The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has announced new career opportunities for qualified professionals seeking to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya. The Commission is recruiting for three permanent and pensionable positions based in Nyahururu, Nairobi, and Kisumu.
Established under Article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Act, 2011, KNCHR serves as Kenya’s independent National Human Rights Institution. The Commission is mandated to promote and protect human rights, monitor government compliance with constitutional and international human rights obligations, investigate human rights violations, conduct research, and strengthen awareness of human rights across the country.
Successful candidates will join an institution that works closely with state agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and communities in advancing justice, equality, accountability, and respect for human rights. These vacancies provide opportunities for experienced professionals in regional services, legal practice, research, and compliance to support the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
The available positions are outlined below.
1. Assistant Director Regional Services – KNCHR 4 (Job Group Q) (Re-Advertisement)
Reference: KNCHR/ADRS/01/07/2026-OPEN
Duty Station: Nyahururu
Employment Terms: Permanent and Pensionable
Gross Salary: Kshs. 205,850 per month
Other Benefits:
- Medical cover
- Group Life Insurance
- WIBA
Job Purpose
The Assistant Director Regional Services is responsible for leading and guiding the development and implementation of policies, procedures, strategies, standards, guidelines, and programmes relating to regional services. The position supports effective implementation of the Commission’s mandate within the assigned regional office while providing leadership, supervision, and technical guidance.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Managerial and Supervisory Responsibilities
- Provide technical input in developing regional office work plans and budgets.
- Facilitate implementation of human rights programmes and activities within the regional office.
- Guide identification and analysis of region-specific human rights issues and appropriate interventions.
- Manage implementation of Commission strategies, policies, standards, and procedures in the regional office.
- Coordinate human resource and administrative functions within the regional office.
- Facilitate strategic partnerships with state and non-state actors.
- Review activity requests within the grants management system.
- Guide and supervise complaints handling and investigations.
- Coordinate monitoring and evaluation of regional programmes.
- Support development of proposals and concepts for resource mobilization.
- Represent the Commission in regional committees addressing emerging human rights issues.
- Supervise planning and implementation of regional office activities.
- Provide technical guidance on reviewing laws, policies, and advisories affecting human rights.
Operational Responsibilities
- Compile quarterly, bi-annual, and annual regional progress reports.
- Organize staff and set performance targets.
- Guide screening and complaints processing.
- Review case files in the complaints management system.
- Review work plans to ensure achievement of programme outputs.
- Supervise field investigations, rapid response activities, and research on reported human rights violations.
- Establish mechanisms for minimizing systemic human rights violations.
- Lead inspections of places of detention to monitor human rights compliance.
- Monitor and evaluate regional human rights programmes.
- Conduct public inquiries into systemic human rights violations.
- Facilitate public awareness forums on human rights.
- Supervise regional training programmes for state and non-state actors.
- Support development of resource mobilization proposals.
- Make presentations and provide technical advice during high-level meetings and committee engagements.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must possess either:
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Criminology, Political Science, Sociology, Law, Peace Building/Conflict Management, Development Studies, International Relations and Diplomacy or an 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, Development Studies, International Relations and Diplomacy or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution with five (5) years of experience.
Applicants must also possess:
- Certificate in Human Rights, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Investigations, or Project Planning from a recognized institution.
- Certificate in Senior Management Course lasting not less than four weeks from the Kenya School of Government or equivalent.
- Certificate in Computer Application Skills.
- Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.
- Demonstrated merit and ability through work performance.
Professional Membership
- For Advocates, membership with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
Required Skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Negotiation skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Supervisory skills
- Conflict resolution skills
2. Research & Compliance Officer
Reference: KNCHR/RC/02/07/2026-OPEN
Duty Station: Nairobi (with occasional travel)
Employment Terms: Permanent and Pensionable
Grade: KNCHR 6
Gross Salary: Kshs. 100,250 per month
Job Purpose
The Research and Compliance Officer is responsible for conducting research on various human rights issues to support the Commission’s interventions relating to legislation, policy development, and implementation of human rights standards. The role also supports monitoring of Kenya’s compliance with regional and international human rights obligations.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Prepare and develop research data collection tools and instruments.
- Conduct research on identified human rights thematic areas.
- Carry out desk reviews and field data collection.
- Compile research findings and disseminate reports.
- Participate in monitoring state compliance with regional and international human rights treaties and conventions.
- Generate periodic compliance reports.
- Support monitoring of the rights of persons with disabilities.
- Participate in reviewing policies and legislation to ensure compliance with human rights principles.
- Generate advisories on human rights issues for relevant stakeholders.
- Support stakeholder engagement activities.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognized institution.
- Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
- At least one (1) year post-admission relevant experience in a reputable organization.
- Certificate in Computer Application Skills.
- Knowledge and experience in research methodologies.
- Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.
3. Regional Services Officer – Western Regional Office
Reference: KNCHR/ADM/RSO/03/07/2026-OPEN
Duty Station: Kisumu (with occasional travel)
Employment Terms: Permanent and Pensionable
Gross Salary: Kshs. 100,250 per month
Job Purpose
The Regional Services Officer provides legal support services and implements region-specific human rights programmes that contribute to access to justice and protection of fundamental freedoms. The position supports legal interventions involving human rights violations while promoting awareness and compliance with human rights laws across the Western Region.
The role covers a broad range of human rights issues including:
- Access to justice
- Devolution
- Land rights
- Citizenship
- Security
- Business and human rights
- Minority rights
- Environmental rights
- Labour rights
- Public sector accountability
- Engagement with cultural and traditional institutions
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Screen clients and receive complaints from victims seeking redress for human rights violations.
- Analyze case files and recommend appropriate interventions.
- Provide legal advice and representation on human rights matters.
- Prepare legal opinions on complaints requiring further action.
- Generate advisories for relevant stakeholders.
- Facilitate public education and human rights awareness programmes.
- Participate in field investigations and legal research.
- Prepare reports on investigations and recommend appropriate action.
- Provide legal counsel to complainants.
- Refer matters outside the Commission’s mandate to appropriate institutions.
- Prepare reminders and acknowledgements to keep complainants updated on complaint status.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must possess:
- Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.
- Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
- At least one (1) year of relevant experience in a comparable position from a reputable organization.
- Good understanding of human rights and related laws.
- Good research skills.
- Good communication, listening, and client management skills.
- Computer literacy.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications online through the KNCHR Recruitment Portal before the closing date.
Application Deadline: Monday, 20th July 2026.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is committed to fair competition, merit-based recruitment, diversity, and equal employment opportunities in accordance with Article 232 of the Constitution. Qualified intersex persons, persons with disabilities, marginalized communities, and minority groups are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should note that:
- Providing false information or forged documents during the recruitment process is a criminal offence.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Only shortlisted applicants will be required to submit clearance certificates from the relevant institutions.
- Candidates who previously applied for the Assistant Director Regional Services position are encouraged to re-apply.
- KNCHR does not use recruitment agents and does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
