Tutorial Fellow – Educational Planning
Kenyatta University
Quick Take
Deliver undergraduate and postgraduate lectures, tutorials, and seminars in Educational Planning while marking coursework, preparing course materials, and supporting departmental research activities.
Master's degree in Educational Management/Administration/Leadership or related field, Bachelor's in Education, and strong academic writing and teaching communication skills.
Structured pathway to a full academic career at Kenya's leading public university with mentorship, PhD pursuit as part of employment, and competitive public sector salary.
Job Description
Kenyatta University (KU) is seeking a motivated and academically oriented Tutorial Fellow to join its Department of Educational Management, Administration and Planning. This is an entry-level academic appointment designed for postgraduate holders who are passionate about higher education and committed to pursuing doctoral studies in a relevant field of specialization.
The successful candidate will support teaching, research, and academic development activities within the department, working under the mentorship of senior academic staff. This role offers a structured pathway toward a full academic career in one of Kenya's leading public universities.
- Assist in the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate lectures, tutorials, and seminars in Educational Planning, Educational Management/Administration/Leadership, Curriculum Studies, or Educational Research, Evaluation and Assessment.
- Prepare and review course materials, lesson plans, and assessment instruments in consultation with supervising lecturers.
- Mark assignments, coursework, and examinations, and provide timely, constructive feedback to students.
- Participate in departmental meetings, academic committees, and curriculum review processes.
- Engage in scholarly research activities and contribute to the department's research output and publications.
- Enrol in and actively pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in a relevant area of specialization as a condition of continued employment.
- Provide academic support and guidance to students during consultation hours.
- Assist in the organisation of workshops, seminars, and academic events within the department.
- Demonstrate a strong academic foundation by holding a Master's degree in Educational Management/Administration/Leadership, Curriculum Studies, Educational Planning and Economics of Education, or Educational Research, Evaluation and Assessment from an accredited and recognized university.
- Hold a Bachelor's degree in Education from an accredited and recognized university as the foundational academic qualification.
- Communicate complex educational concepts clearly and effectively to diverse student audiences at university level.
- Apply research methods and academic writing skills to contribute to scholarly work within the department.
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary academic team, demonstrating reliability, professionalism, and intellectual curiosity.
- Manage time effectively across competing academic responsibilities including teaching, assessment, and postgraduate study commitments.
- Candidates who are already registered for a PhD in a relevant field or have prior university-level teaching experience will have a distinct advantage.
Kenyatta University offers competitive remuneration in line with the Commission for University Education (CUE) guidelines and the university's salary scales for Tutorial Fellows. The estimated monthly gross salary ranges from KES 80,000 to KES 120,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Additional benefits applicable to permanent and pensionable university staff may apply.
- Opportunities for funded PhD studies and academic progression
- Access to university research funds and academic resources
- Structured mentorship from senior faculty members
- Staff medical scheme (subject to university policy)
This role is ideal for ambitious early-career academics who hold a relevant Master's degree in education-related disciplines and are eager to build a long-term career in higher education and research. You are the right candidate if you are passionate about educational theory and practice, thrive in an academic environment, and are ready to commit to doctoral studies as part of your professional growth.
Please do not apply if you do not hold a Master's degree in one of the specified disciplines, if you are unwilling to pursue a PhD, or if you are seeking a purely administrative or non-teaching role. Candidates whose Master's degrees are in unrelated fields outside of education will not be considered.
- Visit the Kenyatta University official website at www.ku.ac.ke to access the full job advertisement and application portal.
- Prepare a comprehensive application including: a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae (CV), certified copies of academic and professional certificates, and transcripts.
- Include contact details of at least three professional or academic referees.
- Submit your application through the official KU application channel as specified in the advertised notice on the university website.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection processes, which may include a teaching demonstration and panel interview.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Master's degree in Educational Management/Administration/Leadership, Curriculum Studies, Educational Planning and Economics of Education, or Educational Research, Evaluation and Assessment
- Bachelor's degree in Education from an accredited university
- Ability to communicate complex educational concepts clearly to university-level students
- Research methods and academic writing skills
- Commitment to enrol in and pursue a PhD programme in a relevant field as a condition of employment
Nice to Have
- Already registered for a PhD in a relevant field
- Prior university-level teaching experience
- Collaborative experience in multidisciplinary academic teams
- Experience organising academic workshops or seminars
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Salary Context
Competitive entry-level academic salary aligned with CUE guidelines
At KES 80,000–120,000/month, this falls within the standard Tutorial Fellow range for Kenyan public universities following Commission for University Education (CUE) salary scales. Salary progression is typically tied to academic qualifications (PhD completion) and years of service in the university system.
About Kenyatta University
Kenyatta University is one of Kenya's oldest and most respected public universities, located in Nairobi, with a strong reputation in teacher education, educational leadership, and research across East Africa. The Department of Educational Management, Administration and Planning is a leading hub for postgraduate education and scholarly work in educational policy and practice. Joining KU offers exposure to a research-active environment, institutional mentorship, and the prestige of working within Kenya's higher education sector.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Tell us about your Master's thesis or research project and how it relates to Educational Planning, Management, or Curriculum Studies. What were your key findings?
- 2
Why are you committed to pursuing a PhD while working as a Tutorial Fellow, and in which specific area of specialization do you wish to conduct doctoral research?
- 3
Describe your experience teaching or tutoring at university level. How would you adapt your teaching approach for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in our department?
- 4
Walk us through your approach to preparing course materials and assessment instruments in consultation with supervising lecturers. Give a concrete example.
- 5
How do you plan to balance teaching responsibilities, student support, coursework marking, and active doctoral research as a Tutorial Fellow?
Application Tips
Highlight your Master's thesis topic and how it connects directly to the department's teaching areas (Educational Planning, Management, Curriculum Studies, or Research & Evaluation).
If you have any university-level teaching experience—even as a teaching assistant, guest lecturer, or tutor—detail this prominently; it is explicitly listed as a distinct advantage.
Emphasise your research interests and trajectory toward a PhD; frame the Tutorial Fellow role as a structured step in your academic career, not a fallback position.
Include evidence of collaborative, multidisciplinary work—committee participation, co-authored papers, or departmental projects—to demonstrate you can thrive in an academic team.
If already registered for a PhD or in advanced discussions with a university, mention this clearly in your cover letter; it directly addresses a key condition of employment.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, structured pathway to a full academic career in one of Kenya's leading public universities with explicit mentorship from senior staff.
- Salary aligns with CUE guidelines and public sector standards, offering security and predictability for an entry-level academic role.
- Dual focus on teaching excellence and research productivity—this role develops both practitioner and scholar credentials valuable across higher education and policy sectors.
- Explicit recognition that candidates with prior teaching experience or active PhD registration are prioritised, signalling the university values serious candidates and reduces time-to-productivity.
Watch Out
- The posting states 'estimated monthly gross salary' but the figure is cut off mid-sentence; the exact upper bound and any benefits (housing, healthcare, leave) are not fully detailed, which is unusual for a public university posting.
- The role makes PhD enrolment a 'condition of continued employment,' which is standard but could be onerous if a candidate cannot secure PhD admission or funding—clarity on university support for PhD candidature would be valuable.
- No mention of mentorship structure, supervision arrangements, or dedicated time for PhD study; a Tutorial Fellow balancing full teaching load plus doctoral work requires institutional scaffolding that is not explicitly described.
A Day in the Life
A typical week for a Tutorial Fellow at Kenyatta University might include preparing and delivering two or three seminars or tutorials in Educational Planning or Management, meeting with supervising lecturers to refine course materials and assessment rubrics, spending a day marking assignments and coursework with feedback comments, attending a departmental curriculum review or research committee meeting, and carving out focused time on PhD research or coursework. Afternoons often include student consultation hours where you advise on assignments or career paths, and you may help coordinate a workshop or academic event for the department. Evenings and weekends are invested in your own doctoral reading, writing, or fieldwork—the role is intellectually intensive but designed to build both teaching credentials and a publishable research portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a Tutorial Fellow – Educational Planning at Kenyatta University?
You must hold a Master's degree in Educational Management/Administration/Leadership, Curriculum Studies, Educational Planning and Economics of Education, or Educational Research, Evaluation and Assessment, plus a Bachelor's degree in Education from an accredited university. Prior university-level teaching experience and active PhD registration are advantageous but not mandatory.
Is the Tutorial Fellow – Educational Planning role at Kenyatta University remote?
No, this is a full-time on-campus role based in Nairobi. You will be required to attend lectures, seminars, meetings, and departmental events in person, and to hold student consultation hours on campus.
How much does a Tutorial Fellow – Educational Planning earn at Kenyatta University?
The posted salary range is KES 80,000–120,000 per month, in line with Commission for University Education (CUE) guidelines. This is a gross salary; deductions for tax and statutory contributions will apply. Additional benefits (housing, medical, leave entitlements) follow public university scales.
What are the career growth opportunities for this role?
After completing your PhD and gaining teaching/research experience as a Tutorial Fellow, you can progress to Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor. Many Tutorial Fellows also move into academic administration, curriculum design roles, or educational policy positions in government or NGOs.
Do I need to have a PhD before applying, or will Kenyatta University support me in obtaining one?
You do not need a PhD to apply, but enrolment in and completion of a PhD programme in a relevant field is a condition of continued employment. The university expects you to secure PhD admission and funding through the normal national or international scholarship channels; specific institutional support mechanisms are not detailed in this posting and should be clarified during interview.
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