Specific Duties

• Service, repair, and perform periodic maintenance of icipe vehicles, tractors, motorcycles, boat, lawn mowers, farm machinery, and other equipment.
• Handle breakdown and recovery services for icipe vehicles.
• Inspection of vehicles.
• Perform scheduled service, repair, and maintenance of the other mechanical components of generators and water pumps.
• Maintain detailed records of the work they perform, including parts used, and repairs completed.
• Stay updated with current developments in automotive technology and repair techniques through ongoing training and education.
• Adhere to safety standards and guidelines to ensure a safe working environment for themselves and others.
• Supervise mechanics students on attachment.
• Collaborate with other mechanics and technicians to diagnose and repair complex issues

Other duties and responsibilities

Transport and Travel Logistics

• Drive icipe staff or visitors or cargo to designated destinations.
• Perform pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, ensuring that scheduled vehicle maintenance is completed and reported.
• Provide logistical support to Themes/projects at icipe by drawing transport schedules for different working teams and during field activities.
• Report any malfunction or damage to the vehicle immediately.
• Notify the traveler on departures and arrival at destinations of any unforeseen problems.
• Ensure icipe vehicles have relevant legal documents before and during movement.
• Ensure that across-the-border journeys have required security clearance from the relevant authorities before the commencement of the trip.

Personnel safety

• Provide safety briefing to staff and visitors using the vehicle.
• Ensure the safety of the driver and passengers throughout the duration of the journey by driving in a safe and alert manner.
• Ensure that the First Aid kit is clean and stocked.
• Safeguard all the contents in the vehicle.
• Prepare trip vehicle reports as well as accident or incident reports where necessary.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), or its equivalent level of education.
• At least five years’ post-qualification working in a busy and reputable workshop.
• Five-plus years driving experience.
• Experience with similar research and development organization is a plus.
• Certificate of Apprenticeship, Government Trade Test grade 1.
• Certificate in Automotive mechanics and Mechatronics or its equivalent.
• A valid and accident-free Driver’s License class B1, C1, D.

Other Desirable Attributes

• Inspecting vehicle engines and mechanical/electrical components to diagnose issues accurately.
• Inspecting vehicle computer and electrical systems to repair, maintain and upgrade.
• Conducting routine maintenance work with the aim of ensuring vehicle functionality and longevity.
• Repair of brakes and steering system.
• Diagnose and repair electrical and electronic systems.
• Replace and repair vehicle transmission and fuel components as needed.
• Repairing of engine cooling system.
• Ability to read and interpret road signs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both English and Kiswahili.
• Experience in driving and familiarity with the geography (road network) countrywide in icipe research areas will be an added advantage.
• Training such as First Aid and defensive driving will be an asset.
• Handle personal per diem.
• Make decisions for own job function and requires approval from supervisor.