Chief Manager Research & Development at Kenya Bureau of Standards

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to Director, Metrology and Testing

Direct Reports

• Manager Research and Development

Indirect Reports

• Assistant Manager

Job Purpose

The job provides strategic leadership for designing and implementing Research and Development programmes for the purposes of promoting scientific research, discovery and innovation for the development of novel and effective Standardization, Metrology, and Conformity Assessment solutions to industries in Kenya to foster innovation. Leads scientific research and development advocacy, facilitates communication among various Directorates in KEBS, academia, national and international research institutions, various industrial sectors and non-profit organizations for collaboration in practical scientific research and translates research findings into innovative solutions for industrial development. Provides leadership in analysis of the research landscape on scientific metrology, product testing and related processes to develop more efficient and accurate test methods, measurement systems and databases that will solve existing industrial problems to facilitate local, regional and international trade and ease of doing business while safeguarding consumer health and safety, protection of environment in line with Articles 42, 43(a, b, c & d), 46 (a, b & c) of the Constitution of Kenya and the Standards Act (Cap 496 Laws of Kenya); and entrenchment of a culture of quality for the realization of Kenya’s vision 2030, African Union Agenda 2063 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Develops strategic relationships and partnerships in pursuit of research goals and leads in grant management to mobilize human, physical and financial resources from national and international funding institutions and donors to adequately fund prioritized scientific research projects to realize KEBS Strategic Objectives. Articulates research findings at national, regional and international level to support Kenya’s position in Standardization, Metrology and Conformity Assessment for enhanced access to regional and international markets by Kenyan products.

Key Responsibilities/ Duties / Tasks

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and is accountable for formulation and implementation of Research & Development policies and strategies for the purposes of promoting scientific discovery and innovation to enhance industrial productivity and provide technological solutions that safeguard health and safety and protection of the environment; entrenchment of 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;b) Provides strategic leadership in creating and maintaining linkages and partnerships with National, Regional and International organizations such as academia, research institutions for collaboration and funding on research and development programmes;
• Provides strategic leadership in creating and maintaining linkages and partnerships with National, Regional and International organizations such as academia, research institutions for collaboration and funding on research and development programmes;
• Oversees the analysis of business environment to identify stakeholder needs to design and implement appropriate research and development projects to support provision of standard-based solutions for the delivery of KEBS mandate and contribute to national development agenda;
• Provides leadership and is responsible for the generation and translation of research and innovation outputs/results into forms that support generation of publications, patents or regulatory submissions in order to avail findings that can be used in informing policy, strategies and developing new products or services to meet the objectives of KEBS;
• Provides technical advice to the Director Metrology and Testing relating to Research and Development matters that have economic impact in Kenya;
• Oversees identification, provision, verification and management of departmental resources both human and physical needs for effective implementation and achievement of strategic objectives;
• Provides leadership in articulation of research findings at national, regional and international level to support Kenya’s position in standardization, Metrology and Conformity Assessment for enhanced access to regional and international markets by Kenyan products;
• Provides leadership in the establishment, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and improvement of the Management Systems adopted by KEBS for the purpose of ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and sustained customer satisfaction;
• Oversees performance management and productivity improvement in the department and is responsible and accountable for the department’s performance;
• Oversees implementation of the Risk Management Framework in the department to ensure mitigation against the negative effects of risks and take advantage of opportunities; and
• Oversees the development and implementation of business continuity strategies to ensure resilience and sustainability of department’s processes, products and services.

Operational Responsibilities / Tasks

• Oversees the development and implementation of work plans, budget, medium expenditure framework and procurement plans in the department;
• Provides leadership and coordinates the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of KEBS research projects across the country to ensure effective and efficient realization of research and development deliverables within defined timeframes and budget;
• Provides leadership in development of research concepts, business and funding proposals for mobilization of funds towards realization of research projects;
• Leads in the preparation and submits Board papers in relation to the department to the Director Metrology and Testing for approval;
• Provide leadership in implementation of NSC resolutions in relation to Research & Development;
• Oversees setting of targets, reviews and approves departmental performance targets, monitors implementation and submits performance reports to the Director Metrology and Testing;
• Approves departmental expenditure;
• Oversees development of staff competencies in the department through formal training, mentorship, coaching and on-the-job training to enable delivery of directorates objectives; i) Collaborates with Standards Development, Market Surveillance and Quality Assurance and Inspection directorates to enhance operational efficiencies and effectiveness of service delivery; and
• Assigns duties and approves leave for direct reports. 

Job Dimensions:

Financial Responsibility

• Mobilizes revenue of approximately KES 20M per annum;
• Accountable for Department expenditure of approximately KES 28.5 Million per annum.
• Oversees implementation of cost minimization and resources optimization strategies .

Responsibility for Physical Assets

• Responsible for assigned physical assets.

Decision Making / Job Influence

• Makes
• Strategic decisions
• Financial decisions
• Operation decisions.

Working Conditions

• Works predominantly within the office .
• Make occasional visits to research laboratories with exposure to radiation, chemicals, vibration among other hazards.
• With extensive travels locally and internationally

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

Academic qualifications

• PhD in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
• Master’s and bachelor’s degree in science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies

Registration with any of the following Professional bodies e.g.:

• Engineers Board of Kenya,
• Kenya Chemical society
• Physical Society of Kenya,
• Kenya Institute of Management
• Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board
• Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board

Previous relevant work experience required.

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience out of which 5 years must have been in a management level.
• Track record of publications in reputable and peer reviewed journals, patents and or utility models demonstrating innovative research work.

Functional Skills, Behavioural Competencies/Attributes:

Functional Skills

• Measurement skills.
• Statistical and analytical skills.
• Investigation skills.
• Auditing /Assessor skills.
• Research skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Project management skills.
• Financial management skills.
• Management skills.
• jInformation, communication, and technology skills.
• Leadership skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Report writing.

Behavioural

• Counselling skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Time management skills.
• Communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills.