National Intelligence Service(NIS) is one of the best institutions to work for in Kenya. It’s actually hard to pinpoint anybody working for the institution, but there are over 2,000 employees actively collecting sensitive security information for the country who are working for NIS. These people are within us but they don’t openly identify themselves.
If you want to get a job at NIS, here is what to do:
Pursue security related courses
Pursue a course in forensic investigations, criminology and security. If possible, study up to masters level. National Defense University is one of the institutions that offer courses in criminology and security. Once you have completed, look for internship at an international institution like UN. With relevant experience, you will get enough connections with intelligence employees in Kenya who can consider you for a position in the institution.
Apply for Graduate Trainee jobs at NIS
NIS offers opportunities for fresh graduates. If you scored second class upper division and above, you will be invited for an interview at NIS.
They employ graduate trainees with a degree course, diploma or certificate course. If you possess a degree course, they require C+ and above in KCSE.
Graduate Trainee is entry level position which you can easily get if you have relevant professional and academic qualifications. Since all those applying for the position possess academic qualifications, it’s important that you pursue Certified Fraud Examiner in order to stand out.
Get the right connections
Know people working at NIS and ask them how one can get a job at the institution. In Kenya, knowing someone is more important than knowing something. If you build the right network,one day you’ll find yourself at the NIS.
Get a security related job
Experience is important. Before applying for a job at NIS,first get a job in institutions like security firms, police force or KDF. These jobs will expose you and ensure that you get relevant skills that will help you land a job at NIS.
The good thing is that at this stage, you will not get stiff competition when applying for a job at NIS. In addition, those recruiting will consider you ahead of other applicants because you possess relevant experience.
Volunteer
Volunteer to collect information and forward to the NIS.If you do an excellent job, you will be considered for a permanent position.
Salaries of NIS jobs
NIS is one of Class A parastatals. If you get a job as a graduate trainee, you will earn a starting salary of Ksh 130,000 to Ksh 180,000 after training. During training, they will pay you a monthly salary of Ksh 60,000 to Ksh 80,000.
After working for NIS for 3-5 years, your salary will rise to Ksh 190,000 to Ksh 250,000 per month.
Apart from these salaries, you will also earn per-diem for important tasks.
At Management Level, every employee earns Ksh 300,000 and above. There is one particular friend who is based in Kisumu, he has worked for NIS for 10 years and his salary at the moment is Ksh 495,000. Right now he has joined management.
If you are planning to join NIS, know that you will not earn less than Ksh 130,000 after training. Their training takes up to 2 years.
A job at NIS is similar to a job at Central Bank of Kenya because the salaries are almost similar for the two institutions.