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Tutorial Fellow – Economics of Education

Kenyatta University

Nairobifull time~KES 100k – 150k/mo4d ago

Quick Take

The Role

Deliver lectures, seminars, and tutorials in Economics of Education while supervising student research projects, developing course materials, and conducting independent academic research.

You Need

Master's degree in Educational Management or related field, strong teaching experience in higher education, and commitment to pursuing a PhD in a relevant discipline.

You Get

Career development at Kenya's premier public university with structured PhD support, research publication opportunities, and clear pathway to senior academic roles.

Job Description

Role Overview

Kenyatta University invites applications from highly motivated and academically driven individuals for the position of Tutorial Fellow in the Department of Educational Management, specializing in Economics of Education. This is an exciting opportunity for early-career academics to join one of Kenya's premier public universities and contribute to the development of future education professionals and researchers.

The successful candidate will assist in the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, engage in academic research, and be supported in pursuing doctoral studies. This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about higher education, education policy, planning, and the economics that underpin educational systems in Kenya and across Africa.

Key Responsibilities
  • Assist senior faculty in delivering lectures, seminars, and tutorials in Economics of Education and related units such as Educational Planning, Administration, and Management.
  • Develop and review course materials, lesson plans, and assessments in line with university curriculum standards.
  • Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students in research projects, assignments, and practicum activities.
  • Participate actively in departmental meetings, academic committees, and curriculum development initiatives.
  • Conduct independent and collaborative research and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
  • Pursue and complete a PhD in a relevant field of specialization as a mandatory career progression requirement.
  • Provide academic mentorship and guidance to students within the department.
  • Support the administration of examinations, marking, and timely submission of results.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Demonstrate a strong academic foundation by holding a Master's degree in Educational Management, Administration, Leadership, Curriculum Studies, Educational Planning and Economics of Education, or Educational Research, Evaluation and Assessment from an accredited university.
  • Hold a Bachelor's degree in Education from a recognized and accredited university as a minimum undergraduate qualification.
  • Demonstrate the ability to facilitate learning at university level — prior teaching or tutoring experience in a higher education setting is an added advantage.
  • Show evidence of enrolment or readiness to enrol in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in a relevant discipline — existing PhD registration will be a distinct advantage.
  • Communicate complex academic and policy concepts clearly to diverse student audiences both orally and in writing.
  • Apply research methodologies relevant to education economics, planning, and evaluation in both quantitative and qualitative contexts.
  • Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary academic teams and contribute constructively to the departmental knowledge base.
Salary & Benefits

Kenyatta University offers competitive remuneration in line with the university's salary scales for Tutorial Fellows as guided by the relevant collective bargaining agreements and government guidelines. Estimated monthly gross salary ranges between KES 100,000 and KES 150,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Additional benefits available to staff include access to university facilities, professional development support, and a structured pathway for academic promotion upon completion of PhD studies.

Who Should Apply

Ideal Candidate: You are a recent Master's graduate in education with a genuine passion for research and academic teaching. You are enrolled in or seriously considering a PhD, and you are eager to grow within a university environment. You thrive in a collaborative academic setting and are committed to contributing to educational scholarship in Kenya.

Do NOT apply if: You do not hold at least a Master's degree in a relevant Education field, or if you are unwilling to pursue a PhD as part of your career progression. Candidates without a Bachelor's degree in Education or an equivalent qualification should also not apply.

How to Apply
  • Prepare a detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting your academic qualifications, teaching experience, and research interests.
  • Gather certified copies of your academic certificates and transcripts (Bachelor's and Master's level).
  • Write a cover letter addressed to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Students Affairs), Kenyatta University, clearly stating your area of specialization and your PhD plans.
  • Submit your application through the Kenyatta University official recruitment portal or via the address provided in the university's official advertisement on their website at www.ku.ac.ke.
  • Ensure all documents are submitted before the stated deadline. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Master's degree in Educational Management, Administration, Leadership, Curriculum Studies, Educational Planning, Economics of Education, or Educational Research & Evaluation from accredited university
  • Bachelor's degree in Education from recognized, accredited university
  • Enrollment or readiness to enroll in PhD programme in relevant discipline
  • Prior teaching or tutoring experience in higher education setting
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in complex academic and policy concepts

Nice to Have

  • Existing PhD registration or active doctoral studies
  • Published peer-reviewed articles or conference presentations
  • Research experience in education economics, planning, or policy evaluation
  • Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in education

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Competitive entry-level salary for Tutorial Fellow role in public higher education sector

The KES 100,000–150,000 monthly range positions this role as competitive for early-career academic staff in Kenya's public universities. Salary varies based on qualifications, prior teaching experience, and PhD progression; candidates with advanced research output or doctoral enrolment typically command higher end of range.

About Kenyatta University

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Kenyatta University is one of Kenya's premier public universities, playing a significant role in developing education professionals, researchers, and policy leaders across East Africa. With a strong focus on educational management and policy research, the institution is committed to advancing scholarship in African education systems and contributing to national and regional development. Working at Kenyatta University offers exposure to research-driven academics, access to institutional research networks, and a platform to influence education policy in Kenya.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Describe your experience teaching or tutoring at university level. What pedagogical approaches have you found most effective when explaining complex concepts like education economics to diverse student cohorts?

  • 2

    Walk us through your PhD plans: which discipline, research focus, and timeline are you considering? How does your choice align with departmental research priorities in Educational Management?

  • 3

    Tell us about a research project you've led or contributed to. What was your role, what were the key findings, and how do you see your research interests developing here?

  • 4

    How would you contribute to curriculum development and departmental initiatives beyond your core teaching responsibilities?

  • 5

    Describe your experience supervising student research or practicum activities. How do you balance mentorship with academic rigor?

Application Tips

  • Emphasize any publications, conference presentations, or peer-reviewed contributions—the department values research output and will see this as evidence of PhD readiness.

  • Highlight specific teaching innovations or curriculum development work in higher education, especially if it involved education policy, planning, or economics topics.

  • Clearly articulate your PhD aspirations and proposed area of focus in your cover letter; frame them as aligned with the department's research agenda in Educational Management.

  • If you have mentored or supervised students in research projects, provide concrete examples of outcomes (improved grades, published student work, successful research completion).

  • Demonstrate familiarity with Kenyatta University's Department of Educational Management and Kenya's education policy landscape to show genuine interest in the role beyond career advancement.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Graduate Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant in Education department
Secondary school educator or education coordinator with postgraduate qualification
Education policy analyst or planning officer transitioning to academia
Research Officer in education-focused NGO or government ministry

Where this leads

Senior Lecturer or Lecturer (after PhD completion and publications)
Associate Professor with research leadership in education economics or policy
Education policy advisor or consultant at national/international level
Director of research centre or academic department in higher education

Skills & Keywords

tutorial fellow kenyakenyatta university jobseconomics of educationuniversity lecturer jobs kenyaeducational management jobsacademic jobs kenyaeducation research jobshigher education careers kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Structured PhD support pathway built into role—rare for Tutorial Fellow positions and signals serious investment in candidate development.
  • Clear research expectations and publication opportunities aligned with academic career progression.
  • Reputable public university with established Department of Educational Management—offers credibility, research resources, and networking access.
  • Explicit mention of mentorship, departmental committees, and curriculum development involvement—indicates holistic academic development beyond teaching load.

Watch Out

  • PhD completion is listed as 'mandatory career progression requirement' but timeline and institutional support structures are not detailed—clarify expected completion window and whether tuition support is provided.
  • Salary posting is incomplete (cuts off mid-sentence at 'university's salary scales')—request full benefits breakdown including health insurance, research allowances, and allowances for ongoing study.
  • No mention of contract duration, probation period, or permanent versus temporary appointment—confirm employment terms before accepting offer.

A Day in the Life

☀️

A typical week involves preparing and delivering 2–3 tutorial sessions or seminars in Economics of Education, meeting individually with 4–5 undergraduate or postgraduate students to review research assignments and provide feedback, and attending departmental meetings focused on curriculum updates or academic planning. You'd spend 1–2 days on independent research or collaborative writing for publication, update course materials based on recent education policy developments in Kenya, and contribute to marking or exam administration. Evenings might involve reading for your own PhD studies or preparing lecture slides drawing on the latest education economics literature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to apply for the Tutorial Fellow – Economics of Education role at Kenyatta University?

You must hold a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Educational Management, Administration, Leadership, Curriculum Studies, Educational Planning, Economics of Education, or a closely related field, all from accredited universities. You must also be enrolled in or ready to enroll in a PhD programme in a relevant discipline, and prior higher education teaching or tutoring experience is required.

Is the Tutorial Fellow – Economics of Education role at Kenyatta University remote or on-site?

The posting does not specify remote work options; this is a full-time, on-site role at Kenyatta University's Nairobi campus, involving lectures, seminars, student supervision, and departmental engagement. Contact the Department of Educational Management to confirm any flexibility in work arrangements.

How much does a Tutorial Fellow – Economics of Education earn at Kenyatta University?

The advertised salary range is KES 100,000–150,000 per month, in line with Kenyatta University's salary scales for Tutorial Fellows. Additional benefits typically include health insurance and research support, though the full benefits package was not detailed in this posting—request a complete offer breakdown.

What are the career growth opportunities after becoming a Tutorial Fellow at Kenyatta University?

The role is explicitly designed as a stepping stone: completion of your mandatory PhD and publication of peer-reviewed work positions you for promotion to Senior Lecturer or Lecturer, and eventually Associate Professor or senior research leadership roles within the university or in education policy and consulting at national/international level.

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