Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS)

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the selected candidate will entail:

1. Advising the Chief Executive Officer/Director and the Board on all matters of accreditation of Testing, Calibration and Medical laboratories, certification, inspection, verification and Proficiency Testing Providers;
2. Oversee the management of the accreditation schemes on general testing, calibration and medical testing and proficiency test providers;
3. Initiating development of policies, strategies, and procedures for maintenance of an internationally recognized management system for Testing, Calibration and Medical laboratories and Proficiency Testing Providers accreditation;
4. Overseeing the provision of technical assistance in areas relating to the competence of Testing, Calibration and Medical laboratories and Proficiency Testing Providers to clients and stakeholders regarding accreditation;
5. Overseeing the development and establishment of operational goals, policies, and procedures for the directorate, as appropriate; recommends, implements, and administers methods and procedures to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency;
6. Overseeing the development, organization, analysis and reporting of assessment outcomes and related activities to support planning activities;
7. Coordinating the preparation of annual assessment reports to summarize such findings, with emphasis on the quality of the assessment efforts and findings that influence institutional decision making and policy development;
8. Providing strategic advice and consultation to leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of modifications and enhancements to existing operations, systems, and procedures;
9. Providing performance management feedback as appropriate;
10. Overseeing the preparation and development of organization policies and procedures and serve on planning and policy-making committees;
11. Oversee the coordination the formulation and monitoring of national, regional and international guidelines and standards to facilitate the accreditation;
12. Providing oversight on the activities under mutual recognition agreements relating to accreditation at ILAC, IAF and AFRAC concerning accreditation;
13. Ascertaining the use of regional and international accreditation marks;
14. Ensuring the establishment of appropriate working groups in the different sectors of accreditation;
15. Overseeing the development and review of criteria requirements for accreditation for existing schemes;
16. Coordinating the management of assessments for competence and advice for designation of conformity assessment bodies by regulatory authorities;
17. Providing oversight in the establishment and maintenance of a register of accreditation status for accredited conformity assessment bodies;
18. Recommending for the establishment of relationships with accreditation bodies around the world;
19. Providing comments and recommending to the Chief Executive Officer/Director for balloting on national, regional and international documents, standards and regulations;
20. Advising Chief Executive Officer/Director on technical aspects of conformity assessment bodies activities impacting the economy;
21. Overseeing the development and reviewing of proposals aimed at promoting accreditation;
22. Advising Chief Executive Officer/Director on mutually beneficial partnership and collaboration with governments, agencies and other stakeholders;
23. Ensuring development of the budget for the directorate;
24. Assisting the Chief Executive Officer/Director on developing Board agenda on accreditation matters;
25. Ensuring the directorate achieves its performance targets, and staff are appraised appropriately; and
26. Responsible for the assets and finances of the directorate

Academic and Professional Qualifications

1. At least ten (12) years’ working experience in conformity assessment, three (3) of which must have been in Senior Management position;
2. Bachelor’s degree in Science related fields;
3. Masters’ degree in Science, Management or other related fields;
4. Professional Qualification and membership in good standing where applicable;
5. Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks;
6. Demonstrated results in work performance;
7. Trained in the relevant conformity assessment standards;
8. Proficiency in Computer application; and
9. Fulfil the requirement of Chapter Six (6) of the constitution.

Skills and Competencies

1. Communicating with impact;
2. Leading and managing people, programmes and change;
3. Applying technical expertise;
4. Planning and organizing;
5. Managing performance, coaching and mentoring;
6. Budgeting and resource management;
7. Customer and stakeholder orientation;
8. Formulating policy and strategies;
9. Initiating and deciding actions;
10. Strategic visioning and innovative thinking;
11. Relating and networking; and
12. Technological savviness