PROGRAM OFFICER – HEALTH, WATER & SANITATION – NAIROBI ONE-YEAR RENEWABLE CONTRACT

OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION
Economic and Social Rights Centre (Hakijamii) is a national human rights organization that works with marginalized groups to claim their economic, social and cultural rights and improve their livelihoods. It is registered as NGO under the NGO Coordination Act. It is headed by an Executive Director and has its secretariat in Nairobi. The organization has strategic community partners in Nairobi, Kisumu, Kwale, Garissa, Kakamega, Mombasa and Isiolo.

Hakijamii has established strategic partnerships that include being a founding member of the Kenya Land Alliance, member of Shelter Forum, the Urban Housing Coalition and a founding member of the International Network on Economic and Social Rights.

Hakijamii envisions a society that is free of discrimination, exploitation and injustice and its mission is to strengthen the capacity of people’s organizations to effective and directly participate in advocating and realizing their economic, social and cultural rights in Kenya. Throughout its existence the organization has been guided by the goal of promoting social movements to engage in realizing and promoting human rights-centered practices and policies. Its strategic objectives are:
• Organize and strengthen the capacities of marginalized community groups for effective socio-economic rights advocacy.
• Advocate for development and implementation of pro – poor esc rights policies through resource allocation and utilization of relevant national & international instruments.
• Create an ESC rights knowledge hub through publication and dissemination on digital and traditional platforms.
• Deepen and diversify strategic partnerships at the national and international levels to scale-up esc rights advocacy.
• Strengthen organizational, efficiency, monitoring and innovative learning on esc rights.

Hakijamii has been expanding its work to address the new opportunities and challenges presented on the right to health, water and sanitation in Kenya. Hakijamii now seeks to recruit Program Officer, Health, Water & Sanitation.

                                     JOB PURPOSE

This position’s function will be to engage in policy issues and provide opinion in relation to realization of right to health, water & sanitation with a bias to the most marginalized groups. The holder will be responsible for reviewing the current legislation, identifying the gaps and providing recommendation towards realizations of ESC rights as well as liaising with partners including community groups in advocating for the right to health, water and sanitation. The
successful applicant will also be expected to develop simplified training materials on right to health, water & sanitation to be used by community networks.

                                      KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead in the implementation of the right to health, water and sanitation capacity building program.
• Identify possible litigation areas on the right to health, water and sanitation in Kenya.
• Innovate approaches towards advocacy and policy monitoring and implementation on the right to water, health and sanitation in Kenya.
• Formulate possible litigation strategy on the right to water, health and sanitation in Kenya.
• Work together with Hakijamii management team and partners including community groups in program development.
• Develop work plans and progress reports as required by Hakijamii, donors and other partners.
• Maintain relationships with current and potential funding sponsors and networks with other stakeholders in order to strengthen a network of Economic & Social Rights in which peer-learning and experience-sharing can occur.
• Identify and pursue fundraising opportunities, under the guidance of Hakijamii’s overall fundraising programme.
• Represent the organization at strategic meetings and workshops.
• Ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities and develop program reports.
• Undertake all such other functions as may, from time to time, be assigned by the Executive Director.

                              PERSON SPECIFICATION

The Program Officer will:
• Have an understanding of the challenges faced in implementing economic, social and cultural rights and be able to demonstrate how policies and laws can address those challenges, including through the use of court procedures and other remedies;
• Good interpersonal and public relations skills.
• Have the necessary skills to liaise with partners including community groups and funders on progress towards clearly defined outcomes;
• Be self-motivated and well-organized, with excellent analytical skills (research and writing).
• Have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, to deliver under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Be flexible and easy-going, but hard working and deeply committed to human rights.
• Be willing to travel regularly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication (English and Kiswahili) and computer skills (Microsoft Office Programs).

         ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• At least a Bachelor degree in social science, law or other relevant degree from a recognized university.
• A diploma in project management or community development.
• Knowledge of international human rights law.

                             EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge of contemporary issues on health and water & sanitation rights.
• Experience in working in a Non-Governmental Human Rights Organization.
• Knowledge of relevant international and domestic law on economic, social and cultural rights including engaging with national, regional and international human rights monitoring bodies.
• Experience in fundraising and project management.
• Experience in working with key state and non-state actors on water, sanitation and health issues.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills.
• Ability to orally communicate in English and Swahili.

Closing date for receipt of applications is close of business on Wednesday, 7th October 2020. Interested applicants must submit 1) a cover letter and (2) a current curriculum vitae addressed to The Executive Director, Economic & Social Rights Centre – Hakijamii, P.O Box 11356- 00100 Nairobi-Kenya. All applications should be sent via email to [email protected]. Kindly visit our website on www.hakijamii.com for more information about the job opportunity.

Please Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Hakijamii does not charge
any fees for recruitment process and has NOT assigned any recruiting firm to act on its
behalf. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

 

Yaya Court, Suite 8, along Chania Avenue off Ring Road Kilimani.

P.O. Box 11356 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Office. Mobile: 0726 527 876 / 0732 906 255.

Email: [email protected]. Website: www.hakijamii.com

                      “A society that is free from discrimination, exploitation and injustice”

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