Director, Foreign Service/Minister II - 37 Posts at Public Service Commission Kenya (PSCK)

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:-

• cumulative service period of fifteen (15) years, one (1) year of which should have been at the grade of Deputy Director, Foreign Service/Minister Counsellor, CSG 6, or in a comparable and relevant position in the wider public service;
• successfully served 48 months on a Tour of Duty in a Kenya Mission abroad;
• a Bachelors Degree from a university recognized in Kenya;
• a Masters Degree in either International Relations, International Studies, Business Administration, Law, Economics, or any other equivalent discipline from a university recognized in Kenya;
• a Certificate in Strategic Leadership Development programme from a recognized institution;
• demonstrated outstanding professional competence and managerial/administrative capabilities;
• be visionary, a team leader, innovative, results oriented, and committed to continuous learning;
• effective leadership, negotiation, analytical and communication skills;
• a thorough understanding of Kenya's Foreign Policy and other key national policies, objectives and strategies and the role of Foreign Service in the achievement of the National Development Goals; and
• demonstrated respect for national values and principles of governance.

Duties and Responsibilities

An officer at this level will be deployed in either Ministry Headquarters or Kenya Mission.

At Ministry Headquarters

An officer at this level will be responsible for the Deputy Director General, Foreign Service. Duties and responsibilities will include:-

• assisting in the coordination and management of a Directorate;
• contributing to formulation, analysis, interpretation and review of Kenya's foreign policy;
• coordinating preparation of Kenya's position for bilateral and multilateral engagements and conferences;
• providing of technical backstopping on foreign policy to Kenya Missions;
• coordinating preparation of briefs, statements, speeches, toasts, aide-mémoires and other diplomatic communications;
• coordinating and facilitation of consultations, meetings, and briefings on foreign policy;
• following up on the implementation of reports from Kenya Missions, as well as meetings and conferences;
• representing the State Department in international events, meetings and conferences;
• promoting of Nairobi as a Hub for multilateral diplomacy and host for International Organizations;
• lobbying for Kenya's candidatures and candidates in strategic regional and international organizations;
• networking with inter-governmental organizations and diplomatic Missions accredited to Kenya;
• undertaking research and analysis of international issues and trends and recommending appropriate policy interventions;
• contributing to development of Foreign Service Academy's training programmes;
• mentoring and coaching of junior officers; and
• coordinating performance management, and administrative issues within the Directorate

At Kenya Mission

At the Mission, an officer at this level will be deployed as Head of Chancery responsible to the Head of Mission. Duties and responsibilities will include:

• assisting in coordinating the technical and administrative work of the Mission;
• projecting, promoting, and protecting Kenya's foreign policy;
• designing strategies for achieving Kenya's bilateral & multilateral foreign policy priorities;
• assisting in the formulation of Kenya's position for bilateral and multilateral engagements;
• assisting in the coordination and/or facilitation of multilateral & bilateral engagements;
• analyzing political, economic and social trends, collating and submitting reports;
• assisting in the promotion and protection of interests of the Kenya diaspora;
• assisting in the formulation and implementation of the Mission's public diplomacy and stakeholder engagement strategies;
• lobbying for Kenya's candidatures and candidates in strategic regional and international organizations;
• networking with inter-governmental organizations and diplomatic Missions in the countries of posting;
• assisting in the coordination of state and official functions and programs for Kenya delegations;
• mentoring and coaching for junior officers;
• participating in meetings and conferences in countries/ international organizations of accreditation and prepare appropriate reports;
• preparing briefs, statements and diplomatic notes and official messages;
• assisting in the preparation of the Mission’s budget, annual work plans, procurement plans and cash flow projections; and
• chairing and/or member of Mission’s functional committees