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 positions:
DEPUTY DIRECTOR- LEGAL SERVICES- KNCHR 3- Open
REF: KNCHR/ADM/ DDLA/06/2025
Reports to: Commission Secretary/CEO
Direct reports: Assistant Director Legal Services
Duration: 5 Year Contract (Renewable)
Duty Station: Nairobi with occasional travel Gross Salary: Kshs. 281,950
Other Benefits: Medical cover, Group Life Insurance and WIBA
Job Purpose
This position is responsible for coordination, development and implementation of policies, procedures, standards, strategies, guidelines and programs in relation to legal services to achieve the Commission’s objectives.
Key Responsibilities/ Duties / Tasks
I. Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities
1. Coordinate the formulation, implementation and review of the Commission’s legal services policies, frameworks, strategies and standards.
2. Coordinate the formulation of appropriate strategies for legal services, dissemination and follow-up on implementation of the recommendations by the Commission.
3. Coordinate the review of both existing and proposed legal framework and policy to infuse human rights principles and standards.
4. Provide leadership in monitoring and reporting on Commission’s compliance with legal framework.
5. Coordinate the development and utilization of the division’s budget.
6. Coordinate provision of legal services and legal advice to the Commission
7. Coordinate drafting and execution of contracts, memorandums of understanding and agreements between service providers and the Commission
II. Operational Responsibilities / Tasks
- Guide the development of concepts, design and implementation of divisional strategies and activities as prescribed in the strategic plan.
- Devise and implement effective communication strategies for information flow between divisional staff and other divisions in the Commission.
- Coordinate timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual, donor and other reports for accountability of the use of funds.
- Coordinate the development of proposals for the mobilization of resources for the division’s programs, grant management and reporting.
- Make presentations in high level meetings nationally, regionally, and internationally on human rights issues.
- Provide direction in the development and implementation of divisional work plans in line with Strategic Plan and Directorate vision
- Establish strategies to build and sustain Commission partnerships in line with Divisional mandate.
Job Dimensions:
I. Financial Responsibility
- Developing proposals for the mobilization of resources for the Commission’s programs.
- Ensuring timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual reports for accountability of the use of funds.
- Keeping track of divisional budgets and making approvals for utilization of divisional financial resources.
- Providing overall management of the division staff and finance resources.
- Managing grants as may be designated from time to time.
II. Decision Making / Job Influence Strategic Decisions
i) Gives strategic direction and approvals on the priorities, design, frameworks, key policies and implementation of all of the Commission’s Legal services.
Tactical Decisions
i) In charge of all the operations of the division including assigning roles, undertaking timely problem solving, crisis management and dispute resolution to ensure seamless delivery of the Commission’s mandate.
Analytical Decisions
i) Assesses and analyses the impact of the division’s programs and gives recommendations to the Commission.
Operational Decisions
i) Approves the division’s internal and external communication. Facilitate the implementation of Human resource functions.
III. Working Conditions
Job-holder is exposed to minimum disagreeable conditions owing to the nature of assignments undertaken.
Academic and Professional qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university and a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
- Masters Degree in Law, Human Rights, Forensic Science, Community Development, Governance, Forensic Science, Criminology or equivalent from a recognized institution.
- Certificate in Computer Applications Skills from a recognized institution.
- Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current practicing certificate
- Member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK)
- Certificate in Strategic Leadership Development Course lasting not less than 6 weeks from a recognized institution.
- Eight (8) years’ post Admission experience in human rights instruments and litigation, investigations and complaints handling of which 3 years experience are at a senior level with supervisory role in a relevant field.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Problem solving skills
- Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya
SENIOR PUBLIC EDUCATION & TRAINING OFFICER- Open
REF: KNCHR/ADM/SPETO/07/2025
Reports to: Deputy Director – Public Education & Training
Location: Nairobi with occasional travel
Duration: Permanent and Pensionable
Gross Salary: Kshs. 141,950
Job Purpose
This position is responsible for conducting trainings on various human rights issues for both state and non-state actors, preparing training materials and carrying out public awareness on human rights as part of the implementation of policies, procedures, standards, strategies, guidelines and programs in relation to Public Education and Training for state and non-state actors towards development of a human rights culture in Kenya.
Operational Responsibilities:
- Supervising of public education and training officers, interns and attaches towards the effective discharge of the Division’s mandate
- Mentoring and coaching of public Education and training officers, interns and attaches
- Facilitate the management and enhancement of partnerships with human rights actors in order to enhance the Commission’s effectiveness
- Formulate concepts and design implementation strategies and activities as prescribed in the strategic plan.
- Design training curricula, training manuals and training materials
- Carrying out public education and awareness sessions
- Preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual donor and other reports for accountability of the use of funds.
- Design proposals for the mobilization of resources for the Commission’s programs, grant management and reporting.
- Undertake the preparation and implementation of divisional work plans in line with Strategic Plan and Directorate vision
- Contribute to the strategies to build and sustain Commission partnerships in line with Divisional mandate.
- Initiate activity requests for project implementation
- Develop Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials for the public to raise awareness and sensitivity on human rights.
Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications
- 3 years of service in a comparable position from a reputable organization
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Law, International Relations and Diplomacy, or Social Sciences, or other relevant degree from a recognized university.
- Good Knowledge and experience handling human rights matters
- Experience in conceptualizing and leading Public Education and Training Projects
- Demonstrable knowledge in human rights education and training
- Adult learner’s facilitation skills.
- Skills in development of training materials Excellent IT skills, with working knowledge for the various packages
- Excellent communication (written and oral), interpersonal and negotiation skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya
INTERNAL AUDIT AND RISK OFFICER- Open
REF: KNCHR/ADM/IARO/08/2025
Reports to: Assistant Director – Internal Audit and Risk
Location: Nairobi with occasional travel
Duration: Permanent and Pensionable
Gross Salary: Kshs. 100,025
Job Purpose
This position is responsible for provision of support in implementation of internal audit and risk management functions to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Commission.
Operational Responsibilities
- Undertake risk assessment for each audit engagement to inform audit objectives, scope and controls to be tested.
- Preparation of audit plan and program for each audit engagement.
- Assessing the effectiveness of governance, risk management and controls.
- Prepare and retain audit working papers to support audit findings and conclusions i.e. working papers
- Documenting audit findings in internal audit report for each audit engagement.
Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields: Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Statistics, Economics or any other equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
- Passed Part I of any of the following professional qualifications: Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or any other relevant professional qualification.
- 1 year of service, or similar experience in a comparable position from a reputable organization
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and global audit standards
- Certificate in Computer Application Skills from a recognized institution; and
- Met the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya.
Please note that it is a criminal offence to provide false information and documents in the application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
If you possess the above qualifications, please apply online through the KNCHR recruitment portal by Thursday 26th March 2025.
KNCHR is committed to implementing the provisions of the Constitution – Chapter 232 (1) on fair competition and merit, representation of Kenya’s diverse communities and affording equal employment opportunities to men, women of all ethnic groups and persons with disabilities. Therefore, qualified intersex persons, persons with disabilities, persons from marginalized communities and the minority groups are encouraged to apply.
Only shortlisted candidates will be advised to submit clearance certificates from the various institutions.
KNCHR 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.
