Associate Human Rights Officer, NO-B

• Job Opening ID: 269548
• Job Network: Political, Peace and Humanitarian
• Job Family: Human Rights Affairs
• Category and Level: National Professional Officers, NO-B
• Duty Station: Nairobi
• Department/Office:
• Date Posted: December 19, 2025
• Application Deadline: January 2, 2026

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Kenya Country Office in Nairobi, Kenya. The Associate National Human Rights Officer reports to the Head of the Kenya Country Office.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Associate National Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Support the Kenya Country Programme in ensuring the implementation of recommendations from international and regional human rights mechanisms.
• Support the Kenya Country Programme to advance human rights, particularly in relation to the administration of justice and accountability.
• Research and collect information pertaining to human rights matters, including gender dimensions, from a variety of data sources (e.g. communications, publications, press) to keep abreast of issues and events; assist in the analysis of information, including the impact on countries and thematic mandates on the human rights situation in the assigned area.
• Draft a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights matters.
• Participate in hearings and consultations and prepare summaries of results.
• Maintain awareness of current human rights issues, including relevant political and legal developments in the country concerned.
• Participate in human rights training programmes for national law enforcement officials, representatives of civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote national capacity building.
• Participate with other Human Rights Officers in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential actors to stop or prevent human rights violations or seek other remedial action to prevent similar violations in the future.
• Liaise with government, NGOs, civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation, with special attention to vulnerable groups.
• Contribute to the collection and analysis of data, identification of trends or patterns, and provide draft insights using graphs, charts, tables and reports through data visualization methods for planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism
Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, policies and procedures. Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify sources for data collection, analyze information and draft human rights reports. Demonstrates professional competence, efficiency, persistence, and calm under pressure. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Ability to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making and communicate results to management.

Teamwork
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; values others’ ideas and expertise; supports group decisions; shares credit for successes and accepts joint responsibility for shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing
Develops clear goals aligned with agreed strategies; prioritizes activities; allocates time and resources effectively; anticipates risks; monitors and adjusts plans as needed; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree or equivalent in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or other disciplines related to human rights. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in law, human rights, political affairs, international relations or a related area.
• Experience in advancing accountability processes and the administration of justice is desirable.
• Experience in human rights technical assistance and capacity building is desirable.