SECTION DIRECTOR

JOB TITLE: Section Director

DEPARTMENT: Office of the Section Director

LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya

REPORTS TO: National Board

POSTS THAT THIS JOB MANAGES: The Section Director (Executive Director) is responsible for the direct line management of relevant roles covering functions such as general operations, campaigns, advocacy, human resources fundraising, media and growth, and have overall accountability for effective line management of all posts within the National Section.

OTHER KEY RELATIONSHIPS: The Section Director represents AI in Kenya to the public, government, private sector, the Kenyan human rights community, the media and current and potential donors. The Director will promote collaboration and partnerships with these constituencies.

The post holder also works in close collaboration with: The Board of Directors appointed by the Annual Delegates Conference, The Preparatory Committee and Nominations Committee of the Annual Delegates Conference, Relevant senior colleagues at the Amnesty International Regional Office, Relevant colleagues in the wider, global International Secretariat and colleagues of Amnesty International in Sections around the world, The Kenya Management Team.

JOB PURPOSE

An executive position, the Amnesty International Kenya Section Director is responsible for development and delivery of the strategy and operational plan of AI Kenya towards achieving the communications, advocacy, campaigning and growth goals in alignment with AI’s overall Strategic Goals and human rights priorities in the country, region and globally. The Section Director is accountable for management of the staff, resources, the office in-country and operations of AI Kenya, ensuring the application of AI policy and quality standards across the operations and provision of political advice for AI’s work on Kenya. Externally the Section Director is responsible for building national relationships and Amnesty International’s profile in Kenya and within the Amnesty International movement. The Section Director will represent AI at a senior level with the Kenyan government and others.

Background

Amnesty International, Amnesty International Kenya believes in an inclusive society where all people live in dignity, freedom, diversity and prosperity and everyone enjoys the full range of constitutional freedoms, rights, and responsibilities. AI Kenya exists to boldly confront and skillfully transform all forms of injustice and human rights violations with members, supporters and allies through campaigning, research, human rights education, and public interest litigation resourced by our members, supporters and foundations.

As a key member of our staff, you will be required to actively demonstrate and deliver this vision as well as uphold values of integrity, inclusion, courageous solidarity, and innovative creativity. You will be familiar with rights-based organising, citizen empowerment and an anti-discriminatory approach to social justice. You will be required to work and lead teams, multi-task and work to deadlines, sometimes under pressure.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

In collaboration with relevant International Secretariat colleagues and programmes and AI Kenya’s Kenya Management Team, the Section Director is responsible for the following five main responsibilities:

Secretary to the Board and Movement leadership

  • Ensure the Board and Annual Delegates Conference maintain a high-level duty of loyalty, care and governance oversight by organizing and resource statutory meetings in line with the Public Benefits Organisations Act, the AIK Constitution and global movement best practices.
  • Lead the development and operationalization of the organization’s strategic framework as approved by the Board.
  • Set the organizational leadership and vision for Amnesty International Kenya’s institutional development in collaboration with the Board to ensure we are thinking far enough ahead to maximize opportunities, anticipate risks and ensure the organization is led and developed to achieve section status.
  • Work with the Board of Directors to define and implement AI Kenya’s strategic actions on procedural and substantive issues, relating to the management and oversight of AI Kenya and the effective and efficient implementation of its activities and projects.
  • Support the Board in its mandate to build the capacity of AI Kenya membership on matters governance in collaboration of IS as needed.
  • Lead in consultation with the Kenya Management Team to implement Board resolutions.
  • Promote a culture of active international engagement that builds the global movement and enshrine the One Amnesty approach and its benefits.

Public Representation 

  • Increase AIK’s impact and influence by developing and maintaining high level networking and relationship building with key external stakeholders including partner organizations, networks, coalitions, donors and internal stakeholders to identify and take advantage of opportunities for cooperation, collaboration and information sharing.
  • Increase national and international visibility by ensuring a robust growth and communication strategy is in place and leading the strategy as spokesperson for AI Kenya.
  • Develop, hold and deepen strategic high-level relationships with external stakeholders by representing AI Kenya publicly, in the mass and social media and in meetings with all appropriate arms of the state, private sector, human rights community and donors.

Strategic Programme management

  • Lead implementation of the Board approved operational plan in-country and maintain an overview of human rights, social, political, and economic developments.
  • Ensure AI Kenya strengthens its country-wide presence through the growth of a strong and impactful human rights strategy and operational plans that deliver a large and diverse activist base among poor and marginalised communities as well as achieves national communication, advocacy and campaign objectives.
  • Lead communication, advocacy, campaigning, mobilizing, and organizing strategies and evidence-based learning and reflection.
  • Ensure the membership and supporter base is engaged and grows supported by effective communication and high-quality supporter relationship management processes and tools.

Strategic Fundraising and Finance management

  • Lead on identifying AI Kenya funding needs and be accountable for the effective and efficient budget management of AI Kenya.
  • Ensure AI Kenya implements the financial, logistical, and administrative functions required to effectively carry out its activities and ensure the overall health safety and security of the office and its staff.
  • Ensure sound financial accountability in line with Board approved budgets, the AI Kenya Policy Manual, statutory law and international best accounting standards through transparent budgeting, accurate reporting and independent auditing and reporting to the staff and the Board and staff.
  • Ensure the organization is compliant with all statutory laws and regulations and meets all reporting agreements to the Government of Kenya and funding partners.
  • Ensure AI Kenya programme pillars are adequately resourced by identifying funding needs and opportunities.
  • Lead multi-pronged and comprehensive fundraising strategies, build key donor and high-net-worth constituencies, and ensure effective monitoring and reporting in collaboration with the Finance and Fundraising Committee of the Board and the Amnesty International Secretariat.

Strategic People Management

  • Lead, strengthen and role-model an inclusive, empowering, and diverse leadership standard within the management team.
  • Ensure that impact-oriented operational plans are delivered on time to a high standard in compliance with AI Kenya’s staff terms and conditions of employment, related policies and local employment law by overseeing the effective recruitment, development and performance management of staff, volunteers, and consultants.
  • Ensure organizational standards of timeliness, accuracy, consistency, balance, independence and impartiality are consistent with AI Quality Assurance Framework by maintaining quality control and timely reporting systems are in place and operating against key performance indicators of the entity.
  • Lead an effective and well-equipped office with a centralized membership management system capable of mobilizing and organizing activism and resources that further AI’s human rights goals in Kenya.
  • Ensure opportunities for resource mobilization are optimized by a organizational culture of integration across AI Kenya’s programmes.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

Personal Integrity and Ethical Leadership

  • Demonstrated ethical leadership and transparency leadership style.
  • Personal commitment to transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption principles.
  • Personal values match Amnesty’s mission and principles in decision-making that promote inclusion, equity and respect for all stakeholders.

Strategic Leadership

  • At least five years’ experience of leading a large complex programme or an organization
  • Demonstrated experience of designing and implementing high-impact human rights-based campaigns and strategies.
  • Demonstrated governance and organizational development experience reporting to a statutory Board.
  • Strong risk management skills to anticipate and mitigate threats to human rights defenders.

Human Rights Expertise

  • Deep understanding of constitutional rights, international human rights law, and social justice issues.

Fundraising & Resource Mobilization

  • Experience in expanding and diversifying funding streams.
  • Ability to build and retain partnerships with donors, foundations, and supporters.

Communication and Public Engagement

  • Exceptional public speaking and mass media engagement skills in either Kiswahili or English.
  • Ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrated use of social, mass media and digital technology for outreach.

Organizational and Financial Management

  • Strong team leadership, talent development, and performance management skills.
  • Experience in managing high performing multi-disciplinary teams and fostering inclusive work environments.
  • Demonstrated experience of efficiently managing annual budgets upwards of Kes 150 million.

Innovation & Adaptability

  • Capacity to pioneer new models of community organizing and digital advocacy.
  • Ability to adapt with agility in response to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Networking & Partnership Building

  • Demonstrated ability to engage and build alliances and coalitions with governments, civil society, and international bodies for systemic human rights impact.

Desirable Qualifications and Competencies

  • Demonstrated knowledge of political economy and the civil society landscape in Kenya.
  • Exemplary communication skills, both oral and written, and fluency in Kiswahili.
  • At least fifteen years’ experience implementing high-impact human rights-based campaigns.
  • Understanding of staff and institutional safe-guarding, risk de-escalation and mitigation.
  • Proven record of senior level leadership in an international organization.

EQUALITY STATEMENT 

Equality and diversity are at the core of our values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. We do not discriminate based on your gender, age, ethnicity, disability, class, sexual preference or any other identity.

NO FEE CHARGED AND YOUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY  

Amnesty International does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training). Amnesty International Kenya also does not share your applications or information with any third parties without your consent. 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with Amnesty International’s principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed.

This job description will be reviewed from time to time to ensure that the scope and focus are in tandem with Amnesty International Kenya’s priorities and operating context.

All applications must be received before or on Sunday 22 February 2026 2026 by 2359 hours (EAT).

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