VACANCIES
PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS (2
POSTS) – REF HJ-0708-2025 SHORT TERM VOLUNTEER (6 MONTHS, RENEWABLE)
OVERVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION
Founded in 2004 and registered in 2007, the Economic and Social Rights Centre (Hakijamii) is a national human rights organization that supports marginalized communities in Kenya to claim and realize their Economic and Social Rights (ESRs) and live in dignity through Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA). Hakijamii’s work is rooted in Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees key economic and social rights. The organization partners with community networks and social movements to advocate for human rights- centered practices and policies. With over two decades of grassroots engagement, Hakijamii works to ensure that rights holders are meaningfully involved in governance processes, enabling them to hold duty bearers accountable for equitable service delivery and pro-poor policy development. Using strategies such as social mobilization, awareness raising, strategic litigation, networking, research, and budget analysis, Hakijamii works to strengthen citizen participation and promote inclusive development.
Hakijamii envisions “A just society that guarantees protection, promotion, and fulfillment of all human rights” with a Mission “To amplify the voices of marginalized groups and communities in Kenya to effectively and meaningfully participate in advocating for the realization of their economic, social and cultural rights”. Our programming is anchored under 4 key thematic areas, that is Land and Housing; Health; Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation (WASH); Basic Education; Livelihood Security and Climate Change. We aim to achieve the following strategic outcomes:
· Rights
to land, housing and associated basic services for marginalized communities in
Kenya safeguarded.
· Increased
demand for and access to comprehensive quality, affordable health services, safe
water supply, sanitation infrastructure, and improved hygiene practices as
rights.
· Improved access to and outcomes of basic education as a right.
· Increased
ability of communities, the State and Non-State Actors to prepare for, address
climate change effects, and recover from disruptions.
· Sufficient
resources to assure the growth and continuity of Hakijamii’s services and
operations into the foreseeable future are mobilized and or reserved.
Hakijamii is seeking to engage two (2) Program volunteers with
a demonstrated interest or academic background in any of the following fields:
Human Rights & Constitutional Law, Public Health, Sociology, Education,
Monitoring & Evaluation, or Environmental and Climate Studies. The
volunteers will support work related to Land, Housing, Health, WASH, Education,
Climate Justice, and broader Economic and Social Rights.
JOB PURPOSE
This position’s function will be to engage in policy issues
and provide opinion in relation to realization of right to Land, Housing,
Health, WASH, Education and other socio- economic rights. The successful
candidates will be responsible for reviewing the current legislation, and
policies by identifying the gaps and providing recommendation towards
realization the progressive realization the ESC rights. The Volunteers shall,
among other things help in developing simplified training materials on ESC rights
to be used by communities, stakeholders and identifying Strategic Public
Interest Litigation cases for litigation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct research on ESC
rights (Land, Housing, Health, WASH, Education, climate and environment).
- Support in reviewing legislation
and policies impacting the right to Education, Env. Health, land, housing,
and other socio-economic rights.
- Assist in identifying and documenting
human rights violations cases on ESC rights.
- Contribute to the drafting
of policy briefs, memos, court documents, legal opinions.
- Participate in the
development of training materials and policy briefs for community networks
and advocacy partners.
- Attend and report on court
hearings, stakeholder meetings, and policy forums.
- Assist in maintaining ESC legal
resource database and knowledge hub.
- Participate in community-based
forums and support capacity-building initiatives on ESC Rights.
- Assist in conducting
training workshops on ESC rights.
- Support in identifying and
sharing fundraising opportunities.
- To undertake all such other
functions as may, from time to time, be directed by the supervisor, within
thin the organizations mandate.
QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCIES
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Law, Public Health, Sociology, Community development, Education, Environmental Studies, Monitoring & Evaluation, or other
social sciences.
- Proficiency in MS Office and
relevant digital tools for research, writing, or data analysis.
- Excellent communication skills
in English and Kiswahili.
- Ability to work independently,
manage time effectively, and collaborate within a diverse team.
- Familiarity with Kenya’s constitutional
and policy framework on economic and social
rights.
- Strong research, writing, and
analytical skills.
- Demonstrated interest or
experience in human rights, social justice, advocacy, or community
development.
Eligibility
This volunteer opportunity is open to:
§ Recent
graduates seeking practical experience in the human rights field/ NGO.
§ Early-career
professionals with a passion for social justice.
Support and Working Arrangements
§ Volunteers
will be based at the Hakijamii office in Nairobi with possible travel to
partner communities.
§ This
is a voluntary position and no stipend will be provided. However, volunteers’
details will be kept on record and considered maintained for
future job opportunities.
§ Volunteers will receive mentorship, capacity-building opportunities, and exposure to national and regional advocacy platforms.
All interested candidates must submit 1) a cover letter and (2) a current curriculum vitae in soft copy via email to esrc@hakijamii.com with the Subject line Ref: “HJ-0708-2025” on or before Close of Business Friday, 15th August 2025.Please Note: Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted. Hakijamii does not charge any fees for recruitment
process. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.