Government Jobs in Kenya - KEPHIS

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.