Vacancies in the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board

The Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board

Vacancies in the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board

The Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board is established under Section 6 of the Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Act, 2011. It shall operate for one year from the date of operationalization.

The enactment of the Act is pursuant to section 23 of the Sixth schedule to the Constitution, which requires parliament to enact legislation, establishing mechanisms and procedures for vetting the suitability of all Judges and Magistrates who were in office on the effective date to continue to serve in accordance with the values and principles set out in Articles 10 and 159.

The function of the Board is to vet all Judges and Magistrates in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the Act.

The Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board seeks to recruit officers for a one (1) non-renewable contract, to fill the following positions and a competitive salary will be offered to successful applicants:-

Applications are invited for the following posts:-

1. Secretary

One (1) Post

Station: Nairobi

Reporting: The Chairperson

Job Descriptions

The Secretary shall be the administrator and chief executive Officer of the secretariat of the Board and shall serve on a full time basis.

The Secretary will be responsible to the chairperson for:-

• management, oversight and implementation of Boards Policies, Programmes and strategies;
• providing strategic leadership and policy direction;
  
• advising on emerging issues and ensuring adherence to professional standards;
  
• coordination of the Board’s studies, reviews, research and evaluations;
  
• recording of the Board’s proceedings;
  
• Providing the Board with accurate information on the status of facilities and services required for the proper conduct of the vetting process;
  
• maintenance and provision of facilities and services required for the discharge of the Board’s functions;
  
• Providing the Board with accurate records and information regarding the Judges and Magistrates undergoing vetting;
  
• Maintaining accurate records on financial matters and resource use;
• budgeting;
  
• keeping custody of all records and documents of the Board; and
  
• Performing any other duties as may be assigned by the Board from time to time.

Job Specifications

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:

• a Bachelors degree from a university recognized in Kenya;
• a Masters degree in the relevant field from a recognized institution;
• attended Strategic Leadership Course lasting not less than six (6) weeks from a recognized institution
• served in the relevant field for at least ten (1) year;
• a clear understanding of National development goals, Vision 2030 and role of the judges and magistrates in the achievement of the same.
• Must not have been serving as a judge or magistrate on the effective date.

In addition, the candidate must be:

• in compliant with the requirements of Article 10 on Values and Principles of Good Governance, chapter six on Leadership and Integrity and chapter thirteen of the Constitution on Values and Principles of Public Service and
• be a citizen of Kenya

2. Assisting Counsel

Four (4) Posts

Station: Nairobi

Reporting to: Secretary/CEO

Job Descriptions

An officer at this level will be responsible to the Secretary for all the technical matters in the area of Jurisdiction.

Specific Job Description will include: leading the vetting process, compilation of statistical cases, for the Board; undertaking research into new areas of legal fraternity; filling of memoranda of appearance; and administering oaths and affirmation of witnesses.

Job Specifications

For appointment to this position, a candidate must have:

• Bachelors of Law (LLB) degree from a recognized institution;
• served for a minimum period of Seven (7) years in legal the profession, two (2) years of which should have been in a middle management position;
• a Post graduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Council of Legal Education;
• have been admitted to the Roll of Advocates;
• a current practicing certificate;
• a thorough understanding of goals, objectives and mandate of the Board;
• management course lasting not less than four (4) weeks; and
• not been serving as a judge or magistrate on the effective date.

3. Human Resource Officer

One (1) Post

Station: Nairobi

Reporting to: Secretary/CEO

Job Descriptions

Specific Job Description will entail:

• processing of salaries, remuneration gratuity and benefits;
  
• maintaining up to date human resource information systems, implementing human resource management matters within established policies in the Board in consultation with the Secretary;
  
• facilitating recruitments, appointment, discipline and communication of decisions; updating staff medical scheme;
  
• preparing and reviewing human resource plans;
  
• developing the training plans;
• facilitating the target-setting and annual performance/appraisal evaluation;
  
• coordinating directorate annual and quarterly work plans and ensuring the Board is in compliance with all Government regulations including legal and statutory requirements.
  

For appointment to this position, a candidate must have:

• a Bachelors Degree in Social Sciences from a recognized Institution;
• a post graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management; Business administration, or public administration;
• a Masters degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or its equivalent from a recognized institution;
• worked in the human resource management profession for a minimum period of seven (7) years, in the Public Service or Private Sector; and
• attended Senior Management Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks.

4. Principal Finance Officer

One (1) Post

Station: Nairobi

Reporting to: Secretary/CEO

Job Descriptions

The Finance Officer will be responsible for financial and accounting activities of the Board.

The person will administer the financial systems and approval of expenditure.

The Officer will monitor all expenses and budgets within the Commission to comply with the financial policies and procedures; preparation of management and statutory financial reports; provision of timely quarterly finance and accounts services; approval of invoices; preparation of budgets and preparation of timely and accurate financial records.

Job Specifications

For appointment to this position, a candidate must have:

• have a Bachelors degree in Commerce (Accounting or Finance option) or Bachelor of Arts in Economics or Bachelor of Business Administration/Management or a other comparable qualification from recognized University and passed Part III of the Certified Public Accountants of Kenya [CPA(K)] Examination or CPS (K);
• served for a minimum period of five (5) years, two (2) of which must have been at a senior level in the Public Service or Private Sector or International Organization;
• attended a senior management course lasting not less than four weeks;
• be proficient in accounts based computer applications;
• be familiar with accounting principles and procedures in the Public Sector;
• have demonstrable professional competence in accounts’ work; and

5. Accountant

One (1) Post

Station: Nairobi

Reporting to: Secretary/CEO

Job Descriptions

An officer at this level will be in charge of the Accounts Unit of the Board.

Specifically, the person will be responsible for: verification of vouchers and committal documents in accordance with laid down rules and regulations; data capture, maintenance of primary records such as cashbooks, ledgers, vote books, registers and preparation of management reports such as imprest and expenditure returns.

The officer may also be as deployed as a cashier where duties will entail receiving duly processed payments and receipt vouchers; writing cheques and posting payments and receipt vouchers in the cash books and balancing of the cash books on daily basis; organizing for withdrawal of cash for office use and ensuring safety of the same at all times; extracting and providing cash liquidity
analysis; ensuring security of cheques and cheque books; paying personal and merchant claims guided by cash balances in the cash books and Treasury Regulations; and receipting of all money due and payable to Government.

Job Specifications

For appointment to this position, a candidate must:

• have a Bachelors degree in Commerce (Accounting option) and passed Part III of the Certified Public Accountants of Kenya [CPA(K)] Examination or its approved equivalent qualification
• served in the accounting profession for a minimum period five (5) years in the Public or Private Sector;
• be proficient in accounts based computer applications;
• be familiar with accounts principles and procedures in the Public Sector;
• have demonstrable professional competence in accounts’ work;

6. Information and Communication Technology Officer

One (1) Post

Station: Nairobi

Reporting to: Secretary/CEO

Job Descriptions

An officer at this level will be responsible to the Secretary for storage, security and retrieval of information at the Board.

Specific duties and responsibilities at this level will entail:

• designing appropriate database for various activities;
  
• developing security systems for ensuring confidentiality of the information provided to the Board;
  
• designing secure retrieval systems; installation and maintenance of computer systems;
  
• configuration of Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN);
  
• developing and updating application systems;
  
• carrying out systems analysis, design and programme specifications in liaison with users;
• carrying out repairs and maintenance of Information Communication Technology equipment and associated peripherals;
• drawing up hardware specifications for Information Communication Technology equipment;
  
• verification, validation and certification of Information Communication Technology equipment; and
  
• overseeing the process of configuration of new Information Communication Technology equipment.
  

Job Specifications

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:

• a Bachelors degree in any of the following fields: Computer Science /Information Communication Technology or in Electronics/Electrical Engineering from a recognized Institution;
• served for at least five (5) years in Information Management/Information Communication Technology or related field, three (3) of which must have been at a senior level in the Public Service or Private Sector;
• attended a Senior Management Course lasting less than four (4) weeks;
• post graduate qualification in Information Management;
• demonstrable professional competence in Information Management/Information Communication Technology work;

7. Administrative Officer

One (1) Post

Station: Nairobi

Reporting to: Secretary/CEO

Job Descriptions

Specific Job Description will entail: facilitating the target-setting and annual performance/appraisal evaluation; Coordinating Board’s work plans and ensuring the Board is in compliance with all Government regulations including legal and statutory requirements.

The officer will also be responsible for providing administrative support services such official transport, facilitating security, cleaning, hospitality, catering and office accommodation services

Job Specifications

For appointment to this position, a candidate must:

• a Bachelors Degree in Social Sciences from a recognized Institution;
• a Masters degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or its equivalent from a recognized institution;
• a post graduate Diploma Business administration, or public administration
• worked in the human resource management profession or administration for a minimum period of five (5) years, in the Public Service or Private Sector; and
• Not have been serving as a judge or magistrate on the effective date.

8. Researchers

Twelve (12) Posts

Station: Nairobi

Reporting: Secretary/CEO

Job Descriptions

Specific Job Description will entail:

Carrying out research for the Board, preparing well researched analytical concepts, reports, activity briefs and other advisory material on the different topics regarding the function of the Board, coordinating and participating in relevant technical meetings at the Board, analyzing research data and compiling the reports for inclusion in the statutory reports; and ensuring completion of all projects in accordance with their terms of reference.

Further, the Researchers will track and advice development of a database of research materials and give advice on the relevant periodicals, professional databases, legal sources, books and other research tools.

Job Specifications

For appointment to this position the candidate must have:

• A Bachelors Degree in social science, law, economics or any other relevant field.
• Served for a minimum period of five (5) years, two (2) of which must have been as a researcher at a senior level in the Public Service or Private Sector or International Organization;

or

• Demonstrable skills in research work such as situation analysis and monitoring and evaluation, research methodology, data collection and analysis using appropriate software such as SPSS;
• Demonstrable understanding of the Constitution of Kenya, its social, political, economic landscape, both in theory and practice; and

Qualified applicants are required to fill three (3) PSC 2 (Revised 2007) form.

The forms can be downloaded from the Public Service Commission of Kenya website www.publicservice.go.ke.

Applicants should enclose their academic and professional certificates as well as testimonials and send them to:

The Chairperson
Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board
Anniversary Towers, University Way, 22nd Floor
P.O. Box 45521 – 00100
Nairobi

To be received not later than 14th October, 2011.

Hand delivery can be done at the Anniversary Towers, University Way, 22nd Floor.

Note:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Canvassing of any kind will lead to automatic disqualification.

Sharad Rao
Chairperson