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; At independence in 1963 it was enshrined in the constitution and renamed Public Service Commission; Independence Constitution had Regional PSC’s but abolished in 1964 following constitutional amendments; It is the oldest Constitutional Commission and its mandate has expanded over the years.

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

• (i) served for a minimum period of ten (10) years, three (3) of which should have been at the grade of Assistant Director, Counselling and Wellness Services CSG 7 and above or in a comparable and relevant position in the wider public service;
• (ii) a Bachelors Degree in any of the following fields: Counselling , Counselling
  Psychology, Psychology (Counselling), or an equivalent qualification from a
  University recognized in Kenya;
  OR
  a Bachelors Degree in any of the following fields: Clinical Psychology, Occupational Psychology, Social Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work and a Diploma in Counselling or equivalent qualification from a university recognized in Kenya;
• (iii) a Masters Degree in any of the following fields: Counselling Psychology, Psychology (Counselling), Education Psychology (Psychology (Guidance and Counselling) or equivalent qualification from a university recognized in Kenya;
• (iv) a Certificate in Facilitation Course in Psychological Counselling lasting not less than two (2) weeks from a recognized institution;
• (v) a Certificate in Counsellor Supervision from a recognized institution;
• (vi) a Membership to a relevant professional body;
• (vii) a Registration certificate issued by the Counsellors and Psychologist Board;
• (viii) a Valid practicing license from the counsellors and Psychologists Boards;
• (ix) a Certificate in Psychological Debriefing lasting not less than two (2) weeks from a recognized institution; and
• (x) demonstrated professional competence, managerial capability and a thorough
  understanding of Psychological counselling and Wellness and ability to relate it to
  national development goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities at this level will include:-

• (i) coordinating developing, implementing and reviewing of policies, strategies,
  guidelines and standards on workplace counselling and wellness, HIV and AIDS, and substance use;
• (ii) managing the Public Service Psychological Assessment Centre;
• (iii) coordinating research on psychological counselling and wellness issues to inform mental health policies and programmes;
• (iv) providing guidance on psychological counselling and treatment plans;
• (v) managing client referrals to specialist or other institutions for non-counselling services;
• (vi) coordinating provision of psychological and wellness consultancy programmes;
• (vii) coordinating provision of Psychological First Aid and trauma counselling during disasters/crises;
• (viii) coordinating design, development, implementation and review psychological testing and counselling tools and procedures;
• (ix) establishing and maintaining of an inventory on counselling and wellness issues;
• (x) coordinating implementation of psychological counselling and wellness programmes and activities in the public service;
• (xi) coordinating psychological counselling consultancy services;
• (xii) coordinating preparation, dissemination and implementation of psychological
  counselling and wellness reports;
• (xiii) developing, implementing and reviewing the public service counselling procedure manual;
• (xiv) coordinating mainstreaming of counselling and wellness service in the public service; and
• (xv) coordinating counsellor’s supervision, Publics Service Mental Health Champions and other mental health professionals in the public service.