The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an independent National Human Rights Institution created by 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 under the United Nations Paris Principles.
Job Purpose
This position is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, procedures, plans, strategies, standards and guidelines relating to the functions of research, advocacy and outreach to ensure the effective realization of the Commission’s mandate.
Key Details
- Reference: KNCHR/ADM/ DRAO/01/05/2026
- Reports to: Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer
- Duration: 5-year Contract (Renewable)
- Duty Station: Nairobi with occasional travel
- Gross Salary: Kshs. 406,750
- Other Benefits: Medical cover, Group Life Insurance and WIBA
Key Responsibilities / Duties / Tasks
Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities
- Direct and provide strategic leadership and coordination in all matters of research, advocacy and outreach at the Commission.
- Direct and supervise the implementation of all of the directorate’s programs to ensure the strategic goals and mandate of the Commission is achieved.
- Provide leadership and supervise the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies for the directorate programs to ensure effective discharge of the functions of the Commission.
- Direct and oversee the preparation of statutory reports, periodic human rights reports and alternative reports to be presented nationally in parliament and to the regional and international human rights mechanisms.
- Coordinate and supervise the development and submission of all of the Commission’s reports, advisories, memorandums, communiques, research tools, donor reports, curriculums and education materials to relevant actors nationally, regionally and internationally on key human rights issues.
- Direct and supervise the follow up on the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations from its reports and advisories issued.
- Oversee the management, monitoring and evaluation of the directorate’s processes and performance.
- Oversee the mobilization of resources for the Directorate’s thematic areas and supervise the development and formulation of the Directorate’s budget to ensure effective utilization of all its resources.
- Organize and allocate tasks to heads of divisions to ensure optimal utilization of both human and financial resources in the Commission.
- Coordinate staff performance and build capacity including mentoring, coaching, staff appraisals and development of staff in the Directorate.
- Oversee and direct the planning, design and implementation of the directorate’s quality control framework to ensure compliance with the set performance targets of the Commission.
- Coordinate and lead the Commission in key task forces, statutory and ad hoc Boards/Committees on emerging human rights issues in relation to the functions of the Directorate.
- Provide leadership in fostering synergy, communication and complementarities in the operations, interventions and strategies of all the divisions in the directorate to ensure effective delivery of the Commission’s mandate.
Operational Responsibilities / Tasks
- Conceptualize and direct the planning, design and implementation of the directorate’s work in accordance with the strategic plan and mandate of the Commission.
- Review and consolidate the directorate’s work plans and reports to ensure that they are in line with the set performance targets for the Directorate.
- Coordinate the timely preparation and submissions of quarterly and annual reporting functions of the divisions in the directorate.
- Facilitate the formulation and implementation of the directorate’s divisional reports, advisories, memorandums, communiqués, research tools, donor reports, curriculums and education materials to ensure adherence to the Commission’s standards and mandate.
- Develop concepts and design strategies for resource mobilization and operations of the directorate.
- Advise the Commission Secretary and Commissioners on all matters touching on research, advocacy and outreach in the Commission.
- Represent the Commission in high level meetings nationally, regionally and internationally to advance the Commission’s findings, advisories, recommendations and position on key thematic human rights issues.
- Establish, nurture and maintain networks and partnerships with relevant stakeholders towards Research Advocacy and Outreach.
- Authorize, coordinate and monitor budget utilization of the directorate’s resources.
Job Dimensions
Financial Responsibility
- Responsible for the management all of the directorate’s financial resources budgets to ensure prudent utilization of resources in line with the Commission’s mandate.
- Provides overall oversight in the management of the directorate’s staff and financial resources.
- Supervises the management of all grants within the Directorate of Research, Advocacy and Outreach.
- Reports to the Commission Secretary on the directorate’s financial status and issues the requisite recommendations to ensure prudent and optimal utilization of resources.
Responsibility for Physical Assets
- Printer, Laptops, tablets, phones, desktops, workstations, filling cabinets, coat hangers, fan, etc.
Working Conditions
- The post is based at the Headquarters in Nairobi with frequent travel to the field nationally and high-level meetings regionally and internationally.
- Entails long working hours, with field travel to remote and hardship areas, places of detention, security operation areas, conflict prone areas, exposure to multicultural settings, monitoring hospitals, prisons, schools, security operation areas.
Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills)
Academic Qualifications
- Master’s degree in any of the following fields: Law, Social Sciences, Peace Building/ Conflict Management, Criminology, Political Science/Government, Anthropology, Sociology, Development Studies, International Relations and Diplomacy or any other equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- PhD is an added advantage.
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