Research Assistants Jobs (KHRC) - 2 Positions
Consultancy on Implementation of Citizenship and Immigration Laws
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) is a
non-governmental organization (NGO) which was founded in 1992 and registered in
Kenya in 1994 with a mandate to entrench human rights and democratic values in
the society.
The KHRC envisions a human rights state and society and outlines
its mission as to foster human rights, democratic values, human dignity and
social justice.
This vision and mission are driven by the goal of enhancing human
rights centred governance at all levels.
Background
The right to nationality has been recognized and protected under
international law and the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
The right to nationality is important because it
defines the manner in which an individual is protected under international and
national law.
When a person is identified as a citizen of a particular state,
then that state is responsible for protecting and promoting the rights due to
that person as a citizen.
Based on its work with communities in Northern
Kenya, the KHRC has realized that discrimination with regards to citizenship
has undermined national cohesion and development.
Through fact-finding missions and studies on citizenship, the KHRC
has consistently voiced these concerns to the government and advocated for the
removal of discriminatory vetting practices associated with registration of
persons and acquiring identification documents.
Purpose: To generate evidence based and clear
recommendations on how legislation and practice regarding citizenship
determination, personal registration and the issuance of personal
documents can be changed to ensure equality and efficiency.
Task: To support in conducting a field and
desk-based research on the content and implementation of citizenship,
immigration, national identification and registration laws and practice and any
related discrimination in addition to distribution of relevant IEC materials.
Geographical Focus: Isiolo and Wajir counties
Target Groups: Pastoralist (Cushitic) communities in Wajir
and Isiolo counties
Length of Consultancy: 14 days
Expected Outcomes
Data gathering and documentation of:
- Constitutional provisions regarding citizenship, national identification and registration.
- The gains and gaps in the recently enacted legislation on citizenship, national identification and registration.
- Citizenship determination, personal registration and the issuance of personal document processes (birth certificate, identification card, and passport and death certificates) as they are currently implemented in Wajir and Isiolo counties.
- Comparative numbers of persons from target marginalized groups who have attained various documents pertaining to citizenship vis a vis those who have been denied.
- the gender and ethnic composition of vetting committees and the National Registration Bureau and Civil Registration departments
- The planned or actual process of decentralisation of services relating to citizenship determination, personal registration and the issuance of personal documents.
- Any improvements in the above processes and the causes of these positive changes in practice i.e. specific advocacy initiatives or implementation of certain provisions in new legislation etc.
- Evidence of any aspects of the legislation which are not being implemented and why.
- Hard evidence of any discriminatory processes in citizenship determination, personal registration and the issuance of personal documents, who perpetrates the discrimination and how.
- The impact of discriminatory practices on research respondents.
- Recommendations on how to strengthen legislation and real processes to ensure fair determination of citizenship and access to personal documents for all Kenyans.
Qualifications:
- A relevant degree in social science discipline
- Previous experience conducting field based research
- Demonstrable experience in assignments of similar nature, including understanding of northern Kenya
- Professional experience in conducting research (data collection & analysis) and reporting – both qualitative and quantitative
- Excellent documentation and writing skills, attested by past works
- Good analytical skills
- Good interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with local communities and as part of a technical team.
- Availability to meet project deadlines
Key Responsibilities
- Collect, edit and process research data as per the Agreed specifications
- Attend a two-day training with the KHRC on access to personal documents and citizenship in Kenya
- Arrange and conduct field interviews as per the agreed methodology
- Record research data in accordance with specified protocol and procedures
- Act as paralegals in the research areas and follow up with legal advice
- Distribution of IEC materials on citizenship
- Any other duties that may be assigned by KHRC or the research officer
How to submit the application
If you believe you fit the profile, submit your expression of
interest (no more than 3 pages), CV detailing your suitability for the
position, expected remuneration, daytime telephone contact and three referees
to vacancies@khrc.or.ke quoting the title of the position you are applying for
in the subject line.
The closing date for this position is close of day on November 12,
2013.