– Support Services Officer I (Electrical and Refrigeration Technician at icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health

(Ref. No. NRS/476/122021)

icipe seeks to recruit a Support Services Officer I (Electrical and Refrigeration Technician) in the Facilities and Assets Unit. The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus. This is two–year contract, renewable subject to continued project needs, funding for the position, and performance of the staff member.

This is a nationally recruited position. A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Overall Purpose of the Job

The primary objective is to carryout routine inspection, maintenance, servicing, and repair of all electrical, refrigeration and air conditioning systems within Duduville campus. This shall be undertaken to ensure these systems perform reliably, efficiently and cost–effectively, and are safe to use or operate.

Specific Duties

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Service and repair refrigeration equipment and systems, including walk–in coolers, ultra–low freezers and refrigerated laboratory equipment.
• Service and repair electrically powered equipment including stirrers, shakers, pumps, hot plates, heaters, power supplies, ovens, and laboratory safety cabinets.
• Inspect systems and their components (e.g., air conditioning, heating and refrigeration units), ensuring safety, identifying necessary repairs and providing an ongoing programme of preventive maintenance.
• Diagnose problems in refrigeration systems to identify equipment and/or systems repair, replacement or disposal status.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance as needed and/or assigned for the purpose of ensuring the ongoing functioning of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration systems.
• Clean systems (e.g., coils, condensation pans and drain lines) to ensure units are operating correctly.
• Prepare documentation (e.g., records of refrigerants, paperwork, logs, time and material specifications) providing written support in compliance with regulations and/or conveying information.
• Carry out maintenance on the power distribution infrastructure.
• Undertake installation of electrical fittings and accessories.
• Maintain records of all utility data.
• Maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) and water heating systems.
• Maintain tools and equipment to ensure the availability of equipment in safe operating condition.
• Respond to emergency situations during and after working hours for the purposes of resolving breakdowns and any safety concerns.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Higher national diploma in electrical or mechanical engineering (refrigeration option) with 3 years’ experience, or diploma in electrical or mechanical engineering (refrigeration option) with 5 years’ experience in both electrical and refrigeration installations.
• Candidate must be registered by EPRA/NCA as an electrical/mechanical technician.
• Practical experience in electrical and electronics, HVAC systems, ultra–low freezers, cold rooms and other refrigeration systems at a busy institution.
• Knowledge of health and safety in engineering practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop an equipment preventative maintenance programme.
• Experience in maintenance of solar PV and water heating systems.
• Knowledge of:
  • Methods and techniques of maintenance, inspection and emergency repair programmes.
  • Occupational hazards and standard safety practices and procedures.
  • Energy and water consumption data collection and reporting.
• Experience in a research setting is an added advantage.

Core Competencies

• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors/management and colleagues.
• Ability to effectively read, understand and apply blueprints, schematics, and flow charts for new installation as well as during maintenance.
• Ability to diagnose, design and successfully implement a solution for each specific duty.

Other Desirable Attributes

• Strong team player who is result–oriented.
• A high degree of independent judgment.
• Good interpersonal skills.

Reporting

This position reports to the the Electrical Engineer and the Facilities and Assets Manager.