The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) has announced a career opportunity for the position of Deputy Director, Human Resource Management and Development. This senior leadership role is designed for experienced human resource professionals with a strong background in strategic human resource management, policy development, and organizational development within public or large institutional environments.
KNQA plays a critical role in the Kenyan education and qualifications framework by coordinating and regulating the national qualifications system. The Authority ensures harmonization, standardization, and recognition of qualifications across institutions while strengthening quality assurance mechanisms in education and training. To support this mandate, KNQA is seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to lead and coordinate human resource management and development functions within the Authority.
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of human resource strategies, policies, and systems aligned with the Authority’s strategic objectives and government regulatory frameworks. The role requires strong leadership, governance oversight, and the ability to guide institutional human resource management practices in compliance with public service regulations and labour laws.
The position is offered on a five-year contract, renewable subject to performance and the Government retirement age.
Position Title
Deputy Director, Human Resource Management and Development
Reference Number
KNQA/No.1/2025 – 26
Position Level
KNQA 3
Number of Positions
1
Job Term
Five (5) year contract renewable subject to performance and Government retirement age
Application Deadline
17 March 2026
Duty Station
Kenya
Position Overview
The Deputy Director, Human Resource Management and Development is a senior management role responsible for coordinating human resource management functions across the Authority. The role focuses on ensuring that the organization has effective human resource systems, policies, and procedures that support staff performance, professional development, and institutional efficiency.
The position supports strategic workforce planning, recruitment and selection processes, payroll management, staff welfare administration, employee development initiatives, and performance management processes. It also ensures that human resource practices comply with government regulations, labour laws, and public service guidelines.
Working closely with senior management and advisory committees, the Deputy Director will guide the implementation of human resource strategies designed to build a competent, motivated, and accountable workforce within the Authority.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Deputy Director, Human Resource Management and Development will perform a wide range of strategic and operational human resource functions aimed at strengthening institutional performance and employee engagement.
Key responsibilities include:
• Coordinating the formulation and implementation of human resource strategies, policies, rules, regulations, and systems that guide human resource management practices within the Authority.
• Ensuring compliance with human resource policies, procedures, government circulars, regulations, and labour laws in the management and administration of human resource functions.
• Creating awareness and promoting understanding of newly developed and reviewed human resource policies, laws, regulations, procedures, and government circulars among staff within the Authority.
• Preparing and implementing annual human resource budgets and plans to support workforce management, development initiatives, and institutional human resource needs.
• Reviewing job descriptions and coordinating the placement of job advertisements in the press and other official recruitment platforms.
• Coordinating the preparation of long lists of applicants and overseeing the assessment of job applications to facilitate shortlisting processes for recruitment.
• Coordinating induction and orientation programs for newly recruited employees to ensure effective integration into the Authority’s operations and culture.
• Coordinating the onboarding of new employees and ensuring timely updating of employee biodata within the Human Resource Information System.
• Coordinating staff separation processes including resignations, retirements, terminations, and clearance procedures in accordance with established policies and regulations.
• Coordinating the processing of payroll and ensuring that statutory deductions and remittances are effected accurately and in compliance with applicable laws.
• Ensuring the maintenance and regular updating of employee leave records to support effective leave administration and workforce planning.
• Ensuring the maintenance and updating of employee biodata records within the human resource management system.
• Coordinating employee performance appraisal processes including analysis of performance results and presentation of reports for moderation and decision making.
• Coordinating employee disciplinary processes and grievance handling mechanisms to ensure fair and transparent resolution of workplace issues.
• Coordinating the preparation of documentation and organizing meetings for the Human Resource Advisory Committee.
• Coordinating the preparation of documentation and organizing meetings for the Performance Management Committee.
• Preparing and implementing annual employee training and development programs aimed at strengthening staff skills, competencies, and professional growth.
• Maintaining records related to staff welfare schemes including mortgage schemes, car loan programs, and pension benefits.
• Maintaining and updating employee medical scheme records and ensuring proper administration of staff medical benefits.
• Organizing quarterly employee health and financial awareness talks to promote staff wellbeing and financial literacy.
• Coordinating and preparing quarterly and annual reports on employee training programs, employee performance management processes, performance contracting activities, mortgage and car loan schemes, medical administration, and leave management.
Job and Person Specification
To qualify for appointment to this position, candidates must meet the following requirements:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Sociology, Business Administration, Business Management, Public Administration, Commerce, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Sociology, Business Administration, Business Management, Public Administration, Commerce, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Minimum of ten (10) years relevant work experience in human resource management or a related field.
• At least four (4) years of experience at middle-level management.
• Completion of a management course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution.
• Membership of the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) or a relevant professional body recognized by the Authority.
• Demonstrated computer literacy and ability to use modern office and human resource information systems.
• Fulfillment of the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya regarding leadership and integrity.
Required Competencies and Skills
Candidates applying for this position should demonstrate strong professional competencies and leadership capabilities relevant to strategic human resource management.
Key competencies include:
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting human resource data, policy requirements, and workforce trends.
• Excellent presentation skills for communicating human resource strategies, reports, and policy updates to management and stakeholders.
• Strong public speaking skills for facilitating staff engagements, awareness programs, and institutional forums.
• Excellent report writing skills for preparing detailed human resource reports, policy briefs, and institutional documentation.
• Effective communication skills to support collaboration, staff engagement, and coordination across departments and committees.
Application Process
Interested candidates are required to submit their applications through the KNQA recruitment portal by following the steps below:
- Create an account on the KNQA recruitment portal.
- Complete your profile by filling in your details in all relevant sections.
- Click on the Vacancies tab to view available positions.
- On the jobs list, click on View Details to access information about a specific job.
- At the bottom section of the job details page, click on Apply to submit your application.
Applicants are advised that the Kenya National Qualifications Authority does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Applicants should ensure that they meet the specified requirements before submitting their applications and that all information provided during the application process is accurate and complete.
Apply Now
If you want, I can also expand this to about 2,200–2,500 words (more SEO optimized for job boards like MyJobMag, CareerPoint, or LinkedIn Jobs) by adding sections such as:
- About Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
- Role Impact and Leadership Scope
- Strategic Importance of the Position
- Compliance with Chapter Six Requirements
- Public Sector HR Governance Context in Kenya.
