Kenya Forest Service Vacancies

Kenya Forest Service is a State Corporation established by an Act of Parliament to sustainably manage and conserve all types of forests.

The Service seeks to recruit self motivated, dynamic and results oriented individuals to fill the following positions:

1. Senior Deputy Director - Finance and Administration
1 Post

Grade: KFS 2
Ref: KFS/SDD/FAD/01/11

Reporting to the Director, the incumbent will formulate and coordinate the implementation of sound Financial, Human Resource and Administration policies and strategies for effective management of Financial, HR and Administrative activities.

Overall Responsibility

• Develop effective Financial, HR and Administration policies and strategies to meet the objectives of the Service.
• Initiate and co-ordinate the Organization’s Development interventions aimed at promoting culture change in Finance, Human Resource and Administration policies.
• Prepare and implement the annual work plan for Finance, HR and Administration activities
• Undertake benchmarking on current developments in HR and Financial Management practices.
• Ensure compliance with Financial Reporting standards and labour legislation.
• Preparation of the strategic Financial and HR plans, forecasts and cash flow projections.
• Coordinate the budgeting process, monitoring cash flow and overseeing the organization’s financial performance against the budget and operational goals

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of an Masters degree specializing in Finance, Human Resource Management or Strategic Management from a recognized University
• CPA (K) / CPS(K) or Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
• Training on Results Based Management
• Twelve (12) years experience in a senior management position in a large and reputable organization eight (8) of which should be as a Head of Finance or HR or Administration.
• Thorough knowledge of Kenya Labour Laws and Financial legislations / regulation.
• Must be a member of a relevant professional body.
• Strong computer skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with people at different levels of management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead and manage change

2. Senior Deputy Director – Support Services
1 Post

Grade: KFS 2
Ref: KFS/SDD/SS/01/11

Reporting to the Director, the incumbent will formulate sound Marketing & Business Development, Planning and Monitoring, Project Development, Research Liaison, International Forestry obligations and economic investment policies in the organization.

Overall Responsibility

• Formulate, develop and review corporate services policies and strategies in line with the changing environment.
• Formulate strategies for Business development and marketing
• Ensure development and promotion of forestry investment.
• Ensure internal and external linkages in support services strategies
• Support and promote project development initiatives.
• Manage and co-ordinate performance contracting process and workplans

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of Masters Degree in Business Administration, strategic management Marketing or social sciences.
• Ten (10) years experience in a senior management position in a large and reputable organization.
• Must be a member of a relevant professional body.
• Strong computer skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with people at different levels of management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

3. Deputy Director – Finance and Accounting
1 Post

KFS Grade 3
Ref: KFS/DD/FA/01/11

Reporting to the Senior Deputy Director – Finance and Administration, the incumbent will be the Head of Finance and Accounting Division and will be responsible for the formulation and implementation of sound financial management policies and procedures.

Overall Responsibility

• Overseeing strict implementation of financial management and control systems while ensuring compliance with international financial rules and regulations;
• Establishment of sound financial policies, systems and procedures in compliance with statutory regulations
• Continuously monitor and review management system and recommend changes as required
• Designing and implementing internal control procedures and production of reports on all financial transactions
• Participation in the preparation of the Board’s strategic plans and forecasts, cash flow projections and computation of expense ratios
• Coordinating the budgeting process, monitoring cash flow and overseeing the organization’s financial performance against the budget and operational goals
• Developing, maintaining and monitoring grants accounting systems and procedures and capturing all pledges , billings and receipts
• Coordination of annual audits in compliance with International Accounting Standards
• Management of day to day accounting processes, reconciling monthly activity and generating end-year reports
• Maintaining liaison with relevant Government departments for necessary consultation on financial matters to ensure the Service complies with statutory requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A Masters of Business Administration degree with a specialization in Finance, or equivalent
• Holder of CPA (K)/ and member of ICPAK
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in Finance and Accounting at an equivalent level, 5 of which should be in a large organization with a national cover
• Practical knowledge of tax and other compliance requirements of state corporations
• Proficiency in computer skills and accounting packages
• Budget development and oversight experience
• Knowledge of Government contract management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal relations
• A team player and good people management skills, with proven leadership skills
• Good analytical and decision making skills

4. Head, Corporate Communications
1 Post

KFS Grade 4
Ref KFS/ HCC/01/11

Reporting to the Director, the position holder will be responsible for the formulation and implementation of Organizational publicity and Public Relations initiatives to enhance KFS image.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Formulate and implement Public Relations and Communications policies, plans and strategies.
• Organizing press conference, exhibitions and press tours.
• Establish networks with all stakeholders
• Preparing publicity brochures, handouts, promotional videos and multimedia programs that serve to reach the Organization’s policies to the public.
• Preparation and production of periodic Corporate publications including in house journals and newsletters
• Coordinate protocol and reception of distinguished visitors
• Coordinate all media activities
• Organize Public Relations activities and events in the Organization
• Conducting research and writes press releases for the Service ensuring that they reach the target audience
• Undertake public opinion surveys and evaluate attitudes of various publics to the Organization.
• Drafting speeches of the Organization’s top executives for public meetings.
• Respond to all enquiries from the general public

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• A Bachelors degree in Communications, Mass media or any other relevant discipline
• A Masters degree in the above areas will be an added advantage.
• A post graduate Diploma in Public Relations or related field.
• At least eight (8) years relevant experience in a large and reputable public or private Organization
• Proficiency in computer applications

5. Head of Investigations
1 Post

KFS Grade 5
Ref KFS /ENCOM/HOINV/ 01/11

Reporting to the Commandant - ENCOM, the position holder will carry out or where necessary facilitate investigation services to establish evidence to support alleged abuse of forest resources.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Planning, coordinating and implementing the investigation procedures and policy
• Coordinate arrests, investigations and prosecution of culprits of abuse of Forest Act 2005.
• Consolidate evidence and investigation reports.
• Develop and maintain investigation data base.
• Build the capacity of staff to carry out prosecutions and investigations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Social Sciences with specific focus on Criminal Law or Criminology with 8 yrs experience in paramilitary service handling prosecution and litigation 3 of which must be at a Senior Inspectorate level or equivalent
• Proven administrative and coordination skills.
• Proven computer proficiency

6. Internal Auditor I
1 Post

KFS Grade 7
Ref KFS/IA/01/11

Reporting to the Head of Internal Audit, the position holder will ensure that risk management, internal controls and governance processes of the Organization are effective.

Overall Responsibilities:

• Implement internal audit strategies and comply with policies and procedures
• Act as team leader during audit engagement planning, field work, report compilation and follow up reviews.
• Carry out audit reviews to assess the effectiveness of risk management and the adequacy of internal controls.
• Document results of audit field work on audit working papers and ensure proper organization / filing of audit working papers.
• Review audit working papers of audit assistants and compile draft audit reports.
• Carry out special audits or investigations as may be required from time to time.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor of Commerce degree specializing in Finance or Accounting from a recognized university.
• Must have CPA (K) / ACCA or an equivalent qualification
• Must have worked for at least three (3) years in the internal audit department of a large and reputable Organization.
• CIA or CISA certification will be desirable.
• Must be a member of a relevant professional body.
• Proven administrative and coordination skills.
• Proven computer proficiency
• Effective communication and report writing skills.

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should send their detailed CV with daytime contacts and copies of academic and professional certificates to the undersigned so as to reach him on or before April 29th, 2011.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

The Director
Kenya Forest Service
P.O. Box 30513 - 00100 Nairobi.
www.kenyaforestservice.org