Summary
Mathematicians, Actuaries and Statisticians (KeSCO 2120) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Science, Engineering & Built EnvironmentProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Mathematicians, Actuaries and Statisticians (KeSCO 2120) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
- Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
- Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
- Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
- Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
- Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
- Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
- Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
- Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
- Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
- Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
- Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
- Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and prioritisation
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Customer service orientation
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Digital literacy (basic)
- Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
- Use of hand and power tools safely
- Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
- Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
- Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
- Quality control and workmanship standards
- Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
- Workplace safety and PPE usage
- Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
- Material handling and storage
- Site readiness and task planning
- Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
- Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
- Negotiation and stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Creativity and innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Planning and organisation
- Resilience and stress management
- Service mindset and empathy
- Networking and relationship building
- Analytical thinking
- Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
- Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
- Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
- First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
- Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
- Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
- Professional registration/licensing where regulated
- Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
- Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
- Civil/Construction Technology
- Welding and Fabrication
- Plumbing and Pipefitting
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Automotive Mechanics
- Plant/Machine Operation
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
- CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
- Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
- National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
- Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
- Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
- Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
- Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
- Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
- Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
- Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
- Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
- Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
- Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
- Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
- Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
- Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
- Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
- Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
- Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
- Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
- Support roles in the same sector/industry
- Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
- Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2120-14 — Actuary
actuary is responsible for analyze statistical data use computer modelling of statistics to determine potential risks preparing presentations and reports keeping abreast of financial developments in the business world within their professional field.
2120-18 — Biometrician
Biometrician is responsible for designs and analyzes experiment, develops statistical model to describe biological phenomenon applies statistical techniques to solve problems related to genetic and ecology within their professional field.
2120-21 — Biostatistician
Biostatistician is responsible for designs research studies and design the statistical sampling technique used in the study; coordinate the collection of data; development of new statistical techniques within their professional field.
2120-24 — Demographer
Demographer is responsible for studies human population dynamics improves and develops statistical theories and methodologies plans and organizes surveys and other statistical collections designs relevant questionnaires evaluates, processes, analyses and interprets statistical data on population censuses and other variables such as births, deaths and diseases within their professional field.
2120-16 — Mathematical Statistician
Mathematical Statistician is responsible for collects, analyzes, and interprets data identifies trends and relationships in data designs processes for data collection communicates findings to stakeholders advise on organizational and business strategy within their professional field.
2120-11 — Mathematician
Mathematician is responsible for applies mathematical theories and techniques to solve practical problems in business, government, engineering and science within their professional field.
2120-12 — Mathematician (Applied mathematics)
Mathematician (Applied mathematics) is responsible for develops new mathematical models to address needs in business or industry conducts research in a specific area of applied mathematics creates computer models and simulations to test theories designs new products or processes develops computer software applications that use mathematical models within their professional field.
2120-13 — Mathematician (Pure mathematics)
Mathematician (Pure mathematics) is responsible for use mathematical formulas and models to prove or disprove theories apply mathematical theories and techniques to solve practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields develop mathematical or statistical models to analyze data interpret data and report conclusions from their analyses use data analysis to support and improve business decisions within their professional field.
2120-15 — Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analyst is responsible for collect and analyze data on business operations identify and understand potential or existing problems show the implications of different actions to solve the problems assist in the decision making process within their professional field.
2120-17 — Statistician
Statistician is responsible for create and maintain databases using statistical software programs, such as spss, sas or stata ensures data integrity by performing rigorous cleaning, error checking and validation analyze data using statistical techniques, formulas and calculations perform statistical tests to determine the reliability and soundness of results contribute to strategic planning by identifying industry trends and preparing forecasts within their professional field.
2120-22 — Statistician, applied
Statistician, applied is responsible for collects, aggregates and merge data sets for multi sectoral analysis assess the distribution of variables for application of the most appropriate statistical analyze data using statistical software such as stata or r creates new data sets of summary statistics for presentation in data dashboards assists technical officers/advisors to interpret the output of statistical analysis within their professional field.
2120-23 — Statistician, economic
Statistician, economic is responsible for conducts and analyze economic research data providing economic advice and recommendations based on their analysis and research developing economic models to explain economic phenomena presenting and communicating economic information within their professional field.