asylum seekers’ and refugees’ rights to fair procedure in terms of refugee law.
Identifying gaps in the refugee and child protection space and unfavorable policies and practices, and thereafter advocating for a positive shift in refugee policies.
Lobby and advocate for a more conducive Protection space, targeting key institutions such as health institutions/facilities, educational institutions and social service agencies for asylum seekers and refugees to access to the rights enshrined in the Constitution and the Refugee Act.
Analyze government shifts and trends on immigration policies. Assess incoming political intelligence for relevance to and impact on asylum and protection space in Kenya. Analyze and revise organization’s working environment and policy framework in relation to refugee rights.
Lead the development of new print and communication materials for the organization’s Refugee Rights & Advocacy Programme;
Design and implement field research for advocacy purposes and write reports;
Collect data, statistics and all other relevant information for reporting and public awareness purposes;
Write monthly, quarterly, mid-year and yearly reports of programme activities;
Draft professional letters, proposals, submissions and memorandums;
Produce monthly content for publication for Heshima Kenya newsletter(s) and the website and for posting in websites of URPN and UNHCR.
Person Specification Qualifications:
Hold a first degree in Law or in Human Rights field- Master degree in law would be an added advantage.
At least 5 years relevant practical experience in providing legal assistance especially to refugees and asylum seekers;
Possess in-depth knowledge of the Kenya Constitution, Kenyan Refugee Law, Policies & legislation, International Refugee Law and Conventions, and the asylum seeking process.
Be conversant with the legal context of the urban refugees.
Excellent communications skills – spoken and written.
Superior judgment in identifying and responding to contentious issues and well developed analytical, problem solving and legal drafting skills.
Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough research into complex and varied legal and policy issues, write reports and submissions.
Ability to develop policy and legal documents.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and set and meet deadlines.
Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Word, e-mail, PowerPoint – ability to draft or edit PowerPoint presentations).
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Team leadership skills and results oriented; honest, trustworthy and respectful; easily delegable and capable of delivering high quality and timely results with limited supervision; self confident and a self-starter; ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
