Role Overview
The Regional Adviser – Central and Rift supports strengthening the UK’s engagement and impact at county and regional levels by enhancing the British High Commission's (BHC) sub‑national presence. This role is pivotal in delivering the UK‑Kenya Strategic Partnership (2025 – 2030) and Country Business Plan (CBP) by influencing local governance reforms, advancing development outcomes, and informing UK policy and programming. The role holder will primarily support work in Laikipia (including engagement linked to the British Army Training Unit Kenya), parts of Isiolo, Samburu, Nyeri, and Meru, with additional support to selected counties in the North and South Rift (Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Narok, and Kajiado). The postholder is expected to spend 70-80% of their time in Laikipia (Nanyuki). Additionally, the role will lead a regional thematic priority focusing on defense partnerships, security, and climate change.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Analysis: Provide strategic county/regional political, economic, and development insights to shape the delivery of UK/Kenya Strategic Partnership and Country Business Plan priorities, including horizon scanning for the 2027 elections.
- Political Reporting: Deliver robust political analysis and timely reporting to BHC teams from the assigned regions.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strategic relationships with county governments, civil society, private sector actors, youth constituencies, and development partners.
- Portfolio Management: Apply a whole-of-portfolio approach to county engagement, collaborating with the Strategy Assurance and Results Team (START) to analyze county data and maintain county profiles.
- Program Support: Provide contextual input during program design and implementation. Facilitate beneficiary feedback, resolve delivery bottlenecks, and identify synergies across regional programs.
- Governance Monitoring: Keep updated on county-level governance, including public financial management (PFM) cycles, transparency, and accountability reforms.
- Visit Coordination: Shape the agenda for regional visits by senior UK staff and partners, ensuring visits advance policy and program delivery goals.
- Crisis Response: Support crisis preparedness by maintaining security networks and contributing to political crisis response.
- Thematic Leadership: Lead the delivery of thematic priorities such as defense and security partnerships and climate change within the region.
Requirements
- Deep contextual understanding of the politics, priorities, opportunities, and challenges of Central Kenya and the Rift Valley.
- Familiarity with the UK’s footprint in the region, including development programs, economic, commercial, and military work.
- Strong understanding of national and county governance structures, including PFM and sector priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to access and influence a wide range of stakeholders, including county leadership and technical officials.
- Self‑driven and outcome‑focused with the ability to drive priorities proactively with minimal supervision.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- (Desirable) Experience working within devolution, governance, or county-level policy reform in Kenya.
- (Desirable) Experience engaging in security and climate change thematic areas.
- (Desirable) Degree level education; a post-graduate degree is an advantage.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the official recruitment portal at fco.tal.net by April 1, 2026.
