Question 1

What does GESCI commit to?

Accepted Answer

Equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, age, sex, disability, or any other classification. This extends to recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and termination. GESCI also commits to maintaining diversity among staff and a safe working environment.

Question 2

What’s expected of me?

Accepted Answer

High standards of honesty, integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Comply with local laws, use GESCI resources only for GESCI’s benefit, maintain confidentiality, and read and understand the HR manual.

Question 3

What conduct is prohibited?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination of any kindHarassment (including sexual harassment: zero tolerance)Nepotism in hiringOutside employment without CEO authorizationPolitical activities that interfere with GESCI businessUnprofessional conduct that damages GESCI’s reputation

Question 4

Can I accept gifts?

Accepted Answer

Modest gifts only (pens, diaries). Anything of significant value must be refused or handed to Finance & Operations. Cash, gift cheques, and vouchers: never. You may not solicit gifts or accept special discounts from suppliers you deal with officially. Frequent flier benefits from business travel are the one exception: you can keep those.

Question 5

Can I do paid work on the side?

Accepted Answer

No. Staff are not allowed to undertake paid consultancies or any other form of paid employment during their GESCI employment. This includes evenings, weekends, and while on leave. Any payment received for work done as a GESCI employee must be declared and goes to GESCI.

Question 6

What about confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

All commercial, financial, and technical information about GESCI is confidential. You must protect it during and after your employment (no time limit). You may not disclose, sell, or seek financial advantage from confidential information. This includes not removing documents, copying materials, or making unauthorized statements to media.

Question 7

Who owns my work?

Accepted Answer

GESCI does. Any invention, discovery, process, or creative work you produce while employed (whether alone or with others) that relates to GESCI’s business belongs to GESCI. This includes all copyright, design rights, and intellectual property. You must disclose inventions promptly to the CEO.

Question 8

What types of appointments exist?

Accepted Answer

Open-ended: Full-time, indefinite durationFixed-term: A few months up to 5 years, tied to specific projects or funding cycles. Can be renewed or converted to open-ended.

Question 9

What are the staff categories?

Accepted Answer

International Professional: Global mobility required. Advanced degree + experience.National Professional: Local recruitment. Advanced degree preferred.Support: High school diploma or first degree. Admin assistants, receptionists, drivers.

Question 10

How does hiring work?

Accepted Answer

CEO approves vacancy → Job description prepared → Vacancy advertised → Long-list → Short-list (5–10 candidates) → Phone/video interviews → Face-to-face with top 3 → Reference checks → Medical exam → Written offer.

Question 11

Are there any hiring restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Age: Must be between 18 and 65Close relatives: Father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister of existing staff are ineligibleSpouses: May be appointed if qualified, but cannot be in the same chain of commandVisa/work permits: Must be obtained or appointment is withdrawn

Question 12

How does probation work?

Accepted Answer

6 months for contracts exceeding 12 months. Can be extended up to another 6 months if performance is below standard. During probation, your manager sets targets and provides feedback. At the end, you’re either confirmed or given 7 days written notice of non-confirmation.

Question 13

How is my salary structured?

Accepted Answer

GESCI uses a graded salary structure with 10 steps per grade. New hires normally start at Step 1. For every 2 extra years of relevant experience above the minimum, you move up 1 step. Steps 7–10 require at least 2 years at GESCI per step. Salaries are in Kenyan shillings or US dollars, paid monthly on or before the last working day.

Question 14

Can I get a salary advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, up to one month’s net salary, recoverable from your next paycheck. Available for: missed pay, separation settlement, change of duty station, serious illness, or legitimate emergencies. CEO has final say.

Question 15

What’s “acting up”?

Accepted Answer

If you take on 100% of a higher-graded role for 4+ weeks, you receive the salary of that higher role (bottom step). Maximum 6 months normally. Deputies get first consideration.

Question 16

What are my working hours?

Accepted Answer

9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday (40 hours/week) with one hour for lunch. Flexible hours can be agreed with your line manager and cleared by the CEO.

Question 17

How do I apply for leave?

Accepted Answer

Give your line manager at least 10 working days’ notice in writing. Final approval from the CEO. At least one leave period should be 14 uninterrupted working days.

Question 18

What about company holidays?

Accepted Answer

Christmas: Dec 24 – Jan 1 (offices closed). Easter: Thursday before Easter through Monday. In addition to annual leave. Staff of other religions can swap for equivalent holidays.

Question 19

What happens to unused leave when I leave?

Accepted Answer

Accrued unused leave is paid out (max 10 days, based on gross salary). If you’ve taken more than accrued, the excess is deducted from your final pay.

Question 20

How does travel approval work?

Accepted Answer

Submit a costed travel proposal at least 1 month before travel. Must include: who’s travelling, itinerary, costs, programme relevance, and reason. All travel must be economy class and booked through Finance & Administration.

Question 21

How does per diem work?

Accepted Answer

Covers accommodation + meals (percentages vary by city). Accommodation portion requires receipts. Meals portion does not. Departure before 6 AM or return after 7 PM = full day meals.

Question 22

What expenses are NOT reimbursable?

Accepted Answer

Personal items (razor, soap, toothpaste, souvenirs)Alcohol, mini-bar, pay TVLaundry for trips under 1 weekLost luggage or wrapping costsCredit card surcharges

Question 23

Can I add personal days to a business trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with prior approval. Personal days come from annual leave. No per diem for personal time.

Question 24

How quickly do I need to reconcile travel expenses?

Accepted Answer

7 days after return. Un-reconciled advances over 30 days will be recovered through payroll.

Question 25

How does performance review work?

Accepted Answer

At least once every 12 months. Covers: tasks, competence, quality/quantity of work, work relations, behaviour, communication, and supervisory skills. Your manager writes a summary assessment. You can submit written comments. Both sign.

Question 26

What happens if my performance is unsatisfactory?

Accepted Answer

Manager documents: what’s not satisfactory, what improvement is expected and by when, and consequences of failure. If it doesn’t improve after documented opportunity, termination may be recommended.

Question 27

How do promotions work?

Accepted Answer

Based on good performance + ability to perform higher duties. May involve an internal competitive process. Effective the first day of the month following the decision.

Question 28

Who does health & safety apply to?

Accepted Answer

Everyone. Office staff, ministry/client offices, working from home, and travelling. GESCI follows Kenya’s Occupational Safety and Health Act (2007).

Question 29

What are the key workplace rules?

Accepted Answer

No smoking in offices (3m minimum from doors/windows outside)No alcohol or drugs at workScreen breaks: 10 minutes off-screen per 60 minutesManual handling: Check weight, get help if too heavy, lift with legsReport all accidents and near-misses

Question 30

What about working from home?

Accepted Answer

Your home is considered a workplace under the law. All the same safety policies apply. GESCI reserves the right to inspect your home-working environment.

Question 31

What about vaccinations for travel?

Accepted Answer

Your responsibility to stay up-to-date. GESCI pays all vaccination costs for official business travel.

Question 32

How do I raise a grievance?

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Talk to your immediate manager (resolution within 30 days).Step 2: If unresolved, write to the HR Manager within 30 days.Step 3: If still unresolved, write to a Senior Manager or CEO within 30 days.Against the CEO? Write to the Chairman of the Board.Retaliation is prohibited and treated as gross misconduct.

Question 33

What rights do I have in a disciplinary process?

Accepted Answer

Full investigation before any actionWritten notification of allegationsRight to defence: state your case, bring a colleague, cross-examine witnessesRight to appeal: to the CEO within 7 days, then Board within 7 days (Board decision is final)

Question 34

Can warnings be cleared?

Accepted Answer

Yes. 12 months clean = all prior warnings fully expunged.

Question 35

How do I resign?

Accepted Answer

4 weeks written notice (1 week if on probation). The CEO may accept shorter notice. Once accepted, you can’t withdraw without CEO agreement.

Question 36

What about redundancy?

Accepted Answer

1 month written notice (or pay in lieu). Severance: 15 days’ pay per completed year of service, plus outstanding salary and accrued leave.

Question 37

What if I’m terminated for performance?

Accepted Answer

1 month notice (or pay in lieu). No severance pay. You receive accrued unused leave and time worked.

Question 38

What do I need to return?

Accepted Answer

All GESCI property: keys, devices, phones, laptops, documents. IT equipment over 3 years old and zero book value may be kept at GESCI’s discretion. Complete a clearance form.

Question 39

When is retirement?

Accepted Answer

End of the month in which you turn 65.

Question 40

Can I use GESCI computers for personal stuff?

Accepted Answer

No. Business use only. Usage may be monitored. Excessive personal internet use is a serious offence.

Question 41

What are the password rules?

Accepted Answer

Keep passwords confidential. Never share user IDs or passwords. Must be handed over at termination.

Question 42

What software can I install?

Accepted Answer

Only approved, authorized, and licensed software.

Question 43

What’s prohibited online?

Accepted Answer

Offensive material (pornography, etc.)Illegal, harmful, or offensive non-business dataThreatening or harassing messagesChain letters or spam

Question 44

What about phone use?

Accepted Answer

Use Skype, Zoom, or WhatsApp for calls (minimize costs). GESCI Skype accounts are actively monitored. Personal calls on company phones must be identified and reimbursed.

The product

Put AI to work

Plan the investment

AI in Context

Live sessions

Watch

Explore

Human Resource Policies

01Your Rights & Obligations

02Recruitment & Appointment

03Salary & Benefits

04Work Hours & Leave

05Travel

06Performance & Development

07Health, Safety & Welfare

08Grievance & Discipline

09Leaving GESCI

10IT & Data Security

One boring AI use case, every day.
Stuff that actually saves you hours.