Job Description
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) invites applications from accomplished legal professionals for the position of Assistant Director, Regulatory Framework (Grade 4). This strategic leadership opportunity is designed for an experienced advocate with exceptional expertise in legislative development, regulatory policy, governance, and stakeholder engagement. Reporting directly to the Deputy Director, Policy and Regulatory Framework, the successful candidate will provide leadership in coordinating the design, review, implementation, and continuous enhancement of legal and regulatory frameworks that promote an efficient, transparent, innovative, and resilient capital markets ecosystem.
The successful officer will guide the formulation of regulatory instruments that support market development while ensuring alignment with national legislation, international best practices, emerging financial innovations, and evolving investor protection priorities. The position demands a professional capable of balancing legal precision with practical regulatory solutions that encourage sustainable market growth without compromising compliance standards or public confidence.
Working closely with internal departments, government institutions, industry participants, development partners, and professional bodies, the Assistant Director will facilitate extensive policy consultations, evaluate regulatory proposals, coordinate legislative drafting initiatives, and contribute technical expertise during organizational decision-making processes. The role also requires oversight of divisional planning, performance management, governance initiatives, operational improvements, and strategic reporting to senior management and the Board.
This position presents an excellent opportunity for a forward-thinking legal professional who enjoys solving complex regulatory challenges, building productive institutional partnerships, and supporting reforms that strengthen Kenya's financial sector. The successful candidate will champion innovation, policy consistency, accountability, and regulatory excellence while ensuring that legal frameworks remain responsive to changing market dynamics and global developments.
The Authority offers a professional environment that values integrity, collaboration, continuous learning, accountability, innovation, and excellence. Individuals who possess strong leadership capability, advanced legal knowledge, sound analytical judgment, and the ability to influence diverse stakeholders are encouraged to apply. This appointment offers the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to Kenya's capital markets by shaping policies and regulatory frameworks that safeguard investors, encourage responsible investment, facilitate market competitiveness, and support long-term national economic development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the coordination of drafting, reviewing, and updating Bills, Regulations, Rules, Guidelines, Policy Frameworks, Procedures, Circulars, and other regulatory instruments required to implement approved strategic policy initiatives.
- Coordinate comprehensive legal research to identify regulatory gaps, emerging market developments, international best practices, and legislative reforms that strengthen market oversight.
- Organize stakeholder consultation forums involving market intermediaries, government institutions, investors, industry associations, development partners, and other interested parties to obtain valuable input on proposed regulatory changes.
- Evaluate legal opinions, advisory memoranda, policy papers, and regulatory recommendations prepared within the Division to ensure technical accuracy, legal consistency, and policy alignment.
- Provide expert legal guidance during organizational projects, governance initiatives, regulatory reform programmes, and cross-functional assignments.
- Support executive leadership in strategic planning, organizational policy development, institutional governance, and long-term regulatory transformation initiatives.
- Oversee implementation of business process improvement projects that enhance operational efficiency, regulatory effectiveness, service delivery, and accountability.
- Coordinate preparation of Board papers, executive briefs, technical reports, management submissions, policy proposals, implementation updates, and strategic performance reports.
- Monitor implementation of approved regulatory frameworks and recommend amendments where necessary to improve effectiveness and responsiveness.
- Build and maintain productive partnerships with government agencies, regional institutions, international organizations, private sector stakeholders, professional associations, and development partners.
- Supervise divisional work programmes while monitoring operational performance against approved objectives, timelines, and key performance indicators.
- Mentor, coach, and support professional staff to strengthen technical capacity, productivity, collaboration, and continuous professional development.
- Contribute technical expertise during legislative reform initiatives affecting Kenya's capital markets regulatory environment.
- Promote high standards of governance, ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, and regulatory integrity throughout divisional operations.
- Prepare technical presentations, consultation documents, policy briefs, and regulatory impact assessments supporting informed decision-making.
- Identify emerging legal and regulatory risks affecting capital markets and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
- Participate in institutional committees and multidisciplinary teams supporting strategic organizational objectives.
- Ensure compliance with statutory obligations, internal governance standards, approved procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Foster innovation by encouraging evidence-based policy development and continuous regulatory improvement.
- Perform any other official responsibilities assigned in support of the Authority's strategic mandate.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Master of Laws (LL.M), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), or an equivalent postgraduate qualification from a recognized institution.
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized and accredited university.
- Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
- Valid Advocates Practising Certificate.
- Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Kenya.
- Leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution.
- Proficiency in computer applications.
- Demonstrated knowledge of legal drafting, regulatory policy development, governance frameworks, and public administration.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who satisfy the stated requirements are invited to submit a detailed application letter together with an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae in PDF format via email to [externaladvert2026@cma.or.ke](mailto:externaladvert2026@cma.or.ke). Applications must be received **on or before 6 July 2026**. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the subsequent stages of the recruitment process. Successful candidates will be required to satisfy the integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya, including submission of: Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Clearance Certificate. Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Clearance Certificate. Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Tax Compliance Certificate. Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) Clearance Certificate. The Capital Markets Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from qualified persons living with disabilities. Any form of canvassing will result in automatic disqualification. The Authority does **not** charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment or selection process. Candidates are encouraged to submit complete and accurate application documents before the closing date. This vacancy offers an opportunity to contribute to strengthening Kenya's regulatory environment while advancing professional excellence within a respected national institution.