Abiut Wafula

I am a highly dedicated and motivated professional graduate in the field of social work from Moi university. My passion lies in promoting peace and social harmony within communities. With a focus on peacebuilding and conflict resolution, I have worked extensively with diverse age groups, particularly young refugees and asylum seekers, who Face unique challenges in achieving peace and stability.

I excel in organizing and facilitating learning and development activities that foster peace, including training sessions on conflict management, mediation, and intercultural understanding. Thriving in collaborative team settings, I remain calm and composed even under high-pressure conditions, enabling effective peacebuilding initiatives. My strengths lie in effective communication, active listening, and providing valuable emotional support to individuals and communities affected by conflicts.

Throughout my career, I have held various roles such as voluntary repatriation officer (assistant), project and peace building assistant at Danish Refugee Council, medical social worker, and case worker at Moi teaching and Referral

Hospital. With a dual background in social work and counselling psychology, my objective is to leverage my expertise in a professional setting where I can empower individuals, families, and communities to overcome conflicts and

Contribute to lasting peace. I am eager to secure a rewarding position that allows me to make a meaningful impact and promote social cohesion and reconciliation.

My extensive hands-on experience in social work and community development encompasses providing high-quality

Care and support to socially excluded individuals facing diverse challenges in their lives. This includes implementing

Peacebuilding projects and interventions, as well as programs related to conflict transformation, community dialogue, trauma healing, and reconciliation. I have a proven track record of progressive and responsible work within government and NGO settings, where I have built positive relationships and fostered trust among individuals from diverse backgrounds. My expertise spans relevant areas such as GBV and child protection, community engagement, health and nutrition, cash for protection, agriculture, economic recovery, sustainability, cooperatives, resilience, WASH, and education.

With my easy going nature, building positive relationships with clients, colleagues,

and senior managers comes naturally to me Additionally, I possess a strong background in conducting research and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems with a specific focus on peacebuilding initiatives. I have contributed to the development of methodologies for assessing the impact of peace projects, measuring community resilience, and promoting sustainable peacebuilding practices.

I am Fluent in English and Swahili, I effectively communicate peacebuilding concepts and strategies to diverse audiences.

January- to date 2023

DanishRefugee Council (DRC)-Kakuma, Kenya 

Voluntary repatriation officer (Assistant)

Responsibilities

• Conducting preliminary interviews and assessments of refugees for repatriation following established procedures
• Documenting repatriation submissions and maintaining updated individual case records
• Providing accurate information on DRC repatriation policies and procedures to Persons of Concern (POC) in compliance with UNHCR standard operating procedures
• Providing administrative support for repatriation-related training activities and workshops
• Compiling accurate repatriation statistics and maintaining records for repatriation reports
• Assisting in mitigating repatriation fraud by reporting suspected cases
• Recommending eligible cases for repatriation consideration
• Offering counseling services to POC
• Ensuring adherence to registration standards and implementing appropriate methodologies and technologies
• Providing technical support for registration and identity management activities
• Collaborating with government authorities to establish and strengthen fair and efficient registration and digital identification procedures
• Establishing partnerships for efficient and accountable targeting and delivery of assistance and other programming and protection needs

Danish Refugee Council Kakuma, Kenya

Position: Project and Peace Building Assistant

Responsibilities:

• Building Relationships, Establishing and maintaining strong connections between the humanitarian organization and the refugee community, as well as fostering collaboration and cooperation with community leaders, local government authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assessing conflict to identify potential conflicts or tensions within the refugee camp settlement and its surrounding areas through understanding the root causes of conflicts, assessing the risks involved, and identifying key actors and dynamics contributing to conflicts.
• Facilitating dialogue sessions and activities aimed at reducing armed violence, strengthening local conflict management capacity, and promoting peaceful resolution of conflicts through organizing peacebuilding workshops, mediation sessions, community dialogues, and other conflict resolution initiatives.
• Assessing individuals or groups with safety and security concerns and taking preventive measures to address them. Working closely with relevant departments, such as SGBV (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence) and Child Protection, to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals, particularly women, children, and marginalized groups.
• Monitoring the progress of peacebuilding projects and initiatives, identifying potential risks or challenges, and taking timely actions for resolution. Compiling and analyzing monitoring data to assess the impact and effectiveness of peacebuilding interventions.
• Mobilizing and engaging community leaders, refugees, and other stakeholders in peacebuilding activities. Promoting community participation and ownership of peacebuilding processes, fostering a sense of responsibility and shared commitment to peaceful coexistence.
• Collaborating and coordinating with partner organizations, local authorities, and relevant agencies to ensure effective implementation of peacebuilding programs and activities. Participating in coordination meetings and maintaining positive working relationships with various stakeholders.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of peacebuilding activities, including monitoring forms, reports, and case studies. Providing regular reports to supervisors and other relevant personnel, documenting the progress, outcomes, and impact of peacebuilding initiatives.
• Facilitating training sessions and workshops to enhance the knowledge and skills of community members, including community leaders, on conflict resolution, peacebuilding strategies, and non-violent communication. Empowering individuals to actively contribute to peacebuilding efforts within the refugee camp settlement.
• Advocating for the needs and rights of refugees, promoting social cohesion, and engaging in networking activities to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing among peacebuilding practitioners and organizations working in the refugee context.
•  Providing input and participating in the development of the Community Safety Concept.
• Adhered fully to DRC procedures for security, financial management, logistics, human resources, and administration.
• Upheld DRC's Code of Conduct. 

• Successfully established HDP offices at the reception centers and conducted regular awareness sessions to inform new arrivals about the available services. This resulted in an enhanced reporting of cases at the reception centers.
• Effected a positive change in the mindset of refugees regarding the organizational approach and response to the services provided by DRC and DRC-HDP at the reception centers.
• Implemented a structured system for receiving and responding to clients at the reception centers, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

Danish Refugee Council 

Attachment/Intern - Case Worker/peace building

• Support in mobilization of community leaders to UNHCR and agency meetings
• Liaise with community leaders and local government authorities about the safety
• in the assigned target communities (i.e. community entry);
• Conduct conflict assessment/analysis when required and provide sufficient recommendations.
• Conduct assessments to individuals with safety and security related concerns.
• The assessments should be focused on identifying and mitigating the escalation of individual conflicts into the wider community.
• Facilitate dialogue and other activities aimed at reducing armed violence and including activities to strengthen local conflict management capacity and to promote better collaboration between local communities and formal security providers.
• Work closely with the SGBV and Child Protection departments in supporting mediation dialogues.
• Facilitate routine review and coordination meetings for community leaders and peace committees
• Facilitate peace club sessions at the target schools within the project area.
• Ensure good cooperation with partners and other organizations working in the project target areas;
• Demonstrate excellent collaboration with DRC staff and partners from other target areas irrespective of their tribal identity;
• Compile the required monitoring forms and reports using the prescribed HDP formats and submit reports to the Project Officer Weekly and on Monthly basis.
• Ensure that all tasks allocated by the Social Cohesion Project Officer or their delegates are executed promptly, efficiently and in accordance with DRC operational guidelines;
• Take good care of all assigned equipment including communication equipment
• Conducting client assessments needs, strengths, and challenges so as to develop a comprehensive understanding of the client's situation.
• Collaborating with supervisors to Develop case plans Based on the assessment and develop individualized case plans. These plans outline goals, objectives, and strategies to address the client's needs and support their well-being.
• Referrals and resource coordination
• Providing support and advocacy through active listening to clients' concerns, provide empathy, and advocate for their rights and needs within the organization or community.
• Monitoring client progress through tracking of the implementation of the case plan, document outcomes, and identify any challenges or barriers that arise during the process.
• Documentation and reporting through maintaining accurate and up-to-date case files, documenting all client interactions, assessments, interventions, and referrals. Preparing of reports summarizing client progress, outcomes, and any significant changes or incidents.
• Collaboration and teamwork with supervisors, team members, and other professionals involved in the client's care. Actively participate in case conferences, team meetings, and training sessions to enhance their knowledge and skills.
• Professional development and learning through engaging in continuous professional development opportunities and seeking guidance from supervisors, attending relevant workshops or seminars, and actively learn from experienced professionals in the field.
• Adhering to ethical standards by upholding ethical guidelines and maintain client confidentiality through demonstration of professionalism, integrity, and respect for cultural diversity in their interactions with clients and colleagues.

Child Educator and Medical Social Worker (Shoe 4 Africa)

January-December 2020

• Provided care and support to children, ensuring their basic needs were met.
• Facilitated children's learning and created a conducive environment for them to explore and discover new things.
• Planned and developed age-appropriate curricula aligned with children's developmental needs.
• Observed and assessed children's development and progress, identifying areas of concern and working with parents and professionals to provide support
• Maintained regular communication with parents and guardians, providing updates on children's progress and collaborating to support their learning and development.
• Advocated for the needs of children and families, ensuring access to quality early childhood education and support services.
• Collaborated with other educators and professionals to provide the best possible care and education for children.
• Conducted psychosocial assessments on patients to identify their needs and any mental or emotional distress affecting their health condition, and relayed the findings to doctors, nurses, and relevant parties.
• Educated patients and their families about their illnesses, including causes, effects, and possible remedies. Offered counseling and informed them of any changes in treatment.
• Organized crisis interventions for patients and their families, helping them cope with the challenges of terminal illnesses or loss of loved ones.
• Assisted patients and families in understanding available resources and facilities in the hospital and community to navigate their options effectively.
• Ensured patients received optimum care essential for their health improvement.

counselling psychology social work