Chief Inspectors at Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)

Ref: VA/1/12/2018

 Major duties and responsibilities

• Coordination of farmer advisory services through stakeholder awareness meetings.
• Coordinate and facilitate identification of pests and diseases.
• Coordinate and facilitate field inspections and audits for market compliance.
• Coordinate and facilitate inspection of agricultural produce for compliance to import and export requirements.
• Coordinate and participate in inspection of containment facilities.
• Coordinate in the development and maintenance of plant databases.
• Organize and participate in post certification survey activities.
• Coordinate and participate in undertaking pest and disease surveillance for phytosanitary compliance.
• Development of scientific publication and report
• Initiating development of Export certification, import regulation and border control, seed certification and plant variety protection guidelines and strategies.
• Initiating development of Export certification, import regulation and border control, seed certification and plant variety protection plans, systems and procedures and coordinate implementation.
• Coordinate review and update of plant import order book.
• Monitoring and evaluating implementation of staff performance Contracts.
• Providing technical leadership and guidance on matters pertaining to Export certification, import regulation and border control, seed certification and plant variety protection.
• Coordinate development and maintenance of early warning system, emergency response systems, pest forecasting, monitoring and pest management.
• Monitoring to ensure phytosanitary non-compliance are evaluate and ensure they are resolved.
• Participate in identification of training need and formulating training modules and schedules for Export certification, import regulation and border control, seed certification and plant variety protection.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, plant pathology, biotechnology, entomology, crop protection, molecular biology, seed science, Horticulture, Agronomy, Botany or its equivalent from a University recognized in Kenya.
• MSC in plant pathology, biotechnology, entomology, crop protection, molecular biology, seed science, Horticulture, Agronomy, Botany or its equivalent from a University recognized in Kenya.
• PhD in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• Three (3) years relevant experience.
• Knowledge on identification, diagnosis and management of pests and diseases.
• Knowledge in Pest Risk Analysis, surveillance, general plant health and compliance determination in traded commodities.
• Knowledge on biosafety and biosecurity.
• Knowledge on pest management.
• Computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft office packages.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent problem solving skills and the ability to make decisions independently.
• Good communication, data analysis, report writing and presentation skills.
• Can work well under pressure and prioritize work.
• Experience with a Quality Management System.
• Compliance requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya.