Program Assistant – Legal Affairs, Human Rights Monitoring & Response at Kenya Human Rights Commission

Key duties & responsibilities:

• To contribute to the fulfilment of the organization’s Vision, Mission and Strategic Objectives by providing technical expertise and prompt actions over systemic and emerging human rights violations through legal and urgent actions.

Legal Actions

• Assist in overseeing the legal aid clinic both within the office and at select grassroots setups.
• Receive, compile, and address complaints and violations from the diverse KHRC sources.
• Provide technical assistance in the development and dispatch of periodical briefs and case digests on issues of interest to the KHRC.
• Assist in the tracking of the return of KHRC’s funds paid as bail in court to the finance department.
• Assist in the research and development of legal opinions in preparation for strategic litigation.

Monitoring and Response

• Provide support in the organizing and implementation of urgent action responses to emerging human rights violations.
• Assist in the documentation and maintenance of the database on emerging human rights violations.
• Provide technical assistance in the conceptualization and publication of KHRC’s topical studies and other reports.
• Assist in overseeing reporting on the government’s human rights obligations at the national and transnational levels.
• Provide support in the monitoring and reporting of the judicial, legislative and regulatory actions relevant to the work of KHRC.

Refugee Protection

• Assist in the organizing and coordination of activities related to refugee protection.

Administrative and Other Responsibilities

• Support in the design and implementation of projects within areas of work.
• Developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with relevant state and non-state actors
• Represent KHRC within key networks related to the position.
• Provide support on resource and fund mobilization for the growth and sustainability of KHRC’s work on legal affairs, human rights monitoring, and refugee protection.
• Representing KHRC in the different advocacy networks and spaces it is involved in at all levels.
• Assist in maintaining a database of relevant contacts within areas of interventions
• Assist in the preparation of timely, periodic narrative and financial reports for both donor and internal organizational reporting.
• Comply with the policies, practices, and values of the commission
• Participate in and support other projects and activities of the organization
• Undertake other tasks as may be assigned by the supervisor or management.

Skills and Competencies

• LLB., with a minimum of 2 – 3 years experience in the human rights sector
• An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with a practising certificate and in good standing.
• Experience in working with grassroots communities and the most vulnerable groups
• Experience in undertaking legal research, and drafting legal opinions and
• Proven track record in undertaking policy research, advocacy, and partnership at different levels.
• Proficiency in Ms Office, with the ability to write high-quality reports
• Good understanding of programs and project management