Principal Pension Officer at Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)

Job specifications
The duties and responsibilities of the officer will entail: -

• Heading the Secretariat and being the Secretary to the Board of Trustees;
• Being principal advisor to the Board of Trustees;
• Ensuring implementation of Board decisions;
• Supporting the Board in development and operationalization of Strategic Plan;
• Ensuring safe custody of sensitive Scheme documents (Statutory documents and Nomination of Beneficiary Forms);
• Overseeing planning and coordination of annual work and procurement plans and board, almanac
• Initiate development, implementation and review of applicable policies and procedures
• Coordinating preparation of annual budgets, implementation and control;
• Supervising allocation of duties to the Secretariat Staff;
• Overseeing the implementation and compliance to procedures and regulations;
• Coordinating training and development of Trustees, Secretariat Staff and Scheme members;
• Coordinating compilation and submission of quarterly Scheme reports to the Board and Service Providers;
• Ensuring compilation and submission of annual Scheme reports to the Sponsor;
• Acting as the link between the Members, Board, Sponsor, Service providers and other stakeholders on pension matters;
• Interpreting and advising the Board on industry policies and regulations and implementing the same;
• Supporting and guiding the Board and its Committees in selection and appointment of service providers;
• Preparing, negotiating and signing performance contract with the Board of Trustees and cascading it to the Secretariat Staff;
• Planning and executing Annual /Special General Meetings in consultation with the Board;
• Ensuring annual external audits are carried out and reports presented to the Board notlater than two months after the end of the financial year;
• Overseeing benefits computations, payments, service provider’s fees and levies and approving them for payment; and
• Attending to pension related enquiries and escalating where necessary.

Requirements for appointment

For appointment to the grade of Principal Pension Officer, a candidate must have:

• A minimum of nine (9) years relevant work experience, three (3) of which should have been as a Senior Pension Officer or in a comparable position;
• Master’s Degree in Commerce (Finance, Accounting or Insurance), Actuarial Science, Business Administration or its equivalent from a recognized institution;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce (Finance, Accounting or Insurance), Actuarial Science, Business Administration or its equivalent from a recognized institution;
• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) minimum grade of C+ (Plus) or its equivalent from a recognized institution;
• Certificate in pension administration and management is an added advantage;
• Membership to a relevant professional body and in good standing;
• Certified under the Trustee Development Program-Kenya (TDPK);
• Senior Management Course at a recognized institution lasting not less than four (4) weeks is an added advantage;
• Certificate in computer applications; and
• Fulfil the requirement of chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya.

Key Competencies and skills

• Managerial skills;
• Problem solving skills;
• Good communication skills both written and verbal;
• Innovative thinking;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Team player; and
• Analytical skills.