The U.S. Embassy to Kenya is looking for qualified candidates to fill four positions.
Some roles are open to all applicants. Others are for U.S. Eligible Family Members only. Read the descriptions carefully before you apply.
Deadline: May 11, 2026.
| Position | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|
| Political Assistant | USEFMs ONLY |
| Consular Associate | USEFMs ONLY |
| Senior Political Specialist | All qualified candidates |
| Community Liaison Office Coordinator | USEFMs ONLY |
USEFM means U.S. Eligible Family Member. These roles are for family members of U.S. government employees stationed in Kenya.
1. Political Assistant (USEFMs ONLY)
Location: Nairobi
Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: 3 years
What You Will Do
You will handle political analysis, reporting, information gathering, and advocacy on Kenyan political issues. You will help the political section develop policies and programs that take into account local conditions and U.S. objectives.
You will monitor media and other sources to track government policymaking, national initiatives, the legislative process, and civil society movements.
You will engage government and civil society contacts to promote U.S. policy goals. You will help build relationships with influential Kenyan government officials.
You will draft reports including spot reports, cables, briefing memos, and Congressionally required documents.
You will also support travel and visits by Embassy officials and VIP visitors.
Requirements
Experience: At least three years in a role involving research, analysis, advocacy, or program management in political science, national security, international business, international relations, education, communications, law, or development.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, law, history, international relations, or public policy.
Language: Fluent English, including ability to translate.
Skills: Strong written and oral communication. Strong organisation. Ability to work independently in a fast paced environment.
2. Consular Associate (USEFMs ONLY)
Location: Nairobi
Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: High School completion
What You Will Do
Under the supervision of a Consular Officer, you will work in the American Citizen Services Unit, Nonimmigrant Visa Unit, Immigrant Visa Unit, or Fraud Prevention Unit.
You will help provide consular services to U.S. citizens. You will handle non adjudicatory visa processing. You will assist with investigations and validation studies.
You will manage correspondence with the public, attorneys, U.S. and Kenyan government officials, Congress, and other parties.
You must be able to get and maintain a Secret level security clearance.
Requirements
Education: High School completion.
Language: Fluent English speaking, reading, and writing.
Skills: Ability to enter data accurately. Proficiency in MS Office. Good organisation and filing. Writing skills for official correspondence. Tact and good judgment when dealing with the public. Ability to learn and apply complex regulations. Good people skills.
Security Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a DOS Secret security clearance.
3. Senior Political Specialist (All Qualified Candidates)
Location: Nairobi
Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree
What You Will Do
This is the senior Locally Employed Staff member in the Political Section. You will advise the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political Section staff on policy matters.
You will lead a team of three people covering political issues in Kenya and U.S.-Kenya relations. You will supervise one person directly.
You will be the main link between Embassy leadership and senior Kenyan officials across society. This includes the president’s office, deputy president, cabinet members, parliamentarians, political party leaders, trade unions, NGOs, academic institutions, religious groups, multilateral organisations, and media houses.
You will negotiate with Kenyan contacts to advance U.S. foreign policy goals.
You will brief visiting U.S. officials on Kenyan political stability, attitudes toward the United States, and regional issues.
You will monitor and analyse Kenya’s political and security situation. You will write reports that need minimal editing.
You will also organise roundtable discussions on political topics for Embassy leadership.
Requirements
Education: University degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, Business Studies, or a related field.
Language: Fluent English. Fluent Kiswahili.
Skills: Strong analytical writing. Ability to follow State Department writing guidelines. Ability to get information from senior officials that is not publicly available. Ability to assess information for bias and hidden agendas.
4. Community Liaison Office Coordinator (USEFMs ONLY)
Location: Nairobi
Job Type: Full Time
Qualification: Secondary school completion
Experience: 5 years (including 6 months supervisory)
What You Will Do
You will develop and manage a programme based on community needs at the Embassy.
Your work directly affects staff morale, productivity, retention, community spirit, and family well being in a foreign environment.
You will create evaluation methods and conduct surveys to see if the programme is working.
Based on what you learn, you will develop a long range plan to maintain and improve morale.
Requirements
Experience: Minimum five years of professional work. Minimum six months supervising others.
Education: Secondary school completion.
Language: Good working knowledge of English speaking, reading, and writing.
Job Knowledge: Understanding of DOS regulations, programmes, and policies. Knowledge of host country laws and customs. This is important for employment liaison, education liaison, crisis management, and security liaison.
Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft computer environment. Ability to draft and edit documents for publication. Good customer service and people skills.
Note
USEFM Only means exactly that.
If a position says USEFMs ONLY, do not apply unless you are a U.S. Eligible Family Member. Your application will be rejected. Save your time.
Security clearance takes time.
Some roles require a DOS Secret security clearance. The vetting process is long. Be patient.
The Embassy does not charge fees.
Never pay for notarisation, certificate, or assessment as part of any recruitment process. If someone asks for money, it is a scam.
How to Apply
Use the link below to apply on the U.S. Embassy career portal.
Application Link: Search “U.S. Embassy Kenya jobs” on Google. Look for the official Embassy website with a .gov domain.
Application Tips
Read the entire announcement.
Embassy job postings are detailed. Every requirement matters. If you miss something, your application is disqualified.
Follow instructions exactly.
If they ask for specific documents in a specific format, provide exactly that. Do not improvise.
Address every qualification.
Your application must cover all requirements including education, experience, language, and skills. If you leave something out, your application may be disqualified.
Prepare for testing.
You may need to complete a pre-employment language or skills test. Be ready.
Be patient.
Embassy hiring takes time. Security clearances take even longer. Do not expect a quick response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kenyan citizens apply for USEFM only roles?
No. USEFM means U.S. Eligible Family Member. These roles are not open to Kenyan citizens.
Which roles are open to Kenyans?
The Senior Political Specialist position is open to all qualified candidates. Read the full announcement on the Embassy website to confirm.
Do I need a visa to work at the Embassy?
If you are a Kenyan citizen hired as Locally Employed staff, you work in Kenya. You do not need a U.S. visa.
How competitive are these jobs?
Very competitive. The Embassy gets hundreds of applications for each opening. Only the strongest candidates move forward.
What if I miss the deadline?
May 11, 2026 is the cutoff. Applications after that date are not considered. Apply early.
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Kevin Onsinsi is a career advisor and content writer at WebPulse Jobs. He helps Kenyan job seekers find legitimate opportunities and avoid scams. Based in Nakuru, Kevin has worked with hundreds of job seekers across the country. Connect with him at kevin@webpulse.co.ke.
