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Lecturer – Psychiatric Nursing

Mama Ngina University College

Nairobifull time~KES 100k – 180k/mo4h ago

Quick Take

The Role

Teach undergraduate and postgraduate psychiatric nursing courses, supervise clinical placements, conduct mental health research, and contribute to curriculum development at a university college in Nairobi.

You Need

PhD or Master's degree in Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing, current Nursing Council of Kenya registration, and proven university-level teaching or research experience.

You Get

Competitive salary, opportunity to shape mental health nursing education in Kenya, research funding potential, and leadership role in a growing academic institution.

Job Description

Role Overview

Mama Ngina University College (MNUC) is seeking a highly qualified and passionate Lecturer in Psychiatric Nursing to join its School of Nursing and Health 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 mental health nurses in Kenya. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in curriculum delivery, research, community engagement, and institutional development.

The Lecturer will be expected to uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, contribute meaningfully to the College's research agenda, and foster collaborative partnerships with local and international stakeholders. This role suits a dynamic individual who is registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya and is committed to advancing mental health nursing education and practice.

Key Responsibilities
  • Deliver lectures and tutorials in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing in accordance with approved syllabi and learning outcomes.
  • Coordinate course projects, clinical placements, and practical learning sessions for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
  • Develop, review, and update teaching and learning materials to reflect current evidence-based practice.
  • Set, invigilate, and mark examinations, continuous assessments, and assignments in a timely and fair manner.
  • Conduct and publish research in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, contributing to refereed journals and academic publications.
  • Prepare and submit student progress reports and academic performance evaluations.
  • Develop compelling proposals for research grants and external funding opportunities.
  • Author journal articles, book chapters, and academic texts relevant to the discipline.
  • Present research findings and innovations at national and international conferences, seminars, workshops, and symposia.
  • Participate in developing and reviewing academic programmes and curricula to ensure relevance and quality.
  • Supervise Tutorial Fellows, Junior Research Fellows, and both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
  • Undertake consultancy assignments with local and international organisations to enhance MNUC's visibility and reputation.
  • Establish collaborative linkages and networks for resource mobilisation and knowledge exchange.
  • Execute and manage budgets for student field trips and research activities, ensuring accountability of allocated funds.
  • Provide departmental leadership where appropriate and carry out any other duties assigned by the University College.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Must hold an earned PhD or equivalent Doctoral degree in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing from an accredited and recognised university; OR a Master's degree in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing with at least three (3) years of university-level teaching, research, or industry experience.
  • Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited and recognised institution.
  • Must demonstrate a minimum of 24 publication points, with at least 16 points derived from refereed journal papers.
  • Must be currently registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya and hold a valid practice licence.
  • Must be able to design and deliver high-quality, student-centred lectures and assessments in a university setting.
  • Must demonstrate the ability to write and publish peer-reviewed academic work independently.
  • Must be able to develop and submit competitive research funding proposals to national and international bodies.
  • Must demonstrate proficiency in computer applications including learning management systems, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Must be capable of supervising and mentoring students through research projects and clinical practice.
  • Should demonstrate experience in community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, or consultancy within the health sector.
  • Progress towards PhD completion will be considered an added advantage for candidates applying at the Master's level.
Salary & Benefits

Mama Ngina University College offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with academic qualifications and experience, in line with the Commission for University Education (CUE) and Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines for university lecturers in Kenya. Estimated monthly gross salary ranges from KES 100,000 to KES 180,000 depending on qualifications and seniority. Additional benefits typical of public university colleges in Kenya apply.

Who Should Apply

This position is ideal for a nurse-academic who combines clinical expertise in mental health with a passion for teaching, research, and community impact. You are a published scholar who is actively engaged in the academic community and eager to shape mental health nursing education in Kenya. You thrive in a collaborative, research-driven environment and are motivated by student success and institutional growth.

You should NOT apply if you do not hold the minimum required qualifications in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, are not registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya, or do not meet the minimum publication point requirement. Applicants without a nursing background or with no university-level teaching or research experience are also discouraged from applying.

How to Apply
  • Prepare an updated curriculum vitae (CV) detailing your academic qualifications, teaching experience, research output, and publication list.
  • Attach certified copies of your academic and professional certificates, including your Nursing Council of Kenya registration certificate and valid practice licence.
  • Write a cover letter addressed to the Principal, Mama Ngina University College, clearly indicating the position applied for and how you meet the stated requirements.
  • Submit your application through the official Mama Ngina University College recruitment portal or as directed in the official advertisement on their website.
  • Ensure all documents are submitted before the stated application deadline. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • PhD in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing from an accredited university OR Master's degree in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing with 3+ years university-level teaching/research/industry experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited institution
  • Current registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya
  • Demonstrated experience in curriculum design or course delivery in nursing education
  • Publication record or evidence of research capability in mental health/psychiatric nursing

Nice to Have

  • International teaching or research collaboration experience
  • Successful grant writing and research funding track record
  • Experience supervising postgraduate students or junior researchers
  • Consultancy experience with local or international health organizations

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

Salary Context

Competitive salary for academic lecturer level in Nairobi, positioned at mid-to-senior range for university nursing faculty.

The KES 100,000–180,000 monthly range reflects a mid-tier academic position in Kenya's university sector. Psychiatric nursing specialists command premium pay due to shortage and specialisation; salary progression depends heavily on research output, publications, and doctoral qualification. Private universities and well-funded institutions often pay toward the upper range.

About Mama Ngina University College

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Mama Ngina University College is a tertiary institution in Nairobi focused on health sciences and nursing education, contributing to Kenya's skilled healthcare workforce development. As part of Kenya's university college ecosystem, MNUC is positioned to train the next generation of mental health professionals and advance psychiatric nursing practice in East Africa. The institution values research, community partnerships, and alignment with current evidence-based healthcare standards.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Describe a psychiatric nursing curriculum you have designed or significantly contributed to—what was your approach to ensuring relevance to Kenya's mental health landscape?

  • 2

    Tell us about your most significant research publication or project in mental health nursing. How did you disseminate findings and what impact have you seen?

  • 3

    Mama Ngina University College is committed to both teaching and research. How do you balance these demands, and give us an example of how you've managed both effectively?

  • 4

    What experience do you have supervising students in clinical placements, and how do you ensure they meet professional and ethical standards in psychiatric care?

  • 5

    How would you establish collaborative partnerships with local mental health facilities, NGOs, or international universities to enhance our institution's reputation and resources?

Application Tips

  • Highlight any peer-reviewed publications or research output in psychiatric or mental health nursing—the institution clearly values research contribution, so make this prominent in your CV.

  • Emphasize experience with curriculum development, course design, or major course delivery—provide specific examples of how you've updated materials to reflect evidence-based practice.

  • Showcase evidence of academic leadership: supervising students, mentoring junior staff, or leading departmental initiatives. This role has clear mentorship components that hiring committees will want to see.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Clinical Psychiatric Nurse Specialist or Senior Nurse in a hospital or mental health facility
Nursing Lecturer (general) or Assistant Lecturer with transition to specialization
Research Fellow or Post-Doctoral Researcher in Mental Health at a university or research institute
Clinical Educator or Training Coordinator in a nursing school or health organization

Where this leads

Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor in Nursing or Public Health at a university
Head of Department or School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Research Director or Principal Investigator leading mental health research programs
Academic Consultant or Policy Advisor to Kenya's Ministry of Health or WHO on nursing standards and mental health

Skills & Keywords

lecturer jobs in kenyapsychiatric nursing jobs kenyauniversity lecturer kenyamental health nursing kenyamama ngina university college jobsnursing council of kenya jobsacademic jobs kenyanursing lecturer kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Clear emphasis on research and publication—the institution values academic output, not just teaching, which supports career growth and visibility.
  • Explicit mention of international collaboration and conference presentations, signaling openness to global engagement and professional development.
  • Structured mentorship opportunities (supervising Tutorial Fellows and Research Fellows)—this role offers leadership development and a pipeline of talent.
  • Salary range is transparent and competitive for a specialist lecturer role in Nairobi's private university sector.

Watch Out

  • No explicit mention of benefits (health insurance, pension, professional development allowance), which are standard for university-level roles in Kenya—clarify these during interviews.
  • The role description is broad and includes 'any other duties assigned'—typical for academic roles but worth confirming scope and workload expectations to avoid mission creep.
  • Limited detail on research funding or support structure—ask about dedicated research time, lab/office facilities, and institutional grant-writing support during interviews.

A Day in the Life

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Your week balances teaching, research, and administration: you deliver two to three lectures or tutorials in psychiatric nursing, meet with student groups managing clinical placements at partner mental health facilities, and review coursework submissions. You dedicate at least two days to research—writing or reviewing a journal manuscript, preparing a grant proposal, or mentoring a postgraduate student's thesis work. Administrative duties include attending curriculum review meetings, evaluating staff, managing a field trip budget, and corresponding with external partners (NGOs, hospitals, or international universities) about collaborative projects. By Friday, you're prepping conference abstracts or consulting with a local health organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Lecturer – Psychiatric Nursing at Mama Ngina University College?

You must hold a PhD or equivalent Doctoral degree in Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing, OR a Master's degree in the same field with at least 3 years of university-level teaching, research, or industry experience. You also need a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and current registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya.

Is the Lecturer – Psychiatric Nursing role at Mama Ngina University College remote or on-site?

The posting indicates this is a full-time role based in Nairobi. While not explicitly stated, university lecturer roles in Kenya typically require on-campus presence for lectures, tutorials, and administrative duties, though research activities may have some flexibility.

How much does a Lecturer – Psychiatric Nursing earn at Mama Ngina University College?

The posted salary range is KES 100,000–180,000 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. This is competitive for a specialist nursing lecturer in Nairobi's private university sector.

What are the career growth opportunities for this role?

The role provides a clear pathway to Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, or Head of Department positions. You'll also develop research visibility and international collaboration opportunities, opening doors to policy advisory roles or leadership in Kenya's health sector.

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