Stove Testing Technician at Strathmore University

About the project:

Production, distribution, and retail of improved cook stoves is largely undertaken by the informal sector who have limited professional and business acumen capacity to run and grow their enterprises and hardly do stove testing. This has direct impact on their business and technical performance and the quality of the stoves sold on the market.

To accelerate market growth of the clean cooking sector in Kenya, Strathmore University sub-project under the GCF/EnDev Kenya Project, is undertaking capacity building for stove producers and last mile entrepreneurs targeted at improving the business development capacity and quality assurance. The project supports quality assurance (QA) efforts for ICS producers in collaboration with GIZ for the ICS supply chain through stove testing, market surveillance, training producers on QA, sensitisation of KEBS standards and quality surveillance of supported ICS producers. In order to achieve the project objectives, SERC is establishing a stove testing laboratory to enhance the existing stove testing capacity in the country.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct stove tests and reports according to ISO Stove technical standards
• Coordinate and periodical/regular testing of stoves sampled from producers in the GCF regions of operation to monitor stove performance
• Planning and coordinate ICS tests for market surveillance aimed at monitoring ICS performance and compliance with the KEBS standards under supervision by the Project Manager;
• Perform other job-related duties and training activities as requested by the Project Manager and direct supervisor.
• Prepare monthly reports on ICS tests and laboratory operation activities such as communication with necessary clients and other testing laboratories;
• Train and support stove producers to establish and maintain strong brands
• Support the development of a simplified methodology in collaboration with KEBS to facilitate the achievement of quality standards by the informal stove producers in Kenya.
• Support the Project Manager with the implementation of the stove producers and communication of test results.

Requirements

Ideal candidates will meet the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, mechatronics or agricultural engineering or a similar related field;
• One or two years of relevant work experience working in the field of laboratory works, instrumentation, component testing and field work or a related field;
• Sound analytical, organizational, task management and negotiation skills and the ability to conduct test and data management skills;
• Advanced computer skills, including word processing, spread sheet, power point, data management, and other packages;
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills in both English and Kiswahili with an ability to interact with a very broad spectrum of stakeholders
• Knowledge in SME development is an added advantage;