Finding a suitable house help in Kenya does not always start with interviewing candidates. It starts with how clearly you describe the job.
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An employer preparing a clear job description for a house help position in Kenya, outlining household duties, working arrangements, skills, salary and expectations.
A vague advert such as “Looking for a house girl urgently. Good salary. Call me.” may attract many responses, but it does not tell potential candidates what the work actually involves. You may end up spending time speaking to people whose experience, availability or expectations do not match your household.
A well-written house help job description doe the opposite. It explains what you need, sets realistic expectations and helps the right candidates decide whether the position is suitable for them.
At House Girls Village & Bureau, we recommends that employers be as clear as possible before beginning the recruitment process. The goal is not to attract the largest number of applicants. It is to attract the right candidates.
What Is a House Help Job Description?
A house help job description is a clear explanation of the position you are offering. It tells a potential candidate what duties they will perform, where the job is located, whether it is live-in or live-out, the expected working arrangements and what experience or skills are required.
Think of it as the first screening stage of recruitment. A good description helps suitable candidates apply while allowing unsuitable candidates to understand that the job may not be for them.
1. Start With a Clear Job Title
Use a job title that accurately describes the position.
Examples include:
- Live-In House Help – Nairobi
- Live-Out House Help – Westlands
- House Help and Nanny – Kilimani
- House Help for a Family with Two Children – Nairobi
Avoid titles that are too general. If the person will primarily care for children, prepare meals and handle household cleaning, saying so in the description makes the opportunity clearer.
2. State the Location
Location is important when recruiting domestic workers, particularly for live-out positions.
Instead of simply saying “Nairobi”, consider mentioning the estate or general area, such as Westlands, Kilimani, South B, Kasarani, Karen or Runda.
You do not necessarily need to publish a private residential address. The estate or neighbourhood is normally enough for an initial job advertisement.
3. Say Whether the Position Is Live-In or Live-Out
This should never be left unclear.
A candidate looking for a live-out position may not be interested in a live-in job, while someone specifically looking for accommodation may prefer live-in employment.
State it clearly:
- Employment type: Live-in
- Employment type: Live-out
If the live-out arrangement involves specific working hours, include them as well.
4. Describe the Actual Duties
This is one of the most important parts of the job description.
Do not simply write “general housework.” Explain what general housework means in your home.
For example, duties may include:
- Cleaning bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas
- Washing and ironing clothes
- Preparing family meals
- Washing utensils and maintaining the kitchen
- Taking care of children where required
- Keeping the home organised
- Assisting with grocery preparation or shopping where appropriate
If the household has specific needs, mention them. For example, an employer with a newborn should say that childcare will be an important part of the role.
5. Mention the Number and Ages of Children
If childcare is part of the position, provide enough information for candidates to understand the responsibility involved.
For example:
“The family has two children aged 3 and 7. The house help will assist with school preparation, meals, supervision and general childcare.”
This is much more useful than simply writing “must love children.”
6. Include Cooking Requirements
Cooking can be a significant part of domestic work, but not every house help has the same level of cooking experience.
If cooking is required, explain what you expect. You might need someone who can prepare ordinary Kenyan meals, follow recipes, prepare children's meals or manage a family's daily menu.
If cooking is only occasional, say so. Clear expectations help prevent misunderstandings after employment begins.
7. State the Experience and Skills You Actually Need
Be realistic about qualifications.
For example, if you need someone experienced in caring for a newborn, say:
“Previous experience caring for infants is preferred.”
If you need someone who can cook, clean independently and manage a busy household, list those skills.
However, avoid creating an unnecessarily long list of requirements. A good candidate does not have to meet every imaginary requirement. Focus on the skills that genuinely matter for the job.
8. Be Transparent About Salary and Benefits
Where possible, employers should provide a realistic salary range rather than simply writing “good salary.”
You can also mention relevant benefits or arrangements, such as accommodation for a live-in position, meals, agreed days off or other applicable employment terms.
Being transparent helps both sides decide whether the opportunity is worth pursuing before the interview.
9. Explain the Working Arrangement
A job description should give candidates a reasonable understanding of the working arrangement.
Include information such as:
- Whether the position is full-time
- Expected working schedule
- Rest days
- Whether the position is live-in or live-out
- Whether weekends or holidays may occasionally be involved
Employers should also make sure that the actual employment arrangement is fair and consistent with applicable Kenyan employment requirements.
10. Avoid Overloading the Job Description
One common mistake is turning a house help job description into a list of every task imaginable.
For example, an advert asking one person to clean a large home, care for several children, cook every meal, wash everyone's clothes, look after pets, do gardening and run multiple errands may discourage good candidates—or attract candidates who misunderstand the workload.
Describe the role honestly. If there are several substantial responsibilities, acknowledge them.
11. Explain Who You Are Looking For
After describing the job, briefly explain the qualities that matter to your household.
These might include:
- Reliability
- Honesty
- Good communication
- Willingness to learn
- Respect for household privacy
- Experience relevant to the position
Focus on professional qualities and job-related requirements rather than unnecessary personal preferences.
Sample House Help Job Description in Kenya
Here is a simple example that an employer can adapt:
LIVE-IN HOUSE HELP – KILIMANI, NAIROBI
We are looking for a reliable and experienced house help to join a family of four in Kilimani.
Main duties:
- General cleaning and organisation of the home
- Laundry and ironing
- Preparing family meals
- Cleaning the kitchen and utensils
- Assisting with the care of two children aged 4 and 8
- Keeping the household areas clean and organised
Requirements:
- Previous experience working as a house help or nanny
- Good childcare and household management skills
- Ability to cook basic Kenyan meals
- Reliable, respectful and responsible
- Good communication skills
Location: Kilimani, Nairobi
Position: Full-time, live-in
Salary: KSh XX,XXX per month, depending on experience
Interested candidates should provide details of their previous experience and availability.
Common Mistakes Employers Should Avoid
- Being too vague: “Looking for a good house girl” tells candidates almost nothing.
- Hiding important duties: If childcare or cooking is a major responsibility, state it.
- Leaving the location unclear: This can create unnecessary back-and-forth with applicants.
- Promising unrealistic conditions: Your advertisement should reflect the actual job.
- Using discriminatory or unnecessarily personal requirements: Keep requirements relevant to the work.
- Changing the job after hiring: The duties discussed during recruitment should broadly match the actual position.
Why a Good Job Description Helps You Find Better Candidates
A job description is more than an advertisement. It is an early filtering tool.
When the duties, location, working arrangement and expectations are clear, candidates can make an informed decision about whether to apply. This can reduce unsuitable applications and make interviews more productive.
It also gives the employer an opportunity to think carefully about what they actually need before hiring someone.
Final Thoughts
The best house help job descriptions in Kenya are not necessarily the longest ones. They are the ones that are clear, honest and specific.
Before publishing your advert, ask yourself: “If I were the person applying for this job, would I understand exactly what I am being asked to do?”
If the answer is yes, you are much more likely to attract candidates whose skills and expectations match your household.
At House Girls Village & Bureau, we believe good domestic-worker recruitment starts with clear expectations on both sides. Whether you are looking for a nanny, house help, caregiver, cook or cleaner, taking time to define the position properly can make the recruitment process easier and help create a better working relationship after hiring.
Key Takeaways
- Use a clear and specific job title.
- State the location and whether the position is live-in or live-out.
- List the actual household duties.
- Explain childcare and cooking responsibilities where applicable.
- Include realistic experience and skill requirements.
- Be transparent about salary and working arrangements.
- Keep the job description honest and consistent with the actual position.
Ready-to-Copy House Help Job Advert Template
If you are ready to advertise the position, you can copy the template below and replace the details with your own household requirements.
HOUSE HELP WANTED – [LOCATION], [TOWN/CITY]
We are looking for a reliable, responsible and experienced house help to join our family in [location].
About the household:
We are a family of [number] adults and [number] children aged [ages].
Main duties:
- General cleaning and organisation of the home
- Washing and ironing clothes
- Preparing meals for the family
- Cleaning the kitchen and utensils
- Assisting with childcare where required
- Other household duties as reasonably agreed
Requirements:
- Previous experience as a house help, nanny or domestic worker is preferred
- Good cleaning and household management skills
- Ability to prepare basic family meals
- Good communication skills
- Responsible, respectful and reliable
- Must be willing to provide relevant employment references where available
Job details:
- Location: [Estate/Area, Town]
- Position: [Live-in/Live-out]
- Working hours: [Insert agreed working schedule]
- Rest day: [Insert arrangement]
- Salary: KSh [amount] per month
- Accommodation: [Yes/No – give brief details if applicable]
- Start date: [Date]
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their name, location, previous work experience and availability to [contact details].
Please apply only if you are comfortable with the duties, location and working arrangement described above.
Before You Publish the Advert
Read through the advert one more time and make sure it accurately describes the job you are offering. In particular, check the duties, location, working arrangement, hours, rest arrangements and salary.
A clear advert saves time for both the employer and the job seeker. It also creates a better starting point for discussing expectations before employment begins.
Related Articles
If you are preparing to hire a house help or nanny in Kenya, these guides can also help you make a better hiring decision:
- How to Check if a House Help Is Genuine Before Hiring in Kenya – Practical steps employers can take to verify a candidate before hiring.
- How to Find Reliable, Trained House Helps in Nairobi – A guide to finding suitable and properly trained domestic workers.
- Live-In vs Live-Out House Help in Kenya: Which Is Better for Your Family? – Compare the two arrangements before deciding what type of position to advertise.
- Nanny Salary in Nairobi by Estate – Understand salary considerations when creating your house help or nanny job advert.
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