HELB Declares CEO Position Vacant: Qualifications and How to Apply

The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) on Tuesday December 3 announced vacancy for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position.

In a job advertisement, HELB asked qualified and interested Kenyans to apply for the job opportunity, which is at the centre of higher education funding in Kenya.

“HELB is seeking to recruit transformative, competent and self-driven individual with an innate dynamism for the position of Chief Executive Officer/ Board Secretary.

The successful candidate will join a highly performing team and should not only be passionate, innovative, and qualified but also be dependable, emotional intelligent and have effective interpersonal, communication and leadership skills,” part of the job advertisement read.

Duties and Responsibilities of HELB CEO

According to the Authority, the duties and responsibilities of the CEO will be as follows:

1. Serve as the Accounting Officer of the institution.
2. Be responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of HELB.
3. Provide leadership in the development of HELB’s programs and ensure program quality and organizational stability through the development and implementation of standards, controls, systems, procedures, regular evaluations, and performance management systems.
4. Act as the Custodian of the Common Seal.
5. Oversee the formulation and implementation of sound policies for regulating the management of the organization.
6. Mobilize resources, including receiving any gifts, donations, grants, or endowments made to the Board, and make legitimate disbursements therefrom.

In addition, the CEO is expected to:

1. Oversee the setting of criteria and conditions governing the granting and recovery of loans.
2. Establish and maintain strategic linkages with other individuals, bodies, or organizations within or outside Kenya to further the purposes for which HELB is established.
3. Enter into contracts with financial institutions for the purpose of loan disbursement and recovery.
4. Ensure that loans are granted within the stipulated criteria and guidelines, either with or without security, as the Board may deem fit, to enable or assist any eligible student in meeting the cost of higher education.
5. Invest any surplus funds not currently required for the purposes of the Board in investments authorized by law.
6. With the consent of the Minister, set up and expend such other funds as may from time to time be required.
7. Borrow monies from approved sources in amounts authorized by the Minister with the concurrence of the Treasury and secure such loans in a manner deemed fit.

Also Read: Speaker’s Post Declared Vacant After Resignation

Qualifications for one to be considered as a CEO

For appointment to the CEO position, a candidate must have the following:

1. Served for a cumulative period of fifteen (15) years in relevant work experience, five (5) of which should be in a senior management position.
2. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized university.
3. Master’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized university.
4. Professional qualification and membership, where applicable, and in good standing.
5. Attended and successfully completed a Strategic Leadership Development Programme/Course from the Kenya School of Government or its equivalent from a recognized institution, lasting cumulatively not less than four (4) weeks.
6. Certificate in computer applications.
7. Fulfill the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.

For further Specifications, the Applicant must:

1. Be a Kenyan citizen.
2. Possess knowledge and a clear understanding of financing higher education, which will be an added advantage.
3. Be a transformative leader and demonstrate the ability to enhance the visibility of the Board.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of corporate governance for state corporations.
5. Demonstrate a thorough understanding and knowledge of government policies and priorities.
6. Show the ability to lead in resource mobilization and efficiently and prudently manage and account for public resources.
7. Exhibit integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
8. Be capable of initiating strategies to effectively achieve the core mandate of the Board.

Candidates must also possess the following skills and competencies:

1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
2. Leadership abilities.
3. Ability to work as a team player.
4. Results-oriented mindset.
5. Emotional intelligence.

Qualified and interested applicants who meet the above requirements should submit two hard copies of job applications, academic and professional certificates, relevant testimonials their applications in HARD COPIES or in soft copy to: chairmanrecruitment@helb.co.ke not later than 17th December 2024 by 5.00 p.m.

The CEO who was in charge before the position was declared vacant

The outgoing CEO is Charles Ringera who held the position from 2013 to 2023.

Ringera is seasoned banker with over 20 years’ practical banking experience that cuts across all facets of central and commercial banking.

Also Read: Portland Cement Declares CEO Position Vacant, Invites Applications

He was among shortlisted candidates to fill the position of Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

Public Service Commission (PSC) in a notice on September 26, listed six candidates who had been selected as nominees for the CBK deputy governor position following applications for the post which was advertised in March 2023.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and join our WhatsApp Group for real-time news updates.