KEFRI Jobs

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) is a state corporation undertaking research in forestry and natural resources. 

KEFRI is ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System certified. 

The Institute wishes to recruit qualified persons for the vacant positions outlined below:

1. i) Assistant Research Scientist (Agroforester) 

JG RF 8 

1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating of Research & Development projects / programmes / activities.
• Develop and validate diagnostic approaches for agroforestry systems and technologies.
• Design, collect data and analyze agroforestry experiments for various agro-ecological zones.
• Evaluate agroforestry systems for enhanced livelihood.
• Manage resources.
• Identify problems, analyze and formulate multi-disciplinary research proposals with other scientists.
• Prepare reports and technical/scientific publications.
• Provide advisory and training services.
• Disseminate research findings.
• Guide other technical staff including foresters and technologists working the scientists.

Requirements for Appointment

• B.Sc. Degree in any of the following disciplines: Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Agroforestry,  from a recognized Institution.
• Computer literacy

ii) Assistant Research Scientist (Tree Breeder) 

JG RF 8 

1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating of Research & Development  projects/programmes/activities.
• Develop and update strategies for national germplasm improvement.
• Identify, select and develop programmes for genetic improvement of various tree species.
• Design, collect data and analyze tree improvement experiments in various agri-ecological zones.
• Manage resources.
• Identify problems analyze and formulate multi-disciplinary research proposals with other scientists.
• Prepare reports and technical/scientific publications.
• Provide advisory and training services.
• Disseminate research findings.
• Guide other technical staff including foresters and technologists working with the scientists.

Requirements for Appointment

• B.Sc. Degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies and Biology & Silviculture from a recognized Institution.
• Computer literacy.

2. Technologist (Horticulturist) 

Job Grade RF6

Duties and Responsibilities

• To undertake vegetative propagation for the Institute.
• To undertake agronomy of horticultural (tree) crops.
• Prepare orders for various types of plants and seeds.
• Prepare and implement proper nursery management.
• Build capacity of departmental staff and conduct demonstrations to clients/visitors;
• To undertake data collections and elementary analysis.

Requirements for Appointment

• At least a diploma in Horticulture from a recognized institution.
• At least 3 years’ hands on experience in horticultural farm.
• Thorough knowledge of plant propagation and cultivation.
• Computer Literacy

3. i) Supply Chain Officer II

JG RF 9

1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare procurement plans and tender documents.
• Preparation, publishing and issuing of procurement requests for quotations or tenders.
• Coordinate the opening, evaluation and recommendations of quotations to Tender/Procurement Committee in line with procurement regulations.
• Liaise with the Stores Officer on stock levels in order to determine re-order levels for the next purchase.
• Assist in the preparation of contract documents, keeping records of the procurement and related committees and ensuring compliance with the procurement laws and regulations.
• Maintenance of proper procurement records in accordance with the laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing public procurement.
• Facilitate and oversee the implementation of the Procurement Committee’s decision.
• Monitor the implemented contracts.
• Receipt and follow-up of orders from suppliers and issuance of purchase orders to suppliers.
• Maintain Asset Register.
• Initial action on write off and disposal of stores.
• Preparation of procurement reports.
• Maintain database of approved suppliers.
• Issue and manage stores and suppliers and maintain a store inventory.
• Carry out market survey and analysis.

Requirements for Appointment

• At least three (3) years in the grade of Supply Chain Officer III or in a comparable position.
• Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management or its equivalent from a recognized Institution.
• Computer literacy.

ii) Supply Chain Officer III

JG RF 8

1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare procurement plans and tender documents.
• Preparation, publishing and issuing of procurement requests for quotations or tenders.
• Coordinate the opening, evaluation and recommendations of quotations to Tender/Procurement Committee in line with procurement regulations.
• Liaise with the Stores Officer on stock levels in order to determine re-order levels for the next purchase.
• Assist in the preparation of contract documents, keeping records of the procurement and related committees and ensuring compliance with the procurement laws and regulations.
• Maintenance of proper procurement records in accordance with the laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing public procurement.
• Facilitate and oversee the implementation of the Procurement Committee’s decision.
• Monitor the implemented contracts.
• Receipt and follow-up of orders from suppliers and issuance of purchase orders to suppliers.
• Maintain Asset Register.
• Initial action on write off and disposal of stores.
• Preparation of procurement reports.
• Maintain database of approved suppliers.
• Issue and manage stores and suppliers and maintain a store inventory.
• Carry out market survey and analysis.

Requirements for Appointment

• At least three (3) years in the grade of Supply Chain Assistant I or in a comparable position.
• Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management or its equivalent from a recognized Institution.
• Computer literacy.

4. i) Research Scientist II (Taxonomist)

JG RF 9

1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure that all scientific work in KEFRI is performed with correctly named plants.
• Get actively involved in all aspects of conservation, inventory and mapping of vegetation resources.
• Ensure that voucher specimens permitting future checking are deposited in KEFRI herbarium.
• Maintain and develop KEFRI herbarium.

Requirements for Appointment

• M.Sc. Degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies and Agroforestry from a recognized Institution.
• Computer literacy.

ii) Research Scientist II (Agroforester) 

JG RF 9

1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating of Research & Development projects/programmes/activities.
• Develop and validate diagnostic approaches for agroforestry systems and technologies.
• Design, collect data and analyze agroforestry experiments for various agro-ecological zones.
• Evaluate agroforestry systems for enhanced livelihood.
• Manage resources.
• Identify problems, analyze and formulate multi-disciplinary research proposals with other scientists.
• Prepare reports and technical/scientific publications.
• Provide advisory and training services.
• Disseminate research findings.
• Guide other technical staff including foresters and technologists working the scientists.

Requirements for Appointment

• M.Sc. Degree in any of the following disciplines: Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Agroforestry, from a recognized Institution.
• Computer literacy.

iii) Research Scientist II (Tree Breeder) 

JG RF 9

1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating of Research & Development projects/programmes/activities.
• Develop and update strategies for national germplasm improvement.
• Identify, select and develop programmes for genetic improvement of various tree species.
• Design, collect data and analyze tree improvement experiments in various agri-ecological zones.
• Manage resources.
• Identify problems analyze and formulate multi-disciplinary research proposals with other scientists.
• Prepare reports and technical/scientific publications.
• Provide advisory and training services.
• Disseminate research findings.
• Guide other technical staff including foresters and technologists working with the scientists.

Requirements for Appointment

• M.Sc. Degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies and Biology & Silviculture from a recognized Institution.
• Computer literacy.

iv) Research Scientist II (Biometrician) 

JG RF 9

1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Research Scientists in design of experiments, field layouts, social studies, data analysis, interpretation of results and reporting.
• Assist Research Scientists in designing research tools for data collection and management.
• Identify biometrical and statistical needs of the scientists and that of Institute and strategize how to address them.
• Organize and conduct relevant refresher courses for scientists and technical support staff to effectively integrate biometry in research.
• Oversee management of research protocols, database and applications.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

Requirements for Appointment

• M.Sc. degree from recognized university in Biometry/Statistics or M.Sc. Mathematics.
• Research experience of at least two (2) years with proven quantifiable contributions in relevant field such as publications.
• Demonstrate knowledge on a range of statistical software and packages such as GENSTAT, SPSS, R, STATA, SAS among others.
• Demonstrate knowledge on relation to database and applications.

5. Senior Personal Secretary 

JG RF 10

2 Positions

Duties and Responsibilities

• Security of records, documents, equipment and furniture.
• Operate office equipment.
• Respond to routine correspondences.
• Handle telephone calls and appointments.
• Attend to visitors/clients.
• Manage office petty cash.
• Record dictation in shorthand and transcribe in typewritten form.

Requirements for Appointment

• Served satisfactorily for a minimum of three (3) years in the grade of Personal Secretary I or in a comparable position in a similar Institution.
• Passed the following examinations from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC);

1. Shorthand III (minimum 110 w.p.m.)
2. Typewriting III (50 w.p.m.)/Computerized Document Processing II
3. Business English III/Communications II
4. Commerce II
5. Office Management III/Office Administration and Management III
6. Secretarial Duties II.

• OR Diploma in Secretarial Studies from the Kenya National Examination council (KNEC) or its equivalent from a recognized Institution.
• Bachelors Degree in Secretarial Studies or its equivalent qualifications from a recognized Institution.
• Certificate in Computer Applications (Windows, MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Access, Internet) from a recognized Institution.

How to Apply

Applications to be addressed to:

The Director
Kenya Forestry Research Institute.
P.O.Box 20412 – 00200 City Square
Nairobi.

All applications should be received on or before 10th June 2014.

Kenya Forestry Research Institute is ISO 14001:2004 EMS Certified