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PROGRAMME ASSISTANT – REGIONAL MECHANISMS AND SDGs

Reports to: Programme Officer – Regional Mechanisms and SDGs

  1. Background

The Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) works to strengthen National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) across Africa through capacity-building, engagement with regional and international mechanisms, and implementation of development and human rights programmes with various partners.

The Regional Mechanisms and SDGs portfolio provides technical, coordination, and capacity-building support to African NHRIs to enhance their engagement with African Union human rights bodies, United Nations (UN) mechanisms, and continental development frameworks.  The portfolio supports NHRI participation in regional human rights processes; follow-up on decisions, recommendations, and concluding observations; strategic litigation initiatives; promotion of economic, social and cultural rights; torture prevention efforts; and strengthened NHRI engagement with African development priorities. Through this work, the portfolio contributes to the strengthening of the rule of law, accountability, and access to justice across Africa by reinforcing NHRI compliance with international and regional human rights standards. It supports the integration of human rights into governance and development processes, promotes institutional independence and effectiveness, and advances a rights-based approach to democratic governance, sustainable development, and the protection of vulnerable populations across the continent.

  1. Purpose of the Position

The Programme Assistant will provide programme, administrative, and coordination support to the Programme Officer – Regional Mechanisms and SDGs, with a particular emphasis on supporting the legal, technical, accreditation, and litigation-related aspects of the portfolio. The role is designed to strengthen NANHRI’s support to African National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in their engagement with African Union and United Nations human rights mechanisms, with a strong focus on NHRI accreditation processes, compliance with the Paris Principles, follow-up to recommendations of the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), and NHRI engagement in regional human rights litigation. Through a combination of legal and technical support, coordination, documentation, and logistical assistance, the Programme Assistant will contribute to effective implementation of programme activities while enabling the Programme Officer to focus on strategic leadership, substantive legal engagement, and high-level advocacy.

  1. Key Responsibilities

Legal, Technical, Accreditation and Litigation Support

  • Support the Programme Officer in legal and technical analysis related to NHRI accreditation, Paris Principles compliance, and engagement with African and international human rights mechanisms.
  • Assist in reviewing NHRI enabling legislation, mandates, policies, and institutional frameworks against the requirements of the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA).
  • Support preparation of accreditation compliance matrices, background notes, briefing papers, and technical summaries for NHRIs undergoing accreditation or reaccreditation.
  • Assist with compilation, organisation, and quality control of documentation required for accreditation and reaccreditation processes.
  • Track NHRI accreditation status, SCA recommendations, and follow-up actions for supported institutions.
  • Support implementation of NANHRI’s strategic litigation portfolio, including amicus curiae interventions, advisory opinion submissions, and engagement with AU human rights bodies.
  • Assist in preparing legal research notes, case summaries, jurisprudence reviews, and background briefs in support of litigation before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
  • Support coordination with NHRIs, civil society organisations, and legal partners on litigation-related consultations, submissions, and peer-learning initiatives.
  • Assist in organising accreditation-focused workshops, clinics, and capacity-building activities.
  • Support drafting of technical sections of reports, donor updates, and internal briefs related to accreditation, litigation, and engagement with regional and international mechanisms.
  • Support in developing tools, conducting research, analysis and developing outcome documents on thematic issues within the regional mechanisms & SDGs Unit.
  • Support development of NHRI knowledge products, toolkits, training materials, and case studies.

Coordination and Communication Support

  • Support the Programme Officer in coordinating engagements with partners, including AU organs, UN mechanisms, NHRIs, civil society organisations, and technical partners.
  • Draft routine correspondence (invitations, reminders, follow-up emails) in English and French for review and approval.
  • Prepare agendas, attendance lists, meeting notes, action points, and follow-up matrices for meetings, consultations, and workshops.
  • Maintain an up-to-date calendar of programme engagements, key deadlines, AU and UN sessions, and reporting timelines.
  • Facilitate information exchange with NHRIs within the Regional Mechanisms and SDGs portfolio.
  • Respond to routine queries from NHRIs and partners, escalating substantive or sensitive matters as appropriate.
  • Support background research on AU mechanisms, UN treaty bodies, NHRI practices, and relevant thematic issues.

Logistics and Administrative Support

  • Organise logistics for workshops, consultations, virtual meetings, and high-level dialogues, including venue arrangements, travel coordination, and participant support.
  • Prepare workshop and event materials, including programmes, folders, registers, name badges, evaluation forms, and event packs.
  • Provide administrative and coordination support during events, including registration, note-taking, and liaison with facilitators and service providers.
  • Support the Programme Officer’s weekly work planner by tracking tasks, deadlines, and follow-up actions.
  • Support procurement processes, including collection of quotations, communication with vendors, and maintenance of procurement documentation in line with institutional procedures.
  1. Key Deliverables
  • Draft accreditation support materials, including compliance matrices, background notes, or document checklists.
  • Updated accreditation tools reflecting SCA recommendations, and follow-up actions.
  • Organised documentation packages supporting amicus curiae submissions, advisory opinions, and other litigation-related engagements.
  • Draft sections of reports, briefs, summaries, and routine programme documents submitted in a timely manner.
  • Effective logistical coordination for programme events, demonstrated through timely preparation of travel, materials, and participant support.
  • Regular updates to the Programme Officer’s work planner, including task status and follow-up actions.
  • An updated programme calendar reflecting meetings, AU and UN sessions, deadlines, and reporting timelines.
  • Accurate and timely meeting documentation, including agendas, attendance lists, notes, and action-point matrices.
  • Well-organised and up-to-date programme documentation, including properly structured SharePoint or shared-drive folders.
  1. Qualifications and Competencies

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) – Required.
  • Additional training or demonstrated experience in human rights law, constitutional law, or international law is an advantage.

Experience

  • Minimum of 1–3 years’ experience in programme administration, coordination, research, or legal support within an NGO, international organisation, government institution, or regional body.
  • Experience supporting human rights programmes, AU or UN mechanisms, accreditation processes, or litigation-related work is an advantage.
  • Experience organising workshops, consultations, or stakeholder engagements is desirable.

Language Requirements

  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) – Mandatory.
  • Professional proficiency in French (written and spoken) – Desirable.

Technical Competencies

  • Strong legal research, writing, and document-formatting skills.
  • Ability to draft routine correspondence and technical summaries in English.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with SharePoint or similar document-management systems.
  • Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
  • Good analytical skills and attention to detail in documentation and reporting.

Interpersonal & Behavioural Competencies

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • High level of professionalism, discretion, and reliability.
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise sound judgement.
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
  • Team-oriented mindset with willingness to learn and support colleagues.
  1. Reporting & Supervision

The Programme Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer – Regional Mechanisms & SDGs and collaborate with otherProgramme Staff supporting the portfolio. The Programme Assistant may also support additional tasks assigned by the Programme Officer or NANHRI Senior Management as required.

  1. Duty Station

Nairobi, Kenya, with possible travel within Africa for workshops and meetings.

  1. Application Components

Applicants should submit:

  • CV (maximum 3 pages)
  • Cover letter (1 page)
  • Contact details of three referees
  1. How and when to apply

Interested candidate should submit cover letter, CV & conact details of three referees to info@nanhri.org to be received no later than 15th February 2026.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To apply for this job email your details to info@nanhri.org