Lecturer – Psychiatric Nursing
Mama Ngina University College
Quick Take
Teach psychiatric and mental health nursing at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervise student research and placements, conduct peer-reviewed research, and contribute to curriculum development and departmental governance.
PhD or Master's in Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing with 3+ years university teaching experience; minimum 24 publication points (16 from peer-reviewed journals); current Nursing Council of Kenya registration.
Competitive salary (KES 100–180k/mo), opportunity to shape next-generation nursing leaders, scholarly research support, and leadership role in a university committed to academic excellence.
Job Description
Mama Ngina University College (MNUC) is seeking a highly qualified and dedicated Lecturer in Psychiatric Nursing to join its Department of Nursing Sciences. This is an exciting opportunity for an academic professional with a strong foundation in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing to contribute to the training of the next generation of nursing professionals in Kenya.
The successful candidate will be expected to deliver high-quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, engage in scholarly research, and participate actively in departmental and institutional activities. MNUC is committed to academic excellence and welcomes candidates who demonstrate both clinical expertise and a passion for nursing education.
- Plan, develop, and deliver lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing at university level.
- Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students in research projects, dissertations, and clinical placements.
- Develop and review course materials, syllabi, and assessment tools in line with university and national academic standards.
- Conduct and publish original research in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing in peer-reviewed journals.
- Participate in the development and review of nursing curricula to ensure relevance and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Provide academic mentorship and pastoral guidance to nursing students throughout their studies.
- Engage in community outreach and consultancy activities related to mental health promotion and psychiatric care.
- Serve on departmental and university committees as required and contribute to institutional governance.
- Maintain active registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya and keep up to date with developments in psychiatric nursing practice.
- Collaborate with clinical partners and hospitals to facilitate student placements and applied research.
- Must hold an earned PhD or equivalent Doctoral degree in Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing from an accredited and recognized university; OR a Master's degree in Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing with at least three (3) years of demonstrable teaching experience at university level, in research, or in the health industry.
- Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited and recognized university as a foundational qualification.
- Must demonstrate a record of scholarly output, with a minimum of 24 publication points, of which at least 16 must be from refereed/peer-reviewed journal papers.
- Must be currently registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya and hold a valid practicing license — ability to demonstrate currency of registration is mandatory.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in computer applications including MS Office, e-learning platforms, and academic research tools.
- Ability to design and deliver engaging, evidence-based lectures that integrate theory with clinical practice in psychiatric nursing.
- Proven ability to supervise student research and guide candidates through academic writing and data analysis.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with students, clinical partners, and faculty colleagues.
- Candidates actively progressing towards PhD completion will have an added advantage.
Salary is commensurate with academic qualifications and experience, in line with the Mama Ngina University College salary scales for Lecturers. Based on prevailing Kenyan university market rates, the monthly gross salary for this role is estimated in the range of KES 100,000 – KES 180,000. The position also attracts standard university benefits including medical coverage, leave allowances, and access to institutional research support funds.
Ideal Candidate: A registered psychiatric nurse with either a doctoral qualification or a Master's degree plus substantial university teaching experience, who is actively publishing in mental health and psychiatric nursing, and is passionate about shaping nursing education in Kenya. Candidates currently completing their PhD and with strong publication records are particularly encouraged to apply.
Who Should NOT Apply: Candidates who do not hold a degree specifically in Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing, those who lack the minimum required publication points, individuals without valid Nursing Council of Kenya registration, or those with no university-level teaching or research experience.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official Mama Ngina University College recruitment portal or via the email address provided in the official advertisement on the MNUC website. Your application package should include: a cover letter, a detailed and updated curriculum vitae (highlighting publications and teaching experience), certified copies of academic and professional certificates, and a copy of your current Nursing Council of Kenya practicing license. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further consideration.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- PhD in Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing OR Master's degree + 3+ years university-level teaching/research/industry experience
- Bachelor's degree in Nursing from accredited institution
- Minimum 24 publication points with at least 16 from peer-reviewed journals
- Current active registration with Nursing Council of Kenya and valid practicing license
- Proficiency in MS Office, e-learning platforms, and academic research tools
Nice to Have
- Active consultancy or community outreach experience in mental health promotion
- Established relationships with clinical partners or hospitals for student placements
- Experience designing and delivering evidence-based, theory-to-practice integrated lectures
- Track record of postgraduate student supervision and dissertation guidance
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Salary Context
Competitive salary for academic lecturer role in Kenya's higher education sector
The KES 100,000–180,000/month range is competitive for university lecturers in Nairobi, particularly for those with Master's-level qualifications and research output. Salary progression in Kenyan academia typically correlates with publication record, doctoral qualification, and years of teaching experience; candidates at the PhD end with strong scholarly records will command the upper range.
About Mama Ngina University College
Mama Ngina University College is a Nairobi-based institution within Kenya's higher education system, focused on nursing sciences and health professional training. The college is committed to academic excellence and equipping nursing students with both clinical expertise and theoretical depth to meet Kenya's growing mental health workforce needs. Joining MNUC offers the opportunity to shape nursing education standards and contribute to improvements in psychiatric care across East Africa.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Can you walk us through your most significant peer-reviewed publication in psychiatric nursing and how it influenced your teaching or practice?
- 2
Describe your experience supervising postgraduate research projects—what methodologies have your students used, and how have you supported them through the research process?
- 3
How do you ensure that your lectures integrate current clinical evidence with real-world psychiatric nursing practice in Kenya?
- 4
Tell us about a time you collaborated with a hospital or clinical partner to facilitate student placements or research—what were the outcomes?
- 5
How do you stay current with developments in psychiatric nursing practice and regulatory changes from the Nursing Council of Kenya?
Application Tips
Prominently list all peer-reviewed publications and clearly quantify your publication points—this is a hard requirement and a major differentiator; include DOIs and impact factors where available.
Highlight specific university-level teaching experience (lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions) and any curriculum development or course design work you've led.
Emphasize your Nursing Council of Kenya registration status and any continuing professional development (CPD) or specialty certifications in mental health/psychiatric nursing—evidence of currency is mandatory.
Include examples of student mentorship, pastoral guidance, or postgraduate supervision; demonstrate your impact on student outcomes and research productivity.
If you have community outreach, consultancy, or clinical partnership experience in mental health, feature this prominently to show commitment beyond the classroom.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Explicit requirement for active Nursing Council of Kenya registration ensures alignment with regulatory standards and demonstrates a professional, compliant employer.
- Clear emphasis on scholarly output and peer-reviewed publications signals a research-supportive environment and potential access to grants or research funding.
- Diverse role scope (teaching, research, curriculum development, community engagement, governance) offers variety, intellectual growth, and pathways to senior leadership.
- Opportunity to supervise both undergraduate and postgraduate students reflects institutional scale and the chance to mentor emerging scholars in psychiatric nursing.
Watch Out
- Job description cuts off mid-sentence ('Proven ab…'), suggesting the posting may be incomplete or hastily prepared—seek clarification on full duties and selection criteria.
- No explicit mention of benefits (health insurance, pension, professional development allowance, study leave) beyond salary, which are typical for university positions in Kenya.
- No clear timeline for application deadline or interview process, which can lead to prolonged uncertainty.
A Day in the Life
A typical week includes preparing and delivering 2–3 lectures on psychiatric nursing topics to 40–80 undergraduates, holding office hours for student mentoring and pastoral guidance, and attending a departmental curriculum review meeting to ensure courses meet Nursing Council standards. You'll also allocate time to research—reviewing literature, analysing data, or drafting a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal—and liaise with a teaching hospital to arrange clinical placements for your third-year students. Wednesdays might include supervising a postgraduate student's research proposal and chairing a departmental committee focused on academic governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a Lecturer – Psychiatric Nursing at Mama Ngina University College?
You must hold a PhD in Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing (or a Master's with 3+ years of university-level teaching/research experience), a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, and a minimum of 24 publication points with at least 16 from peer-reviewed journals. Current registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya is mandatory.
Is the Lecturer – Psychiatric Nursing role at Mama Ngina University College on-campus or remote?
The posting indicates a full-time role based in Nairobi; while some e-learning platform proficiency is required, the role is primarily on-campus given teaching, supervision, and committee responsibilities.
How much does a Lecturer – Psychiatric Nursing earn at Mama Ngina University College?
The salary range is KES 100,000–180,000 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. Candidates with a PhD and strong publication records will typically be positioned toward the upper end of the range.
What are the career growth opportunities for this role?
This role offers a clear pathway to Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, or Head of Department positions, particularly if you maintain a strong research and publication record. You may also move into research leadership, policy advisory roles with the Nursing Council of Kenya, or university administration.
Will I be able to maintain clinical practice while working as a Lecturer at Mama Ngina University College?
The job description emphasises academic responsibilities; however, maintaining Nursing Council registration and engaging with clinical partners for student placements keeps you connected to practice. Discuss flexible arrangements for part-time clinical work during the interview if that is a priority.
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