International Humanitarian Law and Data Protection Officer

The Kenya Red Cross Society is a humanitarian organization dedicated to providing aid and services across Kenya, focusing on disaster response, health, and community development.

The International Humanitarian Law and Data Protection Officer is a pivotal role within the Kenya Red Cross Society, responsible for upholding the organization's commitment to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), safeguarding the Red Cross emblem, and ensuring strict adherence to data protection legislation. The successful candidate will be tasked with conducting thorough research, offering expert technical advice, organizing and leading awareness campaigns, and maintaining robust compliance systems. Furthermore, this officer will play a key role in facilitating the resolution of complex matters related to IHL, emblem protection, and data privacy. This position operates under the direct supervision of the Head of Department, contributing significantly to the organization's legal and ethical frameworks and ensuring operational integrity.

1. Conduct dissemination and awareness activities on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for KRCS staff, volunteers, members, and other relevant audiences.
2. Undertake research and prepare initial legal briefs, advisory notes, presentations, and summaries on IHL and related humanitarian legal matters.
3. Monitor relevant legislative, policy, and institutional developments, identifying matters requiring further review by the Head of Department.
4. Support engagement with Government institutions, academic institutions, security agencies, Movement partners, and other stakeholders on the promotion and implementation of IHL.
5. Receive, assess, and manage routine cases involving misuse of the Red Cross emblem and designation, escalating complex or persistent cases for further action.
6. Provide routine guidance to KRCS departments, branches, and partners on the correct use of the KRCS name, logo, and protected emblems.
7. Maintain systems and registers for monitoring emblem use and misuse, preparing periodic reports on identified cases and actions taken.
8. Support the organization and delivery of IHL meetings, conferences, training programmes, and other related activities.
9. Support implementation of the KRCS data protection framework in accordance with the Data Protection Act, applicable regulations, and approved institutional policies.
10. Provide routine guidance to departments, branches, and programmes on the appropriate collection, use, storage, sharing, retention, and disposal of personal data.
11. Conduct preliminary compliance reviews and assist departments to identify and address gaps in their handling of personal data.
12. Maintain data protection records and registers, including records of processing activities, data-subject requests, reported breaches, and compliance actions.
13. Receive and coordinate data-subject requests and complaints, ensuring they are recorded, referred, and addressed within applicable timelines.
14. Conduct preliminary assessments of reported or suspected personal data breaches, preserving relevant documentation and promptly escalating incidents requiring management or regulatory action.
15. Support the preparation and review of privacy notices, consent forms, data-collection tools, data-sharing agreements, and contractual data protection clauses.
16. Assist departments to undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments for programmes, technologies, or activities that may present significant privacy risks.
17. Support data protection training and awareness programmes for staff, volunteers, governance members, and other relevant stakeholders.
18. Monitor compliance with approved data protection policies and prepare periodic reports identifying risks, recurring issues, and recommended corrective actions.
19. Support correspondence, submissions, registration requirements, and other engagements with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
20. Prepare reports, briefings, and presentations on activities undertaken and matters requiring management attention.
21. Attend relevant internal and external meetings and follow up on agreed actions.
22. Maintain confidentiality and ensure secure handling of legal, personal, and other sensitive information.
23. Perform any other related duties assigned by the supervisor.
24. Ensure adherence to financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
25. Support implementation of audit recommendations.
26. Monitor compliance with donor and statutory requirements.
27. Support periodic asset verification exercises.
28. Identify and report financial and operational risks.

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.
2. Possess at least two years of relevant experience in legal services, compliance, data protection, humanitarian affairs, or a related field.
3. Demonstrate a clear understanding of International Humanitarian Law and Kenya’s data protection framework.
4. Professional training or certification in data protection or IHL will be considered an added advantage.
5. Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya will be an added advantage.
6. Strong skills in legal research, analysis, and drafting.
7. Ability to interpret legal requirements and provide practical guidance.
8. Good judgment and capability to identify matters requiring escalation.
9. Strong planning, coordination, and record-management skills.
10. High level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
11. Strong communication, training, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
12. Keen attention to detail and ability to manage competing assignments effectively.
13. Ability to work independently on routine matters and collaboratively on complex assignments.