The Social Health Authority (SHA) has announced new career opportunities for qualified candidates seeking permanent and pensionable employment in Kenya. The vacancies are open to all eligible applicants and are part of the Authority’s effort to strengthen institutional capacity as it continues to implement its mandate under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023. According to the SHA recruitment portal, the Authority is mandated to provide financial risk protection for Kenyan residents by facilitating equitable access to quality healthcare, and it administers the Social Health Insurance Fund, the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
For job seekers interested in public communication, stakeholder engagement, media relations, fund administration, financial controls, and public sector management, these vacancies present an opportunity to join a key institution in Kenya’s health financing system. The two advertised roles are Assistant Director, Corporate Communications and Principal Funds Management Officer. Both positions are open on permanent and pensionable terms, and applications must be submitted by April 21, 2026, at 5.00 p.m.
This article provides the full adverts in an easy-to-read format, including the official job purpose, responsibilities, qualifications, and the application process as published by the Social Health Authority.
- Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
Job details
- Position: Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
- Job Reference: SHA/247/2025
- Application Open To: All
- Term of Service: Permanent and Pensionable
- Number of Positions: 1
- Position Level: SHA 4
- Minimum Qualification: Master’s Degree
- Application Deadline: April 21, 2026, 5.00 p.m.
Position overview
The Assistant Director, Corporate Communications role is a senior-level position within the Social Health Authority that focuses on corporate communication, media engagement, public affairs, stakeholder relations, branding, advertising coordination, and communication strategy execution. SHA states that the purpose of the role is to support the development and implementation of the Authority’s corporate communication and public affairs strategy by coordinating both internal and external communication initiatives, managing stakeholder engagement, strengthening the Authority’s public image, and ensuring timely dissemination of accurate information. The role is also intended to promote transparency, public confidence, and alignment with the Authority’s mandate and national health sector reforms.
This means the successful candidate will play a central role in shaping how SHA communicates with the public, the media, stakeholders, and internal audiences. It is a strategic and leadership-focused position that requires experience, communication planning ability, and strong oversight in public relations and media management.
Detailed job description and responsibilities
According to the official advert, the Assistant Director, Corporate Communications will be responsible for a broad range of communication and public affairs functions. These include:
- Developing comprehensive public affairs and communications strategies
- Managing the Authority’s relationship with the media
- Designing and approving corporate materials and branding
- Coordinating all the Authority’s public functions
- Reviewing the Authority’s corporate image
- Fostering stakeholder relations
- Ensuring appropriate feedback mechanisms are in place
- Coordinating the Authority’s advertising and publicity
- Ensuring maintenance of all public affairs and communications records and photographs
- Providing professional assistance to the Authority in all areas of communications, public relations, and media relations
- Supervising research, development, and implementation of a communication strategy, standards, and practices organization-wide that elicit as well as promote the ethos of the organization
- Establishing a knowledge base management system to facilitate continuity at each level of corporate communications
- Taking the lead in emergency disaster management communication
- Creating and delivering press releases, media relations content, case studies, white papers, executive bios, corporate newsletter content, social media content, and speaking proposals
- Leading and managing a high-performing team to achieve organizational objectives.
These duties show that the position is not limited to media statements or routine communication tasks. It extends into strategic planning, institutional branding, event coordination, crisis communication, content development, record management, and team leadership. The successful officer will be expected to ensure that SHA communicates consistently and professionally across multiple channels while protecting and strengthening the Authority’s public reputation.
The mention of emergency disaster management communication is particularly significant because it places the role at the center of urgent and sensitive communication needs. In practice, this suggests that the office holder will be expected to help SHA communicate effectively during high-pressure situations that affect public confidence, service delivery, or institutional credibility. The requirement to establish a knowledge base management system also indicates a need for continuity, institutional memory, and improved coordination within the communications function.
Qualifications, skills and experience required
For appointment to this position, SHA requires the following:
- At least twelve years of cumulative work experience, three of which should have been at the level of a Principal Officer or in a comparable position in the public or private sector
- Bachelor’s degree in Public Communication, Public Relations, Mass Communication, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution
- Master’s degree in Public Communication, Public Relations, Mass Communication, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution
- Management course lasting not less than four weeks at a recognized institution
- Proficiency in computer applications
- Membership to a professional body where applicable and in good standing
- Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results
- Fulfillment of the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
These requirements place the role among senior management opportunities suitable for highly experienced communication professionals. The academic and experience threshold indicates that SHA is looking for a candidate with both technical grounding in communication-related disciplines and practical leadership experience in either the public or private sector. The inclusion of Chapter Six compliance reflects the governance and integrity requirements commonly applied in public sector recruitment in Kenya.
Who may find this role relevant
This vacancy may be of interest to communication professionals working in public relations, media relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, government communication, corporate affairs, or institutional branding. It may also attract candidates who have previously served in senior communication positions and who are able to oversee strategy, content, public image management, and high-level stakeholder relations in a public institution setting. The requirement for prior service at Principal Officer level or in a comparable role makes it especially relevant for experienced professionals looking to transition into a senior public sector appointment.
- Principal Funds Management Officer
Job details
- Position: Principal Funds Management Officer
- Job Reference: SHA/248/2025
- Application Open To: All
- Term of Service: Permanent and Pensionable
- Number of Positions: 1
- Position Level: SHA 5
- Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
- Application Deadline: April 21, 2026, 5.00 p.m.
Position overview
The Principal Funds Management Officer position is a finance-focused role designed to support prudent, transparent, accountable, and efficient management of the Authority’s funds. According to the official SHA advert, the Funds Management Officers are responsible for ensuring that the Authority’s financial resources are collected and managed in a prudent, accountable, and transparent manner to achieve effectiveness, economy, and efficiency. The position also supports the maintenance of a financial management system capable of producing accurate and reliable accounts free from errors and fraud, and which is useful for management decisions and statutory reporting.
This is therefore a critical finance and controls position within SHA’s operational framework. Because SHA manages major health financing streams, the role is central to fund planning, budgeting, internal controls, payment validation, reporting, and accountability. The officer will be expected to support sound fund administration while also contributing to risk management and policy development.
Detailed job description and responsibilities
The official advert outlines the following responsibilities for the Principal Funds Management Officer:
- Formulating and implementing the funds policies, regulations and procedures
- Formulating and implementing an effective system of internal control that adheres to the Authority’s policies and procedures
- Validating the payments of health providers and facilities
- Validating claims received from the claims management office
- Maintaining books of debtors, debt accounts and monitoring payments
- Coordinating the preparation of annual financial statements for PHCF, SHIF, and ECCF
- Developing strategies for resource mobilization in collaboration with other entities
- Coordinating the planning and budgeting processes for all funds
- Analyzing resource gaps and recommending priority areas for funding
- Developing periodic reports on fund operations and performance
- Coordinating the implementation of financial controls and risk management strategies
- Supervising the maintenance of books of accounts and financial records
- Contributing to policy development for fund management
- Mentoring, coaching and developing staff.
These responsibilities show that the role combines technical accounting and fund management work with leadership, planning, and policy support. The successful candidate will be expected to participate in designing systems and procedures, reviewing claims and payments, overseeing fund reporting, and ensuring the integrity of financial records and internal controls. The requirement to coordinate annual financial statements for PHCF, SHIF, and ECCF further demonstrates that the position supports the financial oversight of multiple funding streams under SHA’s mandate.
The role also goes beyond routine accounting because it involves analyzing funding gaps, identifying priorities, and contributing to resource mobilization strategies. This suggests that the successful candidate will need both a strong grasp of financial accountability and an ability to think strategically about sustainable financing, reporting quality, and effective fund utilization.
Qualifications, skills and experience required
For appointment to this position, SHA requires an officer to have:
- A cumulative period of nine years of relevant work experience, three years of which must have been at the grade of Senior Fund Management Officer or in a comparable position
- Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting or Finance option), Business Administration (Accounting option), or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution
- Certified Public Accountant of Kenya, CPA(K), by KASNEB or another relevant qualification from a recognized institution
- Membership to a relevant professional body where applicable and in good standing
- Certificate in Management Course lasting not less than four weeks from a recognized institution
- Proficiency in computer applications
- Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results
- Meeting the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.
This is a senior finance role intended for experienced professionals with a background in accounting, finance, or business administration, as well as professional certification and demonstrated progression in fund management work. The requirement for CPA(K) and prior service at Senior Fund Management Officer level or equivalent makes it clear that SHA is looking for a technically competent and experienced officer capable of handling high-level fund oversight responsibilities.
Who may find this role relevant
This opportunity may appeal to accountants, finance officers, fund managers, internal control professionals, and public finance practitioners with relevant experience in fund administration, claims validation, financial reporting, planning and budgeting, or risk management. It may also interest candidates already serving in senior fund management or equivalent finance roles who are looking to join a public institution involved in large-scale healthcare financing.
General application instructions
The Social Health Authority states that applications may be submitted either through the online recruitment portal or physically delivered to the SHA building, 10th floor, with the envelope clearly marked with the position applied for. Physical applications should be addressed to:
The Chairperson
Social Health Authority
P.O. Box 30443-00100
Ragati Road
Nairobi.
Interested candidates are required to submit the following documents:
- A cover letter demonstrating suitability for the position
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- Copies of academic and professional certificates
- Contacts of at least three professional referees.
In addition, applicants must satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya by submitting valid and current copies of the following documents:
- Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations
- Tax Compliance Certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority
- Clearance Certificate from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
- Clearance Certificate from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
- Report from a Credit Reference Bureau (CRB).
SHA further states that it is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and gender equality. The Authority also notes that canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification and that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Important deadline
Both vacancies close on April 21, 2026, at 5.00 p.m. Candidates planning to apply should ensure that their applications are submitted before the deadline through the official portal or by physical delivery as instructed in the advert.
Summary of the two SHA vacancies
To recap, the Social Health Authority is recruiting for the following positions:
- Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
- Reference: SHA/247/2025
- Term: Permanent and Pensionable
- Positions: 1
- Deadline: April 21, 2026, 5.00 p.m.
- Principal Funds Management Officer
- Reference: SHA/248/2025
- Term: Permanent and Pensionable
- Positions: 1
- Deadline: April 21, 2026, 5.00 p.m.
These SHA jobs in Kenya 2026 may be especially relevant to professionals in senior communication and finance functions who are seeking stable public sector careers. As published on the official recruitment portal, the vacancies are part of SHA’s broader effort to build institutional capacity for delivering on its national healthcare financing mandate.
