The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) is one of the premier and oldest non-governmental organizations committed to the defense and promotion of human rights in Kenya. As part of our broader mandate to promote democratic governance, accountability, and the respect of human rights, KHRC leverages communication as a powerful tool to influence public discourse, advocate for policy reform, and document violations.
In this light, we are seeking a passionate and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Communications Assistant. This position is pivotal to supporting our communication efforts, enhancing our visibility in traditional and digital media spaces, and ensuring that our messaging is accurate, timely, and impactful. The Communications Assistant will play a key role in media monitoring, documentation, knowledge management, media relations, and administrative support within the Communications Department.
Position Summary
The Communications Assistant will support the strategic objectives of the KHRC’s Communications Department. The role encompasses monitoring and analyzing media content related to human rights, supporting documentation and archiving processes, coordinating media relations and outreach activities, and handling relevant administrative duties. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail, excellent communication skills in both English and Swahili, and a passion for social justice and human rights.
Key Responsibilities
1. Media Monitoring and Content Analysis – 30%
- Monitor print, broadcast, and online media sources for coverage on human rights themes, especially those related to corporate and political accountability in Kenya.
- Produce a daily media digest summarizing dominant narratives and trends in human rights reporting.
- Systematically archive media items with proper tagging by issue, tone, source, and date to facilitate future referencing and research.
- Assist in both qualitative and quantitative analysis of media content, focusing on factors such as frequency of coverage, framing, tone, and representation of key actors.
- Use basic data tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or specialized digital media monitoring platforms to generate analytics reports.
- Provide monthly analytical reports highlighting trends in human rights violations by political and corporate actors, and offer insights on affected individuals and communities. These reports will feed into broader KHRC documentation outputs such as the State of the Nation Reports.
2. Documentation and Knowledge Management – 30%
- Supply relevant media summaries to inform and support the development of KHRC’s research papers, advocacy reports, and public statements.
- Monitor and document media visibility and the impact of KHRC’s various outputs, such as press releases, publications, or campaigns.
- Contribute to the creation of case studies or briefing notes that incorporate insights from media analysis and public opinion trends.
- Maintain a well-organized, accessible archive of media clippings and digital content for use by research, programmatic, and advocacy teams.
- Ensure that all collected media content complies with copyright laws and includes proper citations and attributions.
3. Media Relations and Outreach – 30%
- Support the Communications Department in handling media inquiries, ensuring prompt and appropriate responses.
- Aid in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with journalists, editors, and key players in local, regional, and international media houses.
- Regularly update and manage KHRC’s media contact database, organizing entries by topic, media type, and geographic focus.
- Help pitch stories, op-eds, and interviews to media outlets to raise the profile of KHRC’s work and advocacy priorities.
- Assist in organizing press interviews, briefings, and journalist engagement activities.
- Provide logistical and content support for media-related components of KHRC’s public events and campaigns.
- Draft and disseminate press kits in coordination with program and communications staff.
- Offer support in capturing and editing photographs and videos during events and field activities.
4. Administration – 10%
- Assist with the preparation and submission of financial and programmatic reports, ensuring compliance with both internal KHRC protocols and donor requirements.
- Manage and provide accurate accounts of any advances or allocated funds for communications-related activities.
- Contribute to resource mobilization efforts through documentation, donor reporting, and proposal inputs.
- Actively participate in KHRC internal committees and general organizational activities.
- Represent KHRC in external engagements, including media coalitions, advocacy forums, and communication networks at various levels.
- Undertake any additional responsibilities assigned by the supervisor or organizational management from time to time.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a Communications Assistant who not only meets the technical requirements of the job but also shares the values and mission of KHRC. The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:
- A university degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a closely related field.
- Between two to three years of relevant work experience in communications, advocacy, public relations, or journalism—preferably within the nonprofit or NGO sectors.
- A sound grasp of media monitoring principles and techniques, as well as content analysis methodologies.
- Experience with photography and videography, along with working knowledge of media production software and equipment, is an advantage.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading capabilities in both English and Swahili.
- A good understanding of national, regional, and international human rights systems and governance issues.
- Strong storytelling skills and the ability to translate complex human rights issues into compelling narratives.
- Capacity to collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholder groups, upholding high ethical and professional standards.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and digital media platforms.
Application Instructions
If you believe you meet the profile and are interested in making a meaningful contribution to the advancement of human rights in Kenya, we encourage you to apply. Please submit the following:
- A cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the position
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) with a daytime telephone contact
- Contact information for three referees, preferably including your current or previous direct supervisors
Send your application to [email protected] with the subject line clearly indicating the title of the position you are applying for: Communications Assistant.
Deadline for application: Friday, June 13, 2025
Note: Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us by June 30, 2025, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The Kenya Human Rights Commission is committed to equal opportunity and diversity in its workforce. We strongly encourage applications from qualified individuals irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability status, or sexual orientation. KHRC is committed to a fair and transparent hiring process and does not tolerate canvassing in any form. Any attempts to influence the selection process will result in automatic disqualification.
Join us in our mission to secure human dignity, social justice, and accountability through bold and transformative communication strategies.
