Job Description

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is hiring a Deputy Director, Cartography/Geographic Information System.

This is a senior leadership position within the Cartography and Geographic Information Division. The successful candidate will oversee geospatial mapping activities, geographic data processing, census mapping and geospatial database management. The position is suitable for an experienced geospatial or GIS professional with substantial leadership experience.

Employer: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)
Job title: Deputy Director, Cartography/Geographic Information System
Grade: KNBS Grade 3
Reference: KNBS/DDCGIS/16/2026
Positions: 1
Employment: Permanent and Pensionable
Basic salary: KSh 169,380–236,460 per month

About the Role

This position sits within KNBS's Population and Social Statistics function. It focuses on planning and implementing activities in the Cartography and Geographic Information Division.

The role combines technical geospatial work with senior-level coordination. You will oversee mapping activities, geospatial data processing, census mapping and the development of geographic databases.

A major part of the position involves supporting census and survey operations. This includes administrative boundary identification, Enumeration Area delineation and updating.

The role also requires leadership in emerging geospatial technologies. You will help develop mapping standards, coordinate training and respond to stakeholder requirements for maps and geospatial information.

Key Responsibilities

The Deputy Director will provide strategic and technical oversight across the division.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Overseeing proposals and plans for mapping activities.
• Guiding the design and review of geospatial mapping instruments.
• Researching emerging technologies for geospatial data collection and analysis.
• Supervising geospatial data analysis and processing.
• Coordinating training for trainers and Mapping Assistants.
• Overseeing administrative boundary identification and Enumeration Area delineation.
• Supervising census maps, atlases and mapping reports.
• Coordinating stakeholder sensitization on mapping activities.
• Managing the development of a geospatial database.
• Developing mapping standards and techniques.
• Ensuring maps are produced according to stakeholder requirements.
• Overseeing the editing of geospatial databases and geography files.

Who This Job Is For

This is not an entry-level GIS position. KNBS requires a professional with at least 15 years of relevant work experience.

Three of those years must have been served as an Assistant Director, Cartography/GIS, or in a comparable position. The successful applicant therefore needs both technical depth and proven leadership experience.

Relevant academic backgrounds include geospatial engineering, geomatics, geographic information science, geography, environmental studies, urban planning and related disciplines. A master's degree in a relevant field is also required.

Candidates should be comfortable with relevant computer applications. KNBS also expects evidence of merit and strong performance in previous roles.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• At least 15 years of relevant work experience.
• At least three years at Assistant Director, Cartography/GIS level or a comparable position.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant geospatial, geographic, environmental or urban planning field.
• Master's degree in a relevant geospatial, geographic, environmental or urban planning field.
• Leadership course lasting at least four weeks.
• Proficiency in relevant computer applications.
• Demonstrated merit and ability through work performance and results.

The bachelor's degree may be in Geo-spatial Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Technology in Geographic Information, Geospatial Information Science and Remote Sensing, Technology in Geomatics, Geography, Environmental Studies and Urban Planning.

Relevant master's degrees include Geo-spatial Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Geospatial Information Science, Geography, Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing.

Equivalent qualifications may be considered where specified in the requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

The position carries the following monthly remuneration:

Employment terms: Permanent and Pensionable.

The listed allowances bring the stated monthly package to approximately KSh 269,380–336,460, before any other applicable benefits or deductions.

Location and Work Arrangement

Employer: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
Work arrangement: Not specified in the advertisement
Employment terms: Permanent and Pensionable

The position is part of KNBS's Cartography and Geographic Information Division. The advertisement does not state a remote or hybrid arrangement.

Why This Opportunity May Be Worth Considering

The position offers senior professionals an opportunity to influence geospatial work supporting national statistics. Mapping plays an important role in census and survey operations, particularly through Enumeration Area development and geographic data management.

The role also provides scope to shape geospatial standards and technology adoption. Professionals with strong GIS leadership experience may find the combination of technical oversight and institutional responsibility particularly relevant.

What to Check Before Applying

Before applying, assess your experience against the seniority of this position.

The 15-year experience requirement is particularly important. You should also confirm that at least three years of your experience meet the Assistant Director, Cartography/GIS or comparable-position requirement.

Check your academic qualifications carefully. Both bachelor's and master's qualifications must fall within the relevant fields specified for the position.

Your leadership training should also meet the minimum four-week requirement. Relevant computer proficiency and evidence of strong professional performance are additional requirements.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete and submit the KNBS Open Advert Employment Application Form, Ref. KNBS/F/93/29.

The application requires a single PDF containing:

• Cover letter
• National Identity Card or passport copy
• Curriculum Vitae
• Certified academic certificates
• Certified professional certificates
• Certified transcripts
• Other relevant testimonials

Application deadline: September 22, 2026.

Applicants should ensure the required documents are properly prepared before submission.

About Kenya National Bureau of Statistics

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is a government agency established under the Statistics Act, CAP 112, Laws of Kenya. It is responsible for collecting, compiling, analysing, publishing and disseminating official statistical information.

KNBS also serves a broader coordination role within Kenya's National Statistical System. Its work supports the production and management of statistical information used across government and other sectors.

AscendurePro Application Notes

Lead with senior-level evidence. This application should immediately establish your suitability for a deputy-director position.

Your CV should show the progression of your geospatial career. Highlight leadership responsibility, major mapping programmes, GIS projects, census or survey work and measurable results.

Technical skills should support your leadership profile rather than dominate it. Emphasize experience with geospatial databases, mapping systems, spatial analysis, geographic data management and relevant technologies.

The 15-year experience requirement means your career history needs to be easy to evaluate. Make your employment dates, positions and responsibilities clear.

For the cover letter, connect your leadership experience with KNBS's geospatial responsibilities. Show how you have managed people, improved mapping processes, introduced technology or delivered complex geospatial programmes.

Avoid submitting a generic executive cover letter. This role has a specific technical mandate, so your application should demonstrate both geospatial expertise and institutional leadership.

Finally, review the document requirements before submission. Certified academic and professional documents, transcripts and testimonials must be combined into one PDF as required by KNBS.