Social Protection For Migrants And Displaced Persons Training Course

Introduction

In an increasingly interconnected yet volatile world, ensuring that Social Protection extends effectively to Migrants and Displaced Persons is a critical humanitarian and development imperative. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip policymakers, humanitarian actors, social protection practitioners, and migration specialists with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required to provide robust safety nets and support for mobile and vulnerable populations. Participants will gain a robust understanding of the unique vulnerabilities of migrants and displaced persons, international protection frameworks, portable social security benefits, rapid humanitarian cash transfers, and integrated service delivery models, enabling them to design and implement inclusive and equitable social protection responses. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world case studies pertinent to the dynamic migration landscape in Nairobi, Kenya, and the wider East African region, empowering you to address the needs of those on the move.

This migrant and refugee social protection course is crucial for individuals and organizations in Kenya and across Africa striving to uphold the rights of migrants and displaced persons, enhance their resilience, and facilitate their integration or safe return. Mastering portable social security benefits, implementing shock-responsive cash transfers for displaced populations, and understanding humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus approaches are indispensable for addressing the complex challenges of forced displacement and promoting human dignity. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in social protection in crisis contexts and inclusive migration policies, positioning your organization at the forefront of compassionate and effective support for vulnerable mobile populations and driving significant human development across the region.

Target Audience

• Humanitarian Aid Workers & Coordinators
• Social Protection Policy Makers
• Migration & Refugee Specialists
• Government Officials (Social Affairs, Immigration, Disaster Management)
• UN Agency Personnel (UNHCR, IOM, WFP, UNICEF)
• NGO Field Staff
• Legal Aid & Human Rights Advocates

Course Objectives

• Understand the diverse categories of migrants and displaced persons and their specific social protection needs.
• Learn about international and regional legal frameworks for the protection of migrants and refugees.
• Master principles for ensuring non-discrimination and equitable access to social protection for mobile populations.
• Develop proficiency in designing and adapting social protection programs for humanitarian contexts.
• Explore strategies for providing rapid and flexible cash transfers to displaced persons.
• Understand the concept of portability of social security benefits for migrants.
• Learn about linking social protection with broader humanitarian assistance and durable solutions.
• Identify barriers to access and participation for migrants and displaced persons in social protection.
• Develop effective multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms in complex emergencies.
• Understand data collection, disaggregation, and monitoring strategies for mobile populations.
• Explore innovations and digital tools for reaching and supporting migrants and displaced persons.
• Drive enhanced protection, well-being, and resilience outcomes for mobile and vulnerable populations.
• Position yourself as a key actor in building inclusive social protection systems for all.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding Migrants and Displaced Persons & Their Needs

• Defining migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, and stateless persons
• Drivers of migration and displacement in East Africa and globally
• Specific vulnerabilities and protection risks faced by mobile populations (e.g., statelessness, exploitation, lack of documentation)
• Social protection needs across different phases of displacement (emergency, protracted, return)
• Overview of existing social protection provisions and gaps for migrants/displaced

Module 2: International & National Legal Frameworks for Protection

• International human rights law and refugee law relevant to social protection
• The 1951 Refugee Convention and its protocols, international migration law
• National legal and policy frameworks for migrants and refugees in Kenya
• Principles of non-refoulement, non-discrimination, and equality of treatment
• Addressing legal barriers to social protection access for non-citizens

Module 3: Adapting Social Protection for Humanitarian Contexts

• Principles of shock-responsive social protection applied to displacement crises
• Horizontal and vertical expansion of social safety nets for affected populations
• Trigger mechanisms and early warning for humanitarian social protection
• Integrating social protection with humanitarian cash and voucher assistance
• Case studies of rapid social protection responses in displacement settings

Module 4: Cash Transfers for Displaced Persons & Refugees

• Rationale for cash transfers in humanitarian response: dignity, flexibility, local economy support
• Designing cash transfer programs for refugees and IDPs (targeting, value, frequency)
• Safe and accessible digital payment mechanisms in displacement contexts
• Linking cash transfers to essential services (health, education, shelter)
• Protecting against fraud and abuse in humanitarian cash assistance

Module 5: Portability of Social Security Benefits

• Understanding the concept of portability in social security (pensions, health, unemployment)
• Bilateral and multilateral agreements on social security coordination for migrants
• Challenges and opportunities for extending portability to different migrant groups
• Exploring models for contributions and benefit accrual for migrant workers
• Policy options for enhancing portability and cross-border social protection

Module 6: Integrated Service Delivery and Durable Solutions

• Linking social protection with broader humanitarian assistance and development interventions
• Pathways to durable solutions: local integration, voluntary repatriation, resettlement
• The role of social protection in supporting economic inclusion and self-reliance of displaced persons
• Coordination mechanisms between humanitarian, development, and social protection actors
• Supporting host communities alongside displaced populations through social protection

Module 7: Data, Governance & Future Directions

• Challenges of data collection and management for mobile populations (lack of documentation, privacy)
• Using innovative data sources and digital identity solutions
• Governance and accountability frameworks for social protection for migrants and displaced
• The role of UNHCR, IOM, and other agencies in promoting social protection for mobile populations
• Emerging challenges and innovations in social protection for migrants and displaced persons in Africa

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre.

We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.