KEPHIS Vacancies Feb 2013

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) is a State Corporation in the Ministry of Agriculture mandated to assure the quality of agricultural inputs and produce to promote sustainable agriculture andeconomic growth. 

The Corporation would like to invite applications from qualified Kenyans for the following positions:

General Manager - Quality Assurance
 

Ref: VA/1/2013
 

Major duties and responsibilities:

• To head the Quality Assurance division of the organization.
• To manage and oversee all the activities of the seed certification as per the laws of the country and other international treaties and standards.
• To manage the plant variety testing, release and registration as per the national laws and international requirements.
• Manage the quality system and ISO Accreditation process of the organization ensuring that the ISO systems in place are maintained, expanded and new ones acquired.
• Manage the analytical chemistry laboratory in terms of ensuring that the clients test requirements are carried out efficiently and proper advice given.
• Work with the clientele in terms of facilitation and advisory in order to meet the goals of the organization.
• Prepare divisional performance contracts and reports in line with the government’s vision 2030 and strategic plans.
• Liaise with both local and international community in sourcing of finances to enhance the divisional budgets.
• Plan, prepare and execute the divisional budgets.
• Manage the divisional activities, personnel and operations to meet the organizational goals and targets.
• Reporting to and advising the MD on all issues on Quality Assurance.

Key qualifications:

• A degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Seed technology, Botany, Chemistry with post graduate training (MSC, PhD) in seed technology or plant breeding.
• This is a leadership position and so robust interpersonal, people, analytical and financial skills will be critical to the job.
• Ability to manage donor relations and to develop bankable concept notes and proposals for funding will be necessary.
• Effective communication, a sound public relations orientation and effective networking will be an advantage.
• Five years’ experience in the level of senior management preferably in the position of a head of department.
• Five years’ experience in the field of seed technology, plant variety protection and quality management systems.
• Must demonstrate a thorough understanding of seed certification processes, seed testing, variety testing, seed laboratory management and quality management systems.
• Should be familiar with and understand the application of the OECD, UPOV, SANAS and ISTA guidelines,standards and procedures.
• Management certificate will be an added advantage.

Food Microbiologist

Ref: VA/2/2013
 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Initiate and operationalize a Microbiology Laboratory.
• Prepare equipment and reagents specifications.
• Participate in calibration and maintenance of equipment.
• Be able to understand the theory behind various test methods, procedures and techniques and application in relevant areas.
• Carry out tests, interpret results and be able to detect and correct errors.
• Design simple modifications and fixtures to facilitate performance of tests.
• Capacity building of direct reports in the laboratory.
• Integrate the laboratory into the existing Laboratory Quality Management System.
• A robust understanding and execution of the HACCP plan/ Good Agricultural Practices to deliver product quality and safety.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in one of the following: Food science and technology, General Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or Medical microbiology with a Master of Science in food microbiology.
• Be familiar with relevant test methods.
• Be familiar with data analysis and reporting.
• Be computer literate in relevant packages including Excel.
• Be familiar with Laboratory Quality Management, ISO/IEC 17025.
• Be a team player, flexible and able to work underpressure.
• Ability to start off and grow the institutional microbiology laboratory.
• Should be 40 years or below.

Inspector 

Ref: VA/4/2013
 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Inspection of agricultural produce at entry/exit points.
• Inspection of seed crops at various stages of seed certification (field inspections, seed sampling, seed testing and labeling).
• Inspection of plant quarantine facilities.
• Inspection of facilities meant for introduction of GMOs and other restricted plant materials.
• Surveillance for pest and disease control.
• Organize and participate in seed post certification survey activities.
• Coordinate farmer advisory services through stakeholder awareness meetings.

Key Qualifications

• BSC in Agricultural or Biological Sciences.
• Knowledge on identification, diagnosis and management of pests.
• Conduct pest risk analysis and general plant health compliance in traded commodities.
• Should have at least 1 year experience or a very good degree certificate quality.
• Should be 40 years or below.

Laboratory Technologist - Analytical Chemistry 

Ref: VA/5/2013
 

Major duties and responsibilities

• Analysis of organic and inorganic trace contaminants in food and environmental matrices.
• Analysis of organic and inorganic ingredients in agroinputs.
• Data analysis and report preparation.
• Participation in farmer advisory and extension service activities.
• Train students, attached to the laboratory, in analysis.
• Participate in calibration and maintenance of equipment.
• Take up allocated responsibilities related to the essentials of the Laboratory Quality System.

Key Qualifications

• Diploma in Analytical Chemistry or Biochemistry from a recognized institution.
• Be familiar with data analysis and reporting.
• Be computer literate in relevant packages including Excel.
• Be familiar with laboratory Quality Management.
• Be a team player, flexible and able to work underpressure.
• Should be 40 years or below.

Laboratory Technologist - Biological Sciences 

Ref: VA/3/2013
 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Analytical work in the areas of microbiology, molecular biology and plant health
• Preparation of reports and data analysis.
• Preparation of laboratory standards and reagents.
• Sampling, sample handling and preparation of media.
• Analytical work and media maintenance of cultures of insects, bacteria, fungi, among others.
• Quality management system for good laboratory practice.

Key Qualifications

• A diploma in biological sciences from a recognized institution with bias on molecular techniques.
• Ability to run molecular tests using modern tools including PCR, ELISA.
• Ability to carry out disease and pest diagnosis using conventional and molecular methods.
• Understanding of instrumentation will be an added advantage.
• Should have at least 1 year experience.
• Should be 40 years or below.

Assistant Inspectors 

Ref: VA/6/2013
 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Inspection of agricultural produce at entry/exit points.
• Inspection of seed crops at various stages of seed certification (field inspections, seed sampling, seed testing and labeling).
• Inspection of plant quarantine facilities.
• Inspection of facilities meant for introduction of GMOs and other restricted plant materials.
• Surveillance for pest and disease control.
• Organize and participate in seed post certification survey activities.
• Coordinate farmer advisory services through stakeholder awareness meetings.

Key Qualifications

• Diploma in either, applied biology, Plant Protection,Horticulture or Agricultural Economics.
• Should have ability to; diagnose plant pests or pathogens, identify pests and pathogens and advise producers in the field, grade and certify plant produce, manage documentation and plan with plant health data.
• Should have at least 1 year experience.
• Should be 40 years or below.

Administrative Assistant 

Ref: VA/7/2013 

Mombasa Office

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provision of general administrative duties in the organization.
• Ensuring proper maintenance of institutional premises.
• General office administration.
• Transport management.
• Registry operations.

Key Qualifications

• CPS (K) or Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management/Business Administration or other relevant course from a recognized institution.
• Computer literacy especially in human resource systems.
• Should be 40 years or below.

Administrative Assistant

Ref: VA/8/2013
 

Major Duties and Responsibilities
 

a) General office administration.
 

b) Transport management.
 

c) Registry operations.

Office Assistant III 

Ref: VA/9/2013 

(Mombasa Office)
 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Making appointments and reservations for the office.
• Handling and filling confidential information or any other documents.
• Receiving, sorting, registering and distributing incoming mails for the assigned office for action.
• Handling office files and maintaining an effective filing system.
• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness/hygiene and tidiness within the office.
• Handling all typing duties as may be required.
• Performing basic office administrative duties.
• Attending to all incoming and outgoing calls in office deployed.

Key Qualifications

• Diploma in Secretarial studies and trained in telephone operations/reception or front office management from a recognized institution.
• Be fluent in both oral and written English and Swahili.
• Should be 40 years or below.

Receptionist 

Ref: VA/10/2013
 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional customer care services by attending to visitors/clients and directing them accordingly.
• Directing all enquires to the right office.
• Ensure effective management of incoming/outgoing calls and maintaining a daily record of calls made.
• Receiving any hand delivered mails and forwarding them to the right office.

Key Qualifications

• Have a professional certificate in secretarial studies or related field.
• Have training in telephone operations/reception or front office management in a recognized institution.
• Fluent in both oral and written English and Swahili.
• Should be 40 years or below.

Interested and qualified individuals should forward a duly completed employment application form; copies of academic and professional certificates and national identity card to reach the undersigned not later than 20th February 2013.
 

Employment application form can be downloaded from the Corporation website: www.kephis.org 

Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
 

Managing Director
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
P.O. Box 49592 – 00100, 

Nairobi.
 

KEPHIS is an equal opportunity employer. 

Potential male and female candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.