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. The Commission then constituted of a chairman, a deputy chairman and fifteen members all appointed by the President. The Commission, since then, has handled matters of human resource management in the public service especially the civil service and local authorities. Constitution of Kenya, 2010 promulgated on 27th August 2010 reconstituted the Commission with a redefined and expanded mandate and a lean membership.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Overseeing development, implementation and review of legal policies and procedures;
• Overseeing provision of legal services;
• Providing leadership and policy direction on legal issues;
• Overseeing the preparation of legal opinions and processing of legal notices and any other Gazettement;
• Interpreting and advising the Commission on all matters relating to the law;
• Ensuring compliance with the applicable laws and regulations, agreements, MOUs and contracts;
• Ensuring representation of the Commission in courts or other judicial authorities;
• Liaising with the Attorney General, other law enforcement agencies and MDAs on all legal matters;
• Overseeing legal research on emerging issues;
• Overseeing the handling and hearing of appeals from County Governments, State Corporations and Public Universities;
• Attending courts to represent the Public Service Commission;
• Overseeing the administering of alternative dispute resolution mechanism when directed by courts;
• Coordinating the preparation and processing of legal notices and any other gazettement;
• Maintaining and implementing a centralized system for tracking case status, scheduling hearings or meetings, and ensuring timely follow-up;
• Preparing frameworks for protecting public officers against victimization and discrimination while discharging their duties;
• Overseeing performance management and ensuring prudent utilization of resources;
• Coordinating the development and implementation of the budget, work plans, procurement plans, projects and programmes in the Directorate; and
• Overseeing mentorship and coaching of staff in the Directorate.

Requirements for Appointment

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

• Cumulative service period of fifteen (15) years in the legal field and must be in the position of Senior Deputy Director Job Grade PSC 3 or in an equivalent and comparable senior Management position in the Public Sector;
• Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law;
• Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from a recognized institution;
• Master of Laws Degree (LLM) from a recognized institution;
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya;
• Leadership course lasting not less than six (6) weeks from a recognized institution;
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya;
• Current practicing certificate;
• Proficiency in computer applications; and
• Demonstrated thorough understanding of national goals policies and development objectives and the ability to transform them into compliance and performance management policies and programmes.