N

Chief Officer – Education & Vocational Training

Nyandarua County Government

Ol Kaloufull time~KES 250k – 400k/mo3h ago

Quick Take

The Role

Lead the Education and Vocational Training department for Nyandarua County, setting strategy, managing budgets, overseeing staff, and ensuring alignment with national education policy and county development goals.

You Need

Bachelor's degree in Education or related field, senior-level experience in education administration or public service leadership, and proven financial and strategic management competency.

You Get

Senior executive role with significant impact on thousands of learners, competitive salary range (KES 250,000–400,000/month), and opportunity to shape education and skills development policy in a dynamic county.

Job Description

Role Overview

Nyandarua County Public Service Board (CPSB) is seeking a dynamic, visionary, and results-oriented leader to fill the position of Chief Officer for Education and Vocational Training. This is a senior executive role within the County Government of Nyandarua, responsible for providing strategic oversight and administrative leadership in the delivery of education and vocational training services across the county. The successful candidate will serve as the technical head of the Education and Vocational Training department, ensuring alignment with national education policies, the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), and the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

The Chief Officer will work closely with the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Education to drive policy formulation, resource mobilization, and implementation of education programs that improve literacy, skills development, and economic empowerment for Nyandarua residents. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of learners in one of Kenya's most dynamic counties.

Key Responsibilities
  • Provide strategic leadership and administrative direction to the Education and Vocational Training department.
  • Oversee the development, implementation, and review of education and vocational training policies, programs, and strategies.
  • Coordinate the planning and budgeting processes for the department, ensuring prudent use of public resources.
  • Supervise and mentor departmental staff, fostering a culture of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Facilitate partnerships with national government agencies, NGOs, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to advance education goals.
  • Ensure compliance with national education standards, regulations, and constitutional requirements including Chapter Six obligations.
  • Monitor and evaluate the impact of education and vocational training programs and report outcomes to County leadership.
  • Champion inclusive education initiatives, including programs for persons with disabilities and marginalized communities.
  • Promote vocational and technical training as a pathway for youth employment and entrepreneurship within the county.
  • Represent the department in inter-governmental forums, stakeholder engagements, and public participation processes.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Must hold at least a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university in Education, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or a relevant field aligned with professional practice.
  • Must demonstrate senior-level experience in education administration, public service management, or a related field — with the ability to lead large, multi-functional teams.
  • Must be able to develop and implement departmental strategies that translate policy into measurable results on the ground.
  • Must demonstrate financial management competency — ability to prepare, monitor, and account for departmental budgets in line with Public Finance Management (PFM) Act requirements.
  • Must exhibit strong stakeholder engagement skills — able to convene and manage relationships with national ministries, development partners, community organizations, and county leadership.
  • Must demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct consistent with the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya (Leadership and Integrity).
  • Must be able to apply knowledge of Kenya's education policy frameworks including the Basic Education Act, TVET Act, and relevant county legislation.
  • Must be a Kenyan citizen and must NOT be a state or public officer at the time of application.
  • Strong communication, report writing, and presentation skills are essential for this role.
Salary & Benefits

The Chief Officer position is a senior county government role remunerated in accordance with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines for county governments. The estimated gross monthly salary ranges between KES 250,000 and KES 400,000, inclusive of applicable allowances. Additional benefits typical of a county Chief Officer role include a government medical cover scheme, a house allowance, and a transport facilitation allowance. Final remuneration will be confirmed upon appointment and is subject to SRC regulations.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for a seasoned education administrator, public sector leader, or policy practitioner with a genuine passion for improving education outcomes and youth empowerment in a devolved government setting. You should be a strategic thinker who is comfortable operating at the intersection of policy, politics, and community service. Candidates with prior county government experience, familiarity with TVET institutions, or demonstrated experience managing large public sector departments are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please do NOT apply if you are currently serving as a state officer or public officer, if you do not hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university, if you cannot satisfy the Chapter Six integrity requirements, or if you are not a Kenyan citizen.

How to Apply
  • Download and duly complete the Nyandarua County Public Service Board Application for Employment Form (NYA CPSB 1/2019) from the Nyandarua County Government website or collect a physical copy from the CPSB offices.
  • Prepare a detailed and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining your academic background, professional experience, and achievements.
  • Compile certified copies of your National ID, academic certificates, and professional certificates.
  • Include testimonials and any other relevant supporting documents.
  • If you are a person living with a disability, attach proof of registration with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) where applicable.
  • Submit the complete application package to the Nyandarua County Public Service Board through the officially designated channel (physical or online as instructed by CPSB).
  • Shortlisted candidates will be required to present clearance certificates from the relevant bodies (KRA, EACC, DCI, HELB, Credit Reference Bureau) to meet Chapter Six requirements.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Bachelor's degree from a recognized university in Education, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or aligned field
  • Senior-level experience in education administration, public service management, or related field with ability to lead large multi-functional teams
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and implement departmental strategies that translate policy into measurable results
  • Financial management competency: ability to prepare, monitor, and account for departmental budgets under Public Finance Management Act
  • Understanding of national education standards, regulations, and Chapter Six constitutional obligations

Nice to Have

  • Experience with vocational and technical training program development or management
  • Track record of partnering with NGOs, development partners, and private sector stakeholders in education
  • Experience championing inclusive education initiatives for persons with disabilities and marginalized communities
  • Demonstrated success in inter-governmental coordination and public participation processes

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Competitive salary for a senior Chief Officer role in county government; mid-to-upper range reflects seniority and strategic responsibility.

The posted range of KES 250,000–400,000/month is in line with Chief Officer positions in devolved government across Kenya. Variation within the range typically depends on years of experience, educational qualifications, and prior performance records. County government Chief Officer salaries are set by Civil Service Boards and are generally non-negotiable once a band is assigned.

About Nyandarua County Government

N

Nyandarua County Government is a devolved administration unit responsible for education, health, infrastructure, and economic development across Nyandarua County in central Kenya. The county serves a population of over 600,000 and is known for its agricultural productivity and growing focus on youth skills development. This role offers the chance to lead transformative education policy at the county level and directly influence educational outcomes for thousands of learners in a region with significant growth potential.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Describe your experience leading large education or public sector departments. What were your key achievements and how did you measure success?

  • 2

    How would you approach aligning Nyandarua's vocational training programs with national skills development priorities and county economic needs?

  • 3

    Tell us about a time you had to implement a significant policy change within a public service context. What challenges did you face and how did you manage stakeholder buy-in?

  • 4

    How do you balance the need for inclusive education (persons with disabilities, marginalized communities) with limited county resources? Give a concrete example.

  • 5

    Walk us through your experience with budget planning and financial accountability in a public sector environment. How do you ensure prudent resource use while maintaining program quality?

Application Tips

  • Emphasize concrete evidence of senior leadership in education or public administration—quantify the size of teams led, budgets managed, and learner/beneficiary populations impacted.

  • Highlight specific experience with policy development and implementation; use examples showing how your strategies translated into measurable improvements (e.g., enrollment rates, exam performance, vocational graduate employment).

  • Showcase experience with stakeholder engagement and partnerships (national government agencies, NGOs, private sector) and demonstrate understanding of inclusive education principles and Chapter Six constitutional obligations.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Director or Head of Department – Education at county or national government level
Senior Education Officer or Deputy Chief Officer in a devolved government
Principal or Head of Institution (secondary school or TVET college) with district/regional oversight experience
Education Programme Manager or Coordinator for NGO or development partner with multi-county reach

Where this leads

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, Health, or Finance
Principal Secretary or Director at national Ministry of Education or State Department for Vocational Training
Deputy Governor or senior advisor roles within county or national government
Executive Director of education-focused NGO or development organization

Skills & Keywords

chief officer education kenyacounty government jobs nyandaruaeducation administration jobs kenyavocational training jobs kenyasenior government jobs kenyanyandarua county jobspublic service board kenyacounty executive jobs kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Clear, strategic role with well-defined responsibilities aligned to national policy (Constitution 2010, CIDP) and sector priorities, indicating a mature institutional framework.
  • Explicit commitment to inclusive education and marginalized communities demonstrates values-driven leadership approach.
  • Competitive salary range (KES 250,000–400,000/month) reflects appropriate seniority; mid-career to experienced professionals will find this attractive.
  • Role offers significant impact and visibility: leading education transformation in a dynamic county with 600,000+ residents is meaningful career leverage.

Watch Out

  • Job description is incomplete—the 'Required Skills & Experience' section is cut off mid-sentence regarding Public Finance Management, leaving some requirements ambiguous.
  • No mention of contract duration, performance review criteria, or conditions of service (e.g., probation period, benefits, allowances) typical for county Chief Officer positions.
  • Limited clarity on the relationship and reporting lines to the CECM and County Executive; the extent of autonomy in decision-making is not explicitly defined.

A Day in the Life

☀️

Your typical week involves chairing departmental management meetings to review policy implementation progress and budget execution, meeting with the CECM and county finance team to justify education allocations and plan quarterly expenditures, and conducting field visits to TVET colleges and schools to monitor program quality and gather data on learner outcomes. You'll also spend time coordinating with national education directorates on curriculum alignment, facilitation of stakeholder forums to include NGO and private sector partners, and drafting strategic reports and policy briefs for County leadership and public participation forums. Administrative tasks include staff performance reviews, responding to constitutional accountability obligations, and addressing community concerns on education access and quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Chief Officer – Education & Vocational Training at Nyandarua County Government?

You must hold at least a Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or a related field, and have senior-level experience in education administration or public service management with demonstrated ability to lead large teams, develop strategy, and manage budgets.

Is the Chief Officer – Education & Vocational Training role at Nyandarua County Government remote?

No, this is a full-time, on-site role based in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County. The position requires regular fieldwork, stakeholder meetings, and in-person leadership of the department.

How much does a Chief Officer – Education & Vocational Training earn at Nyandarua County Government?

The posted salary range is KES 250,000–400,000 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. This is set by the Nyandarua County Public Service Board and is non-negotiable within the approved band.

What are the career growth opportunities for this role?

From this position, you can advance to County Executive Committee Member (CECM) roles, national government positions such as Principal Secretary in education, or senior leadership in education-focused organizations. Strong performance in this role builds credibility for governor-level or inter-county coordination opportunities.

Who would I report to as Chief Officer – Education & Vocational Training?

You would report directly to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Education and work closely with them to formulate and implement education policy, while also being accountable to the County Public Service Board for administrative compliance.

Free Match Score

See how well you match this job

Upload your CV and get an instant AI score showing exactly how well your experience matches this Chief Officer – Education & Vocational Training role. Free, takes 30 seconds.

Get My Match Score — Free

No credit card needed

Boost your chances

AI-tailored for: Chief Officer – Education & Vocational Training at Nyandarua County Government