Communications Assistant at Kenya Human Rights Commission

About the role

• KHRC seeks to hire a Communications Assistant to monitor media content on human rights issues, build relationships with journalists and media outlets, coordinate media engagement, and ensure the accurate and timely dissemination of KHRC’s messages regarding human rights.

The following are the key responsibilities:

Media monitoring and content analysis – 30 per cent

• Monitor print, broadcast, and online sources for coverage related to human rights themes that KHRC works on, which border corporate and political accountability.
• Based on the monitoring above, compile a daily media digest summarizing key trends and narratives on human rights issues.
• Archive media items systematically, tagging by issue, tone, source, and date for future referencing.
• Support qualitative and quantitative analysis of media content (e.g., frequency of mentions, tone, framing, actors represented).
• Generate basic media analytics reports on key issues that KHRC focuses on using tools such as Excel, Google Sheets, or digital monitoring platforms.
• Provide monthly reports on human rights trends in the country, highlighting various violations committed by corporate and political actors, along with the victims of these abuses, which will inform the state of the nation reports.

Documentation and knowledge management – 30 per cent

• Provide timely media summaries to support research papers, reports, and advocacy statements.
• Track media visibility and impact of the organization's research publications, press releases, or campaigns.
• Assist in preparing case studies or briefing notes incorporating media data and public discourse analysis.
• Maintain a well-organized archive of media content for use by researchers, program, and advocacy teams.
• Ensure all collected media is accurately cited and compliant with copyright and attribution standards.

Media relations and outreach – 30 per cent

• Support in responding to media inquiries.
• Support in building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, editors, and media houses at the local, regional, and international levels.
• Maintain and regularly update a media contact database segmented by issue area, outlet type, and region.
• Support in pitching stories, opinion pieces, and interviews to media outlets to increase visibility of the organization's work and advocacy priorities.
• Assist in coordinating press interviews, media briefings, and one-on-one journalist engagements.
• Assist in planning and managing media-related aspects of public events and campaigns.
• Assist in drafting and disseminating press kits in collaboration with program and communications teams.
• Support in photography and videography, including photo and video editing, of the interventions in which the organization is involved.

Administration – 10 per cent

• Ensure timely reporting and accountability for financial and programmatic reports, in line with KHRC and donor schedules and policies.
• Ensure timely management of and accounting for advanced resources, in line with KHRC policies.
• Assist in resource mobilization and ensure the prudent utilization of funds.
• Participate in internal committees and the overall activities of the organization.
• Represent KHRC in all relevant networks and partnerships at all levels.
• Undertake any other tasks as may be assigned by your supervisor or management from time to time.

Qualifications

• A degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• Two to three years of professional experience in communications, public relations, advocacy, or journalism, preferably in the nonprofit or NGO sector.
• An understanding of media monitoring and content analysis.
• Working knowledge of audio-visual production software and equipment; photography and videography experience is a plus.
• Superior writing, editing, and proofreading skills in English and Swahili.
• Good understanding of national, regional, and international human rights governance issues and mechanisms.
• Ability to write compelling stories and bring them to life.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, networks, and beneficiaries—regardless of religion, ethnicity, class, or gender—with a demonstrated commitment to high professional and ethical standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including but not limited to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.