Chief Officer – Water & Sanitation
Nyandarua County Government
Quick Take
Lead the Water and Sanitation department at Nyandarua County Government, setting policy, overseeing infrastructure projects, managing budgets, and ensuring residents have access to clean water and sanitation services.
Strategic policy development and implementation experience in water/sanitation, proven leadership and team management in public sector, and strong financial management and stakeholder engagement skills.
Significant public sector impact at county level, competitive senior salary (KES 250–400k/mo), and opportunity to shape critical devolution-era infrastructure and public health outcomes.
Job Description
The Nyandarua County Public Service Board (CPSB) is seeking a highly qualified and experienced leader to fill the position of Chief Officer for Water and Sanitation. This is a senior executive role within the County Government of Nyandarua, responsible for providing strategic direction, policy leadership, and administrative oversight for all water and sanitation services across the county.
The successful candidate will work closely with the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) responsible for the docket and will play a pivotal role in ensuring that residents of Nyandarua County have access to clean, safe, and sustainable water and sanitation facilities. This is a rare opportunity to drive meaningful public sector impact at the county level in line with Kenya's devolution agenda.
- Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Water and Sanitation department in Nyandarua County.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of county water and sanitation policies, plans, and programmes.
- Coordinate and supervise all technical and administrative staff within the department.
- Manage the departmental budget, ensuring prudent utilization of public resources in compliance with the Public Finance Management Act.
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement with national government agencies, development partners, NGOs, and community groups on water and sanitation initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with national and county legislation, environmental standards, and Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.
- Oversee water resource management, infrastructure development, and expansion of sanitation coverage across the county.
- Prepare and present departmental reports, work plans, and annual budgets to the County Executive and County Assembly as required.
- Champion water conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable development practices within the department.
- Drive performance management and accountability within the department to achieve set targets and service delivery outcomes.
- Must demonstrate the ability to develop and implement strategic water and sanitation policies at county or national level.
- Must be able to lead, mentor, and manage multidisciplinary teams in a public sector environment.
- Must demonstrate financial management competence, including budget preparation, monitoring, and accountability in line with public finance regulations.
- Must possess strong stakeholder engagement and partnership management skills, including working with government agencies, donors, and communities.
- Must be able to interpret and apply relevant legislation including the Water Act, Public Health Act, and county-specific statutes.
- Must demonstrate a track record of managing infrastructure or service delivery projects in water, sanitation, or a closely related field.
- Must exhibit excellent communication, reporting, and presentation skills suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Must uphold high standards of integrity and ethical conduct consistent with the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.
The Chief Officer position is a senior county government role and is remunerated in accordance with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines for county chief officers. Estimated monthly gross salary ranges between KES 250,000 and KES 400,000, inclusive of applicable government allowances. The position also carries statutory benefits as prescribed under the county public service framework.
This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with a strong academic background in water engineering, environmental science, public administration, or a related discipline, coupled with demonstrable senior-level experience in public service or the water and sanitation sector. You should be a Kenyan citizen of unquestionable integrity who is ready to commit fully to public service in Nyandarua County.
Do NOT apply if you are currently serving as a state officer or public officer, if you do not meet the Chapter Six constitutional requirements, or if you do not hold at least an undergraduate degree from a recognized university in a relevant field.
- Obtain and duly complete the Nyandarua County Public Service Board Application for Employment Form (NYA CPSB 1/2019).
- Prepare a detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Attach a copy of your National Identification Card (ID).
- Include certified copies of all academic 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 official channel indicated in the Board's advertisement. Shortlisted candidates will be required to present clearance documents meeting Chapter Six of the Constitution requirements during the interview stage.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing water and sanitation policies at county or national level
- Proven track record managing infrastructure or service delivery projects in water, sanitation, or related field
- Strong financial management competence including budget preparation, monitoring, and public finance compliance
- Leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams in public sector environment
- Working knowledge of the Water Act, Public Health Act, and county legislation
Nice to Have
- Experience with climate adaptation and water conservation programmes
- Familiarity with donor-funded or development partner engagement in water/sanitation sector
- Track record of stakeholder coordination across government, NGOs, and community groups
- Previous exposure to devolved governance or county-level public administration
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Salary Context
Competitive senior salary for a Chief Officer role in a Kenyan county government
The KES 250–400k monthly range positions this as a senior public sector role; actual pay will depend on the candidate's qualifications, experience level, and the county's budget classification. Chief Officer salaries in devolved governments typically vary by county capacity and the seniority tier of the appointee.
About Nyandarua County Government
Nyandarua County Government is a devolved administration in Kenya's central highlands serving the residents of Nyandarua County. As one of Kenya's 47 county governments, it is responsible for delivering essential services including water, sanitation, health, and local infrastructure in line with the 2010 Constitution's devolution mandate. This role offers a chance to drive meaningful development and public health impact in a county with significant water resource potential and growing infrastructure needs.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Can you walk us through a water or sanitation policy you helped develop and implement? What were the key challenges and how did you address them?
- 2
Describe your experience managing a departmental budget in a public sector setting. How did you ensure compliance with financial regulations while delivering results?
- 3
Tell us about a time you led a multidisciplinary team through a major infrastructure project. How did you manage competing priorities and stakeholder interests?
- 4
How have you approached stakeholder engagement with government agencies, NGOs, and communities? Give us a specific example.
- 5
What is your understanding of the devolution agenda in Kenya, and how would you leverage it to advance water and sanitation services in Nyandarua County?
Application Tips
Quantify your impact: highlight specific water/sanitation projects you've led, the populations served, and measurable outcomes (e.g., 'expanded access to safe water for 50,000 residents' or 'improved sanitation coverage from X% to Y%).
Emphasize public sector experience and financial management: detail your experience with budget cycles, compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, and working within government systems; this is critical for a county government role.
Showcase stakeholder management: provide concrete examples of coordinating across national and local government, development partners, and communities — this is central to the role and resonates with county leadership.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear senior mandate with genuine strategic influence: this is not a compliance role but a leadership position shaping county-level policy and service delivery.
- Competitive salary range (KES 250–400k/mo) reflects the seniority and responsibility expected, attracting experienced candidates.
- Explicit commitment to constitutional compliance (Chapter Six) and sustainable development signals a professional, values-driven organisation.
- Rare opportunity in a growing devolution agenda: Kenya's county system is relatively young, and leading water and sanitation at county level offers genuine impact and career visibility.
Watch Out
- Job description is truncated and cuts off mid-sentence at the end ('Must uph…'), suggesting the posting may be incomplete or hastily prepared — seek clarification on full requirements before applying.
- No mention of contract duration, probation period, or job security terms — typical for county government roles but worth confirming early in the hiring process.
- Significant breadth of responsibilities (policy, operations, infrastructure, compliance, stakeholder management) may indicate unclear role boundaries or high workload — clarify expectations and support structure during interviews.
A Day in the Life
Your typical week involves coordinating with the CECM and County Assembly on policy and budget priorities, chairing departmental management meetings to track water infrastructure projects and sanitation coverage expansion, reviewing financial reports and project dashboards to ensure accountability, and hosting stakeholder forums with national agencies, NGOs, and community representatives to align on water resource management and climate adaptation initiatives. You'll move between strategic planning sessions, technical briefings on ongoing schemes, and high-level engagement with donors and government partners — balancing long-term policy vision with hands-on oversight of day-to-day operations across Nyandarua's water and sanitation systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to become a Chief Officer – Water & Sanitation at Nyandarua County Government?
You need a bachelor's degree (likely in engineering, environmental science, or public administration), plus proven experience developing water/sanitation policies and managing infrastructure projects in the public or private sector. The role requires strong financial management, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills; a master's degree in a related field would be an asset.
Is the Chief Officer – Water & Sanitation role at Nyandarua County Government remote or office-based?
The role is based in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, and is full-time; it requires on-site leadership and presence in the department. Some flexibility may exist for travel to project sites or government meetings, but the position is primarily office and field-based.
How much does a Chief Officer – Water & Sanitation earn at Nyandarua County Government?
The posted salary range is KES 250,000–400,000 per month. Actual pay within this band depends on your qualifications, experience, and the county's salary classification for the role.
What are the career growth opportunities from this role?
This is a strategic senior position that can lead to a County Executive Committee Member (CECM) role overseeing the entire water and sanitation portfolio, or a Principal Secretary position in a national ministry. It also positions you as a visible leader within Kenya's devolution agenda, opening doors to sector leadership in larger counties or international water/sanitation organisations.
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