Johansen Kasenene
Dar Es Salaam
Summary
A sociologist, Child Protection Specialist, Social worker, humanitarian, researcher and poverty analyst. I am an experienced and dedicated international civil servant with over 12 years of international experience in areas of Child Protection and youth development, Gender Based Protection (GBV), Community Based Protection (CBP), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) and durable solutions in the UN system. I have served in Tanzania, Nepal, Uganda, Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Iraq. My expertise include Child Protection, GBV,CBP and youth programming, capacity building, leadership, coordination, community engagement, international and refugee law, strategic planning, contingency planning and emergency preparedness, policy and poverty analysis and advocacy on children’s rights.
I have successfully coordinated and monitored Child Protection, GBV, CBP and PSEA programming in emergency in various capacities leading to positive transformation of people's lives and improved donor satisfaction and trust. I enjoy addressing complex Children Protection issues and finding solutions for persons we Serve while improving children, women and youth welfare as well as building a strong protection team that is interlinked with UN and government systems, inter- cluster and ensuring sustainable interventions.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Based Protection Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Shire
01.2022 - Current
- Coordinate participatory assessments and stakeholders workshops considering Age, Gender and Diversity Policy and draft reports that enhanced planning, programming and improved refugees and IDPs interventions.
- Coordinated formulation and drafted Community Based Protection (CBP) strategy that have improved community engagement, CBP interventions, community are at the centre of interventions and it has been a sample to refer in the Northern Western Ethiopia operation.
- Coordinate Child protection, youth, Gender Based Violence (GBV), Preventions of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse ( PSEA) and Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) led to effective protection and quality services provision.
- Manage a team of 20 staff, improved staff welfare and build strong team that have delivered required protection quality service to People we Serve.
- Formulate or review Child Protection (CP) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) SOPs and strategies and ensured child participatory mechanisms that have enhanced GBV prevention, mitigation, and response services and protection of refugee and IDPs children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
- Coordinate and facilitate capacity-building training on GBV, CP, CBP, PSEA, AAP, international refugee, human rights and humanitarian laws, Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) for UNHCR, government counterparts, community structures and partners staff which has formed a skilled and empowered protection team.
- Coordinate Protection Cluster and ensure CP, CBP, GBV and PSEA issues are echoed at ICCG, Protection Subgroup which have supported contingency and recovery planning and timely response.
Associate Community Based Protection Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Suleimaniyah
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Planned, coordinated and monitored Community Based Protection (CBP) interventions such as CBP, Gender Based Violence (GBV), Child Protection (CP) and Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) that enhanced CBP interventions, community empowerment and improved protection risks identification and solutions.
- Formulated or reviewed Child Protection (CP) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) SOPs and strategies and ensured child participatory mechanisms that have enhanced GBV prevention, mitigation, and response services and protection of refugee and IDPs children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
- Coordinated participatory assessments and stakeholders workshops considering Age, Gender and Diversity Policy and draft reports that enhanced planning, programming and improved refugees and IDPs interventions.
- Coordinated formulation and drafting Community Based Protection (CBP) strategy that improved community engagement, CBP interventions and communities are at the centre of interventions.
- Coordinated Child Protection, youth, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Preventions of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse ( PSEA) led to prevention and mitigation of exploitation, neglect and Abuse.
- Reviewed Best Interest Assessments (BIAs), Best Interest Determination (BID) reports and I chaired the child Best Interest Determination (BID) panel which led to effective refugee children’s durable solutions.
- Managed a team of 5 staff, improved staff welfare and build strong team that delivered required protection and quality service to People we Serve.
- Coordinate and facilitate capacity building on GBV, CP, CBP, PSEA, AAP, international refugee, human rights and humanitarian laws to UNHCR, government counterparts and partners staff which has formed a skilled and empowered protection team.
Associate Community Based Protection Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Ogoja
04.2019 - 06.2021
- Planned, Coordinated and monitored Community Based Protection interventions and ensured effective and quality service provision to People we Serve.
- Developed and reviewed Child Protection (CP), GBV, PSEA SOPs and strategies that enhanced GBV prevention, mitigation, and response services and protection of refugee children from exploitation, abuse and neglect.
- Coordinated Child Protection (CP), Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) which enhanced quality service delivery and improved People we Serve welfare.
- Trained and coached community based structures such as refugee leadership, Refugee Led Organization (RLO) and Women Led Organization (WLO) in area of Child Protection, GBV, PSEA and proposal writing hence empowerment.
- Ensured UNHCR procedures including registration, Refugee Status Determination (RSD), BIP, solutions and accountability mechanisms are child friendly in line with AGD approach which enhanced refugee children participation.
- Coordinated and monitored child friendly mechanisms establishment such as Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) and child friendly interview rooms led to enhancement of safety and child participation.
- Advocated for refugee children inclusion in the national systems such as education and birth certificate provision which improved children access to education and mitigated statelessness.
- Coordinated connectivity innovation which increased refugees and host community youth access to internet, photocopy services and computer training skills.
Associate Protection Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Melkadida
07.2017 - 03.2019
- Coordinated Child protection interventions such as assessments and development of child protection right booklet which improved UNHCR proGres data base, programming, interventions and awareness campaign on child rights.
- Reviewed Best Interest Determination (BID) reports and chaired BID Panel which led to quality children at risk BID reports, child protection and durable solutions.
- Led UNHCR and partners team to ensure effective implementation, monitoring and quality services to persons with specific needs such as elderly, persons with disability and Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC).
- Promoted relevant international, regional, national law, UN / UNHCR and IASC policy and codes of conduct that enhanced accountability and protection mainstreaming.
- Coordinated and monitored child friendly mechanisms including establishment of Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) and child friendly interview rooms which increased children safety and participation and protection.
- Advocated for refugee children inclusion in the national systems such as education and birth certificate provision which increased access to education and mitigated statelessness.
- Coordinated IDPs interventions and led Protection Cluster hence effective advocacy on protection issues through ICCG and protection sub groups.
Protection Officer
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Francistown
07.2016 - 12.2016
- Planned, coordinated and monitored protection interventions which improved protection, support and solutions to persons of concern.
- Drafted and reviewed Child protection, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse ( PSEA) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and strategies which enhanced Child protection, GBV and PSEA programming.
- Interviewed, documented and analyses refugees and asylum seekers protection risks and reports were the basis for resettlement consideration and granting refugee status.
- Reviewed child Best Interest Determination (BID) reports and chaired the BID panel which resulted to qualify BID reports and adherence to Best Interest Procedures hence durable solutions for children at risk such as Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC).
- Promoted relevant international, regional, national law, UN / UNHCR and IASC policy and codes of conduct that enhanced accountability and protection mainstreaming.
- Ensured UNHCR procedures including registration, Refugee Status Determination (RSD), Best Interest Principles (BIP) and accountability mechanisms are child friendly in line with AGD approach which enhanced refugee children participation, granting asylum and durable solution.
Community Services Officer
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Hoima
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Coordinated, programmed and lead protection and UNHCR Field Office team, ensured quality service delivery and protection, support and solutions for refugees.
- Coordinated and monitored community services interventions including Child protection, Gender Based Violence (GBV), livelihood, education and Cash Based Interventions (CBI) which improved protection and refugees welfare.
- Developed Best Interest Determination (BID) and reviewed GBV SOPs which strengthened BID processing and effective response to GBV survivors hence improved women and children welfare.
- Coordinated livelihood interventions and advocated for inclusion of children at risk such as Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC), GBV survivors, caregivers and fosters in income generating activities (IGA) that prevented and mitigated exploitation, neglect and abuse hence improved protection of children and women welfare.
- Coordinated the identification of GBV risks through various methodologies such as safety audits and ensured the recommendations on GBV prevention, mitigation and response risks are shared and properly followed up that enhanced prevention, mitigation and response services.
- Ensured UNHCR procedures including registration, Refugee Status Determination (RSD), solutions and accountability mechanisms are child friendly in line with AGD approach which enhanced refugee children participation.
- Coordinated and facilitate capacity building including identification of training needs and training UNHCR, government and partners staff that led to skilled and knowledgeable protection team and effective refugee protection, support and solutions.
Associate Durable Solutions Officer
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Damak
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Advocated for refugee children rights and implementation of Best Interests Determination (BID) guideline and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which improved child protection interventions.
- As the BID reviewer and Panel chair, ensured the consistent application of the principles and procedures outlined in the CRC, UNHCR BID and IASC Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence (GBV) Interventions and decisions reached at BID Panel are consistent and coherent which led to a proactive response to child protection needs and durable solutions.
- Led the durable solutions team to identify, draft and review Refugee Referral Forms ( RRF) and BID reports which resulted in meeting the submission quota and greatly supported finding solutions for thousands of Bhutanese refugees as they embarked on new lives on resettlement.
- Provided technical guidance to the staff members under my supervision that contributed to strong durable teamwork culminating in the success of the Durable Solutions (DS) Unit by achieving monthly BID and resettlement target for resettlement pre-submission.
- Trained and coached UNHCR, partners staff and International Organizations for Migration (IOM) secondee on Child protection, Gender Based Violence ( GBV), Best Interest Determination (BID) greatly improved skills and knowledge, data analysis, identification of vulnerable children and writing skills hence concise and quality BIA / BID reports.
Child Protection Expert
United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP)
Kigoma
12.2006 - 12.2009
- Coordinated, programmed and monitored refugee Child protection programme which enhanced Child Protection interventions and Best Interest Procedures ( BIP).
- Advocated for refugee children rights and implementation of Best Interests Determination (BID) guideline and Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which led to refugee children protection.
- Interviewed children at risk, drafted Best Interest Assessments ( BIA) and Best Interest Determination (BID) which improved Convention o the Rights of the Child ( CRC) implementation and protected children at risk from exploitation and abuse.
- Trained 15 UNHCR, government and partners staff in domain of Child Protection, interview, counseling and writing skills which enhanced their understanding of data analysis, identification of vulnerable children, and GBV survivors and writing skills hence quality BIA / BID reports.
- Ensured the consistent application of the principles and procedures outlined in the CRC and UNHCR BID Guidelines for concise and quality BIA and BID reports which led to effective BIP processing and lasting solution for children and families through resettlement and mitigated children abandonment.
Education
Master of Arts - Sociology And Research
University of Kent
London07-2020
Associate of Arts - Poverty And Policy Analysis
ISS of The University of Rotterdam
Netherlands 01-2012
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology And Research
University of Dar Es Salaam
Dar Es Salaam 09-2005
Skills
- Programme Leadership and Management: I have been responsible for Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Community-Based Protection and Youth programming I have managed resources, planned, reviewed and monitored development budgets for UNHCR’s Direct implementation and implementing partners (IP) in Nepal, Uganda, Botswana, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Iraq I have drafted concept notes and proposals which supported to mobilize funding that enhanced Child Protection and GBV programming Oversaw 92 UNHCR and IP staff working to ensure the protection of children from abuse, neglect and abandonment, provision of education, self-reliance, and durable solutions to the people we serve (refugees, IDPs and statelessness) Successfully worked closely with the programme team, people we serve, partners and government staff to identify protection risks and design interventions Successfully lead teams in ensuring that minimum standards of humanitarian relief for children and women were maintained in accordance with UNHCR policy and guidelines
- Capacity Building and Training: Successfully worked with programme, protection partners and government counterparts to identify training needs, and planning and assisted in building capacity for UNHCR, community-based structures, government, PSEA and Protection Cluster members and partners’ staff Successfully I have facilitated more than 40 training during which more than 560 participants have been trained and mentored on Child protection, GBV, Community Based Protection (CBP), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Accountability to Affected Population (AAP), Anti-Fraud, Human Rights, refugee international law and formed the firm basis for enhanced Child Protection, GBV, CBP and AAP interventions I have mentored Refugee Led Organizations (RLO) to manage projects and write proposals for instance in 2021 Great Step Initiative in Nigeria won 15,000USD
- Representation, Advocacy and Organizational Learning: Successfully coordinated participatory assessments, contributed to programming, budgeting, strategy and SOPs formulation on areas of Child Protection, GBV, CBP and PSEA through UNHCR senior management meetings, Protection Cluster and inter-agency coordination meetings
- Coordination and Monitoring: Supported UNHCR in coordination and monitoring of child protection information system, quality service delivery for displaced and host communities Liaised with government, partners, and other UN agencies in areas of a coordinated approach for programming and budgeting for Child Protection, GBV interventions and AAP This has resulted in harmonized, coordinated, and comprehensive protection, support, and solutions for the people we serve
- Reporting and Information Sharing: I have coordinated and monitored design messages for advocacy and awareness raising on Child Protection, GBV and PSEA at the community level People we serve and host communities have been educated and sensitized on GBV, PSEA and Child Protection; the activities have led to informed decisions on GBV, PSEA and child rights as well as improved knowledge, behaviour, attitude, and practices of staff and people we serve I have prepared UNHCR reports and donor reports that have improved stakeholder’s knowledge of GBV and Child Protection issues, achievements, and challenges as well as triggered proposal writing and mobilization of resources
Languages
Swahili
Proficient
C2
English
Proficient
C2
French
Beginner
A1
Publication (Selected)
1. Johansen C. Kasenene 1*, Flora L. Kessy 2 (2013) ID A13070202 titled: “Social exclusion and the crisis of children’s rights in Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal”.
International Travels
Nepal, South Africa, Botswana, Emirates Arabs, Qatar, Thailand, India, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo, United Kingdom, Iraq, Turkey and Singapore.
References
1. Mr. Jeddy William
Head of Sub Office
UNHCR Gao Sub Office, Mali.
E-mail: namfua@unhcr.org
2. Ms. Doaa Elbayad
Head of Field Office
Sanaa, Yemen
E-mail: elbayad@unhcr.org
3. Mr. Aba Opoku Mensah
Senior GBV Officer
UNHCR – Regional Bureau, Senegal.
E-mail: opokum@unhcr.org
Timeline
Community Based Protection Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
01.2022 - Current
Associate Community Based Protection Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
08.2021 - 12.2021
Associate Community Based Protection Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
04.2019 - 06.2021
Associate Protection Officer
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
07.2017 - 03.2019
Protection Officer
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
07.2016 - 12.2016
Community Services Officer
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
07.2013 - 06.2016
Associate Durable Solutions Officer
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
01.2012 - 12.2012
Child Protection Expert
United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP)
12.2006 - 12.2009
Master of Arts - Sociology And Research
University of Kent
Associate of Arts - Poverty And Policy Analysis
ISS of The University of Rotterdam
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology And Research
University of Dar Es Salaam
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