Job Description
Mount Kenya University (MKU), one of the leading chartered universities in the East African region, is inviting accomplished academic professionals to serve as External Examiners across a broad range of academic disciplines. This appointment presents an excellent opportunity for distinguished scholars to contribute to maintaining outstanding academic standards while supporting excellence in university education, assessment, curriculum development, and institutional quality assurance.
The University has established a strong reputation for delivering innovative teaching, impactful research, and industry-responsive academic programs. Through its campuses and learning centers across Kenya and neighboring countries, MKU continues to expand access to quality higher education while maintaining rigorous academic integrity. To reinforce this commitment, the University seeks highly qualified external academics capable of providing objective and professional evaluation of examinations, assessment procedures, research outputs, and program standards.
Successful External Examiners will work collaboratively with Schools, Departments, and academic leadership to ensure that assessment processes remain transparent, fair, reliable, and aligned with national regulatory requirements as well as internationally recognized academic benchmarks. The engagement requires experienced scholars who possess excellent judgment, strong analytical ability, and extensive university teaching experience within their respective disciplines.
Appointments are available across numerous academic areas including Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Business and Economics, Education, Law, Computing and Informatics, Engineering, Energy and the Built Environment, Social Sciences, Hospitality, Tourism Management, and Pure and Applied Sciences. Candidates will be expected to independently review examination materials, evaluate marking standards, assess dissertations and research projects where applicable, and submit objective reports that contribute to continuous academic improvement.
The role demands individuals who uphold professional ethics, confidentiality, fairness, and academic excellence. External Examiners will provide constructive recommendations that strengthen assessment practices, improve curriculum delivery, enhance program quality, and support compliance with university regulations and accreditation standards. Their independent expertise plays an essential role in safeguarding the credibility and integrity of qualifications awarded by the University.
Applicants should possess substantial experience in higher education, demonstrate consistent scholarly achievement, and maintain an active record of research, publication, postgraduate supervision, and academic leadership. The University values professionals who are committed to objective evaluation, evidence-based recommendations, and continuous improvement within higher education systems.
This engagement offers an opportunity to collaborate with one of the region's most respected universities while making a meaningful contribution to academic quality enhancement. Qualified scholars who possess the required expertise and professional standing are encouraged to submit applications for consideration. Mount Kenya University remains committed to equal employment opportunities and welcomes applications from highly competent professionals dedicated to advancing excellence in university education through impartial academic assessment and quality assurance.
Key Responsibilities
- Moderate university examination papers and assessment instruments before administration to ensure academic accuracy, fairness, clarity, relevance, and appropriate levels of difficulty.
- Review examination marking guides and recommend improvements that promote consistency, objectivity, and reliable assessment outcomes.
- Evaluate marked examination scripts to verify fairness, transparency, and compliance with approved university assessment regulations.
- Assess dissertations, theses, research projects, clinical assessments, portfolios, and other academic evaluations where applicable.
- Confirm that assessment methods accurately measure intended learning outcomes and program competencies.
- Benchmark academic programs against recognized national, regional, and international higher education standards.
- Prepare comprehensive external examiner reports highlighting strengths, observations, recommendations, and opportunities for continuous academic improvement.
- Advise Schools and academic departments on assessment quality enhancement initiatives and best examination practices.
- Provide independent professional opinions regarding curriculum effectiveness, program relevance, and learning achievement standards.
- Participate in examination boards, moderation meetings, and academic quality assurance sessions whenever invited by the University.
- Maintain complete impartiality while reviewing assessment materials and making professional recommendations.
- Protect confidential examination information and maintain the highest ethical standards throughout every assignment.
- Identify inconsistencies in examination content, grading practices, and moderation procedures while proposing practical corrective measures.
- Evaluate program delivery from an academic quality perspective and recommend strategies that strengthen teaching effectiveness.
- Support continuous curriculum review by identifying emerging developments within relevant professional disciplines.
- Review compliance with institutional regulations governing examinations, moderation, progression, and graduation requirements.
- Contribute expert recommendations that strengthen institutional quality assurance systems.
- Maintain accurate documentation of all moderation activities completed during assigned examination cycles.
- Collaborate professionally with Deans, Directors, Department Chairs, Program Coordinators, and internal examiners.
- Promote consistency in academic standards across campuses and program delivery modes.
- Review assessment evidence objectively without bias or conflict of interest.
- Verify that program outcomes align with regulatory expectations and professional accreditation requirements where applicable.
- Provide constructive feedback that supports continuous improvement without compromising institutional independence.
- Exercise sound professional judgment when evaluating academic performance across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
- Complete assigned moderation activities within agreed timelines while maintaining exceptional quality.
- Demonstrate integrity, accountability, professionalism, and academic excellence throughout every engagement.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Earned PhD degree in the relevant academic discipline from a recognized university.
- Minimum academic rank of Senior Lecturer or an equivalent position within an accredited institution of higher learning.
- Demonstrated record of university teaching, academic research, and postgraduate supervision.
- Previous experience in examination moderation and external academic assessment.
- Strong understanding of curriculum development and quality assurance frameworks.
- Excellent analytical, evaluation, and report
- writing abilities.
- Proven ability to maintain objectivity, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to interpret higher education policies and academic regulations.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Experience participating in university academic committees and examination boards.
- Active scholarly publication record is an added advantage.
- Membership with the relevant professional body where applicable.
- High level of integrity, impartiality, and professional credibility.
- Proficiency in preparing comprehensive academic evaluation reports.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary academic teams.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to academic excellence.
- Must not be a current employee of Mount Kenya University.
How to Apply
A signed application letter indicating the School, Department, and Programme(s) they wish to serve. A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae detailing academic qualifications, employment history, publications, research supervision, and previous External Examiner experience. Certified copies of academic and professional certificates. Relevant professional registration certificates where applicable. A cover letter indicating salary expectations where requested. Important Notes: Applications submitted through any channel other than the official online recruitment portal will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates who satisfy all eligibility requirements will be contacted. Mount Kenya University is an equal opportunity employer committed to merit-based recruitment. Any attempt to influence the recruitment process will result in automatic disqualification. The University does not charge any application or recruitment fee at any stage of the selection process.