Required for the recruitment of hcp-3, hcp-4, knl-1, bub-1 and lin-53 to kinetochores, kinetochore assembly, chromosome condensation and chromosome segregation in meiosis and mitosis. Interacts with hcp-3. Requires hcp-3 for chromatin localization. Expressed throughout embryogenesis (at protein level). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in absence of hcp-3, hcp-4, knl-1, bub-1 and lin-53 at kinetochores (PubMed:17339379, PubMed:26904949). Also causes defects in chromosome condensation and aberrant meiotic and mitotic chromosome segregation (PubMed:17339379). Belongs to the KNL2 family.