Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA), formerly known as the National Irrigation Board (NIB), was established, and incorporated as a state corporation in 1966, vide Irrigation Act, Cap 347 of the Laws of Kenya. This Act was reviewed and replaced with the Irrigation Act No 14 of 2019 which transitioned NIB to NIA. The Authority’s main objective as prov...

Responsibilities or duties

Provide Strategic Leadership in the identification, feasibility assessment, Design and Construction of irrigation and water storage Infrastructure to expand the National area under irrigation.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Civil/ Agricultural/Water Engineering, Project Planning & Management.
• Registered Professional Engineer with EBK and a valid Practising License.
• Full Member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK).
• Strategic Leadership Development Course (minimum 4 weeks).

Experience needed

Minimum of 12 years’ experience, with at least 5 years at the Senior Management level.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Core Competencies: Strategic leadership, financial management, negotiation, stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and intercultural competence.

• Provide strategic technical input into the development, implementation, and review of the Authority’s Strategic Plan.
• Oversee the preparation of technical specifications and the evaluation of bids for irrigation and water storage infrastructure.
• Facilitate pre-feasibility and feasibility studies to determine irrigation potential for new schemes.
• Lead the review and approval of design reports and tender documents for irrigation projects.
• Promote the adoption of renewable energy solutions for water abstraction and manage international technical collaborations.
• Supervise construction works to ensure adherence to quality, cost, safety, and timelines.
• Lead the development and enforcement of irrigation standards in line with national codes of practice.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution involving Project Affected Persons (PAPs).

• Strategic leadership
• Financial management
• Negotiation
• Stakeholder engagement
• Conflict resolution
• Intercultural competence

• Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Civil/ Agricultural/Water Engineering, Project Planning & Management.
• Registered Professional Engineer with EBK and a valid Practising License.
• Full Member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK).
• Strategic Leadership Development Course (minimum 4 weeks).