Programme Officer – Legal Affairs
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which was founded in 1992 and registered in Kenya in 1994 with a mandate to entrench human rights and democratic values in the society.
In 2012, the Commission evaluated its 2008-2012 strategic plans and developed an interim strategic plan for 2013-2018 in which it envisions: Ahuman rights state and society and outlines its mission as to foster human rights, democratic values, human dignity and social justice.
This vision and mission will be driven by the goal and new mandate of enhancing human rights centred governance at all levels.
To this end, KHRC seeks to recruit dynamic, organized, motivated and results-oriented individuals.
The positions will be based in Nairobi, with extensive field work mostly within Kenya.
Overall purpose of the job
To contribute to the fulfilment of the organization’s Mission and strategic objectives by providing expertise in various aspects of legal work and in line with KHRC’s policies and procedures and in support of our innovative and ground-breaking work in human rights.
To contribute to the fulfilment of the organization’s Mission and strategic objectives by providing expertise in various aspects of legal work and in line with KHRC’s policies and procedures and in support of our innovative and ground-breaking work in human rights.
Contractual Period: One year renewable contract based on performance and funding
Target Group: National, regional and international level grants makers and development partners.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Senior Programme Officer, Civil and Political Rights, the position will lead in:
1. Legal Aid Work
Offer legal aid and assistance to victims of human rights violations on an on-going basis;
Coordinate and supervise weekly and monthly and regional legal aid clinics;
Supervise interns, consultant Advocate and SALAR students serving at the legal aid clinic;
Co-ordinate and oversee documentation of cases of human rights violations reported at the LAC in the electronic database;
Institute and prosecute select cases on behalf of Legal Aid Clients.
2. Public Interest Litigation
Coordinate and oversee all strategic/ public interest litigations for KHRC;
Develop status and periodical reports on the current KHRC’s PIL cases;
Institute and sustain other PIL and strategic cases on the emerging human rights violations;
Instruct advocates to file amicus curiae brief and applications for PEV survivors where or when necessary;
Hold technical meetings with advocates on ongoing cases;
Hold consultative meetings with claimants, petitioners and witnesses as necessary.
3. Institutional and programmatic liaison
Act as the legal advisor to the organization, both in its programmes and operations;
Work closely with the Programme Officer, Media and Communications to ensure publicity around all PIL cases;
Whenever necessary, support the Programme Officer in charge of Labour Rights in conducting national and regional meetings with workers, stakeholders and workers’ advocacy groups on labour rights through the dissemination of simplified labour law instruments;
Liaise with the Programme Officer responsible for Human Rights Monitoring in identifying others cases for PILs;
In Partnership with the Human Rights Monitoring Officer, lead the process of Universal Periodic Review as well as other treaty body reporting and review mechanisms relevant to Kenya and KHRC’s mandate;
Whenever necessary, support the Programme Officer responsible for Constitutionalism and Institutional Reforms in conducting periodic litigation surgeries on constitutional references and advisory opinions;
Represent the Commission in all the networks and partnerships pertaining to legal aid and PILs and related issues.
4. Supervise researchers, interns and other staff or human resources assigned to this project.
5. Ensuring timely reporting and accountability in line with KHRC’s schedules and policies.
6. Undertaking other tasks and interventions as may be assigned from time to time by your immediate supervisor.
Reporting to the Senior Programme Officer, Civil and Political Rights, the position will lead in:
1. Legal Aid Work
Offer legal aid and assistance to victims of human rights violations on an on-going basis;
Coordinate and supervise weekly and monthly and regional legal aid clinics;
Supervise interns, consultant Advocate and SALAR students serving at the legal aid clinic;
Co-ordinate and oversee documentation of cases of human rights violations reported at the LAC in the electronic database;
Institute and prosecute select cases on behalf of Legal Aid Clients.
2. Public Interest Litigation
Coordinate and oversee all strategic/ public interest litigations for KHRC;
Develop status and periodical reports on the current KHRC’s PIL cases;
Institute and sustain other PIL and strategic cases on the emerging human rights violations;
Instruct advocates to file amicus curiae brief and applications for PEV survivors where or when necessary;
Hold technical meetings with advocates on ongoing cases;
Hold consultative meetings with claimants, petitioners and witnesses as necessary.
3. Institutional and programmatic liaison
Act as the legal advisor to the organization, both in its programmes and operations;
Work closely with the Programme Officer, Media and Communications to ensure publicity around all PIL cases;
Whenever necessary, support the Programme Officer in charge of Labour Rights in conducting national and regional meetings with workers, stakeholders and workers’ advocacy groups on labour rights through the dissemination of simplified labour law instruments;
Liaise with the Programme Officer responsible for Human Rights Monitoring in identifying others cases for PILs;
In Partnership with the Human Rights Monitoring Officer, lead the process of Universal Periodic Review as well as other treaty body reporting and review mechanisms relevant to Kenya and KHRC’s mandate;
Whenever necessary, support the Programme Officer responsible for Constitutionalism and Institutional Reforms in conducting periodic litigation surgeries on constitutional references and advisory opinions;
Represent the Commission in all the networks and partnerships pertaining to legal aid and PILs and related issues.
4. Supervise researchers, interns and other staff or human resources assigned to this project.
5. Ensuring timely reporting and accountability in line with KHRC’s schedules and policies.
6. Undertaking other tasks and interventions as may be assigned from time to time by your immediate supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Law.
An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with a practicing certificate and in good standing.
A minimum 3-4 years of related experience preferably in the NGO sector. Ability to network with or develop a broad array of partnerships with both state and non-state actors.
A solid understanding of the human rights discourse and its application in the promotion of democracy and the rule of law.
A solid understanding of national, regional and international human rights mechanisms.
Previous exposure to work at the regional or international levels will be an added advantage.
Proven track record in undertaking research, policy/legislative work and advocacy on governance and human rights issues.
Ability to network with or develop a broad array of partnerships with both state and non-state actors.
Demonstrable experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods including experience of developing human rights-based indicators.
Demonstrable experience working with or coordinating partners with community and national levels organizations and networks.
Good understanding of programmes and project management.
Willing to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision;
Bachelor’s degree in Law.
An advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with a practicing certificate and in good standing.
A minimum 3-4 years of related experience preferably in the NGO sector. Ability to network with or develop a broad array of partnerships with both state and non-state actors.
A solid understanding of the human rights discourse and its application in the promotion of democracy and the rule of law.
A solid understanding of national, regional and international human rights mechanisms.
Previous exposure to work at the regional or international levels will be an added advantage.
Proven track record in undertaking research, policy/legislative work and advocacy on governance and human rights issues.
Ability to network with or develop a broad array of partnerships with both state and non-state actors.
Demonstrable experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods including experience of developing human rights-based indicators.
Demonstrable experience working with or coordinating partners with community and national levels organizations and networks.
Good understanding of programmes and project management.
Willing to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision;
Personal Attributes and Skills
Passionate and committed to human rights including respect for diversity, integrity and transparency.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player.
Results-driven, flexible, analytical and a practical problem solver.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Ability to fundraise and mobilize resources.
Passionate and committed to human rights including respect for diversity, integrity and transparency.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player.
Results-driven, flexible, analytical and a practical problem solver.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Ability to fundraise and mobilize resources.
How to apply
If you believe you fit the profile, submit your application and CV detailing your suitability for the post and including daytime telephone contact and three referees, preferably your current or previous line managers to vacancies@khrc.or.ke quoting the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.
If you believe you fit the profile, submit your application and CV detailing your suitability for the post and including daytime telephone contact and three referees, preferably your current or previous line managers to vacancies@khrc.or.ke quoting the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.
The closing date for this position is on July 26, 2013.
