New Kenyan Senate Jobs

The Parliamentary Service Commission (“PSC”), is constitutionally mandated to manage the administration of parliament. 

This includes the provision of services and facilities to ensure effective and efficient running of parliament, preparation of parliamentary expenditure budgets and estimates, constitution of offices in the parliamentary services and the appointment and supervision of office holders.

The  Constitution of Kenya 2010 introduced the citizens of Kenya to a new parliamentary system through the establishment of a Senate in addition to a National Assembly as set out in Chapter 8.

In recognition that each arm of parliament has a distinct but uniquely different role and function, PSC wishes to recruit for positions in the administration structure of each arm of parliament and the Parliamentary Joint Services (“PJS”) that supports the members of both structures.

The Senate

Clerk of the Senate 

(ESS 465)

As Principal Advisor to the Speaker of the Senate, the jobholder will serve as the Administrative Head of the Senate and the Accounting Officer/Authorised Officer for the Senate.

The jobholder will also serve as the Secretary to the PSC and will be responsible for:

• All policy and organisational matters;
• Enhancing public understanding and knowledge of the Senate as well as increasing public accessibility to and awareness of the Senate;
• Dealing with external relations;
• Principal advisor to other presiding officers and to all Senators;
• Chairing the Board of Management;
• Advising the Speaker in the exercise of the powers and functions of the office;
• Marshalling all legislative measures passed by the Senate; and
• Supervision and coordination of all the Directorates of the Senate.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Humanities or a relevant field and a Masters degree in a relevant field. In the absence of a Masters degree a minimum of seven years relevant working experience will suffice. 

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of three years experience at the level of Assistant Deputy Clerk/ Deputy Director in parliament or a comparable position in the public or private sector. Experience working with the public service will be an added advantage.

Senior Deputy Clerk of the Senate
(ESS 466)

As deputy to the Clerk of the Senate, the jobholder will provide oversight for the proceedings of the Senate and will offer procedural advice to the Speaker and other presiding officers and Senators as required.

The jobholder will also be responsible for:

• General supervision of all Directorates;
• External relations;
• Enhancing public understanding and knowledge of the Senate and increasing public accessibility to and awareness of the Senate;
• Preparing and presenting orientation programmes for new Senators and staff; and
• Supervising and managing staff undergoing parliamentary internship programmes.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Humanities or a relevant field and a Masters degree in a relevant field.

In the absence of a Masters degree a minimum of five years relevant working experience will suffice. 

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of three years experience at the level of Principal Clerk Assistant/ Principal Officer in parliament or a comparable position in the public or private sector.

Director Legislative and Procedural Services of the Senate 

(ESS 467)

Reporting to the Senior Deputy Clerk, the jobholder will be responsible for the coordination and supervision of the functions and operations of the Directorate of Legislative and Procedural Services of the Senate.

The jobholder will also be responsible to the Clerk of the Senate for:

• The Table Office including marshalling of published bills, motions and sessional papers and processing of weekly programme of business and preparation and timely circulation of order papers, votes and proceedings of the Senate;
• The Journals Office including keeping custody of Senate journals and records and archiving of those records;
• Matters connected to parliamentary associations; and
• Public participation in the legislative process.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Humanities or a relevant field. A Masters degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage. The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of three years at the level of Senior Clerk Assistant in parliament or a comparable position in the public or private sector.

Director, Committee Services of the Senate
(ESS 468)

Reporting to the Senior Deputy Clerk, the jobholder will be responsible for the coordination and supervision of the functions and operations of the Directorate of Committee Services of the Senate.

The jobholder will also be responsible for:

• Select committees, departmental committees and ad hoc committees of the Senate;
• Facilitation of public participation and involvement in the activities of the committees; and
• Safe keeping of records of the Senate committees and responding to inquiries on the activities of the committees from the public and other legislative bodies.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Humanities or a relevant field. A Masters degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage. 

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of three years at the level of Senior Clerk Assistant in parliament or a comparable position in the public or private sector.

Director Legal Services of the Senate
 

(ESS 469)

As head of the legal services function of the Senate, the jobholder will be the legal advisor to the Speaker, the Clerk, committees and Senators on legislative business including all matters dealing with bills and amendments to bills.

The jobholder will also be responsible for:

• Preparing legal opinions on matters relating to the functions of the Senate Bills and providing other legal services;
• Assisting committees and individual Senators with the drafting of bills and amendments to Drafting and preparing legal documents and legal research;
• Supervising, guiding, counselling, training and developing all the staff in the Directorate of Legal Services; and
• Coordinating, administering and overall management of the legal services provided to the Senate.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Law and be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, or possess an equivalent qualification in a common-law jurisdiction. A Masters degree in Law will be an added advantage. 

The ideal candidate will possess at least seven years experience as an advocate of the High Court, a Judge or a professionally qualified Magistrate; or at least seven years experience as a distinguished academic or legal practitioner or such experience in some other relevant legal field. 

The candidate should also hold a certificate in legislative drafting and a current Advocate’s Practicing Certificate.

Director, Speaker’s Office of the Senate
 

(ESS 470)

Reporting to the Speaker of the Senate, the Director will be responsible for the co-ordination of administrative activities in the Speaker’s Office.

The jobholder will also be responsible for:

• Acting as the liaison person between the Speaker’s Office and the rest of the parliamentary offices;
• Carrying out research, preparation of speeches and overseeing travel and protocol arrangements in the Speaker’s Office; and
• Preparing and reviewing correspondence and reports as directed by the Speaker.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Humanities or a relevant field.

A Masters degree will be an added advantage. The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of three years experience at the level of Senior Clerk Assistant in parliament or a comparable position in the public or private sector.

Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate
(ESS 471)

As head of the Sergeant of Arms Department of the Senate, the jobholder will oversee the day to day security management of the chamber and will be responsible to the Speaker for the maintenance of order in the Senate.

The jobholder will also be responsible for:

• Controlling access and management of the public within the precincts of parliament;
• Planning and coordination of security functions and operations in the Senate;
• Implementation of the Speaker’s rules governing the conduct of Senators in the Chamber;
• Preservation of order and management of all parliamentary buildings, assets and the safety of the occupants;
• Coordination of all matters related to and connected with office accommodation and furnishing; and
• Providing the link between parliamentary security and other security organs.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelors degree in Safety, Security Management or a related field. A Masters degree will be an added advantage. 

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of three years experience at the level of Sergeant-At-Arms in parliament or its equivalent in the public or private sector. 

They will also have served in the disciplined  forces at the level of a Major/Senior Superintendent of Police for a period of not less than ten years with exemplary service and possess demonstrable professional competence and experience in and knowledge of safety and security matters.

Hansard Editor of the Senate

(ESS 472)

Reporting to the Senior Deputy Clerk of the Senate, the jobholder will be responsible for the coordination and production of the Hansard. 

The jobholder will also be responsible for:

• Editing transcribed records, processing manuscripts and preparing accurate drafts;
• Maintaining a consistent and accurate Hansard publishing format;
• Maintaining an accurate database of Hansard publications;
• Developing and maintaining policies, rules, standards and procedures governing Hansard production;
• Maintaining links with government ministries/department, the public media and other commonwealth editors’ associations and unions.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics, majoring in either English or Kiswahili. A Masters degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university and proficiency in sign language will be added advantages.

The ideal candidate will also possess a post-graduate diploma in journalism or mass communication coupled with a minimum of seven years experience, three of which must be at the level of Assistant Hansard Editor in parliament or an equivalent position in the public or private sector. 

They should also have training and experience in Hansard services and excellent writing, typing and editorial skills and adequate knowledge of Hansard style guides.

For all the positions in the Senate, it is important that the jobholders

• Have attended a senior management or leadership course from a recognised institution;
• Demonstrated enduring flair for parliamentary procedure and practice, including comparative experience of other parliamentary jurisdictions coupled with wide experience in the role, functions and operations of parliament;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Good interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style; and
• The ability to multitask and work well under pressure.

If you believe you fit the required profile, please send your applications in confidence to ess.ke@ke.pwc.com by Friday 2 0 July 2012 quoting the job reference number and the title of the position you are applying for. 

In addition, please provide your curriculum vitae containing details of your qualifications, experience, present position, current and expected remuneration as well as copies of professional/academic certificates. 

Include your day and evening telephone numbers, e-mail address, names and addresses of three references.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.