The National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL), a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency under Kenya’s Ministry of Health, has announced 25 job vacancies across 21 positions. The recruitment targets qualified professionals in laboratory analysis, pharmaceutical sciences, quality assurance, finance, administration, information technology, human resource management and other technical and support functions.
The National Quality Control Laboratory was established under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, Cap 244 of the Laws of Kenya. Its mandate is to test, examine and ensure the quality control of drugs and medicinal substances.
The Laboratory is implementing Phase I of the Health Emergency Preparedness Response and Resilience Project, supported by the World Bank. The project aims to strengthen the Laboratory’s product testing capabilities, quality control systems and quality assurance processes towards attaining and maintaining World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status.
Successful candidates will be engaged on a two-year contract, with other terms and conditions governed by the NQCL-approved Human Resource Instruments.
The application deadline is 16th November 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Available Positions and Job Descriptions
The following are brief descriptions of the 21 advertised positions. They summarise the general functions associated with each job title rather than reproducing the official detailed job descriptions.
1. Deputy Director, Quality Assurance – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 3
- Reference Number: NO.28/2026
The Deputy Director, Quality Assurance, provides leadership in coordinating quality assurance activities and maintaining laboratory quality management systems.
Key duties include:
- Overseeing quality assurance programmes and procedures.
- Coordinating the implementation of laboratory quality standards.
- Monitoring compliance with quality management requirements.
- Supporting laboratory accreditation and quality improvement initiatives.
- Coordinating internal quality audits and corrective actions.
2. Assistant Director, Internal Auditor – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 4
- Reference Number: NO.29/2026
The Assistant Director, Internal Auditor, supports institutional accountability through internal auditing and risk management activities.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating internal audit assignments.
- Reviewing financial and operational controls.
- Assessing compliance with institutional policies.
- Preparing audit findings and recommendations.
- Monitoring the implementation of audit recommendations.
3. Assistant Director, Supply Chain Management – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 4
- Reference Number: NO.30/2026
The position oversees procurement coordination, inventory management and supply chain operations.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating procurement planning.
- Supervising supply chain activities.
- Monitoring inventory and stores management.
- Supporting procurement compliance.
- Overseeing procurement documentation and reporting.
4. Assistant Director, Administration – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 4
- Reference Number: NO.31/2026
The Assistant Director, Administration, supports the coordination of institutional administrative services and operational activities.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating office administration.
- Supervising administrative support services.
- Supporting institutional facilities management.
- Coordinating administrative policies and procedures.
- Monitoring administrative service delivery.
5. Assistant Director, Planning Strategy – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 4
- Reference Number: NO.32/2026
The position supports strategic planning, institutional performance monitoring and programme implementation.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating strategic planning activities.
- Supporting institutional performance reporting.
- Monitoring implementation of strategic plans.
- Preparing planning and evaluation reports.
- Supporting programme coordination and performance improvement.
6. Principal Laboratory Analyst (Medical Devices) – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 5
- Reference Number: NO.33/2026
The Principal Laboratory Analyst supports laboratory testing and quality evaluation of medical devices.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating medical device testing activities.
- Reviewing laboratory analytical results.
- Supporting testing method development.
- Maintaining laboratory testing records.
- Monitoring compliance with laboratory testing procedures.
7. Principal Pharmaceutical Analyst (Biologics & Biopharmaceutical) – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 5
- Reference Number: NO.34/2026
The position supports pharmaceutical analysis and quality evaluation of biological and biopharmaceutical products.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating laboratory analysis of biological products.
- Reviewing pharmaceutical testing results.
- Supporting analytical method validation.
- Monitoring laboratory quality control procedures.
- Preparing technical analytical reports.
8. Principal Pharmaceutical Analyst (Sample Management) – 2 Posts
- NQCL Grade: 5
- Reference Number: NO.35/2026
The position supports the coordination and management of samples submitted for laboratory examination.
Key duties include:
- Overseeing sample receipt and registration.
- Coordinating sample storage and handling.
- Maintaining sample tracking records.
- Supporting sample distribution to testing sections.
- Monitoring sample management procedures.
9. Principal Laboratory Analyst (Research, Innovation & Knowledge Management) – 2 Posts
- NQCL Grade: 5
- Reference Number: NO.36/2026
The position supports laboratory research, innovation and institutional knowledge management.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating research activities.
- Supporting laboratory innovation programmes.
- Preparing research reports.
- Facilitating technical knowledge sharing.
- Supporting the documentation of research findings.
10. Principal Finance Officer – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 5
- Reference Number: NO.37/2026
The Principal Finance Officer supports financial planning, budgeting and financial resource management.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating financial planning.
- Supporting budget preparation.
- Monitoring expenditure.
- Preparing financial management reports.
- Supporting compliance with financial procedures.
11. Principal Human Resource Management and Development Officer – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 5
- Reference Number: NO.38/2026
The position supports human resource administration, workforce planning and employee development.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating human resource management activities.
- Supporting recruitment and staffing processes.
- Managing employee records.
- Coordinating staff training and development.
- Supporting performance management processes.
12. Principal ICT Officer – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 5
- Reference Number: NO.39/2026
The Principal ICT Officer supports information technology operations, systems administration and digital service delivery.
Key duties include:
- Coordinating ICT operations.
- Supporting information systems maintenance.
- Monitoring network and system performance.
- Supporting ICT security procedures.
- Coordinating technical support services.
13. Senior Laboratory Analyst (Physiochemical Analysis) – 2 Posts
- NQCL Grade: 6
- Reference Number: NO.40/2026
The position supports physicochemical laboratory testing and analytical evaluation of pharmaceutical products.
Key duties include:
- Conducting physicochemical laboratory tests.
- Preparing laboratory analytical reports.
- Maintaining testing equipment.
- Supporting analytical method verification.
- Documenting laboratory results.
14. Senior Laboratory Analyst (Medical Devices) – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 6
- Reference Number: NO.41/2026
The Senior Laboratory Analyst supports testing and quality assessment of medical devices.
Key duties include:
- Conducting laboratory testing of medical devices.
- Recording analytical findings.
- Maintaining laboratory equipment.
- Supporting testing procedures.
- Preparing technical reports.
15. Senior Laboratory Analyst (Quality Control & Instrumentation Checks) – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 6
- Reference Number: NO.42/2026
The position supports laboratory quality control activities and checks on analytical instruments.
Key duties include:
- Conducting laboratory quality control checks.
- Monitoring analytical equipment performance.
- Supporting equipment calibration.
- Maintaining instrumentation records.
- Reporting equipment performance issues.
16. Senior Pharmaceutical Analyst (Sample Management) – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 6
- Reference Number: NO.43/2026
The position supports sample handling, documentation and coordination of laboratory sample management activities.
Key duties include:
- Receiving and registering laboratory samples.
- Maintaining sample records.
- Supporting sample storage procedures.
- Coordinating sample movement.
- Monitoring sample handling requirements.
17. Senior Health & Safety Officer (Laboratory Health & Safety Division) – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 6
- Reference Number: NO.44/2026
The Senior Health & Safety Officer supports occupational health and safety within laboratory facilities.
Key duties include:
- Monitoring laboratory safety procedures.
- Conducting workplace safety inspections.
- Supporting risk assessments.
- Coordinating safety awareness activities.
- Maintaining health and safety records.
18. Senior Legal Officer – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 6
- Reference Number: NO.45/2026
The Senior Legal Officer supports the Laboratory’s legal affairs and institutional compliance activities.
Key duties include:
- Providing legal advisory support.
- Reviewing institutional legal documents.
- Supporting legal compliance.
- Conducting legal research.
- Preparing legal reports and documentation.
19. Accountant I – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 7
- Reference Number: NO.46/2026
The Accountant I supports routine accounting, financial reporting and financial record management.
Key duties include:
- Processing financial transactions.
- Preparing accounting reports.
- Maintaining financial records.
- Supporting bank reconciliations.
- Assisting with expenditure monitoring.
20. Supply Chain Management Officer II – 1 Post
- NQCL Grade: 8
- Reference Number: NO.47/2026
The position supports procurement and supply chain management operations.
Key duties include:
- Preparing procurement documentation.
- Supporting purchasing processes.
- Maintaining supply records.
- Monitoring inventory.
- Supporting procurement reporting.
21. Senior Driver – 2 Posts
- NQCL Grade: 8
- Reference Number: NO.48/2026
The Senior Driver supports institutional transportation and vehicle management activities.
Key duties include:
- Driving assigned institutional vehicles.
- Conducting routine vehicle inspections.
- Maintaining vehicle movement records.
- Reporting maintenance requirements.
- Supporting safe transportation of personnel and materials.
Terms of Engagement
Successful applicants will be employed on a contract lasting two years.
Other terms and conditions of service will be governed by the approved National Quality Control Laboratory Human Resource Instruments.
How to Apply
Interested applicants who meet the requirements should submit applications accompanied by the following documents:
- Duly completed NQCL employment application form.
- Copy of National Identity Card.
- Relevant academic and professional certificates.
- Duly signed application letter.
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae indicating three referees.
The employment application form and detailed job descriptions are available on the official NQCL website:
Submission of Applications
Applicants must submit both hard-copy and soft-copy applications.
Hard-copy applications must be sealed, clearly marked “Confidential” and indicate the reference number corresponding to the position applied for.
Hard-copy applications should be addressed and delivered to:
Ag. Chief Executive Officer
National Quality Control Laboratory
University of Nairobi
School of Pharmacy Building, 2nd Floor – KNH
P.O. Box 29726 – 00202
Nairobi, Kenya
Soft-copy applications must be submitted in PDF format through the following email addresses:
- Primary Email: [email protected]
- Copy To: [email protected]
Applicants should ensure that both the physical and electronic submissions are completed before the deadline.
Application Deadline
All applications must reach the National Quality Control Laboratory no later than 16th November 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Applicants are advised to review the official job descriptions and submit complete applications within the specified period.
