Employment Opportunities at Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)

Reports to: Director Regional Services (for programmatic functions and Director Corporate services -for Finance, Human resource and administration functions)

Direct Reports: Senior Regional Services Officers, Regional Officers Indirect Reports: Regional Officers

Duration: Permanent and Pensionable Duty Station: Nyahururu

Gross Salary: Kshs. 205,850

Other Benefits: Medical cover, Group life Insurance and WIBA

Job Purpose

This position is responsible for leading and guiding 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 realization of commission mandate.

Key Responsibilities/ Duties / Tasks

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide technical input in the development of the regional office work plans and budget
• 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 and administrative 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 in the grants management system in line with agreed programme objectives and available budgetary allocation.
• Guide and 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 and concepts for resource mobilization at the regional office
• Represent the commission in key committees on emerging human rights issues in the region
• supervise planning designing the implementation of regional office work
• provide technical input on appropriate interventions for addressing human rights issues in the regional office
• Provide technical guidance in review of laws and policies and development of advisories at 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 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.

Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social sciences, Anthropology, Criminology, Political Science, Sociology, Law, Peace Building/Conflict Management, Political Science, Development Studies, International Relations and Diplomacy or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution with seven (7) years of experience OR
• Master’s Degree in Social sciences, Anthropology, Criminology, Political Science, Sociology, Law, Peace Building/Conflict Management, Political Science, Development Studies, International Relations and Diplomacy or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution with five (5) years’ experience.
• 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 week from Kenya school of government or its equivalent.
• Certificate in Computer Application Skills from a recognized institution;
• Met the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity; and
• Shown merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.

Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies

• For advocates – Membership with LSK

Functional Skills, Behavioral Competencies/Attributes:

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

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Reports to : Deputy Director, Research & Compliance

Duty station : Nairobi with occasional travel

Duration : Permanent and Pensionable

Grade: KNCHR 6

Job Purpose

This position is responsible for conducting research on various human rights issues with the objective of informing the Commission’s interventions in relation to legislation, policy and implementation of human rights concerns and that the State complies with regional and international human rights standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing and developing data collection tools/instruments;
• Conducting research on identified thematic areas of human rights including desk reviews and field data collection; compiling and disseminating reports.. .
• Participate in monitoring, conducting reviews and generating periodic reports on state compliance with its regional and international human rights obligations under treaties and conventions
• Support the work on monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the Commission’s mandate
• Participate in reviewing policies and legislation to ensure compliance with human rights principles and standards
• Participate in generating advisories for submission to relevant actors on human rights issues
• Support stakeholders’ engagements

Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s of Laws degree and must have been admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• One (1) year post admission relevant experience in  in a reputable organization
• Certificate in Computer Application Skills from a recognized institution;
• Knowledge and experience in research methodologies; and
• Meets the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.

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Reports to: Assistant Director/Regional Coordinator

Location: Kisumu with occasional travel

Duration: Permanent and Pensionable

Gross Salary: Kshs. 100,250

Job purpose

This position is responsible for the provision of legal support services and the implementation of region specific best practices that contribute to the realization of Human Rights within the same. This role is to pursue redress for human rights violations in the commission’s regional office to reinforce programs and practices that support the advancement of Human Rights programs inclusive of access to justice, devolution, land, citizenship, security, business human rights, minority groups, environmental rights, labour rights, public sector accountability and engaging cultural and traditional institutions to mainstream human rights laws

Operational Responsibilities:

• Screening of client/Petitioners and receive inquiries for complaints processing from victims seeking redress for human rights violations to facilitate the justice process and seek favourable outcomes for them
• Analyze case files and in consultation with the regional coordinator and institutional mandate make appropriate decisions, determinations and recommendations on complaints that’s have been lodged at the regional office
• Provide legal advice and or representation to clients on Human Rights Related court cases and disputes.
• Prepare sound legal opinions on complaints brought forward beyond arbitration. Generate advisories for submission to relevant actors on human rights issues.
• Facilitate public education and training programmes on human rights themes.
• Participate in field investigations and legal research in response to Human Rights violation cases noted or reported to the regional office to determine the way forward in pursuit of justice for the complainants and submit timely actionable reports.
• Offer legal counsel to inform complainants on the law with regard to possible human rights violations to equip them on next steps and options available to them to mitigate said situations
• Refer complaints that fall outside the mandate of the commission to appropriate agencies for resolution as a way to assist them despite being outside the service parameters of the commission
• Prepare reminders and acknowledgements to keep petitioners informed on the status of the complaints they have lodged on Human Rights violations at the regional office

Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized university
• Be admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
• At least 1 year of relevant service in a comparable position from a reputable organization
• Good understanding of human rights and other relevant laws
• Good research skills.
• Good communication, listening and client management skills.
• Computer literacy