Shelter House Matron and Patron

Position: Shelter House Matron/Patron

Organisation: Confidential client — a non-governmental organisation in Kenya Duty Station: Meru or Busia (residential facility; exact location shared only with shortlisted candidates)

Reports to: Shelter Manager

Works closely with: Case Management Team, Psychosocial Support Team, Legal Team, Security Personnel, Programme Team Supervises: Shelter support staff as assigned

Level: Operational / Supervisory

Employment Type: Consultancy (residential, as applicable)

The organisation is a Kenyan non-governmental organisation dedicated to combating trafficking in persons and supporting survivors of human trafficking.

It provides survivor-centred, rights-based and trauma-informed support to persons affected by trafficking. The organisation's shelter provides a safe and confidential environment where survivors can access accommodation and appropriate support while they work towards recovery, reintegration and longer-term stability. 2. Purpose of the Position The Shelter House Matron/Patron is responsible for the day-to-day management of the shelter environment and the safety, wellbeing and dignity of residents. The post holder will ensure that the shelter is safe, clean, orderly, welcoming and appropriately managed, while supporting residents to maintain healthy routines and participate in their agreed support and recovery plans.

The Matron/Patron will serve as an important day-to-day link between residents and the professional case- management team, ensuring that concerns relating to residents' wellbeing, safety, behaviour, health or protection are identified and promptly referred to the appropriate staff. The position requires a trauma-informed, non-judgemental and survivor-centred approach, recognising that residents may have different needs, experiences, ages, cultural backgrounds and levels of independence. 3. Key Responsibilities A. Day-to-Day Shelter Management

• Ensure the shelter operates safely, smoothly and respectfully on a day-to-day basis. ● Maintain a structured and supportive residential environment. ● Ensure residents understand and follow shelter routines and agreed house rules. ● Coordinate daily household routines, including meals, cleaning, laundry, activities and general household organisation. ● Ensure common areas and bedrooms are clean, safe and appropriately maintained. ● Monitor availability of essential household supplies and report replenishment needs. ● Maintain appropriate shelter inventories and household records. ● Ensure shelter equipment, furniture and facilities are properly used and maintained. ● Report repairs, maintenance issues and safety concerns promptly. B.

Resident Wellbeing and Support

• Promote an environment in which residents feel safe, respected and treated with dignity. ● Develop appropriate professional relationships with residents while maintaining clear boundaries. ● Welcome new residents and orient them to the shelter, routines, house rules and available support. ● Check regularly on residents' general wellbeing and identify concerns requiring professional attention. ● Support residents to maintain healthy daily routines. ● Encourage participation in appropriate recreational, educational, skills-building and other activities included in their individual support plans. ● Support residents to develop appropriate independent living skills.
• Where appropriate, support residents with practical aspects of daily living without creating unnecessary dependency. ● Respect residents' privacy, choices, culture and personal boundaries. C. Safeguarding and Protection
• Maintain a safe environment for all residents, with particular attention to children and other residents who may require additional protection. ● Remain alert to safeguarding concerns, abuse, exploitation, bullying, harassment, self-neglect or other risks. ● Immediately report safeguarding concerns through the organisation's established reporting procedures. ● Ensure children are appropriately supervised in accordance with their individual needs and approved arrangements.
• Never use corporal punishment, humiliation, threats, intimidation or other harmful disciplinary practices. ● Support implementation of individual safety plans where applicable. ● Ensure visitors are appropriately authorised and monitored. ● Prevent unauthorised persons from accessing the shelter or resident information. ● Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the identity, location and circumstances of residents. ● Ensure residents' personal information is not disclosed to unauthorised persons. D. Trauma-Informed Residential Care
• Apply trauma-informed principles in all interactions with residents. ● Recognise that trauma may affect behaviour, communication, relationships and daily functioning. ● Respond to distress calmly and appropriately.
• Avoid confrontational, punitive or judgemental approaches. ● Support residents to regain a sense of safety, predictability, dignity and control. ● Refer residents to the appropriate psychosocial, medical, legal or case-management professional when additional support is required. ● Avoid providing counselling or clinical interventions beyond the post holder's training and role.

Coordination of Resident Routines

• Develop and maintain appropriate daily and weekly household routines. ● Coordinate meal schedules and household activities. ● Support residents to attend scheduled appointments, training, education, therapy or other approved activities. ● Maintain appropriate records of attendance and participation where required. ● Coordinate with case managers regarding residents' schedules and specific support requirements. ● Ensure changes to residents' routines are communicated to relevant staff. F. Food, Nutrition and Household Supplies
• Coordinate household meal planning in consultation with relevant staff. ● Monitor food supplies and household provisions.
• Ensure meals are prepared and provided in a safe and appropriate manner. ● Take note of dietary restrictions, allergies or other documented dietary requirements and communicate these to the relevant team. ● Maintain appropriate records of household expenditure and supplies where required. ● Monitor food storage and hygiene standards. ● Report shortages, wastage or concerns regarding household supplies. G. Health and Medical Support
• Monitor residents' general wellbeing and promptly report health concerns. ● Support residents to access approved medical appointments and services. ● Ensure medication is handled only in accordance with the organisation's approved procedures and the resident's care plan.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding residents' health information. ● Immediately escalate medical emergencies to the appropriate service and the organisation's staff. ● Maintain appropriate emergency contacts and procedures. H. Security and Confidentiality
• Work closely with security personnel to maintain a safe shelter environment. ● Ensure shelter access procedures are followed consistently. ● Maintain visitor and access records as required. ● Ensure residents do not disclose the shelter location to unauthorised persons. ● Immediately report suspicious activity, security concerns or unauthorised access. ● Support implementation of emergency and evacuation procedures.
• Never disclose information about residents to family members, friends, media, former traffickers or other third parties without appropriate authorisation. ● Maintain confidentiality regarding the shelter location and security arrangements. I. Child-Specific Responsibilities

Where children are accommodated at the shelter, the Matron/Patron will:

• Ensure children receive appropriate supervision and care. ● Support children's daily routines, education and recreational activities. ● Promote a safe and child-friendly environment. ● Monitor children's wellbeing and behaviour and report concerns promptly.
• Ensure children are not left in situations that are inconsistent with their individual protection arrangements. ● Follow the organisation's child safeguarding and protection procedures. ● Coordinate closely with case managers and other professionals regarding children's specific needs. ● Ensure children's privacy, dignity and best interests are respected. J. Records and Documentation
• Maintain accurate shelter records as required by the organisation. ● Maintain daily occupancy and relevant residential records. ● Document significant incidents and refer them through the appropriate channels. ● Maintain household inventory and supplies records. ● Record maintenance and repair needs.
• Support case-management staff by providing factual observations relevant to residents' wellbeing, without making clinical or case-management assessments. ● Ensure all records are securely stored and handled confidentially. K. Activities and Life Skills
• Support residents to participate in appropriate household and life-skills activities. ● Encourage residents to develop practical skills such as personal organisation, hygiene, household management and appropriate interpersonal skills. ● Support recreational and social activities that promote positive relationships and wellbeing. ● Encourage age-appropriate activities for children.
• Where appropriate, support residents to participate in approved economic empowerment, education or skills-development activities. L. Incident Management and Emergency Response
• Respond calmly and appropriately to emergencies within the scope of the role. ● Immediately notify the appropriate staff of serious incidents. ● Follow the organisation's procedures for medical, safeguarding, security, fire and other emergencies. ● Ensure emergency contacts and essential supplies are accessible. ● Participate in emergency preparedness and drills. ● Document incidents accurately and confidentially. ● Never attempt to independently manage situations requiring professional, medical, security or safeguarding intervention. M.

Teamwork and Communication

• Maintain regular communication with the case-management and programme teams. ● Participate in relevant shelter and case-management meetings. ● Share observations and concerns about residents through appropriate professional channels. ● Work collaboratively with house staff, security personnel and other service providers. ● Maintain clear professional boundaries with residents. ● Ensure handovers between shifts are complete and accurate. 4. Key Working Relationships

The Shelter House Matron/Patron will work closely with:

• Shelter/Case Management Coordinator or Shelter Manager
• Case Managers
• Psychotherapist/Psychosocial Support Team
• Legal Officer
• Programme Manager
• Safeguarding Focal Person
• Security Personnel
• Finance and Administration
• Medical and referral service providers
• Education, training and livelihood service providers

Essential

• Diploma or certificate in Social Work, Community Development, Counselling, Childcare, Health/Social Care, Hospitality Management or a related field. ● At least 3–5 years of relevant experience working in a residential care, shelter, children's home, safe house, community support or similar environment. ● Experience working with vulnerable individuals, survivors, children or women.
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles. ● Good communication and interpersonal skills. ● Ability to maintain confidentiality. ● Ability to manage household routines and multiple responsibilities. ● Demonstrated emotional maturity, patience and sound judgement. ● Ability to work collaboratively with professional teams. ● Basic computer literacy and ability to maintain simple records. Desirable
• Experience working with survivors of trafficking or gender-based violence. ● Training in trauma-informed care. ● Training in safeguarding or child protection. ● First aid training. ● Counselling or psychosocial support training. ● Experience working in a residential shelter or safe house.
• Experience supporting children and adults with different care needs. 6. Core Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice
• Strong safeguarding awareness
• Compassion and empathy
• Patience and emotional maturity
• Good judgement and decision-making
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Confidentiality and discretion
• Conflict management
• Household and residential management
• Observation and incident reporting
• Reliability and accountability
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries
• Respect for diversity and individual differences
• Ability to work under pressure

Performance will be assessed against:

• Resident safety and wellbeing – residents experience a safe, respectful and supportive environment. 2. Shelter management – effective management of daily household operations. 3. Safeguarding – timely identification, reporting and escalation of safeguarding concerns. 4. Confidentiality and security – effective protection of resident information and shelter confidentiality. 5. Household standards – cleanliness, hygiene, food safety and appropriate maintenance. 6.

Resident support – appropriate support for routines, activities and independent living skills. 7. Documentation – accurate and timely shelter records and incident reporting. 8. Team coordination – effective communication with case-management and other professional teams. 9. Professional boundaries – appropriate and ethical relationships with residents. 10. Emergency preparedness – appropriate response to emergencies and incidents. 8. Safeguarding and Ethical Responsibilities The Shelter House Matron/Patron has a heightened safeguarding responsibility due to the nature of the organisation's work. The post holder must:

• Uphold the organisation's safeguarding and child protection policies.
• Treat all residents with dignity, respect and without discrimination. ● Never engage in abusive, exploitative, degrading or inappropriate conduct towards residents. ● Maintain appropriate professional boundaries. ● Never disclose residents' identities, personal information or shelter location without authorisation. ● Report safeguarding concerns immediately through established procedures. ● Never investigate safeguarding allegations independently unless specifically authorised and trained to do so. ● Never use a resident's trafficking experience for personal, social media or other purposes. ● Ensure children are treated in accordance with their best interests and applicable safeguarding procedures.
• Respect residents' privacy and autonomy while maintaining appropriate safety measures. 9. Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

The organisation is committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. We welcome applications from qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Survivors of human trafficking are particularly encouraged to apply. The organisation values the expertise, lived experience and perspectives of survivors and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment where survivor expertise is recognised and respected. 10. Terms and Conditions

The position will be offered as a consultancy in accordance with the organisation's consultancy policies and applicable Kenyan law. The consultancy fee will be commensurate with qualifications, experience and the organisation's consultancy rates. Applicants should state their expected monthly consultancy fee in Kenya Shillings. Where the position is residential, the specific working arrangements, accommodation, duty schedules, rest periods and on-call requirements will be clearly defined in the consultancy agreement and in accordance with applicable labour requirements. This job description provides a broad overview of the responsibilities of the position and may be revised in response to organisational needs and operational requirements.

Apply through Dira HR Solutions' online application form and select this position. The full job description is linked from the form. Dira and its client never charge candidates any fee. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.