Role Overview
The Deputy Director for Investment & Portfolio Management at the Kenya National Entrepreneurs Savings Trust (KNEST) is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the strategic development of fund management policies, investment strategies, and pension administration. KNEST is a unique national informal sector pension scheme established by the Government to meet the needs of over 15 million marginalized informal sector workers. The officer in this role may be deployed in the functional areas of Investment & Portfolio Management or Pension Administration, ensuring that the scheme’s investment portfolios are prudently managed, comply with statutory guidelines, and align with KNEST’s strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities
1. Investment & Portfolio Management
- Overseeing the development of policies, regulations, guidelines, and strategy for fund management.
- Overseeing the development and implementation of the Scheme’s investment plans and strategy.
- Recommending strategic investment opportunities to the Board of Trustees.
- Establishing linkages with strategic financial partners and regularly meeting with investment analysts.
- Providing leadership in analyzing business performance, industry trends, and the impact of regulatory requirements on business operations.
- Leading investment negotiations and ensuring prudent management of all investment portfolios.
- Ensuring investment portfolios are aligned with statutory guidelines and KNEST’s strategic objectives.
- Undertaking portfolio and investment research.
- Liaising with fund service providers, including fund managers, custodians, project developers, and advisers.
- Advising the Trustees on investment options and coordinating acquisition with the aim of increasing value.
- Setting criteria and conditions governing investment and ensuring maintenance of proper investment records.
- Preparing all investment and periodic portfolio performance reports and filing statutory reports.
- Managing and developing staff in the department and ensuring prudent utilization of corporate resources.
2. Pension Administration
- Overseeing the development, implementation, and review of policies, strategies, and procedures for pension administration.
- Providing leadership in daily administrative affairs in accordance with the Retirement Benefits Act, Income Tax Act, and Scheme Trust Deed.
- Overseeing the maintenance of accurate data for all assets, service providers, members, and beneficiaries.
- Ensuring continuous update of member records and addressing issues of concern.
- Reviewing member data for accuracy and ensuring daily posting of contributions and distribution of accrued benefits.
- Ensuring daily reconciliation of member statements and comprehensive documentation for claims processing.
- Liaising with scheme auditors and fund administrators to prepare audited accounts and dispatch statements.
- Organizing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and ensuring the maintenance of proper accounting records for scheme monies.
Qualifications and Person Specifications
- A minimum of ten (10) years of service, with at least four (4) years in a management role.
- Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Finance option), Finance, Economics, Business Management (Finance option), or equivalent qualification.
- Master’s degree in Commerce (Finance Option), Finance, Economics, Business Administration (Finance Option), or equivalent qualification.
- Passed Part III of the Certified Public Accountants (CPA K) examination or equivalent.
- Certificate in a Leadership/Governance course from a recognized institution.
- Membership with a relevant professional body.
- Proficiency in computer applications.
- Meet the requirements of Chapter six of the Constitution of Kenya.
- Demonstrated professional and managerial competence in finance and accounts functions.
Key Competencies and Skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Teamwork and leadership skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Time management and organizational skills.
- Negotiation and decision-making skills.
How to Apply
Applicants who meet the above requirements should submit their applications, including an application letter accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae that lists three (3) professional referees, daytime telephone contacts, email address, copies of certified academic and professional certificates, testimonials, and a copy of the National Identity Card or Passport.
All applications should quote the title and reference number KNEST/FMA/002/26 on the cover letter not later than Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 5.00 pm EAT and submit electronically to recruitment@knest.go.ke.
Successful candidates will be required to obtain clearance documents from the DCI (Good Conduct), KRA (Tax Compliance), HELB, EACC, and a Credit Reference Bureau (CRB).
