Secretary / Chief Executive Officer - NDMA

The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) is a State Corporation established under the National Drought Management Authority Act, 2016. The Act mandates the Authority to exercise overall coordination over all matters relating to drought risk management and to establish mechanisms, either on its own or in collaboration with stakeholders, to end drought emergencies and build climate resilience in Kenya. The Board of Directors, National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), seeks to competitively recruit a dynamic, result-oriented, and visionary leader for the position of Secretary / Chief Executive Officer . Job Title: Secretary / Chief Executive Officer 1 Position Job Ref No: NDMA/CEO/2026/01 Terms of Employment: Contract - Five (5) years Duty Station: Headquarters, Nairobi Job Grade: NDMA 1 Basic Salary: KES 216,300 – 370,600 Per Month Other Benefits: Medical Insurance Cover, WIBA, and Gratuity &Travel allowance as applicable Expected Start Date: 14/02/2027 Reports to: Board of Directors Position Summary / Purpose: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the Accounting Officer and Chief Executive of the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA). Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and operational direction to fulfil the Authority's statutory mandate under the NDMA Act (2016). The primary purpose of the position is to lead and coordinate national and county-level mechanisms for drought risk management, early warning systems, disaster response & recovery, and climate change adaptation to end drought emergencies and build long-term community resilience across Kenya. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Chief Executive Officer/Secretary shall be the Accounting Officer of the Authority and shall be responsible to the Board for the following duties and responsibilities: A. Strategic Leadership i. Providing strategic leadership and overall direction in the formulation, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Authority's strategic plan, policies, programmes and annual work plans. ii. Providing leadership and overall control of the Authority's operations to ensure that its activities are managed professionally, efficiently and effectively in the achievement of its mandate, mission and strategic objectives. iii. Overseeing the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of institutional strategies, systems and programmes designed to guide national drought risk management and climate change adaptation. iv. Facilitating the preparation and implementation of the Authority's strategic plans, annual work plans and performance management systems to ensure the achievement of institutional targets. v. Providing leadership in organisational transformation, innovation and continuous improvement in the quality, efficiency and value of services delivered by the Authority. vi. Ensuring effective communication, coordination and collaboration between the Board, management and employees to promote institutional effectiveness and accountability. B. Drought Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation i. Providing strategic leadership in the coordination and implementation of national drought risk management and climate change adaptation policies, strategies and programmes. ii. Overseeing the establishment and strengthening of institutional frameworks for drought risk management coordination at national and county government levels through appropriate policy guidance. iii. Overseeing the development, implementation and operationalisation of effective drought early warning systems in consultation with relevant stakeholders and institutions. iv. Overseeing the preparation, implementation and review of national and county drought preparedness and contingency plans in consultation with relevant stakeholders. v. Coordinating drought response initiatives undertaken by government agencies, institutions and other relevant bodies to ensure effective and timely interventions. vi. Providing advisories to the Cabinet Secretary, the Board, government agencies, communities and other stakeholders on drought risk management and climate change adaptation measures based on drought early warning information. vii. Coordinating with the National Government on drought situations requiring the declaration of a national or international disaster and providing relevant information to the Presidency to support decision-making on the declaration of drought emergencies or famine. viii. Overseeing the development of proactive systems and mechanisms to build resilience and protect the lives, livelihoods and assets of vulnerable communities against drought and climate change impacts. ix. Overseeing the development and dissemination of manuals, codes, guidelines and other technical information relating to drought management, prevention and mitigation of the adverse effects of drought and climate change on human, plant and animal life. x. Overseeing the development and management of research, knowledge and information on drought risk management, including the generation, consolidation and dissemination of relevant information to support evidence-based decision-making. xi. Overseeing the mainstreaming of drought response, resilience building and climate change adaptation in national and county government policies, plans, programmes, projects and budgets. xii. Providing leadership in capacity building for national and county governments and other stakeholders on drought risk management, preparedness, response and climate change adaptation. C. Partnerships, Regional and International Cooperation i. Establishing, strengthening and maintaining strategic partnerships and working relationships with national and county governments, development partners, United Nations agencies, humanitarian organisations, the private sector, communities and other stakeholders to promote drought resilience, preparedness, response and recovery. ii. Coordinating the domestication and implementation of regional and international agreements, conventions and protocols relating to drought risk management and climate change adaptation. iii. Monitoring and reporting on progress made in implementing regional and international commitments on drought risk management to relevant institutions and bodies established under the respective agreements and conventions. iv. Representing the Government of Kenya in relevant regional and international forums on drought risk management. v. Chairing relevant drought risk management forums and committee meetings and facilitating inter-agency coordination on drought and food security matters. D. Financial Management, Resource Mobilisation and Administration i. Exercising overall fiduciary responsibility for the Authority's financial operations in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, and its attendant regulations. ii. Overseeing the preparation and implementation of the Authority's annual budgets, procurement plans and resource allocation frameworks to ensure prudent, efficient and accountable utilisation of resources. iii. Coordinating resource mobilisation and overseeing the development and management of government and donor funding agreements and contracts to support the realisation of the Authority's strategic objectives. iv. Ensuring compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, and its attendant regulations in the acquisition, management and disposal of the Authority's assets. v. Providing overall leadership in the efficient administration and management of the Authority's finances, assets and other institutional resources, including the approval of expenditure in accordance with applicable laws and delegated authority. vi. Administering the National Drought Emergency Fund (NDEF) in accordance with the applicable legal and financial management frameworks. vii. Overseeing the development and implementation of appropriate targeting tools and methodologies for cash transfer programmes, taking into consideration the prevailing economic, social and political environment. viii. Overseeing the establishment and management of cash transfer infrastructure and payment systems, including transparent grievance and complaints management mechanisms. E. Human Capital Management and Organisational Development i. Providing leadership in the management and development of human capital in accordance with approved human resource policies, procedures and applicable laws and regulations. ii. Promoting continuous professional development and investment in employees' knowledge, skills and competencies to enhance institutional capacity and responsiveness to the changing operating environment. iii. Appraising the performance of functional Directors and ensuring effective implementation of performance management systems across the Authority. iv. Promoting teamwork, employee engagement, performance excellence and a corporate culture that supports innovation, professionalism and continuous improvement. F. Corporate Governance, Compliance and Accountability i. Promoting and maintaining a corporate culture founded on integrity, ethical practices, accountability, transparency and good corporate governance in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya and applicable laws. ii. Ensuring that the Authority complies with the Constitution, the NDMA Act, relevant government policies, statutory requirements and applicable administrative and regulatory frameworks. iii. Establishing and maintaining effective institutional risk management frameworks, internal controls and accountability mechanisms to safeguard the Authority's resources and operations. iv. Overseeing the preparation and submission of the Authority's annual reports and other statutory reports to Parliament, Cabinet and relevant stakeholders for accountability and decision-making. v. Ensuring continuous improvement in institutional systems, procedures and se