Chief Manager- National Quality Institute at Kenya Bureau of Standards

Key Responsibilities/ Duties / Tasks
Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and is accountable for the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and programmes with regard to education in standardization through provision of training, membership, collaboration, consultancy, and quality awards in order to entrench a culture of quality in the country for delivery of KEBS mandate, realization of Kenya Vision 2030, African Union Agenda 2063 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;
• Oversees the establishment of frameworks for enhanced coordination and collaboration (which includes partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding) on training and capacity development, for the purpose of building, supporting and nurturing the entrenchment of national quality culture;
• Provides strategic leadership in the implementation of National Quality Infrastructure framework on education in standardization to promote innovation, product development, consumer health and safety, protection of the environment and enhance competitiveness of Kenyan products and services;
• Oversees training, membership, collaboration, consultancy, Quality Awards, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) programmes and research processes, systems and procedures, including externally provided processes, to create and deliver value in industry;
• Provides leadership in articulation of Kenya’s position in Standardization and Conformity Assessment at national regional and international level to entrench the culture of quality;
• Promotes Standardization, Metrology and Conformity Assessment (SMCA) issues in industry to build, support and sustain a culture of quality;
• Oversees analysis of the business environment and advises on the competitive strategies for development of market driven education in standardisation programmes for achievement of KEBS strategic objectives and the National Industrialization Strategy;
• Oversees the preparation and submission of board papers in relation to Education in standardization to the Director Standards Development and Trade for review;
• Oversees the implementation of NSC resolutions in relation to education in Standardization to fulfil KEBS mandate as per standards Act CAP 496 Laws of Kenya;
• Oversees and is accountable for performance management and productivity improvement in the department;
• Provides leadership in the establishment, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of Management systems adopted by KEBS for the purpose of ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and sustained customer satisfaction in the department;
• Oversees and is responsible for the development and implementation of the Risk Management Framework in the department to mitigate against the negative effects of risks and take advantage of opportunities;
• Oversees and is accountable for the development and implementation of business continuity strategies to ensure resilience and sustainability of department’s processes, products and services; and
• Oversees identification and is responsible for provision of the department’s human and physical resources for effective implementation and achievement of strategic objectives.

Operational Responsibilities / Tasks

• Provides leadership in the development and implementation of the departmental workplans, budget and medium expenditure framework and procurement plan for prudent use of resources;
• Leads in the development and implementation of trainings in standardization to promote best practices in Standards, Metrology and Conformity Assessment in order to entrench a culture of quality in the Kenyan Society;
• Oversees development, maintenance and improvement of the database for trainings, membership and awards;
• Monitors and evaluates departmental programs including Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and implementation of corporate plans and provide recommendations on Key NQI issues;
• Approves departmental expenditure;
• Collaborates with Market Surveillance, Quality Assurance & Inspection, and Metrology & Testing Directorates in design, development and implementation of training programmes to enhance operational efficiencies and effectiveness of service delivery;
• Oversees the implementation of harmonized corporate workshops to ensure that material presented during workshops meets the requirements;
• Oversees setting of targets, reviews and approves department’s performance targets, monitors implementation and submits performance reports to the Director, Standards Development and Trade;
• Oversees the development of staff competencies in the department through formal training programs, mentorship, coaching, on-the-job training, to be able to deliver the department’s objectives;
• Leads in the analysis of business environment to identify stakeholder needs to design and implement appropriate research projects to support provision of education in standardization for the delivery of KEBS mandate and contribute to national development agenda;
• Represents the National Quality Institute at relevant conferences and industry events; and
• Assigns duties and approves leave for direct reports.

Job Dimensions:

• Financial Responsibility
• Generates revenue of approximately KES 100 M per annum,
• Controls directorate budget of approximately KES 70 M per annum, and
• Oversees implementation of resource mobilization strategies in the department.

Responsibility for Physical Assets
Ensures prudent utilization of physical assets in the department.

Decision Making / Job Influence
Makes:

• Strategic decisions;
• Operational; and
• Financial decisions.

Working Conditions

• Works predominantly within the office, and Expected travels within and outside the country.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills).
Academic qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sciences/Social Sciences/Education/Food Science/Information technology /Engineering/ Management from a recognised institution.
• Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies

Registration with relevant professional bodies:

• American Society for Quality;
• Chartered Quality Institute;
• Engineers Board of Kenya;
• Kenya Chemical society;
• Physical society of Kenya;
• Food Nutrition and Dietetics Board;
• Computer Society of Kenya;
• Kenya Institute of Management; and
• National Quality Institute.
  • Previous relevant work experience required.
  • At least 10 years’ relevant experience out of which 5 years must have been in a management position.

Functional Skills, Behavioral Competencies/Attributes
Functional:

• Auditing /Assessor Skills;
• Negotiation skills;
• Project management skills;
• Financial management skills;
• Management skills;
• Information, communication, and technology skills;
• Leadership skills;
• Presentation skills;
• Report writing; and
• Analytical skills.