The Open University of Kenya (OUK) is a Public Specialised University chartered on 3rd August 2023 pursuant to Section 24(1)(b) of the Universities Act (No. 42 of 2012). The University is located approximately 70 kilometres from Nairobi at Konza Technopolis, within Makueni County along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway.
The establishment of the Open University of Kenya reflects the Government’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-based society where education is positioned as a strategic instrument for personal advancement, national competitiveness, and inclusive socio-economic transformation. The University is anchored on a philosophy of quality education, technology integration, and accessibility, advocating inclusivity, flexibility, openness, and innovation in teaching, research, and knowledge dissemination.
As Kenya advances its national development agenda under Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), OUK plays a strategic role in expanding equitable access to higher education through open, distance, and digital learning modalities. The University’s mandate aligns with national and global imperatives on digital transformation, skills development, research commercialization, and sustainable development.
To provide dynamic academic leadership and strengthen administrative capacity, the Open University of Kenya invites qualified and interested applicants to serve in the positions listed below across academic and administrative domains.
This advertisement is suitable for candidates seeking academic careers in Kenya, university administrative jobs, open and distance learning institutions, and research-focused higher education opportunities.
Academic Positions – General Requirements
Academic appointments are open across diverse specialisations as outlined below. Successful candidates will be expected to contribute to teaching, curriculum development, research, supervision, academic administration, and community engagement within the Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) framework.
1. General Positions
Student Recruiters
Job Summary
The Student Recruiter will be responsible for student outreach, recruitment strategy implementation, brand positioning of the University, and facilitation of student enrolment processes. The role supports the University’s growth strategy by enhancing access, enrolment, and retention in line with institutional targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement student recruitment strategies aligned with OUK’s strategic enrolment goals.
- Identify and engage potential students through outreach campaigns, career fairs, digital platforms, and stakeholder partnerships.
- Conduct institutional presentations, webinars, and information sessions.
- Guide prospective students on programme selection, admission requirements, and application procedures.
- Collaborate with academic departments to align recruitment messaging with programme offerings.
- Maintain recruitment data and prepare periodic enrolment reports.
- Support conversion of inquiries into successful admissions.
- Contribute to branding and visibility initiatives in local and regional markets.
2. Health Sciences
Academic staff will support interdisciplinary teaching and research in health systems, policy, global governance, and healthcare innovation.
Specialisations
- Global Health and Diplomacy
- Health Economics and Financing
- Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Management
- Healthcare Procurement and Partnerships
- Global Business Environment
- International Trade Law and Policy
- Global Business Leadership and Diplomacy
Job Description
Academic staff in Health Sciences will:
- Develop and deliver online and blended courses in assigned disciplines.
- Design learner-centred digital content for Open and Distance Learning.
- Supervise postgraduate research and capstone projects.
- Conduct publishable research in health systems, policy, and global governance.
- Participate in grant proposal development and research collaborations.
- Contribute to curriculum review and programme accreditation.
- Provide academic mentorship to students.
- Engage in academic quality assurance processes.
3. Media, Communication and Design Technologies
Specialisations
- Graphic Design
- Instructional Design
- Learning Technologies and Educational Change
- Computer Graphics
- Data Analytics and Visualization
Job Description
Academic staff in this domain will:
- Develop interactive digital learning materials and multimedia resources.
- Deliver instruction in digital communication, design systems, and analytics tools.
- Integrate emerging technologies into pedagogical frameworks.
- Conduct applied research in digital transformation and educational innovation.
- Supervise design portfolios and applied technology projects.
- Support the University’s digital content development strategy.
- Participate in academic governance and curriculum development.
4. Agriculture and Food Systems
Specialisations
- Agrobiodiversity and Ecosystem Services
- Soil Health in Agricultural Systems
- Climate Change and Agriculture
- Plant Nutrition and Fertilizers
- Animal Nutrition and Feeds
- Livestock Health and Management
- Agricultural Machinery and Technology
- Production of Horticultural Crops
- Plant Health Management
- Biostatistics
- Industrial Attachment and Field Practice
Job Description
Academic staff in Agriculture and Food Systems will:
- Develop and deliver programmes supporting climate-smart agriculture.
- Integrate sustainability and ecosystem-based approaches in curriculum.
- Supervise research in agronomy, livestock systems, and agricultural economics.
- Facilitate industrial attachments and field-based learning.
- Publish research aligned with national food security priorities.
- Collaborate with agricultural stakeholders and industry partners.
- Support data-driven agricultural innovation and rural transformation.
5. Information Technology, Computing and Artificial Intelligence
Specialisations
- Computer Vision and Image Analysis
- Natural Language Processing
- Responsible and Explainable AI
- Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI
- Data Management
- Database Administration
- Big Data Analytics with Apache Hadoop
- Data Governance, Ethics and Law
- System Analysis and Design
- Web Application Programming
- Secure Software Development
- Information Systems Control and Audit
- Cybersecurity Law and Ethics
- Internet Technologies
Job Description
Academic staff in IT and AI will:
- Develop advanced curriculum in artificial intelligence and data science.
- Deliver practical instruction in software engineering and cybersecurity.
- Lead research in AI governance and responsible digital innovation.
- Supervise applied computing research projects.
- Contribute to technology incubation and innovation hubs.
- Participate in interdisciplinary research initiatives.
- Strengthen industry linkages in ICT and digital transformation.
6. Engineering and Applied Technology
Specialisations
- Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing
- Technical Drawing
- Solid and Structural Mechanics
- Fluid Mechanics
- Electromagnetics
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Building Services
- Structural Design (Steel and Timber)
- Construction Management
- Power Systems
- Thermodynamics
- Vehicle Technology
- Applied Mechanics
- Advanced Engineering Design
- Sensors and Instrumentation
- Eco-Innovation and Waste Management
Job Description
Academic staff in Engineering will:
- Deliver engineering theory and applied technical modules.
- Develop laboratory simulations suitable for digital platforms.
- Supervise design-based projects and technical research.
- Promote sustainable engineering practices.
- Engage in industry collaboration and consultancy.
- Support accreditation and professional body compliance processes.
7. Marketing, Procurement and Project Management
Specialisations
- Global Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Marketing Analytics
- Negotiation and Supplier Relations
- Procurement Law and Ethics
- Electronic Procurement
- Strategic Supply Chain and Sustainability
- Project Formulation
- Planning and Design
- Project Implementation and Monitoring
- Evaluation and Reporting
- Strategic Analysis and Models
- Project Methodologies and Models
- Procurement and Partnerships
Job Description
Academic staff will:
- Deliver modules in procurement governance, marketing strategy, and project lifecycle management.
- Integrate case-based and experiential learning approaches.
- Supervise consultancy-based student projects.
- Conduct research in supply chain resilience and sustainable procurement.
- Contribute to executive education and professional development programmes.
8. Human Resource Management and Leadership Development
Specialisations
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Employee Relations and Labour Laws
- Performance Management
- Leadership Theories and Models
- Leadership and Innovation
- Corporate Governance and Leadership
- Ethics
- Governance and Accountability
- Public Policy and Governance
- Policy Implementation and Evaluation
Job Description
Academic staff will:
- Deliver modules in HR strategy, governance frameworks, and leadership models.
- Conduct applied research in public sector and corporate governance.
- Support policy analysis and institutional reform studies.
- Supervise postgraduate dissertations.
- Participate in quality assurance and curriculum development.
9. Business, Finance and Economics
Specialisations
- Financial Accounting
- Business Mathematics
- Public Finance and Taxation
- Financial Analysis and Reporting
- Auditing and Investigation
- Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
- Corporate Strategy
- Strategic Management
- Applied Econometrics
- Behavioural and Institutional Economics
- Environmental and Natural Resources Economics
- Global Business Management
- Taxation
- Operations Research
- Business Law
- Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship
- Design Thinking
Job Description
Academic staff will:
- Deliver undergraduate and postgraduate modules in finance, economics, and management.
- Conduct research aligned with national economic transformation.
- Supervise thesis and applied research projects.
- Engage in consultancy and policy advisory assignments.
- Contribute to curriculum innovation and academic governance.
10. Education Leadership and Training
Specialisations
- Media Practicals and Micro Teaching
- Research Methods in Education
- Entrepreneurship Education
- Instructional Methods and Resources
- Education Leadership and Policy
- TVET Governance
- Leadership and Change Management
- Comparative Education and Internationalization
- Educational Policy and Planning
- Technology Education and Sustainable Development
- Global Trends in TVET
- Leadership Ethics in Technology Education
- Quality Assurance in TVET
Job Description
Academic staff will:
- Develop and deliver digital pedagogy and education leadership modules.
- Conduct research in educational reform and policy development.
- Supervise teaching practice and professional training.
- Strengthen institutional partnerships in education and TVET.
- Participate in accreditation and quality assurance activities.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants are required to submit their applications in accordance with the University’s recruitment guidelines. Applications should clearly indicate the area of specialisation and attach all relevant supporting documentation.
Only shortlisted candidates shall be contacted.
The Open University of Kenya is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and merit-based recruitment.
