The Commission dates back to 1954 when Civil Service Commission was established by British Colonial Government following Holmes Commission Report, 1948; Civil Service Commission was advisory to the Governor in matters of appointments;

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities at this level will include:-

• Overseeing the development, implementation and reviewing of forest management and conservation, agroforestry and commercial forestry policies, strategies, legislations, regulations, plans, standards and guidelines;
• Spearheading the implementation of projects and programmes for forest conservation, commercial forestry and agroforestry;
• Collaborating with Ministries, Departments, County Governments and Agencies, and other stakeholders on forest management and conservation, Agroforestry and commercial forestry;
• Facilitating establishment and maintenance of a database of all forests and forest health status;
• Promoting Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in forest management, conservation, protection, agro-forestry and commercial forestry;
• Overseeing the development and implementation of guidelines for “Adopt a Forest” concept;
• Coordinating the implementation of the National Reducing Emission from        Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Strategy;
• Overseeing compliance of forestry related Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and other regional instruments and protocols;
• Building capacity of key institutions and stakeholders to support forestry development;
• Spearheading the implementation of strategies for promotion of nature-based enterprises for communities’ economic livelihoods;
• Overseeing the establishment of urban forests and green spaces and operationalization of Tree Growing Fund;
• Spearheading policy research and knowledge management on forest conservation, commercial forestry and agroforestry initiatives;
• Coordinating the development and implementation of the Directorate strategic plan, work plans, budget, performance contract and appraisal;
• Ensuring compliance with good governance and code of ethics; and
• Mentoring and coaching staff

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:-

• Served for a minimum period of ten (10) years, three (3) of which must have been in the grade of Assistant Director, Forest Management and Conservation, CSG 7 and above or in a comparable and relevant  position in the wider public service;
• A Bachelors Degree in of the following disciplines: Forestry, Agro-forestry, Wood Science, Industrial Processes and Technology, Natural Resource Conservation or equivalent qualifications from a university recognized in Kenya;
• A Masters Degree in any of the following disciplines: Forestry, Forest Finance, Forest Economics, Forest Survey, Natural Resources Conservation, Forest Policy, Forest Planning and Management, Agro-forestry and Rural Development, Biodiversity Conservation or equivalent qualifications from a university recognized in  Kenya;
• Demonstrated managerial, administrative and professional competencies in in work performance and results; and
• Exhibited a deep understanding of national goals, policies, objectives and ability to relate them to proper management of forest management and conservation services function