REF: KNCHR/ADM/ ADRS/01/01/2026

Reports to:  Deputy Director Regional Services

Direct reports: Senior Regional Services Officers 

Indirect Reports: Regional officers

Duration:     Permanent

Duty Station:  Kitale

Gross Salary:  Kshs. 205,850

Other Benefits: Medical cover, Group Life Insurance and WIBA

Job Purpose

This position is responsible for supervising the development and implementation of policies, procedures, plans, strategies, standards and guidelines and programmes in relation to the functions of regional services to ensure effective realisation of the overall commission’s mandate of protecting and promoting human rights.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

I. Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide technical input in the development of Regional Office work plans and budgets.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of human rights programmes and activities in the Regional Office to achieve programmatic goals and objectives.
• Provide technical guidance in the identification and framing of region-specific human rights issues for profiling and the design of appropriate interventions.
• Manage the operationalization of the Commission’s strategies, standards, policies, and procedures at the Regional Office.
• Facilitate the implementation of the Commission’s human resource functions at the Regional Office.
• Initiate and manage strategic partnerships with state and non-state actors to support the discharge of the Regional Office’s mandate.
• Review activity requests and activity reports in the Grants Management System in line with approved programme objectives.
• Supervise the processing of human rights complaints and investigations within the Regional Office.
• Facilitate monitoring and evaluation of Regional Office programmes.
• Facilitate the development of proposals for resource mobilization at the Regional Office.
• Represent the Commission in key committees addressing emerging human rights issues within the region.
• Supervise planning, design, and implementation of Regional Office work plans.
• Provide technical input on appropriate interventions for addressing human rights issues in the region.

II. Operational Responsibilities / Tasks

• Compile quarterly, bi-annual, and annual progress reports for the Regional Office.
• Organize staff and set performance targets to ensure quality service delivery and accountability for resources.
• Guide screening and processing of complaints by Regional Officers.
• Review case files in the Complaints Management System.
• Review work plans to ensure adherence to approved activity inputs and outputs.
• Supervise field investigations, rapid response actions, and research or surveys related to reported human rights violations.
• Establish mechanisms to prevent and minimize systemic human rights violations within the region.
• Lead visits and inspections of places of detention to monitor, document, and report on human rights violations and injustices.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of regional human rights programmes.
• Conduct public inquiries and fact-finding missions on systemic human rights violations.
• Facilitate public awareness forums to promote the Commission’s policies and procedures on human rights.
• Supervise regional trainings for state and non-state actors in collaboration with partners to enhance awareness of human rights standards.
• Provide technical input in the development of proposals and concept notes for resource mobilization.
• Make presentations and provide technical advice on human rights at high-level meetings and committees involving state and non-state actors.

Job Dimensions

I. Financial Responsibility

• Provide technical input into the Regional Office budgeting process and monitor expenditure to ensure prudent use of allocated resources.
• Approve expenditures and track budget implementation in the absence of the Deputy Director.
• Provide technical advice during fundraising initiatives addressing region-specific issues.
• Coordinate timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual donor, and accountability reports.
• Review activity imprests for proper accounting.
• Approve requisitions and financial estimates for specific activities.
• Monitor movement of activity budget lines within the Grants Management System.
• Manage grants as designated from time to time.

II. Responsibility for Physical Assets

• Regional office buildings and official vehicles
• Computers and laptops
• General office equipment (servers, telephones, stationery, fax machines, printers, network equipment, safes, etc.)
• Office furniture
• Resource materials
• Banners
• Kitchen equipment

III. Decision-Making / Job Influence

Managerial and Operational Decisions

• Make managerial and operational decisions for officers under the incumbent’s supervision.
• Make strategic decisions in consultation with the Deputy Director.

Analytical

• Review field activity reports and provide technical input prior to submission to the Deputy Director.
• Review work plans and individual performance targets for subordinate staff.
• Develop fundraising proposals.
• Draft board papers on regional human rights issues.

Strategic

• Play a key role in selecting appropriate strategic and operational interventions for regional activities.
• Provide technical advice on budgeting for regional programmes and office administration.
• Review activity requisitions and associated budget estimates for approval.
• Identify key partners and initiate collaboration.
• Identify, frame, and profile region-specific human rights issues.
• Provide technical input in programme conceptualization.
• Map programme implementation sites within the Regional Office’s area of coverage.

Tactical

• Engage partners to manage expectations regarding the Commission’s mandate and interventions.
• Act as a liaison and support divisional heads in engaging contractual staff and service providers at the regional level.
• Conduct Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to facilitate amicable resolution of human rights complaints.

Operational

• Sign letters and memoranda on behalf of the Deputy Director.
• Review case files in the Complaints Management System and guide appropriate action.
• Approve implementation requests and activity reports.
• Participate in recruitment panels.
• Contribute to staff performance appraisals.
• Facilitate Public Interest Litigation and other court interventions to advance human rights at the regional level.
• Identify staff training needs and facilitate relevant capacity-building initiatives.

IV. Working Conditions

• Office-based work with occasional national, regional, and international travel.
• Long working hours with frequent field travel to remote areas, places of detention, security operation zones, disturbed areas, and marginalized or indigenous communities, including exposure to multicultural environments.

Experience and Minimum Qualifications

1. Academic Qualifications
• A Master’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Anthropology, Criminology, Political Science, Sociology, Law, Peace Building/Conflict Management, Government, Development Studies, International Relations and Diplomacy, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
2. Professional Certifications
• A certificate in any of the following areas: Human Rights, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Investigations, or Project Planning from a recognized institution.
3. Management Training
• A Certificate in Senior Management Course (SMC) lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution.
4. ICT Skills
• A Certificate in Computer Application Skills from a recognized institution.
5. Leadership and Integrity
• Must meet the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity and demonstrate merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.
6. Professional Membership
• Membership in a relevant professional body; for advocates, current membership with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is required.
7. Work Experience
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience in human rights, governance, legal practice, investigations, programme management, or related fields.