Associate Human Rights Officer

On 23 February 2025, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Kenya Country Office (KCO) and the East Africa Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Nairobi were formally established through a formal exchange of letters between the Government of Kenya and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The agreement establishing the KCO and MCO subsequently entered into force, with both Offices becoming operational, 30-days after the exchange of letters as stipulated in the agreement. Before this time, OHCHR had been operating in Kenya since 2011 as an advisory Office under the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya. The new status allows the Office to deepen its engagement with the Government of Kenya through the implementation of its full mandate. In accordance with its comprehensive mandate of promoting and protecting human rights, the Office monitors the human rights situation in Kenya, assists State institutions to comply with international human rights laws and standards, and promotes awareness and knowledge of human rights, including through capacity building of civil society and other actors

OHCHR KCO is seeking one International UN Volunteer Specialist to strengthen its team. The position will have a strong focus on Human Rights, with particular emphasis on the Rule of Law, Accountability, and Peace and Security. The International UN Volunteer will support efforts aimed at the prevention of and response to social conflict during the electoral period, as well as the promotion of inclusive political participation and social cohesion, with special attention to youth, marginalized communities, and groups at heightened risk of electoral‑related violence and human rights violations.

Under the direct supervision of the coordinator of the assigned unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: · Gather information on the human rights situation in Kenya, including with a specific focus on the electoral context. This includes engaging with State authorities and insti-tutions, civil society organizations, other United Nations actors, and relevant stake-holders. · Participate in and conduct monitoring missions and report thereon. · Support the coordination of actions to further enhance the Office´s engagement on cross-cutting human rights issues related to prevention and early warning, including in the electoral context. · Coordinate actions to strengthen strategic partnerships with civil society organizations and platforms, youth organizations and State institutions responsible for public human rights policies. · Conduct mapping and monitoring of human rights situations, concerns and challenges in Kenya, including in the electoral context. · Contribute to the registration, documentation, and analysis of human rights concerns, violations, and abuses, in accordance with international human rights norms and standards, to support prevention and early warning efforts, particularly in the context of the electoral process. · Draft and contribute to a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights. · Maintain awareness of current human rights issues, including relevant political and legal developments in Kenya. · Support the design and delivery of technical assistance and capacity building to State institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders on human rights. · Participate in meetings, working groups, seminars, etc., on assigned thematic area(s); · Participate with other Human Rights Officers in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential actors with the aim of preventing human rights violations and/or seeking remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations in the future. · Liaise with government entities, NGOs, CSOs, UN agencies and other partners to support the development of baseline data on the human rights situation, with special attention to vulnerable groups. · Support the planning, organization, and implementation of assigned activities under OHCHR projects, including the electoral project, in line with defined workplans and priorities. · Ensure the integration of a gender perspective and attention to gender and women’s human rights in all activities. · Perform other related duties as required. During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance