Assistant Director Regional Services at Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)

REF: KNCHR/ADM/ ADRS/01/01/2026

Reports to:  Deputy Director Regional Services

Direct reports: Senior Regional Services Officers 

Indirect Reports: Regional officers

Duration:     Permanent

Duty Station:  Kitale

Gross Salary:  Kshs. 205,850

Other Benefits: Medical cover, Group Life Insurance and WIBA

Job Purpose

This position is responsible for supervising the development and implementation of policies, procedures, plans, strategies, standards and guidelines and programmes in relation to the functions of regional services to ensure effective realisation of the overall commission’s mandate of protecting and promoting human rights.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide technical input in the development of the regional office work plans and budgets
• Facilitate the development and implementation of human rights programmes and activities in the Regional Office to meet programmatic goals and objectives.
• Providing technical guidance in identification and framing of region-specific human rights issues for further profiling and designing appropriate interventions 
• Managing the operationalization of strategies, standards, policies and procedures of the commission in the regional office
• Facilitate implementation of the commission’s human resource functions at the regional office.
• Facilitating the initiation and management of strategic partnership with state and non-state actors to support the discharge of functions of the regional office
• Reviewing activity requests and activity reports in the grants management system in line with agreed programme objectives
• Supervise the processing of human rights complaints and investigations in the regional office
• Facilitate monitoring and evaluation of regional office programmes
• Facilitate the development of proposals for resource mobilisation at the regional office
• Represent the commission in key committees on emerging human rights issues in the regions
• Supervise planning and designing the implementation of regional office work
• Provide technical input on appropriate interventions for addressing human rights issues in the regional office

Operational Responsibilities / Tasks

• Compilation of quarterly, bi-annual and annual progress reports in the regional office
• Organizing staff and setting performance targets for staff at the regional office to ensure quality work and accountability of resources.
• Guiding in screening and complaints processing by the Regional officers.
• Reviewing case files in the Complaints management system.
• Reviewing work plans to ensure adherence to the activity inputs and outputs
• Supervise field investigations, rapid response and Conducting research/survey in response to Human Rights violation cases reported to the regional office to determine the way forward in pursuit of justice for the complainants.
• Establishing mechanisms to minimize systemic human rights violations in the region.
• Leading visits and inspections of places of detention to monitor and document cases of human rights violations and injustices.
• Conduct Monitoring and evaluating implementation of regional human rights programmes.
• Conducting public inquires and fact-finding missions on systemic human rights violations in the region.
• Facilitating public awareness forums to promote policies and procedures of the Commission on matters that relate to Human Rights.
• Supervising regional trainings for state and non- state actors in conjunction with partners to promote awareness in Human Rights standards.
• Giving technical input in the development of Proposals and concepts for resource mobilization.
• Making presentations and giving technical advice on human rights at high level meetings and Committees with the state and non -state actors.

Job Dimensions

Financial Responsibility

• Provides technical input into the budgeting process for the regional office and monitors expenditure and ensures prudent use of resources allocated to officers below him/her. In the absence of DD approves expenditures and tracks budget implementation. 
• Provide technical advice during fundraising for region specific issues.
• Coordinate timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual donor, and other reports for accountability.
• Reviews activity imprests for accounting
• Approves requisitions and financial estimates for specific activities.
• Monitors movement of activity budget lines in the grants management system.
• Managing grants as may be designated from time to time.

Responsibility for Physical Assets

•  Regional office building and office vehicle(s).
•  Computers/laptops
• General office equipment (Servers, telephones, stationery, fax machines, printers, network equipment, safes etc)
•  Office furniture
•  Resource materials
•  Banners
•  Kitchen equipment

Decision Making / Job Influence

• Managerial and operational decisions for officers under the incumbent are made; other decisions are made in consultation with the Deputy Director

Analytical

• The officer reviews field activity reports and gives technical input before submission to the DD for approval
• The officer reviews workplans and specific individual performance targets for officers under him/her
• Develops fundraising proposals
• Drafting board papers on issues to be addressed in the region

Strategic

• Plays key role in choice of suitable strategic and operational interventions necessary to carry activities within the regional office
• Provides technical advice on budgeting for regional activities and office administration
• Reviews activity requisitions and attendant budget estimates for approval
• Identifies key partners and initiates contact for further collaborations
• Identifies and frames region specific issues to be profiled
• Provides technical input in programme conceptualization
• Maps out programme implementation sites in the areas under the coverage of the regional office

Tactical

• Engages partners to manage their expectations on the work of the commission
• Act as a go-between and support the relevant divisional heads in engaging contractual staff/service providers at the regional level
• Conducts ADR to facilitate amicable resolution of complaints of alleged human rights violations.

Operational

• Signing letters and Memos on behalf of the Deputy Director
• Reviews case files in the Complaints management system and guide on appropriate measures
• Approval of implementation requests and activity reports
• Participate in Recruitment panels
• Contribute to conducting of appraisals
• Facilitate the conduct of Public Interest Litigation and other court interventions to affirm human rights at the regional level
• Identify staff training needs and facilitate the relevant trainings to equip staff with the requisite capacity to undertake the Commission duties. 

Working Conditions

• Office settings with occasional field travel (national, regional and international)
• Long working hours with field travels to remote areas, places of detention, security operation areas, disturbed areas, working with marginalized/ indigenous communities and exposure to multicultural settings

Experience and Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in any of the following fields: Anthropology, Criminology, Political Science, Sociology, Law Peace Building/Conflict Management, Political Science/Government, Development Studies, International Relations and Diplomacy or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution; 
• Certificate in any of the following fields: Human Rights, Alternative Dispute Resolutions, Investigations or Project Planning from a recognized institution;
• Certificate in Senior Management Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;
• Certificate in Computer Application Skills from a recognized institution;
• Meet the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity; and shown merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.
• Membership to professional bodies, for advocates – Membership with LSK
• 7 years relevant work experience required.

Skills and Competencies

• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication skills,
• Leadership skills,
• Negotiation skills,
• Computing skills,
• Problem solving skills,
• Analytical skills,
• Supervisory skills,
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Report writing skills.