Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Experience Needed

15 Years

About the position

Our Client Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) is a state corporation established in 1986 under the Science and Technology Act (which has since been repealed by the Science, Technology and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013) to undertake research in forestry and allied natural resources and generate and promote improved technologies for sustainable development. The Institute is implementing its 7th Strategic Plan which has been aligned to the Medium Term Plan (MTP) IV of Vision 2030 and the National Forest Programme (NFP). KEFRI is both EMS 14001:2015 and QMS 9001:2015 Certified.

Our Client is seeking to recruit a highly qualified and strategic oriented individual with high degree of professionalism to fill the position of Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Reporting directly to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the successful candidate will be responsible for provision of strategic and scientific leadership of the Institute and spearhead the implementation of research in forestry and allied natural resources. The jobholder will be in charge of the day – to – day running of the Institute and will be the vision carrier spearheading its core mandate in the promotion of research in forestry and allied natural resources.

Key responsibilities

• Provide research and strategic leadership in the formulation, development, implementation and evaluation of the Institute’s programmes and plans to support the achievement of the Institution’s mandate in research.
• Develop and recommend to the Board the Institute’s strategies and business plans and ensure that they align to the budget whist establishing appropriate internal monitoring and control systems of the Institutes policies and procedures.
• Act as Secretary to the Board of Directors so as to ensure that Board decisions are implemented in the Institute.
• Developing annual work plans and operating budgets to ensure they are aligned to the overall mandate of the Institution.
• Developing clear policies and manuals for the Management of physical assets of the Institute for proper governance of assets.
• Ensuring that the Institute complies with laws since the Institute operates under the set laws and regulations and is established in under the Science and Technology Act to implement other relevant laws in the Sector when carrying out their Research.
• Guiding and Overseeing implementation of the Institutes policies and programs to ensure the long term sustainability of the Organisation in terms of Human Resources, assets, and fiscal aspects.
• Leading in Change Management.
• Increasing in customer and shareholders value.
• Managing of Corporate Risk.
• Ensuring appropriate Organisation and Management Structure.
• Ensuring continuous improvement in quality and value of services.
• Ensuring alignment of Human Resource Management to Corporate strategy.
• Ensuring succession planning, employee growth and Development.
• Safeguarding human capital necessary for Optimal Corporate performance.
• Fostering a culture that promotes ethical practices and good citizenship (governance) in order to promote the Institutes core values and cultivate an atmosphere of trust for the creation and delivery of high quality, effective and accountable systems.
• Monitoring and evaluating performance contracts and file quarterly and annual reports to the responsible Ministry and other Government offices for compliance and to ensure the delivery of set targets.
• Advise the Cabinet Secretary and / or Principal Secretary on gazettment and degazzettment of tree species to be protected in the country and specific areas.
• Ensure development and monitoring of national forest standards.
• Overseeing Human Resource matters including appointments, welfare, training industrial relations, separation and effective management of Succession plan in order to maintain a high performance organisation driven by talented and competent staff.
• Providing leadership of the Institute through lobbying for projects from donor partners as well as the corporate world both in the country and outside.
• Developing and recommending the Institute budgets to the Board and monitor implementation of approve budget.
• Managing day to day affairs of the Institute to ensure smooth flow of operations.
• Ensuring Management of a robust pension scheme through an effective Board of Trustees to drive the implantation of the approved strategies.
• Maintaining a conducive work environment for attracting, motivating and retaining staff in order to have talented and competent staff who consistently deliver outstanding result.
• Mobilizing resources from Exchequer through the parent ministry as well as Resource mobilization and partnership Development (from donor partners and Corporate world) and Enterprise Development (through development of business plans) Divisions.
• Ensuring establishment of partnership and cooperation with other research organisations and Institution of higher learning in joint research training.
• Ensuring co – operation with the responsible ministry and the relevant Research Committees in matters pertaining forestry research policies and priorities.
• Ensuring co – operation with other government agencies, county governments and international organisations on matters pertaining forestry research.
• Ensuring development of forestry research and development strategies for sustainable forestry development in the country.
• Ensuring development and monitoring of national forestry standards.

Person specifications

• A Doctorate degree in any of the following disciplines: Natural Resources Sciences or any other relevant discipline from a recognized Institution.
• A Master’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Natural Resources Sciences or its
• equivalent from a recognized Institution.
• A Bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Natural Resources Sciences or its equivalent from a recognized Institution.
• Valid member of the Forest Society of Kenya or any other relevant professional body and be in good standing.
• Strategic leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks.
• At least fifteen (15) years’ relevant work experience, eight (8) of which must have been in Senior Management in a comparable position in public or private sector.
• Must have the following achievements: at least first author of five (5) papers, five (5) papers
• as a second author, and five (5) papers as a co – author in indexed refereed journals or five (5) relevant book chapters of international standards. In addition, developed three (3) grant winning proposals, edited five (5) relevant technical Reports / guidelines, authored five (5) technical notes / Research notes / technical guidelines and at least two (2) policy briefs or two (2) innovations.
• Demonstrated merit in work performance.
• Certificate in Computer applications.
• Must demonstrate leadership and excellent communication skills.
• Must demonstrate ability to be a team player and work in a multicultural environment.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, during the recruitment process.

If you meet the requirements for this role, please download the form provided below, fill it out in a Word document, and email it along with your CV, ID, certificates, and any other relevant documents to [email protected], quoting reference code KEFRI/PKF001/2023 as the subject of the email.

Click here to download the form.

Those who had previously applied for the position should reapply.

All applications must be received by Monday, 24 July 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Hard copy applications will not be accepted for this position.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer