Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) was established by an Act of Parliament on 20th January, 1978 with the mandate to maintain, improve and regulate all scheduled seaports along Kenya’s Coast.
In this regard, the Authority manages the Port of Mombasa which is strategically placed to serve the commercial, agriculture and industrial hinterland of Kenya and the surrounding landlocked countries.
The key focus areas of KPA include capacity expansion, productivity improvement, growth in market share as well as safety and security.
Due to the tremendous growth in business, Kenya Ports Authority is seeking to recruit high calibre professionals to support and strengthen its workforce.
The successful candidates will fill the following positions:
Conventional Cargo Engineering Department
1. Senior Electrical / Electronics Engineer (Planning)
Grade HM2
1 Post
Summary of the Job: The job holder is responsible for monitoring and controlling repairs of electronic components of Mobile Cranes, Harbour Mobile Cranes, Forklift Trucks, Portal Cranes and Spreaders and is also responsible for the planning of maintenance of the equipment
Tasks and Responsibilities
Maintaining equipment operational performance data for the purpose of maintenance plans generations. Planning and monitoring the implementation of maintenance plans
Liaising with Departmental Sectional and Unit Heads on a daily basis to obtain information on the progress of planned and breakdown maintenance
Maintaining and analyzing equipment maintenance and availability data for department action plans for maintenance improvement
Planning and monitoring electronics repairs of the equipment in the department
Liaising with Operations on a daily basis to obtain information on ship cargo and berthing plan and facilitating the delivery of equipment complete with appropriate attachments such as boom or coil ram, long/short fork, etc, fitted as specified by operations
Reviewing the work reports of section Superintendents, thereby conducting work study with a view to improving efficiency, work environment/conditions and techniques
Planning for and monitoring effective and efficient use of resources (staff, time, equipment, materials, spares, tools, etc) in the section
Preparing procurement plans for spares, materials and tools in line with the Public
Procurement & Disposal Act 2005 and Regulations 2006
Ensuring supplier invoices are processed in line with the Stores Policy
Requirements for the Post
B.Sc. or B.Eng. Degree in Electrical / Electronics Engineering or in any other relevant field from a recognized institution
Registered as an Engineer with Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
Membership with the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK)
Current valid annual practicing license from the Engineers Board of Kenya
Senior Management Courses
ICT Skills
Knowledge of AutoCAD
Good knowledge of Port Operations and Equipment
Demonstrated high degree of professional competency, administrative capabilities and initiative in the general organization and management of Cargo Handling Equipment
5 years relevant experience in a similar role in a reputable organization
2. Corporate Affairs Department
Senior Communications Officer (Internal Communication & Publications)
Grade HM2
1 Post
Overall Objective: Reporting to the Head of Corporate Affairs, the job holder will be responsible for enhancing the Authority’s corporate identity/image through communication and promotion of goodwill and mutual understanding between the Authority and its various publics, especially the media, customers and the community.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Acting as a point of contact and liaison between KPA and various publics to enhance the Authority’s corporate image.
Formulating and implementing new Public Relations and communication Strategies to help the Authority achieve its overall objectives.
Co-ordinating the writing, editing and production of the Authority’s communication collaterals: newsletters, magazines and brochures, updates and other publications as may be necessary
Recommending, planning and implementing informational and promotional strategies and tactics (campaigns) to enhance corporate visibility
Planning, executing and ensuring standardization of all communication collateral, e.g. speeches, press releases, opinion pieces, briefing notes, PowerPoint presentations, photography, videography, traditional and new media
Ensuring the Authority’s events and activities are conducted to the best professional standards and are aligned with the overall corporate strategic plan and communications objectives
Proactively monitoring activities and situations so as to detect issues before they emerge (Environmental scanning), particularly those issues which could impact negatively on the business reputation and devise appropriate communication strategies to address them
Requirements for the Post
A Master’s Degree in Social Sciences plus a post-graduate Diploma in Journalism, Mass communication or Public Relations from a recognized institution
Eight (8) years of relevant experience in a busy newsroom, a publishing organization, a strategic communications agency or a Public Relations/Communication Department of a busy organization, among others
Key Competencies
The preferred candidate must possess demonstrable qualities in the following areas:
Strong communication, analytical and interpersonal skills
Good grasp of internal and external communication architecture and dynamics
Excellent writing and editing skills
Ability to generate good press releases, key message pointers and speeches
Knack for catchy headline writing
Good photography skills with an excellent eye for good illustrative materials, including caption writing
Ability to re-write copy and inject flair
Good understanding of print and electronic production processes
Ability to liaise with contributors to publications and ensure strict adherence to deadlines
Ability to show creativity, initiative and good judgment
Proficiency in Desktop Publishing, Microsoft Office suite, e-mail and Internet
Other Competencies
Action and detail oriented
Flair for Event Management
Highly motivated to drive projects to completion
Good sense of responsibility and accountability
Ability to work independently and with urgency
Ability to work long hour
3. Economist (Planning)
Grade HM3
1 Post
Overall Objective: Reporting to the Senior Economist (Planning) , the job holder will be responsible for assisting in the preparation of strategic plans as well as project studies to determine their feasibility and performance.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Carrying out research and data analysis to enable effective planning and achievement of the Authority’s objectives.
Monitoring performance of the implementation of policies and programmes in line with the Strategic, Business, Master Plan including the long-term national Vision 2030
Assisting in managing the performance contracting process
Participating in Strategic Planning for the Authority
Carrying out analysis on business projection and forecasting
Preparing regular monitoring and evaluation reports
Collecting and analysing macro-economic and trade data
Requirements for the Post
Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Mathematics, Project Management or in any other relevant field from a recognized institution
Diploma in Project Management will be an added advantage
Member of a recognized professional body
Management Development Courses
ICI Skills
Good knowledge of Port Operations
Good analytical skills
Research skills
Evaluating research projects
Strategic thinking, planning and management skills
Presentation and oral communication skills
Supervisory skills and creativity
3 years relevant experience at lower management level
4. Principal Economist (Policy & Research)
Grade HM1
1 Post
Overall Objective: Reporting to the Head of Corporate Development, the job holder is in charge of promoting high quality policy relevant research in support of the Authority’s development agenda and ensuring that KPA policy programs are informed by research.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Identifying critical research issues
Developing research strategies
Developing guidelines for assessing research quality and managing databases critical to research on port operations/development
Developing, managing, monitoring and evaluating a portfolio of research projects
Providing quality assurance for all research work and reports, including proposals, ethical reviews and research/donor reports
Promoting culture change around research within KPA
Ensuring policy and operations coordination, and maintains institutional relations with the government and stakeholders, especially on matter relating to port development
Requirements for the Post
Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Statistics or Mathematics or in any other relevant field from a recognized institution
Master’s Degree in Economics, Statistics or Mathematics or in any other relevant field from a recognized institution will be an added advantage
Certificate in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) or any other relevant package
Member of a recognized professional body
Good understanding of Research Methodology
ICT Skills
Thorough knowledge of Port Operations
Excellent analytical skills. Thorough understanding of Corporate Planning/ Strategy, Public Sector Policy, Performance Management regimes including the Performance Contract framework
Demonstrated high degree of professional competency, administrative capabilities, initiative and a thorough understanding of Public Sector Policy and Reforms, Corporate Planning and relevant legislation that impact on attainment of the Corporate goals
5 years relevant experience in a similar role in a reputable organization
Other Qualifications and Abilities
Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills with attention to detail and contextual background
Ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations
Creativity and problem solving skills
Presentation and oral communication skills
Supervisory skills
Ability to provide specialized advice and guidance to external partners
5. Senior Economist (Projects)
Grade HM2
1 Post
Overall Objective: Reporting to the Principal Economist (Planning & Development), the job holder is responsible for providing technical advice on the economic viability and sustainability of projects and their potential impact on Port development.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Undertaking project feasibility analysis and preparing project formulation proposals including project budgets
Identifying and evaluating potential investment opportunities that support business development initiatives
Monitoring and evaluating project activities and preparing regular project performance reports
Developing and regularly updating projects database
Analyzing changes in the demand for port services and preparing long-range revenue and expenditure forecasts including review of capital plan requirements
Collecting and analyzing macro-economic and trade data
Requirements for the Post
Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Project Management or in any other relevant field from a recognized institution
Diploma in Project Management will be an added advantage
Certificate in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) or any other relevant package
Member of a recognized professional body
Good understanding of Research Methodology
ICT Skills
Senior Management Courses
Thorough knowledge of Port Operations
Excellent analytical skills
Demonstrated high degree of professional competency, administrative capabilities, initiative and a thorough understanding of Public Sector Policy and Reforms, Corporate Planning and relevant legislation that impact on attainment of the Corporate goals
5 years relevant experience in a similar role in a reputable organization
How to Apply
Kenya Ports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and female candidates and People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) are encouraged to apply.
If your qualifications and career objectives match the requirements of any of the above positions, please submit your application with detailed Curriculum Vitae indicating your qualifications, experience, present position, e-mail address and mobile telephone number with copies of your certificates and testimonials on or before 17th July, 2015to:
The Managing Director,
Kenya Ports Authority,
P.O. Box 95009- 80104,
Mombasa, Kenya.
