Jobs at International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology - ICIPE

TEMPORARY BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER I (GRANTS) (Ref. No. NRS/486/042022)

icipe seeks trecruit a Temporary Business Support Officer I (Grants) for its Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF). The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus. This is a nationally recruited position. A competitive compensation package will be offered tthe right candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Overall purpose of the job

The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) is the flagship program of the African Government led Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET). It aims taddress the human resource gap in the fields of applied sciences, engineering, and technology (ASET) by training high quality PhD and post-doctoral scholars and building research and innovation capacities in those fields in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The program is designed in three complementary windows, which provide scholarships for PhD training with parallel support tAfrican Host Universities tenable them deliver high quality PhD graduates (Window 1) and competitive grants for research (Window 2) and innovation (Window 3). Tdate, RSIF has awarded 27 research and innovation grants tnine (9) selected African Host Universities located in six sub-Saharan Africa countries.

Currently, the following key activities are being implemented under Window 2 and 3 of the program:

• The contracting of approved 13 grants under the 2nd Call for Research and Innovation grants,
• Award notification and contracting of seven (7) RSIF/MozSkills grants,
• Implementation of key activities in the grantee technical capacity building action plan
• Publishing of various Calls for Proposals (JIRA and 2nd Call for RSIF/MozSkills). Teffectively support the implementation of these activities, the RCU hereby is seeking for a temporary staff for a period of six months period from April 2022, renewable subject tfunds availability and needs.

Specific Duties

The position holder will have the responsibility of ensuring effective, transparent, outcome-oriented grants award process, grantee reporting and overall follow up of actions tensure quality implementation of RSIF grant awardees. Specific tasks tbe implemented include:

• Work closely with the Research and Innovations Grants officer tsupport the award and contracting of proposals selected under the Mozambique grant Call for Proposals and other Research and Innovation Grants Call for Proposals that will be published during the period such as JIRA and 2nd Round MozSkills Grants)
• Support the implementation of the grantee technical capacity building action plan including the preparation and implementation of;
• Institutional Innovation Capacity Building Program Grants (ICBP) Grants technical workshop
•  University-Industry engagement meeting on the side-lines of the RSIF Conference
• Organize quarterly review meetings, webinars, grants management training and other capacity building activities targeting grantees
•  Participate in grantee monitoring visits with other team members (finance and M&E)
• Review narrative technical reports from partners, analyse key issues from the reports and providing feedback loop tinform program implementation.
• Work closely with the communications team tsupport dissemination of relevant materials tshowcase progress and impact of the research and innovation projects.
• Participate in relevant meetings with grantees and the RSIF team.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the BA Program Manager or RSIF Manager.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Project management, Business Administration, Agriculture, or related field
• At least 1 year’s working experience in coordination, project management or grant management in a donor funding environment. Experience handling research and innovation programs will be an added advantage.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong writing and communication skills.

Core Competencies

• Excellent attention tdetail.
• Ability thandle multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability twork effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

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TEMPORARY BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER I (CAPACITY BUILDING) (Ref. No. NRS/485/042022)

icipe seeks to recruit a Temporary Business Support Officer I (Capacity Building) for its Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF). The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus. 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

RSIF is the flagship program of the African Government led Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET). It aims to address the human resource gap in the fields of applied sciences, engineering, and technology (ASET) by training high quality PhD and post-doctoral scholars and building research and innovation capacities in those fields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). RSIF also supports the strengthening of research and innovation ecosystems at selected African Host Universities (AHU) by providing funding through competitive grants. RSIF supports training, research, and innovation in five Priority Thematic Areas:

• ICT including big data and artificial intelligence,
• Food security and agri-business
• Minerals, mining and materials engineering
•  Energy, including renewables
• Climate change.

icipe, the Regional Coordination Unit of the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), wishes to recruit a temporary staff to support scholarship implementation and administrative needs of the RSIF program. The Capacity Building temporary staff will provide critical support in the special RSIF scholarship call selection and award processes, as well as in the management of continuing scholars, working closely with the Capacity Building Officer (Doctoral Scholarships).

Specific Duties

The temporary staff will work with other staff in the RSIF Capacity Building team to provide support in the entire RSIF special scholarship call selection and award processes, as well as in the management of continuing scholars. The temporary staff will undertake tasks including and not limited to the following:

• Work closely with the Capacity Building Officer (Doctoral Scholarships) to support administrative needs of the RSIF doctoral scholarships programme in reviewing of applications submitted in response to the special call for application of RSIF PhD scholarships.
• Maintain communication to applicants of the special call, on the status of their applications and follow-up on responses from applicants, noting the declines and matching with reserve candidates.
• Support the award process for successful applicants, including disbursing of contracts and award letters,
• Provide support receiving and reviewing of signed contracts and accompanying documents and filing of successful scholar documents physically and online.
• Work with the communication team to develop and disseminate relevant materials to showcase progress and impact of the scholarship project, with particular focus on the special calls.
• Provide detailed analysis of the special call selection process to inform future selections.
• Contribute to preparation of a publication to document lessons learnt from the process.
• Perform any other tasks as may be required.

Requirements/Qualifications

• A diploma in Business Administration, Project Management or related field. A degree will be an added advantage.
• Six months of progressive work experience in research and project work at national and international levels.
• Experience in coordination, project management and reporting, basic financial management and budget monitoring.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite.

Core Competencies

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

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SENIOR BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER I (SUPPLY CHAIN) (Ref. No. NRS/490/042022)

icipe seeks to recruit a Senior Business Support Officer I (Supply Chain) for its Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF). 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 Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund is one of the flagship programmes of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), an initiative by African governments to address systemic gaps in skills and knowledge necessary for long term, sustained economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). PASET was launched in 2013 by the governments of Senegal, Ethiopia and Rwanda. The governments of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique have since joined the initiative, while several others have expressed commitment to enter the partnership.

With funding from African governments, the World Bank and the Korean government, RSIF aims to support PhD training, research and innovation in various African universities that are selected as centres of excellence in fields identified by PASET as priority economic sectors for growth and development, including energy, food security, climate change, ICT and materials science. RSIF has three windows which support PhD training, research and innovation activities and two funding windows, a general fund, which supports RSIF’s three windows, the permanent or endowment fund, whose return proceeds will become part of the general fund.

Reporting to the icipe Procurement Manager, the position holder will support in the procurement of goods, works and services and the disposal of assets of the RCU in accordance with the icipe and World Bank procurement policies and procedures. The Supply Chain Officer will also on occasion be called upon to support and build capacity of the collaborating programme partners in procurement practices.

Specific Duties

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Procure goods and services for the RCU in line with icipe and World Bank policies and ensure timeliness in the process.

• Prepare procurement plans for the RCU and seek approval from relevant authorities.

• Prepare bid documents, advertise tenders, seek quotations, organise relevant meetings (including pre-bid meetings, bid evaluation meetings and contract committee meetings), and prepare accurate and timely reports/minutes of the meetings.

• Manage procurement logistics with partner institutions.

• Document receipt of goods and services and ensure user acknowledgement of the goods and services.

• Review all RCU invoices and ensure efficient billing and timely payment of service providers and contractors.

• Build procurement capacity of partner institutions.

• Facilitate the disposal of the RCU assets in accordance with the icipe and World Bank procurement policies and procedures when necessary.

• Maintain well-labelled auditable files for the procurement process, including payments to suppliers and consultants.

• Update the World Banks’s Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) system with all required information and file the documents accordingly.

• Facilitate duty-free clearance of overseas shipments by ensuring all documents are submitted to the clearing agent i.e., Import Declaration Forms (IDFs), PRO 1B form, import permits, and marine insurance.
• Any other duties assigned by the Procurement Manager.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, including Logistics or Supply Chain Management and Business Administration from a recognised university.

• Professional certification by Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) or Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM).

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience, two of which should be in an international organisation, working on procurement of goods and services.

• Previous experience with World Bank procurement guidelines will be an added advantage.

Core Competencies

• Highly organised and meticulous.

• Pays attention to detail.

• Able to manage overlapping projects, keep track of deadlines, and use time efficiently.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to negotiate contracts.

• Track record of impeccable integrity.

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SUPPORT OFFICER II (WORKS SUPERVISOR) (Ref. No. NRS/487/042022)

icipe seeks to recruit a Support Officer II (Works Supervisor) in the Facilities and Assets Management Unit. The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus. This is a 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 Works Supervisor ensures that their team’s goals are met through monitoring the daily performance of employees, organising workflow for increased efficiency, and coaching employees as needed. They guide both in-house and outsourced technicians in a variety of maintenance and repair tasks and responsibilities within the wider spectrum of building maintenance that includes, but is not limited to, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, metal works, painting, and specialised cleaning. They also on occasion liaise closely with various user groups to develop new infrastructure projects through compiling the scope of works, as well as managing and supervising the works to ensure delivery meets the user requirements within the best practices of quality and engineering.

Specific Duties

Repair and Maintenance

• Identifies repair needs of buildings, equipment and roofing structures through constant inspections, technical staff, user groups and help desk e-mail platform.
• Plans, prioritises, and implements, individually and through subordinates, the construction, installation, renovation, maintenance, roof cleaning and repair of infrastructure by analysing possible courses and outlining remedial measures that address long- and short-term repair needs by reading, understanding, and complying with plans, parts lists and manufacturers information relevant to his/her discipline.
• Organises tasks given to him/her and supervises skilled staff plumber, carpenter, metal artisans, cleaners, painters, masons and unskilled maintenance and support staff in addressing repair tasks, recommends personnel actions, provides technical direction and assistance, interprets and explains standards, and makes corrections.
• Schedules staff, assigns and prioritizes work, takes or recommends actions to ensure the works are implemented with professionalism that meets expected quality standards, and ensures budget compliance.
• Reviews completed repair works through close monitoring of the implemented actions and plans for subsequent maintenance.

Infrastructure Works Development and Implementation

• Provides input on new projects and improvement plans and assists in preparation of work specifications.
• Plans, coordinates, and oversees in-house projects as assigned, meets with contractors, and provides direction, coordination, and assistance to various outside agencies.
• Records and reports progress on costs, schedule, deviations, and information necessary to keep a comprehensive project record through all stages of project implementation; takes minutes during formal contractual meetings.
• Makes vital contribution to the successful working of the project implementation team, including the consultants, contractor(s) and icipe

Others

• Gives toolbox talks to the other staff to ensure all stay current and competent in the use of hand and power tools.
• Conducts basic risk assessments for each task, identifying the hazards and planning safety procedures informing those working with him/her.
• Remains qualified and up-to-date as a key person responsible for the wider responsibility for safety over a wide range of activities and persons for the purposes of compliance to safety rules and procedures (SRPs.
• Participates in the performance evaluation of staff supervised.
• Serves in various committees/taskforces as assigned within the Centre.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Diploma in Architecture/Civil Engineering or related field.
• Conversant with Microsoft packages, MS Project, CAD Design programs and other design-related programs.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in building maintenance, construction, with supervision roles in multi-disciplinary teams of technical staff.
• A background in civil engineering with relevant experience in building construction and maintenance roles.
• Attentive to details skills and an all-rounder in matters of asset maintenance and construction.
• Knowledge and practical experience in asset maintenance and infrastructure development, extending from the definition of requirements, quality control, cost control, scheduling, construction management, commissioning, take-over, and document management.
• Knowledge and practical experience in managing design and construction projects comprising new building and renovation projects with special focus on civil works, mechanical and plumbing systems.
• Knowledge and practical experience in participating in a tender call process, including requests for proposals for services.

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TEMPORARY BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER I (CAPACITY BUILDING-MENTORSHIP) (Ref. No. NRS/491/042022)

icipe seeks to recruit a Temporary Business Support Officer I (Capacity Building) for its Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF). The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus. 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 Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) is an African-led initiative to strengthen skills in the applied sciences, engineering and technology to further socio-economic transformation in sub- Saharan Africa (SSA). The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), the flagship program of PASET, aims to support PhD students, post-doctoral scientists, and universities in SSA to establish high-quality training, research and innovation environments and to develop institutional capacity for the benefit of the whole region. The program, which was initiated in 2015 has supported over 250 PhD students and provided research and innovation grants through 15 African ‘Host’ Universities. Nine African countries are directly contributing to towards RSIF, while many others are in the process of joining.

The research and innovation mentorship platform is designed with the aim of providing a space and community for both formal and informal mentoring for RSIF scholars. Members will be able to connect and build communities and support each other to reach their goals in transformative and growth-oriented ways. The platform will further promote and accommodate contributions and interactions with industry and external players for purposes of networking and showcasing the RSIF program, through the creation of working groups.

The hybrid RSIF Conference will take place on 24–26 May 2022 in Morocco. This strategic networking event will bring together members of the nascent and vibrant PASET-RSIF network consisting of Africa’s competitively selected young and brightest minds, being nurtured to become future leaders in science, engineering and technology, university representatives, private companies, governments representatives

and funders. The overall goals of the conference are to i) share the key achievements of the RSIF program and progress to date with key stakeholders; and ii) to obtain input on how to enhance the relevance and usefulness of the program for governments and the private sector to inform RSIF future implementation and growth.

icipe, the Regional Coordination Unit of the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF), is seeking to recruit temporary staff to support the creation and implementation of the RSIF PASET Mentorship Platform and organisation of the hybrid RSIF Conference. The temporary staff will provide critical support to the design and development of the mentorship platform that will connect PhD scholars, African Host University Mentors, and Partner Mentor; and also provide support to all stages of preparations of the RSIF Conference under the supervision of the Resource Mobilisation Specialist.

Specific Duties

The temporary staff will work in close collaboration with the icipe Capacity Building Specialist, the Mentorship Platform Consultant and RSIF Resource Mobilization Specialist to provide support to the RSIF mentorship/supervision platform development and organisation of the hybrid RSIF Conference including theoretical framing and resource acquisition, organisation, and documentation. The temporary staff will undertake tasks including and not limited to the following:

• Support the adoption of the mentorship platform by the scholars, staff and mentors.
• Support in evaluation of the adoption and mentorship of female scholars, and other platform activities.
• Provide technical support of platform activities between the scholars and staff and support the technical team in troubleshooting.
• Document implementation processes and collaborate in technical report writing with the rest of the platform team.
• Support the invitations for the RSIF Conference, confirmations, and related arrangements for participation in person and online.
• Work with the communications team to support dissemination of relevant conference materials and FAQs to a wider audience of interested stakeholders
• Keep key stakeholders informed of upcoming deadlines and deliverables, thereby ensuring smooth completion of work responsibilities.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the supervisors or RSIF Manager.

Requirements/Qualifications

• A relevant diploma in Education, Leadership Development, Information Science, Computer Sciences or related field.
• Work experience of at least 6 months in design and/or implementation of training programs or mentorship platforms.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong writing and communication skills.

Core Competencies

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.