Deputy Director, Technical Services at National Biosafety Authority

JOB GRADE NB 3

Job Specification

An officer at this level reports to the Director, Technical Services and is the head of Department responsible for coordinating functions of the department in regard to ensuring safety of human and animal health as well as provision of adequate level of protection of the environment.

The duties and responsibilities at this level entails;

• Biosafety Risk Assessment
  • Overseeing the GMO applications process including receiving, screening, acknowledgement and engagement of reviewers
  • Overseeing the risk assessment for GMO applications is carried out in a scientific, transparent and predictable manner;
  • Overseeing socio-economics impact assessment during environmental release of GMO applications is done;
  • Ensuring confidentiality of Business Information in GMO applications is maintained
  • The Deputy Director shall serve as the Contact Person for Emergency measures to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
  • Coordinate the reviews technical papers, reports and other submissions to the board and other stakeholders.
  • Assisting the Director in developing technical board agenda and technical board paper in the area of biosafety risk assessment and BCH activities.
  • Mentoring and coaching of biosafety staff within the Department
  • Appraisal of officers that directly and indirectly report to the Deputy Director
  • Ensuring the setting, implementation and monitoring of Performance contracting within the department
  • Ensuring preparation of budgets proposals, procurement and work plans for the department
• Biosafety Education and Awareness
  • Ensure guidelines and procedures related to biosafety training of professionals and competencies are developed;
  • Advising the Director on the establishment and operationalization of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) in research institutions engaged in GMO research-related activities.
  • Coordinating enhancement of biosafety awareness, education and capacity building activities.
  • Coordinate the reviews technical papers, reports and other submissions to the board and other stakeholders.
  • Assisting the Director in developing technical board agenda and technical board paper on biosafety education and awareness matters
  • Oversee the development of policy briefs and publicity materials;
  • Mentoring and coaching of biosafety staff within the Department
  • Appraisal of officers that directly and indirectly report to the Deputy Director
  • Ensuring the setting, implementation and monitoring of Performance contracting within the department
  • Ensuring preparation of budgets proposals, procurement and work plans for the department
• Compliance and Enforcement
  • Overseeing preparation of schedules for monitoring of approved GMO research projects, post release monitoring of GMOs released into the environment.
  • Ensuring market surveillance activities are undertaken.
  • Coordinate the reviews technical papers, reports and other submissions to the board and other stakeholders.
  • Approving GMO-Free certificates for non-GMO export commodities;
  • Assisting the Director in developing technical board agenda and technical board paper in compliance and enforcement activities
  • Overseeing the development of systems and controls for facilitating trade through digitization of processes, timely consignment clearance and issuance of permits and certificates.
  • Coordinating and reviewing GMO market surveillance and inspection and monitoring schedules;
  • Ensuring that inspection and monitoring reports of approved GMO projects and containment facilities
  • Mentoring and coaching of biosafety staff within the Department
  • Appraisal of officers that directly and indirectly report to the Deputy Director
  • Ensuring the setting, implementation and monitoring of Performance contracting within the department
  • Ensuring preparation of budgets proposals, procurement and work plans for the department
• Certification and Laboratory Services
  • Assisting the Director in developing technical board agenda and technical board paper in the area Certification and Laboratory Services.
  • Overseeing the development of guidelines and checklists for inspection, classification and certification of GMO containment facilities.
  • Ensuring GMO sampling, detection and analysis protocols are developed for timely analysis of samples as well as reviewing the GMO analysis reports.
  • Overseeing the development of certification criteria for biosafety professionals and competencies on biosafety.
  • Coordinating the establishment of new Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) and registered IBCs seeking renewal;
  • Oversee the preparation of technical papers, reports and other submissions to the board and other stakeholders in areas of certification and laboratory services.
  • Mentoring and coaching of biosafety staff within the Department
  • Appraisal of officers that directly and indirectly report to the Deputy Director
  • Ensuring the setting, implementation and monitoring of Performance contracting within the department
  • Ensuring preparation of budgets proposals, procurement and work plans for the department

Person Specification

• At least ten (10) years’ experience, three (3) of which must be in a Senior Management level in the public or private sector;
• Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology / Environmental Science/Agricultural Sciences/Microbiology or relevant fields from a recognized Institution. 
• Master’s Degree in Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology / Environmental Science/Agricultural Sciences/Microbiology or relevant fields from a recognized Institution from a recognized Institution.
• Authorship in five (5) publications on Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular biology, Agricultural Sciences and related subjects will be an added advantage.
• Biosafety related short courses
• Management Course lasting not less than four weeks from a recognized institution
• Member of a professional Body in good standing where applicable
• Demonstration of work performance
• Proficiency in Computer applications
• Relevant skills and competencies
• Meets requirement of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Key Competencies and Skills

• Strategic leadership skills
• Excellent Interpersonal skills
• Analytical skills
• Leadership skills
• Results orientated
• Proficiency in Computer Applications
• High level of Integrity