The Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) has announced senior-level employment opportunities for qualified professionals seeking to contribute to the management, development, regulation and sustainable utilization of Kenya’s fisheries resources.
The latest Kenya Fisheries Service recruitment exercise covers 11 vacancies at Director and Deputy Director level. Three positions are available for Director of Fisheries, while eight positions are available for Deputy Director of Fisheries.
The Director of Fisheries vacancies cover three technical areas: Capture Fisheries; Fish Quality, Safety and Trade; and Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement. The Deputy Director vacancies will support the Service across Capture Fisheries, Aquaculture, Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement, and Fish Quality, Safety and Trade.
These positions involve strategic leadership, implementation of fisheries policies and programmes, monitoring and surveillance, fisheries conservation, quality assurance, enforcement, stakeholder coordination, research, trade development and other responsibilities supporting the mandate of the Kenya Fisheries Service.
The application deadline for the advertised positions is 17 November 2026 at 11:59 PM.
About the Kenya Fisheries Service Jobs
The Director of Fisheries serves as the head and officer in charge of a Directorate and reports to the Director General. The position carries responsibility for the day-to-day management and coordination of the respective technical Directorate.
The Director also provides strategic leadership in developing, implementing and reviewing strategic and annual plans designed to support the Director General in delivering the mandate of the Kenya Fisheries Service under the Fisheries Management and Development Act Cap. 378 and other relevant legislation.
The Deputy Director of Fisheries, meanwhile, is responsible to the Director General or the respective Director of Fisheries and may serve within Capture Fisheries, Aquaculture, Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement, or Fish Quality, Safety and Trade.
Below are the positions, employment terms, qualifications and detailed responsibilities as provided in the vacancy announcement.
1. Director of Fisheries – Capture Fisheries
Vacancy Number: KeFS/HR/01/26
Job Grade: KF2
Number of Posts: Part of the three Director of Fisheries positions advertised
Terms of Service: Five-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance
Work Station: Kenya Fisheries Service Headquarters, Nairobi
Basic Salary: Ksh. 233,261 – 304,768 per month
House Allowance: Ksh. 60,000 per month or as per prevailing government rates
Commuter Allowance: Ksh. 20,000 per month or official transport provided
Annual Leave: 30 days per leave year
Medical Benefits: As provided under the Kenya Fisheries Service medical scheme
Job Purpose
The Director of Fisheries is the head and officer in charge of the respective Directorate. The officer is responsible to the Director General for the discharge of the functions assigned to the technical Directorate.
The position involves overseeing the day-to-day management and coordination of Directorate affairs while providing strategic leadership in the development, implementation and review of strategic and annual plans.
Within Capture Fisheries, the Director will have responsibility for policies, standards and programmes dealing with the conservation, management, development and sustainable utilization of capture fisheries resources.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Director of Fisheries – Capture Fisheries will be responsible for:
- Developing, implementing and reviewing policies, standards and guidelines relating to capture fisheries.
- Creating public awareness and building support for fisheries conservation, management, development and sustainable utilization.
- Collecting and analysing data relating to capture fisheries resources.
- Disseminating relevant information concerning capture fisheries resources.
- Collaborating with county, national, regional and international stakeholders in the conservation and management of fisheries resources.
- Advising on appropriate infrastructure required to support capture fisheries resources.
- Promoting the development of traditional fisheries.
- Promoting the development of industrial fisheries and related industries.
- Collaborating with relevant institutions to promote fisheries co-management.
- Identifying research priorities within the fisheries sector.
- Undertaking any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time.
Minimum Qualifications and Work Experience
Applicants are required to have:
- A cumulative period of 15 years of relevant work experience, five years of which should have been at the level of Assistant Director and above or in a comparable position.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Aquatic Sciences, Zoology, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Physical Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- A Master’s degree in Fisheries, Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Aquatic Sciences, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Physical Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- Strategic Leadership Development Programme training from a recognized institution.
- Knowledge of national and international fisheries agreements, conventions, protocols and laws of the sea.
- Broad knowledge of fisheries development and management policies, the Fisheries Management and Development Act (Cap. 378) and other related Acts.
- A certificate in computer applications from a recognized institution.
- Demonstrated competence in planning and implementing fisheries development, management and research projects and programmes.
- Demonstrated professional competence and managerial capability as reflected in work performance and results.
2. Director of Fisheries – Fish Quality, Safety and Trade
Vacancy Number: KeFS/HR/01/26
Job Grade: KF2
Number of Posts: Part of the three Director of Fisheries positions advertised
Terms of Service: Five-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance
Work Station: Kenya Fisheries Service Headquarters, Nairobi
Basic Salary: Ksh. 233,261 – 304,768 per month
House Allowance: Ksh. 60,000 per month or as per prevailing government rates
Commuter Allowance: Ksh. 20,000 per month or official transport provided
Annual Leave: 30 days per leave year
Medical Benefits: As provided under the Kenya Fisheries Service medical scheme
Job Purpose
The Director of Fisheries – Fish Quality, Safety and Trade will head the relevant technical Directorate and provide strategic and operational leadership in matters involving fish quality assurance, safety, trade, monitoring of contaminants, certification, imports and exports, and regulation of fishery enterprises.
The Director reports to the Director General and contributes to the development, implementation and review of strategic and annual plans supporting the wider mandate of the Kenya Fisheries Service.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Director of Fisheries – Fish Quality, Safety and Trade will be responsible for:
- Developing, implementing and reviewing policies, standards and guidelines relating to fish safety, quality and trade.
- Developing and implementing national monitoring plans for contaminants.
- Developing and harmonizing sampling protocols used to monitor contaminants in fishery enterprises and the fish environment.
- Coordinating fish quality assurance operations.
- Coordinating research on fisheries and aquaculture in consultation with research institutions and other accredited agencies.
- Promoting and enforcing sanitary and phytosanitary requirements applicable to fisheries and aquaculture.
- Creating public awareness on fish quality and safety.
- Creating awareness regarding biosecurity and environmental issues affecting fisheries and aquaculture.
- Promoting awareness concerning fish trade.
- Undertaking fisheries and aquaculture product risk analysis.
- Regulating fish handling, landing, transportation, processing and trade.
- Collaborating with government agencies, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders on fish quality and safety matters.
- Collaborating with stakeholders at national, regional and international levels on fish quality and safety.
- Approving operational fishery enterprises.
- Maintaining a register of approved fishery enterprises.
- Overseeing health certification of fish and fishery products intended for export.
- Managing fish and fishery product imports.
- Collecting, analysing and disseminating information relating to fish safety and trade.
- Promoting fisheries and aquaculture post-harvest technologies.
- Handling notifications and enquiries relating to trade in fish and fishery products.
- Collaborating on transshipment inspections.
- Undertaking any other related duties assigned from time to time.
Minimum Qualifications and Work Experience
Applicants are required to have:
- A cumulative period of 15 years of relevant work experience, five years of which should have been at the level of Assistant Director and above or in a comparable position.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Aquatic Sciences, Zoology, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Physical Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- A Master’s degree in Fisheries, Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Aquatic Sciences, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Physical Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- Strategic Leadership Development Programme training from a recognized institution.
- Knowledge of national and international fisheries agreements, conventions, protocols and laws of the sea.
- Broad knowledge of fisheries development and management policies, the Fisheries Management and Development Act (Cap. 378) and other related Acts.
- A certificate in computer applications from a recognized institution.
- Demonstrated competence in planning and implementing fisheries development, management and research projects and programmes.
- Demonstrated professional competence and managerial capability as reflected in work performance and results.
3. Director of Fisheries – Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement
Vacancy Number: KeFS/HR/01/26
Job Grade: KF2
Number of Posts: Part of the three Director of Fisheries positions advertised
Terms of Service: Five-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance
Work Station: Kenya Fisheries Service Headquarters, Nairobi
Basic Salary: Ksh. 233,261 – 304,768 per month
House Allowance: Ksh. 60,000 per month or as per prevailing government rates
Commuter Allowance: Ksh. 20,000 per month or official transport provided
Annual Leave: 30 days per leave year
Medical Benefits: As provided under the Kenya Fisheries Service medical scheme
Job Purpose
The Director of Fisheries – Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement will lead activities concerned with fisheries compliance, law enforcement, monitoring, control, surveillance and protection of fisheries resources.
The officer will also oversee electronic fisheries compliance systems, fisheries intelligence mechanisms, vessel inspections, patrols and collaboration with national, regional and international stakeholders involved in fisheries compliance and enforcement.
The position reports to the Director General and forms part of the senior leadership responsible for delivering the mandate of the Kenya Fisheries Service.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Director of Fisheries – Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement will be responsible for:
- Implementing policies, strategies and guidelines relating to fisheries compliance and enforcement.
- Implementing Monitoring, Control and Surveillance activities.
- Managing patrols undertaken to protect fisheries resources.
- Conducting fishing vessel boarding and inspection.
- Managing the fisheries electronic information system.
- Managing e-based fisheries compliance systems.
- Developing and implementing marine fisheries compliance and enforcement strategies and plans.
- Establishing networks and mechanisms for fisheries intelligence gathering and information sharing.
- Promoting and enforcing compliance with the Fisheries Management and Development Act and other applicable regional and international instruments and best practices.
- Creating awareness through education and sensitization on legal restrictions and prohibitions.
- Developing and implementing standard operating procedures for fisheries compliance and law enforcement protocols.
- Liaising with relevant stakeholders on fisheries compliance and enforcement matters.
- Developing, implementing and reviewing Monitoring, Control and Surveillance inter-agency collaboration protocols and regulations.
- Managing and maintaining Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS).
- Managing and maintaining Electronic Monitoring Systems (EMS).
- Managing and maintaining Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and other electronic monitoring systems.
- Collaborating in regional and international fisheries enforcement and compliance reporting mechanisms.
- Protecting areas declared as national sanctuaries for the protection of brood and spawn of nominated species.
- Undertaking any other related duties assigned from time to time.
Minimum Qualifications and Work Experience
Applicants are required to have:
- A cumulative period of 15 years of relevant work experience, five years of which should have been at the level of Assistant Director and above or in a comparable position.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Aquatic Sciences, Zoology, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Physical Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- A Master’s degree in Fisheries, Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Aquatic Sciences, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Physical Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- Strategic Leadership Development Programme training from a recognized institution.
- Knowledge of national and international fisheries agreements, conventions, protocols and laws of the sea.
- Broad knowledge of fisheries development and management policies, the Fisheries Management and Development Act (Cap. 378) and other related Acts.
- A certificate in computer applications from a recognized institution.
- Demonstrated competence in planning and implementing fisheries development, management and research projects and programmes.
- Demonstrated professional competence and managerial capability as reflected in work performance and results.
4. Deputy Director of Fisheries – Eight Posts
Vacancy Number: KeFS/HR/02/26
Job Grade: KF3
Number of Posts: Eight
Terms of Service: Permanent and Pensionable
Work Station: Any Kenya Fisheries Service Regional Office
Basic Salary: Ksh. 167,812 – 251,655 per month
House Allowance: Ksh. 50,000 per month or as per prevailing government rates
Commuter Allowance: Ksh. 16,000 per month or as per prevailing government rates
Annual Leave: 30 days per leave year
Medical Benefits: As provided under the Kenya Fisheries Service medical scheme
Areas of Deployment
The eight Deputy Director of Fisheries positions fall within the following directorates:
- Capture Fisheries
- Aquaculture
- Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement
- Fish Quality, Safety and Trade
The vacancy notice does not specify how the eight available positions are distributed among the four directorates.
Job Description
The Deputy Director of Fisheries is responsible to the Director General or the respective Director of Fisheries.
At this level, the officer supports the development and implementation of fisheries policies, programmes and strategies while contributing to monitoring, surveillance, transboundary fisheries management, international fisheries agreements, extension services, research, marketing and technical training.
The Deputy Director will also contribute to cooperation between the fisheries sector, county governments and other local and international stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Deputy Director of Fisheries will be responsible for:
- Initiating and implementing fisheries policies, programmes and strategies.
- Evaluating Monitoring, Control and Surveillance systems.
- Initiating the development of transboundary fisheries management plans.
- Monitoring the implementation of regional fisheries agreements.
- Monitoring the implementation of international fisheries agreements.
- Coordinating the strengthening of fisheries extension services.
- Promoting cooperation between the fisheries sector and county governments.
- Promoting cooperation between the fisheries sector and local stakeholders.
- Promoting cooperation with international stakeholders involved in fisheries matters.
- Undertaking cost-effective research aimed at advancing national and sectoral priorities.
- Promoting fish marketing.
- Promoting value addition within the fisheries sector.
- Harmonizing fisheries technical training in liaison with counties, related institutions and other stakeholders.
- Undertaking any other related duties assigned from time to time.
Minimum Qualifications and Work Experience
Applicants are required to have:
- A cumulative period of 15 years of relevant work experience, three years of which should have been at the level of Assistant Director of Fisheries or in a comparable position.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Aquatic Sciences, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Physical Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
- Applicants possessing a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Aquatic Sciences, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Physical Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution will have an added advantage.
- Strategic Leadership Development Programme training from a recognized institution.
- Demonstrated competence in planning and implementing fisheries development, management and research projects and programmes.
- Knowledge of fisheries development and management policies, the Fisheries Management and Development Act (Cap. 378), other related statutes and international conventions.
- A certificate in computer applications from a recognized institution.
- Demonstrated professional competence and managerial capability as reflected in work performance and results.
Summary of Kenya Fisheries Service Vacancies
The current recruitment exercise provides a total of 11 employment opportunities across two senior job grades.
The three Director of Fisheries positions are:
- Director of Fisheries – Capture Fisheries
- Director of Fisheries – Fish Quality, Safety and Trade
- Director of Fisheries – Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement
In addition, Kenya Fisheries Service is recruiting eight Deputy Directors of Fisheries for deployment within:
- Capture Fisheries
- Aquaculture
- Fisheries Compliance and Enforcement
- Fish Quality, Safety and Trade
The Director positions are offered on five-year contracts renewable subject to satisfactory performance, while the eight Deputy Director positions are permanent and pensionable.
Director positions are based at the Kenya Fisheries Service Headquarters in Nairobi, while successful Deputy Directors may be stationed at any KeFS Regional Office.
Salary and Benefits for Director of Fisheries
Successful candidates appointed as Director of Fisheries will receive a basic monthly salary ranging from Ksh. 233,261 to Ksh. 304,768.
The package also includes:
- House allowance of Ksh. 60,000 per month or payment according to prevailing government rates.
- Commuter allowance of Ksh. 20,000 per month or provision of official transport.
- 30 days of annual leave per leave year.
- Medical benefits under the Kenya Fisheries Service medical scheme.
The positions are offered under five-year contracts that may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance.
Salary and Benefits for Deputy Director of Fisheries
Successful candidates appointed as Deputy Director of Fisheries will receive a basic monthly salary ranging from Ksh. 167,812 to Ksh. 251,655.
Other benefits provided in the vacancy announcement include:
- House allowance of Ksh. 50,000 per month or according to prevailing government rates.
- Commuter allowance of Ksh. 16,000 per month or according to prevailing government rates.
- 30 days of annual leave per leave year.
- Medical benefits under the Kenya Fisheries Service medical scheme.
Unlike the Director positions, the eight Deputy Director of Fisheries appointments are permanent and pensionable.
Application Deadline
Interested applicants should take note of the closing date when preparing their applications.
Application Deadline: 17 November 2026 at 11:59 PM
Candidates should carefully review the official vacancy details and ensure that they meet the requirements of the position for which they intend to apply.
Applicants should also use the official Kenya Fisheries Service application form associated with the recruitment exercise and follow the application procedure provided by the Service.
