Social Protection For Refugees And Asylum Seekers Training Course

Introduction

In an era of unprecedented forced displacement, ensuring that Social Protection for Refugees and Asylum Seekers is effectively provided demands specific and nuanced approaches tailored to their unique vulnerabilities and legal statuses. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip humanitarian actors, social protection practitioners, government officials, UN agency personnel, and legal professionals with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required to address specific considerations for displaced populations. Participants will gain a robust understanding of international refugee law, the principle of non-discrimination, portable social security benefits, integrated service delivery in host communities, and durable solutions, enabling them to design and implement social protection interventions that uphold the rights and dignity of refugees and asylum seekers. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world case studies pertinent to the dynamic displacement contexts in Nairobi, Kenya, and the wider East African region, empowering you to make a tangible difference.

This refugee social safety net course is crucial for individuals and organizations in Kenya striving to bridge the gap between humanitarian aid and long-term development for forced migrants, fostering their self-reliance and integration. Mastering cash transfers for refugees, implementing shock-responsive social protection in displacement settings, and understanding strategies for enhancing access to public services for asylum seekers are indispensable for mitigating their vulnerabilities, promoting their inclusion, and ultimately contributing to more stable and equitable societies. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in social protection in forced displacement and humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus approaches, positioning your organization at the forefront of compassionate and effective support for displaced populations and driving significant human development across the region.

Target Audience

• Humanitarian Aid Workers & Coordinators
• Refugee & Asylum Seeker Protection Specialists
• Social Protection Policy Makers
• Government Officials (Refugee Affairs, Social Affairs, Immigration)
• UN Agency Personnel (UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, IOM)
• NGO Field Staff in Refugee Camps & Urban Areas
• Legal Aid & Human Rights Advocates

Course Objectives

• Understand the international legal framework protecting refugees and asylum seekers, particularly the 1951 Refugee Convention.
• Learn about the diverse vulnerabilities and specific social protection needs of refugees and asylum seekers.
• Master principles of non-discrimination and equitable access to social protection for forced migrants.
• Develop proficiency in designing and adapting social protection programs for refugee contexts (camps, urban areas).
• Explore strategies for providing rapid and flexible cash transfers to refugees and asylum seekers.
• Understand the concept of portability of social security benefits across borders.
• Learn about integrating social protection with broader humanitarian assistance and durable solutions.
• Identify barriers to access and participation for refugees and asylum seekers in host country social protection.
• Develop effective multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms involving host governments, UN, and NGOs.
• Understand data collection, disaggregation, and monitoring strategies for refugee populations.
• Explore innovations and digital tools for reaching and supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
• Drive enhanced protection, well-being, and self-reliance for refugees and asylum seekers.
• Position yourself as a key actor in building inclusive social protection systems for all, including the forcibly displaced.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1. International Frameworks for Refugee Protection

• The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol: key provisions on social rights
• National refugee laws and policies in Kenya and East Africa
• Principle of non-refoulement and asylum procedures
• Rights and obligations of refugees and asylum seekers in host countries
• Differentiating between refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrant categories

Module 2. Understanding Vulnerabilities and Needs of Forced Migrants

• Psychosocial impacts of displacement and trauma
• Loss of livelihoods, assets, and social networks
• Barriers to legal status, documentation, and formal employment
• Specific needs of vulnerable groups: women, children, persons with disabilities, elderly refugees
• Analysis of socio-economic profiles of refugees and asylum seekers in host contexts

Module 3. Adapting Social Protection to Displacement Contexts

• Extending national social protection systems to refugees and asylum seekers
• Designing targeted social safety nets for displaced populations (e.g., cash, food assistance)
• The role of humanitarian assistance as a form of social protection in emergencies
• Addressing urban refugees and those living outside camps
• Contextualizing programs to camp settings and host community dynamics

Module 4. Cash Transfers for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

• Rationale and benefits of cash transfers for forced migrants (dignity, choice, local economy)
• Designing cash programs: targeting, transfer value, frequency, delivery mechanisms
• Digital payment solutions for efficient and secure delivery in displacement settings
• Linking cash assistance to essential services and local markets
• Addressing protection concerns and risks associated with cash transfers

Module 5. Access to Public Services and Integration module

• Promoting access to health, education, and legal services for refugees and asylum seekers
• Overcoming administrative and financial barriers to service access
• Facilitating livelihood opportunities, skills training, and self-reliance initiatives
• The role of social protection in fostering local integration and self-sufficiency
• Addressing xenophobia and promoting social cohesion between host and displaced communities

Module 6. Cross-Border Coordination and Durable Solutions module

• Coordinating social protection responses across borders in regional crises
• The concept of portability of social security benefits for refugees
• The role of social protection in supporting voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement
• Humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus in social protection programming for displaced
• Learning from regional mechanisms for supporting displaced populations

Module 7. Data, Governance, and Accountability module

• Challenges of data collection and management for refugee populations (e.g., registration, identity management)
• Data sharing protocols and ensuring data privacy for sensitive refugee information
• Governance structures for social protection in refugee contexts (host government, UNHCR, NGOs)
• Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) in social protection delivery
• Legal, ethical, and practical considerations for future programming

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.