Kenya: Programme Officer-Legal Affairs,

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) is a national non-governmental organisation with the mission to promote, protect and enhance the enjoyment of all human rights by all men and women. The vision of the KHRC is a Kenya without human rights violations.

The KHRC wishes to recruit a suitably qualified person to fill the position of Programme Officer-Legal Affairs.

Purpose of the Job

Reporting to the Senior Programme Officer, Research and Advocacy, the Programme Officer-Legal Affairs will be expected to provide leadership with respect to advocacy in programme/project areas related to legal, policy and institutional reforms.

Primary Tasks

The incumbent will be expected to:
* Conceptualise and implement relevant projects/interventions and prepare periodic reports/publications on the same;
* Provide legal opinions to the KHRC, including on regional and international interventions;
* Analyse human rights conditions, including emerging patterns of human rights violations, economic, social, cultural, civil, political and other trends by policy analysis and participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process;
* Oversee specific Public Interest Litigation cases;
* Provide legal guidance/support for rapid response initiatives and fact finding missions when the need arises;
* Supervise and manage weekly legal aid clinics including providing legal advice to individual clients and community groups on complaints of human rights violations and providing relevant interventions including institution of legal action when necessary.

Competencies Required

* A Bachelor’s degree in law or equivalent qualification. Must also be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current practicing certificate;
* A post-graduate Diploma in project management would be an added advantage;
* A minimum four years experience in legal and policy advocacy in the human rights/social justice sector;
* Demonstrable understanding and sound knowledge of human rights principles and work, including of the regional and international human rights protection system.

Attributes required for all Positions

* Excellent research and advocacy skills;
* Being self-motivated, committed to human rights, organised, collegial and able to function well under pressure. Must be willing to take the initiative and work independently with minimal supervision;
* Ability to appreciate, respect and promote gender and women’s human rights both at the work place and in programme/project work;
* Impeccable field and Internet-based research abilities;
* Experience in writing project proposals, reports and policy briefs;
* Ability to work in a diverse team and offer leadership;
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as IT competency.

The successful candidates will be offered attractive remuneration packages and other benefits.

Applicants should send a cover letter attaching a detailed CV, photocopies of certificates and testimonials and the names, addresses and current telephone/mobile numbers of three referees and a statement of present and expected gross salary before the end of day, October 19, 2009 to:

The Selection Committee
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC)
Valley Arcade, Gitanga Road
P O Box 41079 00100 (GPO)
Nairobi
E-mail: [email][email protected]

All applications should BE POSTED OR HAND DELIVERED in a sealed envelope.

The KHRC is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to ethnicity, race, gender, age, colour, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other ground for discrimination.

Canvassing will automatically lead to disqualification.

KHRC will not provide relocation allowances to overseas applicants.

Only successful candidates will be contacted.