PSC Announces Job Opportunities for Principal Secretaries; How to Apply

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced job openings for Principal Secretaries (PS) positions following the election of a new government after the August 9 poll. 
A principal secretary is in charge of the administration of a state department within a Ministry such as Interior, Planning, Industrialization, Immigration & Citizen Service, Correctional Services etc. In the previous government, there were 44 principal secretaries in Kenya.

The vacancies were made public through a special gazette notice dated Wednesday, September 7.

The Public Service Commission is required by Article 155(3)(a) of the Constitution to recommend candidates to the President for nomination and appointment as Principal Secretaries.

The current Principal Secretaries will also be required to apply, according to PSC chairman Anthony Muchiri.

Requirements For PSC Appointment

An ideal candidate for this post should:

• Be a Kenyan citizen
• Hold a degree from a recognised Kenyan university.
• Have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, 5 years of which one should have held a position of leadership or top management in the public or commercial sector.
• Possess a general understanding of the structure and operations of government.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the nation's goals, policies, and development goals;
• Have a track record of success in leadership and management, as well as expertise in financial and strategic people management, and meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution's leadership and integrity requirements.

PSC Principal Secretaries' Duties and Responsibilities

In carrying out his or her responsibilities, a Principal Secretary will answer to the Cabinet Secretary. Specific duties include; 

• Being the Accounting Officer and Authorised Officer of the State Department, implementing government policies and the Strategic Plan for the State Department,
• Facilitating the achievement of the goals and objectives of Government and InterGovernmental programmes and projects,
• Developing and implementing an effective performance management system;
• Ensuring efficient and effective utilisation of Financial, Human, and other Resources in the State Department and submitting regular statutory reports as required,
• Promoting the values and principles spelled out in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya in the operations of the State Department.

How to Apply 

Each application must be accompanied by a comprehensive curriculum vitae, copies of all relevant academic and professional certificates and transcripts, a National Identity Card or Passport, testimonials, and any other relevant supporting documents. 

Online applications must be submitted with scanned copies of these documents.

All applications must be clearly labelled "Application for the Position of Principal Secretary" and should be submitted in ANY ONE of the following ways:

• Applications submitted manually should be presented by hand to the Office of the Secretary/CEO, which is located on the 4th floor of Commission House, off Harambee Avenue.
• Online applications should be e-mailed in PDF format to: principalsecretary2022@publicservice.go.ke 

• Posted applications should be addressed to:
  

The Secretary/CEO

Public Service Commission

Commission House

P.O. Box 30095-00100

NAIROBI

Salaries of Principal Secretaries and Other State Officers

Announcing the outcome of the Third Remuneration and Benefits Review Cycle for State officers in July 2022, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) listed the gross salaries below for state officers minus other benefits. 

• President - Ksh1,443,750 
• Deputy President - Ksh1,227,188 
• Cabinet Secretaries - Ksh924,000
• Attorney-General - Ksh924,000
• Secretary to the Cabinet/Head of Public Service Ksh924,000
• Principal Secretary Ksh765,188
• Inspector-General of Police - Ksh765,188
• Director General, National Intelligence Service - Ksh765,188
• Deputy Inspector General, Kenya Police Service - Ksh621,250
• Deputy Inspector Administration Police Service - Ksh621,250
• Director of Criminal Investigations - Ksh621,250

NOTE: Following the conclusion of the advertisement, the names of all applicants and those who were shortlisted will be published in print media.

Interested applicants are expected to get clearance from the following bodies.

• Kenya Revenue Authority;
• Higher Education Loans Board;
• Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission;
• Directorate of Criminal Investigation (certificate of good conduct). and
• A registered Credit Reference Bureau
• Applicants must submit copies of these clearance certificates with the application.

Those interested in applying for the position of principal secretary should do so by September 20th, 2022 according to the Public Service Commission (PSC).