Public Service Commission of Kenya – Vacant Positions in the Foreign Service
Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs
In its ongoing effort to strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic and international engagement capacity, the Public Service Commission (PSC) invites applications from qualified persons for vacant positions within the Foreign Service under the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs (MFDA). The recruitment drive covers a total of eighty-six (86) vacancies across the grades. The goal is to recruit officers capable of supporting the advancement of Kenya’s foreign policy, promotion of trade and investment, representation of Kenya overseas, and management of missions and diplomatic functions globally.
Role Overview: Foreign Service within the Ministry
The MFDA holds the mandate of formulating and executing Kenya’s foreign policy; managing the country’s network of diplomatic missions; protecting national interests abroad; promoting trade, investment, culture and diaspora engagement; and representing Kenya in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora.
Within this context, the three advertised grades of Foreign Service officers form part of the leadership and management cadres of the diplomatic service. They operate either at the headquarters in Nairobi or in missions abroad (embassies, high commissions, consulates). The roles differ in seniority, scope of responsibility, and leadership scale.
Position 1: Director, Foreign Service / Minister II (Grade CSG 5)
Number of vacancies: 37
Structural context and reporting
A Director at this level will typically head a major division or department of the Foreign Service at the headquarters, or may serve as the Head of Mission (Ambassador/High Commissioner) in Kenya’s diplomatic posts abroad. The post reports to senior leadership such as the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Foreign Affairs, and liaises directly with other senior officers, mission staff and intergovernmental institutions.
Key functions
- Provide strategic leadership in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and periodic review of Kenya’s foreign policy and diplomatic engagement strategies.
- Lead the management of large-scale operational units — for example, sections dealing with bilateral relations, multilateral diplomacy, regional integration, trade and investment promotion, diaspora affairs or consular services.
- Represent Kenya in high-level meetings, conferences, international negotiations, or host country fora; articulate and defend Kenya’s positions on bilateral and multilateral issues.
- Oversee the work of Kenya’s missions abroad (as applicable), ensuring alignment with national objectives, accountability, performance management and resource utilisation.
- Facilitate mobilisation of resources (financial, human and operational) necessary to uphold Kenya’s diplomatic footprint; guide the opening and accreditation of new missions, property acquisitions abroad, and multiple-accreditation arrangements.
- Promote Kenya’s image and interests globally by coordinating communication strategies, public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy and engagement with partner countries and international organisations.
- Establish, monitor and report on performance indicators, work plans and targets for the division or mission under their leadership, ensuring compliance with public service values and PSC mandates.
Principal responsibilities
- Policy leadership and formulation
- Lead the preparation and review of policy frameworks, strategic plans and operational guidelines for Kenya’s foreign service functions.
- Anticipate and analyse emerging international trends, provide strategic advice and recommend policy interventions aligned with Kenya Vision 2030 and national interests.
- Provide technical guidance to other divisions and missions on the implementation of foreign policy, treaty obligations and international instruments.
- Diplomatic mission leadership (if posted abroad)
- Act as Kenya’s Head of Mission (Ambassador/High Commissioner) or senior representative, with full command of mission operations, diplomatic engagements, role of host-country relationships, and crisis/consular management.
- Supervise mission staff, manage mission administrative, financial and staffing functions, and ensure mission performance meets Kenya’s strategic goals.
- Management and coordination
- Oversee large teams across domestic headquarters or overseas missions, providing leadership, direction and performance supervision.
- Coordinate budget preparation, asset and property management, and ensure efficient service delivery in areas such as consular services, protocol, trade promotion, cultural exchange and diaspora engagement.
- Liaise with inter-ministerial and inter-agency stakeholders domestically (other ministries, private sector, development partners) and internationally (foreign missions, international organisations, diaspora networks).
- Representation and advocacy
- Represent Kenya at senior diplomatic events, negotiate agreements or memoranda of understanding, engage with international media or public diplomacy platforms.
- Champion Kenya’s interests in forums such as the African Union, East African Community, United Nations, and regional economic communities.
- Advance Kenya’s trade, investment, tourism and cultural agendas in collaboration with host states or international partners.
- Performance monitoring and reporting
- Develop annual work plans, set performance targets, monitor progress and prepare reports to senior management and PSC on mission or divisional outcomes.
- Ensure accountability, governance and ethical conduct among the staff and mission operations; enforce PSC values of integrity, transparency and service excellence.
Contribution to national development
By occupying these leadership roles, successful candidates play a crucial part in strengthening Kenya’s international footprint, advancing trade and investment, protecting the rights and welfare of Kenyans abroad, and promoting regional peace and cooperation. With 37 vacancies, the PSC is positioning for a significant enhancement of Kenya’s diplomatic leadership cadre.
Position 2: Deputy Director, Foreign Service / Minister Counsellor (Grade CSG 6)
Number of vacancies: 26
Structural context and reporting
The Deputy Director/Minister Counsellor role is second in the Foreign Service management hierarchy. At headquarters, the incumbent would support a Director and may head a major section or unit within a division. In a mission abroad, the person may serve as Deputy Head of Mission or Head of Chancery. Reporting is typically to the Director or Head of Mission and coordination with other senior staff is key.
Key functions
- Support strategic and operational management of a division or mission, ensuring the delivery of diplomatic, consular and service functions in line with Kenyan foreign policy.
- Coordinate day-to-day operations of diplomatic missions or headquarters sections including trade, political, economic affairs, protocol, consular services or administration.
- Monitor the implementation of work plans, performance targets and ensure corrective action where required.
- Act as a deputy to the Head of Mission or Director, standing in when the senior is absent and ensuring continuity of leadership.
- Supervise staff and units, ensuring effective collaboration, training and development of diplomatic personnel, and adherence to ethical standards and PSC service principles.
- Analyse host country or mission-specific developments, prepare reports and brief senior management on political, economic, social or security risks and opportunities.
- Engage in negotiations, bilateral or multilateral discussions, trade and investment promotion activities, cultural diplomacy and other external relations functions.
Principal responsibilities
- Operational and managerial support
- Coordinate the preparation of divisional work plans, mission annual targets and budgets; supervise their implementation and track progress.
- Ensure compliance with standards of service delivery, mission readiness, asset and staff management, risk mitigation and administrative efficiency.
- Provide leadership in administrative, financial, human resource and logistics services within the section or mission.
- Diplomatic functions and representation
- Represent Kenya in international, regional or bilateral meetings, negotiations or conferences as delegated by the Director/Head of Mission.
- Engage host country counterparts, regional bodies, multilateral institutions and diaspora groups to advance Kenya’s diplomatic and development objectives.
- Promote Kenya’s trade, tourism, investment opportunities and cultural ties through mission engagements, stakeholder outreach and joint programmes.
- Intelligence, analysis and reporting
- Monitor political, economic and social developments in host countries or zones of oversight; prepare analytical briefs, risk assessments and recommendations for senior management.
- Ensure mission or division produces timely and accurate reports, inputs to headquarters policy units and feedback loops to Nairobi.
- Track and evaluate the effectiveness of mission programmes, provide feedback, and recommend improvements.
- Staff supervision and capacity development
- Supervise and mentor diplomatic officers, administrative staff and locally engaged personnel; facilitate training and professional development in collaboration with the Foreign Service Institute.
- Foster a performance-oriented culture, ensure staff act in compliance with PSC values — merit, integrity, accountability — and promote a team approach across functions.
Contribution to national development
The Deputy Director/Minister Counsellor serves as a key leadership link between strategic direction and operational execution. With 26 vacancies, this grade provides a substantial entry point for shaping Kenya’s diplomatic presence and bridging policy with mission-level implementation.
Position 3: Assistant Director, Foreign Service / Counsellor (Grade CSG 7)
Number of vacancies: 23
Structural context and reporting
At this grade, the Assistant Director/Counsellor will be responsible for managing a specific portfolio within a mission (for example, economic affairs, trade promotion, political analysis, consular services, administration) or a section within a headquarters division. Reporting lines are to a Deputy Director or Director; in a mission context the role may report to the Head of Mission or Deputy Head of Mission.
Key functions
- Manage a distinct functional area within the mission or headquarters — for example political affairs, trade/investment promotion, consular services, protocol, cultural diplomacy or administration.
- Supervise staff within the unit, ensure delivery of services, facilitate coordination with other units, and ensure that Kenya’s diplomatic objectives are met through the portfolio.
- Undertake research and analysis on host country or functional area developments and provide inputs to higher levels.
- Plan and implement programmes and projects, monitor outcomes, contribute to the mission’s annual work plan and reporting framework.
- Assist in the organisation of events, stakeholder engagements, mission outreach, trade or cultural promotion activities and consular services.
- Maintain liaison with host country government agencies, local diaspora associations, international organisations, commercial counterparts, and domestic headquarters units.
- Support the development of junior staff and ensure adherence to administrative guidelines, financial control and public service standards.
Principal responsibilities
- Portfolio management
- Plan, implement and monitor the functional area’s work plan, budget and performance indicators.
- Coordinate with other units in the mission or headquarters to ensure integrated delivery of diplomatic services and synergy of programmes.
- Contribute to the development of strategy and policy through research, analysis and recommendation of best practice.
- Research, analysis and reporting
- Maintain situational awareness of host country trends or topic area developments; compile briefings, policy notes, position papers and reports for senior leadership.
- Provide early-warning analysis of political, economic, security, cultural or trade developments and advise on implications for Kenya’s interests.
- Track Kenya’s engagements and partnerships within the portfolio, evaluate outcomes and propose corrective actions where necessary.
- Stakeholder engagement and service delivery
- Engage relevant external stakeholders including host country government departments, regional/international organisations, commercial and diaspora groups to advance Kenya’s interests in the portfolio.
- Ensure quality and timeliness of consular services, protocol support, trade promotion or cultural diplomacy events as applicable.
- Represent the mission or division in meetings, forums or stakeholder engagements as delegated.
- Supervision and capacity building
- Supervise unit staff, organise training, ensure compliance with administrative, financial and human resource regulations.
- Promote the PSC’s core values of citizen-centred service, ethics and professionalism; encourage a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the unit.
Contribution to national development
The Assistant Director/Counsellor plays a vital role in translating Kenya’s foreign policy ambitions into concrete action at the functional level. With 23 vacancies, this grade is a gateway for diplomatic officers to assume substantive responsibilities contributing directly to Kenya’s global engagements, trade and investment agenda, and citizen services abroad.
Summary of Vacancy Structure
| Grade | Post Title | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| CSG 5 | Director, Foreign Service / Minister II | 37 |
| CSG 6 | Deputy Director, Foreign Service / Minister Counsellor | 26 |
| CSG 7 | Assistant Director, Foreign Service / Counsellor | 23 |
Application Process and Important Instructions
Interested and qualified individuals are required to submit their applications online through the official PSC channels:
- Website: www.publicservice.go.ke
- Jobs portal: www.psckjobs.go.ke
Applications must be received on or before 18 November 2025 (Latest 5.00 p.m. East African Time).
Applicants should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria, have all required supporting documentation uploaded, and fully complete the online application form. Please note: the PSC does not charge any fee at any stage of the job application, shortlisting, interviews or appointments process. Applicants are warned to beware of unscrupulous persons or entities posing as Commission staff and soliciting bribes.
