Assistant Director –Research and Compliance at Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)

REF: KNCHR/ADM/AD /03/2022

Job Purpose

This position is responsible for supervising and ensuring the development and implementation of policies, procedures, standards, strategies, guidelines and programs in relation to research and state compliance to national, regional and international human rights principles.

Key Responsibilities:

Managerial/supervisory responsibilities

• Deputize the Deputy Director in all duties towards delivering on the mandate of the Division under the strategic plan
• Formulate and supervise the implementation and review of the Commission’s research and compliance policies, frameworks, strategies and standards
• Supervise the development of periodical state of human rights reports and advisories nationally, regionally and internationally
• Supervise the review of both existing and proposed legislation and policies to infuse human rights principles and standards
• Coordinate the development and submission of advisories and position papers on various human rights issues to various duty bearers at both levels of government and other stakeholders
• Supervise the formulation and monitoring of reports on Kenya’s state of compliance with all key international and regional human rights treaties
• Supervise the development of monitoring charters on various human rights instruments in relation to concluding observations
• Coordinate the periodical re-accreditation of the Commission by the regional and global networks of National Human Rights Institutions and advise the Commission on compliance thereof.
• Facilitate the Commission’s role as the monitoring agency under Article 33 of the
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Facilitate the Commission’s role in Sustainable Development Goals agenda
• Represent the Commission in key task forces and emerging issues on human rights in the Commission
• Facilitate the implementation of the Commission’s human resource functions in relation to the Division

Operational responsibilities

• Identify research topics on emerging issues on human rights and supervise the design of research tools and methodologies.
• Act as the Commissions’ disability rights focal lead and coordination of its monitoring mandate in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Develop strategies to mainstream disability rights within the Commission’s work practice and in the Republic.
• Make presentations and give technical advice on behalf of the Commission at high level meetings and committees with the state and non-state actors.
• Development and implementation of divisional work plans in line with Strategic Plan and Directorate vision.
• Establish and implement strategies to build and sustain Commission partnerships in line with Divisional mandate.
• Formulate appropriate strategies for research and dissemination of findings and follow-up on implementation of the recommendations by the Commission.
• Engage with regional and international mechanisms on various human rights issues in Kenya to recommend best practice on application of the said mechanisms.
• Provide technical support and expertise to matters relating to state compliance with international and regional obligations as per the Commission’s mandate.
• Coaching and mentoring staff

Financial Responsibilities

• Develop proposals for the mobilization of resources for the Commission’s programs, grant management and reporting.
• Coordinate the preparation of the Divisional budgets.
• Coordinate timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual donor and other reports for accountability of the use of Division’s funds.

Skills, Experience and Minimum Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in Law, Social sciences or other related fields or related disciplines from a recognized university
• Five years’ Experience of which one is at a supervisory role.
• Atleast three years’ active experience in the disability rights sector
• A certificate in disability rights training or mental health will be an added advantage
• Good Communication, Interpersonal and Organisational skills
• Membership to relevant professional bodies
• Experience in conducting social science research
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields: International Relations and Diplomacy, Law, Social Sciences or other related fields or related disciplines from a recognised institution.
• 7 years relevant experience of which three is at a supervisory role.
• Atleast three years’ active experience in the disability rights sector
• A certificate in disability rights training or mental health will be an added advantage
• Membership to relevant professional bodies
• Experience in conducting social science research
• Relevant Post graduate qualification/s is an added advantage
• Good Communication, Interpersonal and Organisational skills
• Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya