Social Worker: Young Men as Equal Partners in Safeguarding (YMEPS)
Background:
Kesho Kenya organization is a local youth led non-governmental organization whose mission is to advance access to education and employment for young vulnerable people in the coastal region of Kenya through a long-term holistic integrated approach.
The Young Men as Equal Partners for safeguarding project is based on the belief that young men are important gatekeepers in preventing child abuse, unwanted pregnancies, STIs/ HIV and AIDS and gender based violence. To empower women and girls and create a supportive environment, it is critical to change men’s attitudes on gender and Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR). Young men also have their own unmet needs for both information and health services. Gender roles today hinder men from accessing these services. For this reason YMEP is focusing on young men as agents of change in the safeguarding space. The approach is developed to increase male involvement in child protection, SRHR and the challenge is to transform the concept of masculinities and make young men promote the sexual and reproductive health of both themselves and their partners.

The Position
Kesho Kenya is looking for a social worker who will be responsible for the implementation of Men as
Equal Partners project through gender transformative approaches.
The position is for an initial contract period of 6 months and renewable subject to performance and
project extension. The position location is in Kilifi County.

Main duties and responsibilities:
The Social Workers is responsible for planning and implementing Young Men as Equal partner’s
project. He/she will implement SGBV preventive and responsive strategies through gender
transformative approaches. The Social Worker will report to the Safeguarding Programme Officer.

Specific duties:
Case work and management:

• Implement and monitor merit based social assistance informed by vulnerability assessments
  in individual cases in accordance with Kesho’s Standard Operating Procedures with timely
  updates to the project team;
• Collaborate with the Counsellor in conducting psychosocial support to GBV survivors
• Assist in facilitating external referrals, linkages, appointments and follow-ups for SGBV
  survivors
• Coordinate and network with other child protection local organizations to strengthen Child
  Protection service uptake and response.
• Ensure regular updates in the project information management system
• Coordinate and engage young men and boys programs with aim of promoting gender
  equality
• Identify opportunities for awareness rising on matters SRH/R, child protection and GBV.

Community outreach and community activities:

• Assist in conducting awareness and sensitization campaigns on SRH/R and Child protection in
  the communities
• Conduct and promote parenting skills, non-violent communication and negotiation skills among men and boys.
• Coordinate and conduct community mass outreaches and conversations through games and theatre.
• Coordinate and facilitate male involvement activities in the community and schools
• Coordinate and Work with Community Resource persons in the provision of positive parenting skills
• Participate in the identification, mobilization and training of community members and other actors to encourage their participation in different aspects of the project implementation (women, kaya leaders, elders, youth, children, government officials, judiciary, CSO’s and private sector etc.).
• Assist in assessing, identifying and analysing community sensitive intervention geared towards building resilience and self-reliance on matters.
• Conduct focus group discussions, committee meetings and participate in community forums to catalyze conversations on GBV, SRH/R & Child Protection.
• Establish and maintain networks with existing community structures and other partners for referral and networking purposes.
• Conduct mapping exercise for all sector agencies and link with them for collaboration and support in provision of required services

Reporting:

• Update beneficiary information into the data entry platform and provide a periodic analysis
  of the data.
• Prepare periodic reports on beneficiaries progress and prepare a final report of all the
  activities;
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Experience and Personal Attributes
Qualifications & Experience

• A University Degree/Diploma in Social Work, Community Development, Gender and
  Development Studies
• At least 2 years working experience in the field of Social Work.
• Vast experience and knowledgeable in matters GBV, SRH/R and child protection.
• Experience in working with children will be an added advantage.
• Experience in data entry and managing beneficiary monitoring and database systems.
• Experience in managing and providing training to target beneficiaries.

Essential Competencies

• Good knowledge of prevention and response to Child Abuse
• Experience in capacity building including facilitation of diversity and inclusion, community based
  training and awareness rising
• Good knowledge of Kilifi and its environs
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Knowledge of Computer Applications
• Ability to work in a demanding and high-pressured environment
• Good knowledge and experience regarding gender mainstreaming.
• Good moderation, facilitation and training skills.
• Ability to build on relevant knowledge within and outside Kesho Kenya as well as actively share her/his experience and expertise with colleagues and partners.
• Ability to work in diversified environments.

Essential Personal Attributes

• Team player
• Integrity and confidentiality
• Creative and innovative
• Self-starter who is able to work independently with minimal support but can also work well in a
  team environment

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a covering letter and current CV addressed to
recruitment@keshokenya.org
Applications are invited up until 1st July 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.