Principal Innovation Officer Job KeNIA

Kenya National Innovation Agency Jobs.

The Principal Innovation Officer will be responsible for promoting, managing, and coordinating national innovation activities. This includes the identification, incubation, and commercialization of innovative products and services in alignment with Kenya’s Vision 2030, the Kenya Innovation Policy, and other relevant frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies for strengthening Kenya’s innovation ecosystem.
• Coordinate national innovation programs, research translation initiatives, and technology transfer processes.
• Identify and support innovators and startups to scale their innovations.
• Facilitate linkages among academia, private sector, and government to promote collaborative innovation.
• Conduct research and prepare reports on innovation trends, performance, and impact.
• Support intellectual property management and commercialization of locally developed technologies.
• Monitor implementation of innovation programs funded or supported by KeNIA.
• Represent the Agency in local and international innovation forums.
• Mentor junior officers and provide technical guidance in program design and implementation.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong understanding of innovation systems, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and technology transfer.
• Excellent analytical and policy interpretation skills.
• Strategic planning and stakeholder management.
• Good communication, negotiation, and report-writing abilities.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead projects and deliver measurable outcomes.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should visit the KeNIA Careers Portal at https://kenia.go.ke/careers for detailed job descriptions and to submit applications.

Application Guidelines:

• Access the KeNIA website and navigate to the Careers section.
• Review detailed descriptions for each advertised position.
• Complete the online application form and attach all required documents, including:
  • A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV);
  • Copies of academic and professional certificates;
  • National ID or Passport; and
  • Contact details of three professional referees.
• Submit the online application before the closing date.

Deadline:
Applications close on 18th November 2025 at 1700 hours. Late submissions will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Important Notes

• The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) is an equal opportunity employer.
• People with disabilities, marginalized groups, and minorities are encouraged to apply.
• Canvassing or providing false information will lead to disqualification.
• The Agency does not charge any application fee at any stage of the recruitment process.