Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Hiring

NCHR does NOT have recruitment agents and does NOT charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. Report any incident of extortion to KNCHR or to the Police

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is a constitutional body established under Article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 3 of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act No 14 of 2011 (revised) 2012. It has the core mandate to develop a culture of Human Rights through the promotion and protection of rights and fundamental freedoms in the Republic of Kenya.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an independent National Human Rights Institution created under Article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and established by the Government of Kenya through an Act of Parliament (the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act, 2011) and in accordance with the United Nations Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles). KNCHR’s mandate includes furthering the protection and promotion of human rights in Kenya, acting as a watchdog over the Government in the area of human rights, and the provision of Leadership in moving the country towards a human rights respecting state. KNCHR fulfils its human rights mandate through five Directorates including: Complaints and Investigations, Research, Advocacy and Outreach, Legal Services, Regional Services and Corporate Services. The Commission has offices in Nairobi, Wajir, Kitale, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nyahururu.

KNCHR hereby invites applications for the following position:

DIRECTOR – CORPORATE SERVICES (REF: KNCHR/ADM/AD /02/2022)- Open

Reports to: Commission Secretary
Duration: 5 years renewable contract 
Duty Station: Nairobi with occasional travel 
Gross Salary: Kshs 406,750

Job Purpose:
This position is responsible for coordination and administration of Corporate Services Directorate. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Overseeing the formulation, development, implementation and review of the Finance & Accounts, Human Resources Management and Administration, Planning and M& E, ICT, and Counselling policies, strategies, standards, procedures, guidelines and programmes.
2. Coordinating and managing all Corporate Service Divisions
3. Ensuring functional compliance to statutory regulations governing Corporate Services
4. Managing and maintaining Commissions assets and resources
5. Overseeing staff development and capacity building of the Commission
6. Overseeing formulation of strategies for performance management and succession planning
7. Ensuring a healthy and safe work environment
8. Promoting institutional learning and knowledge management
9. Promoting use of ICT and e-governance in the operations of the Commission
10. Nurturing and promoting innovations in the provision of Commissions services
11. Ensuring development, promotion and maintenance of the Commissions corporate brand and communication strategy
12. Overseeing the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Implementation of the Commission functions and programmes
13. Establishing and managing registries and ensuring safe custody of all Commissions record and information
14. Ensuring affirmative action, gender and disability mainstreaming at the commission
15. Coordinating preparation of reports and responses to parliamentary questions
16. Coordinating planning and budgeting for the activities and programmes of the Commissions
17. Ensuring prudent utilization of the Commissions financial resources and assets
18. Building capacity and managing performance of staff in the Directorate

Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications:

1. Master’s Degree in any of the following disciplines: Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Commerce (Accounting/Finance option) Finance, Economics, Business Management/Administration, Supply Chain or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution
2. Twelve (12) years’ experience of which five (5) should be at a senior level with supervisory role in a relevant field.
3. Strategic Leadership Development certificate lasting not less than 6 weeks from a recognized institution will be an added advantage.
4. Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
5. Ability to build and lead cohesive teams.
6. Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
7. Knowledge of the project management cycle and public administration.
8. Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
9. Excellent IT skills, with working knowledge for the various packages.
10. Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR –RESEARCH AND COMPLIANCE (REF: KNCHR/ADM/AD /03/2022)- Open

Reports to: Deputy Director, Research and Compliance
Location:     Nairobi with occasional travel
Duration:     Permanent and Pensionable
Gross Salary: 205,850

Job Purpose:

This position is responsible for supervising and ensuring the development and implementation of policies, procedures, standards, strategies, guidelines and programs in relation to research and state compliance to national, regional and international human rights principles.

Key Responsibilities:

Managerial/supervisory responsibilities

1. Deputize the Deputy Director in all duties towards delivering on the mandate of the Division under the strategic plan
2. Formulate and supervise the implementation and review of the Commission’s research and compliance policies, frameworks, strategies and standards
3. Supervise the development of periodical state of human rights reports and advisories nationally, regionally and internationally
4. Supervise the review of both existing and proposed legislation and policies to infuse human rights principles and standards
5. Coordinate the development and submission of advisories and position papers on various human rights issues to various duty bearers at both levels of government and other stakeholders
6. Supervise the formulation and monitoring of reports on Kenya’s state of compliance with all key international and regional human rights treaties
7. Supervise the development of monitoring charters on various human rights instruments in relation to concluding observations
8. Coordinate the periodical re-accreditation of the Commission by the regional and global networks of National Human Rights Institutions and advise the Commission on compliance thereof.
9. Facilitate the Commission’s role as the monitoring agency under Article 33 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
10. Facilitate the Commission’s role in Sustainable Development Goals agenda
11. Represent the Commission in key task forces and emerging issues on human rights in the Commission
12. Facilitate the implementation of the Commission’s human resource functions in relation to the Division

Operational responsibilities

1. Identify research topics on emerging issues on human rights and supervise the design of research tools and methodologies.
2. Act as the Commissions’ disability rights focal lead and coordination of its monitoring mandate in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
3. Develop strategies to mainstream disability rights within the Commission’s work practice and in the Republic.
4. Make presentations and give technical advice on behalf of the Commission at high level meetings and committees with the state and non-state actors.
5. Development and implementation of divisional work plans in line with Strategic Plan and Directorate vision.
6. Establish and implement strategies to build and sustain Commission partnerships in line with Divisional mandate.
7. Formulate appropriate strategies for research and dissemination of findings and follow-up on implementation of the recommendations by the Commission.
8. Engage with regional and international mechanisms on various human rights issues in Kenya to recommend best practice on application of the said mechanisms.
9. Provide technical support and expertise to matters relating to state compliance with international and regional obligations as per the Commission’s mandate.
10. Coaching and mentoring staff

Financial Responsibilities

1. Develop proposals for the mobilization of resources for the Commission’s programs, grant management and reporting.
2. Coordinate the preparation of the Divisional budgets.
3. Coordinate timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual donor and other reports for accountability of the use of Division’s funds.

Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in Law, Social sciences or other related fields or related disciplines from a recognized university
2. Five years’ Experience of which one is at a supervisory role.
3. Atleast three years’ active experience in the disability rights sector
4. A certificate in disability rights training or mental health will be an added advantage
5. Good Communication, Interpersonal and Organisational skills
6. Membership to relevant professional bodies
7. Experience in conducting social science research
8. Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya

OR

1. Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields: International Relations and Diplomacy, Law, Social Sciences or other related fields or related disciplines from a recognised institution.
2. 7 years relevant experience of which three is at a supervisory role.
3. Atleast three years’ active experience in the disability rights sector
4. A certificate in disability rights training or mental health will be an added advantage
5. Membership to relevant professional bodies
6. Experience in conducting social science research
7. Relevant Post graduate qualification/s is an added advantage
8. Good Communication, Interpersonal and Organisational skills
9. Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR –LEGAL SERVICES REF: KNCHR/ADM/ AD/04/2022- Open

Reports to:   Deputy Director, Legal Services
Duration:     Permanent & Pensionable

Duty Station:  Nairobi with occasional travel

Gross Salary:  Kshs. 205,850

Job Purpose:

This position is responsible for offering support to the management within the Legal Services Directorate with regard to securing appropriate redress to petitioners’ in cases of human rights violations in line with the mandate of the Commission

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities:

1. Supervise the application of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in the resolution of human rights violations.
2. Supervise the provision of redress to victims of human rights violations through litigation and court representation and processes.
3. Supervise the compilation of case digests on cases handled by the Commission Supervise the conduct of public inquiries on identified human rights violations
4. Supervise the analysis of Petitions and making recommendations on appropriate redress mechanisms.
5. Coordinating identification of cases on human rights violations for intervention by the Commission.
6. Coordinate KNCHR’s engagement with partners involved in Public Interest Litigation.

Operational Responsibilities /Tasks

1. Implement reform strategies and interventions that result in timely resolution of human rights violation cases in line with the mandate of the commission.
2. Providing necessary legal support on redressing human rights violations through provision and application of ADR mechanisms.
3. Coordinate the conduct of and follow up on recommendations of public inquiries.
4. Supervise research and filing of public interest litigation cases relating to human rights violations.
5. Collaborating and partnering with relevant stakeholders.
6. Preparing for and conduct of hearings at the Commissions’ Tribunal.
7. Mentoring and coaching staff as well as interns within the Redress Division.

Financial Responsibilities:

1. Ensuring timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual reports for accountability of the use of funds
2. Supervise the utilization of divisional budgets.

Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university with seven (7) years’ work experience or Master’s degree with five years’ relevant experience.
2. 3 years’ experience in active litigation
3. Post graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law with a current practicing certificate
4. Certificate in Computer Applications Skills from a recognized institution
5. Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.
6. Great interpersonal and communication skills

Other attributes for all positions

1. Ability to work under pressure
2. Ability to lead and manage teams
3. Problem solving skills
4. Supervisory skills
5. Clients focused
6. Great attention to detail
7. Respect for diversity

Click Here to download the advert

KNCHR is an equal opportunity employer which offers a competitive remuneration commensurate to qualifications and experience. All qualified candidates including Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Please note that it is a criminal offence to provide false information and documents in the application.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.