Director & Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)

Job Purpose

The Director and CEO reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall strategic and scientific leadership of the Institute in the implementation of research in forestry and allied natural resources, will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the Institute and will be the vision carrier spearheading its core mandate in the promotion of research in forestry and allied natural resources.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide Research and Strategic leadership in the formulation, development, implementation and evaluation of the Institute’s programmes and plans to support the achievement of the institution’s mandate in research;
• Develop and recommend to the Board the Institute’s strategies and business plans and ensure that they align to the budget whist establishing appropriate internal monitoring and control systems of the Institutes policies and procedures;
• Advise the Cabinet Secretary and/or Principal Secretary on matters of Forestry Research and Development;
• Direct and coordinate the Institute’s operations and administration to ensure that the institution’s Regional centres and Thematic areas of key research focus operate in conformity with the overall strategic plans and performance targets;
• Promote Innovation and best practices in idea generation, concept formation and research execution;
• Ensure development and monitoring of national forest standards;
• Provide leadership in resource mobilization both externally and internally by facilitating contractual arrangements in order to mobilize research funding to propagate the development of new frontiers in research;
• Ensure prudent utilization of resources and control of funds from various sources;
• Lead the promotion and implementation of sound legal and regulatory framework to support Forestry Research and Development and ensure that the Institute complies with Kenyan laws;
• Act as secretary to the Board of Directors so as to ensure that Board decisions are implemented in the Institute;
• Create and maintain strong local and global collaborations, linkages, networks and partnerships with key stakeholders;
• Promote the Institute’s image and develop good working relationship with all stakeholders, donors and partners while promoting the principles of good governance in the Company;
• Maintain a conducive work environment for attracting, retaining and motivating employees while fostering a corporate culture that promotes integrity, high ethical practice and noble corporate citizenship; and
• Ensure management of a robust pension scheme through an effective Board of Trustees.

Person Specifications

• At least fifteen (15) years’ relevant work experience, eight (8) of which must have been in senior management in a comparable position in public or private sector;
• A Doctorate degree in any of the following disciplines: Natural Resources Sciences or any other relevant discipline from a recognized Institution;
• A Masters degree in any of the following disciplines: Natural Resources Sciences or its equivalent from a recognized Institution;
• A Bachelors degree in any of the following disciplines: Natural Resources Sciences or its equivalent from a recognized Institution;
• Valid member of the Forest Society of Kenya or any other relevant professional body and be in good standing;
• Strategic leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks;
• Must have the following achievements: at least first author of five (5) papers, five (5) papers as a second author, and five (5) papers as a co-author in indexed refereed journals or five (5) relevant book chapters of international standards. In addition, developed three (3) grant winning proposals, edited five (5)
  • relevant technical reports/guidelines, authored five (5) technical notes/research
  • notes/technical guidelines and at least two (2) policy briefs or two (2) innovations;
  • Demonstrated merit in work performance;
  • Certificate in Computer applications; and
  • Fulfil the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.