Research Assistant I (Driver) at icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Overall Purpose of the Job

To assist the following IKEA project field research activities in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda: BSF -VIPPT (Scaling Regenerative Black Soldiers Fly Farming Along with Vegetable Push-Pull cropping systems in Rural Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda).

Specific Duties

•  Assist the scientists, PhD, and MSc students in performing routine field activities related to the IKEA project.
•  Provide logistical support to the IKEA Team at icipe and during field activities.
•  Participate and support laboratory activities when based at icipe headquarters.
•  Liaise with field IKEA staff, partners, and community members to undertake field activities.
•  Driving IKEA project vehicles in the research areas and on any errands within Nairobi and its environs.
•  Carry out routine basic maintenance of the vehicles as deemed necessary to keep them in good working condition.
•  Carry out other daily chores, casual labour, and any other activities assigned by the supervisor(s).

Requirements/Qualifications

•  Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), or equivalent level of education.
•  At least 1-year experience as a driver. The candidate must be willing to learn new skills that relate to the overall work activities of the Environmental Health Theme.
•  Must possess an international driving license.
•  Ability to communicate effectively in both English and Kiswahili is essential.
•  Familiarity with the geography (road network) in East Africa will be an added advantage.
•  Prior experience with similar research and development organization and knowledge of basic concepts in conducting experiments will be an added advantage.

Other Desirable Attributes

•  The Driver/Technical Assistant shall submit to the Supervisor, a bi-annual progress report (by the end of each January and July) based on the agreed work plan. The progress report contains a vehicle
• movement report and a calendar of events per each assisted project.
•  Make decisions for own job function and require approval from supervisor.
•  May assist in training other employees in their work.
•  Accountability for field imprest.

Reporting

• This position reports to the Head, Environmental Health Theme