Director, Research, QA & Planning Job KNEC Nairobi, Kenya

Key Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities entail the following:

• Providing strategic leadership for research, quality assurance, and planning functions;
• Overseeing integration of quality assurance, research, benchmarking, and planning activities;
• Coordinating institutional representation in national, regional, and international forums and partnerships;
• Overseeing the development and dissemination of Educational Assessments, Research and Innovation Resource Centre materials and publications;
• Coordinating the development and implementation of Quality Assurance standards for fairness, validity, and equity;
• Aligning assessments practices with national education goals and international standards;
• Overseeing risk management initiatives, including audit, compliance and assessments malpractice controls;
• Setting research priorities, overseeing publication strategy, and directing innovation initiatives;
• Establishing partnerships and policy agreements with external assessments;
• Managing the competency development and performance of the direct reports for succession planning.

Person Specifications

For appointment to this grade, an officer must have:

• Cumulative service period of fifteen (15) years relevant work experience, three (3) of which should have been in the Grade of Deputy Director or in a comparable position;
• Master’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Education, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Planning, Project Management, Research or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• Bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Education, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Planning, Project Management or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;
• Membership to a professional body where applicable;
• Valid practicing license where applicable;
• Proficiency in computer applications;
• Exhibited a thorough understanding of national policies, goals and priorities; and ability to relate them to the Assessment administration function.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should fill and submit the Application for Employment Form KNEC 2A – (External applicants) and Application for Employment Form KNEC 2B – (Internal applicants), application letter, accompanied by certified copies of academic and professional certificates, detailed curriculum vitae giving information on daytime telephone contact, e-mail address, current remuneration (enclose copy of your latest pay slip), names and valid current contacts of three referees, on or before 1 st September, 2026 to the address below:

The Chief Executive Officer
Kenya National Examinations Council
New Mitihani House, South C
P.O Box 73598-00200
NAIROBI