Rift Valley Railways Jobs Feb 2012

Rift Valley Railways (RVR) is the Kenya-Uganda concessionaire exclusively operating freight (including marine) and passenger rail services in Kenya and Uganda under a 25 year concession agreement signed with both governments in 2006.

RVR has now embarked on a USD 287 million fully funded five year turn around programme that will see it improve its operations and achieve its vision of being the Best Transport and Logistics partner in Africa by 2020.

In order to execute this ambitious programme and to achieve its vision, RVR seeks to recruit highly driven and motivated Professionals to fill the following positions:

Materials & Logistics Controller

Ref RVR 12/2/1

Reporting to the Head of Procurement and Materials Management, you will be responsible for managing availability and flow of materials so as to support efficient and timely business operations.

Key duties will include:

• Developing and implementing annual materials procurement plans that ensure materials availability and optimal cost.
• Inventory management, including setting reorder quantities, monitoring stock levels and updating records and raising procurement requisitions.
• Following up suppliers, shipping companies and inspectors, to ensure timely shipment of ordered goods.
• Participating in development of systems and inventory management software
• Developing or improving materials management processes.
• Preparing the relevant reports

The ideal position holder will have:

• A university degree and relevant professional qualifications, such as CIPS
• At least 4 years’ experience as a Manager in a material management and logistics environment.
• Experience of developing and implementing work processes
• Excellent communication skills
• Planning and organisation skills
• A positive outlook, self-motivation and a willingness to embrace change.
• Strong team leadership skills

Locomotive Workshop Manager

Ref: RVR 12/2/2

Reporting to General Manager Rolling Stock, you will assume responsibility for the maintenance and repair of locomotives.

Your duties will include:

• Supporting the budgetary process by setting parameters and defining annual maintenance plans.
• Preparing annual maintenance and rehabilitation plans for locomotives.
• Effectively manage the implementation of locomotive related projects.
• Overseeing the production of parts, ensuring the attainment of quantity and quality targets.
• Ensuring compliance with environment and OSHA legislation and related work standards and policies.
• Ensuring compliance with work processes and procedures and technical standards.
• Monitoring the performance of the locomotive team to ensure achievement of set targets.

The Ideal candidate must have:

• A degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Registration with the Engineers Registration Board
• 10 years’ experience, including 5 years of diesel engine maintenance.
• Experience of managing large teams of employees.
• Knowledge of PDCA/SDCA, Pareto Diagram,5W 7 2H plan, Ishikawa Diagram, Control Charts, etc.
• A proven track record of implementing 5S Kaisen, and have knowledge of Six Sigma
• Computer literacy and ability to work effectively with a variety of IT based tools
• Excellent communication skills
• Holders of Master’s degree in Business Administration are preferred.

Regional Mechanical Engineer, Mombasa

Ref: RVR 12/2/3

Reporting to General Manager Rolling Stock, you will be responsible for the effective maintenance of mechanical and electrical installations, locomotives and rolling stock in the region in order to optimize their availability and reliability.

Key duties include:

• Taking charge of the maintenance and repair of locomotives, wagons & electrical installations in the region, ensuring that availability standards are met.
• Developing and implementing planned maintenance programmes.
• Attending to accidents, investigating causes and taking corrective action.
• Maintaining up-to-date statistics on locomotives and wagons and other resources and generating information to support the improvement of maintenance programs.
• Ensuring compliance with established quality standards and specifications
• Responsible for plant, equipment and stores installed or held at the depots.
• Leading, managing and developing staff.

The Ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering from a recognized university
• Registration with the Engineers Registration Board
• 5 years’ experience in a mechanical or electrical engineering role, including supervisory responsibility.
• Knowledge of Statutory regulations covering Mechanical &Electrical Engineering,
• Computer literacy and ability to work effectively with a variety of IT based tools and
• Communication and managerial skills.

HR Business Partner

Ref RVR 12/2/4

Reporting to the Human Resources Manager and the General Manager Rolling Stock, you will be responsible for ensuring that a quality HR management service is provided to the unit.

Duties will include:

• Implementing HR policies and procedures within the Unit.
• Providing HR management advice and support to the line managers.
• Coordinating the implementation of the performance management and bonus schemes within the Unit.
• Handling grievances and discipline matters in line with company policy.
• Coordinating talent activities in the unit in consultation with the central HR services and ensuring that quality succession plans are in place.
• Maintaining accurate manpower plans and staff records for the unit.
• Ensuring compliance with labour legislation and other pertinent legislation, and union agreements.
• Coordinate payroll related activities for the Unit and manage staff welfare activities including: medical, leave, staff uniforms, etc.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A degree in human resources/ business administration or other related qualification
• A HND in human resources management
• Five years’ experience working in a heavy engineering or related company.
• Computer literacy and ability to work effectively with a variety of IT based tools and
• Knowledge of employment law and HR best practices
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience of working in a unionised environment.

Fleet & Administration Manager

Ref RVR 12/2/5

Reporting to Human Resources Manager, you will be responsible for managing the company’s fleet and contracted services in manner that ensures cost efficiency, service quality and availability.

Key responsibilities of this role will include:

• Management of the company’s fleet as per national legislation and company policy, whilst ensuring running and maintenance cost minimization.
• Monitoring vehicles and driver performance and identifying opportunities for optimization
• Ensuring that at all times vehicles are regularly serviced and maintained for optimum performance
• Managing the suppliers of centralized office services including cleaning and environmental services, photocopying/printing/faxing ensuring service quality and value for money.
• Coordination of the issuing, movement, maintenance and repairs of office equipment and furniture.
• Overseeing insurance claims processing in respect to motor vehicle accidents.
• Arranging for the renewal of the company’s trade licenses.

The Ideal position holder must have:

• A degree in engineering or a related field of study.
• A track record of success in fleet management and management of outsourced services.
• Computer literacy and ability to work effectively with a variety of IT based tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills

Group Accountant

Ref RVR 12/2/7

Reporting to the Head of Accounting, you will assume responsibility for group reporting. Key duties will include the following:

• Preparing accounts for the holding companies
• Preparing monthly, quarterly and annual group consolidated financial statements and reports
• Preparing ad hoc/special reports in response to information requests by Board, lenders, management, etc,
• Conducting monthly reviews of the operating units and preparing management accounts
• Supporting quarterly and year-end audits by liaising with external auditors.

The ideal position holder must have:

• A degree in Accountancy or a business related field, plus a professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA, etc.
• 5 years of relevant working experience and sound knowledge of multi-currency consolidation and reporting, preferably acquired in medium to large sized organizations.
• Sound knowledge of local and regional tax regulations.
• Excellent computer skills including Excel, major accounting ERP
• Strong analytical, problem solving, reporting and communication skills.
• Meticulous and ability to work to tight deadlines

Applicants should submit their application letters, with detailed CVs, including day time contact phone numbers and email addresses and quoting indicated reference numbers, before March 9, 2012 to:

Recruitment@rvr.co.ke,

or

The Chief Human Resource Officer
P.O.Box 62502 – 00200,
Nairobi

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.