Regional Adviser – Central and Rift (NR) at the British High Commission

The role supports strengthening the UK’s engagement and impact at county and regional levels by enhancing the BHC’s sub‑national presence. It supports delivery of the UK‑Kenya Strategic Partnership (2025 – 2030) and Country Business Plan (CBP) by influencing local governance reforms, advancing development outcomes, and informing UK policy and programming.

The role holder will primarily support our work in Laikipia (including improving local engagement linked to the British Army Training Unit Kenya), parts of Isiolo, Samburu, Nyeri, and Meru, with additional support to selected counties in the North and South Rift (Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Narok, and Kajiado). They are expected to spend 70-80% of their time in Laikipia (Nanyuki). The role will also lead a regional thematic priority- focusing on defence partnerships, security, climate change and others to be agreed.

The postholder will provide real‑time political, development and contextual analysis, spot opportunities and risks, and ensure county‑level insights shape UK interventions. They will be part of the Democracy, Governance and Political team but collaborate closely with all the programme and policy teams across all CBP pillars.

The role offers significant cross‑Mission exposure and on‑the‑job learning in political analysis, programme delivery, stakeholder engagement, and regional governance, alongside access to FCDO learning, mentoring and thematic working groups.

• Deep contextual understanding of the politics, priorities, opportunities and challenges of the Central Kenya and Rift Valley, with strong local political economy awareness.
• Be familiar with the UK’s footprint in the Central Kenya and Rift Valley, covering not only programmes, but also wider UK Government economic, commercial and military work, and the activities of British businesses operating locally
• Strong understanding of national and county governance structures, including PFM, sector priorities and an understanding of how these structures work in practise in the Central Kenya and Rift Valley.
• Demonstrated ability to access, engage, and influence a wide range of stakeholders: county leadership, technical officials, commissioners, county assemblies, civil society, private sector, and donors - and have strong existing networks in the Central Kenya and Rift Valley.
• Self‑driven and outcome‑focused, ability to understand the SP/CBP priorities and intended outcomes; and be able to drive forward priorities proactively, and at pace with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English