Jobs at PKF firms

The successful candidate will be responsible for the provision of leadership and guidance in the development, acquisition, and evaluation of germplasm aimed at producing high-yielding, disease-tolerant seed varieties. The job holder will be responsible for developing and implementing plant-breeding programs and undertaking collaborative research with other research institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the development, evaluation, and release of maize, wheat, oil crop, millet, sorghum, and pasture varieties for Kenya, East, and Central Africa region.
• Coordination of collection, collation, analysis, and interpretation of appropriate data from crop experiments undertaken.
• Registration of Company varieties in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa catalog for sale.
• Maintenance and supply of breeder’s seeds for maize, wheat, oil crop, millet, sorghum, and pasture varieties.
• Screen various seed dressing products, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides in order to apply corrective measures for biotic and abiotic plant stresses.
• Description of released varieties in terms of distinctiveness, uniformity and stability.
• Development and implementation of plant breeding programs and ensuring phytosanitary protocols are established and followed for maximum crop productivity and seed health.
• Coordinate identification and leasing of appropriate and adequate research land within and outside the Company for Research programs.
• Undertake collaborative research with other research institutions.
• Monitoring of seed technology trends through regular attendance and presentation to international bodies, conferences and workshops.
• Representing the Company in the development and harmonization of seed rules forums conducted by Seed Traders of Kenya and others.
• Implementation of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System in the department.
• Development and assignment of performance targets to staff and appraisal of staff performance annually.
• Oversee implementation of agreed work plans and attainment of performance targets by staff in the department.
• Submit released Company crop varieties for registration for protection purposes Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services and foster Intellectual Property Rights issues through the Plant Breeders Association of Kenya.
• Spearhead the implementation and utilization of the departmental approved budget.
• Coordinate delivery of approved breeders’ seeds of various crops to the Basic Seed Unit.
• Preparation of departmental technical reports and board papers as required.

Person specifications

• A minimum of a master’s degree in Plant Breeding or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Plant Breeding, Agriculture, Botany, Crop Science or any related field from a recognized University.
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience with five (5) years in a managerial position.
• Must have released at least three (3) seed varieties.
• A leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution will be an added advantage.
• Must have a working knowledge of computer applications.
• Must demonstrate leadership and excellent communication skills.
• Must demonstrate the ability to be a team player and work in a multicultural environment.

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The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that the Company has the right and sufficient human resources to meet its objectives, management of the Human Resource function, including formulation, periodic review and implementation of Human resource policies, compensation and benefits, staff training and development, employee and industrial relations and staff performance management.

Key responsibilities

• Formulating and implementing Human Resource strategies, policies rules, regulations, and systems for the Company.
• Coordinate recruitment, selection and on boarding programs in the Company.
• Overseeing human resource planning and development.
• Advise the Board and Management on human resource matters.
• Coordinate staff performance management and succession planning in the Company.
• Overseeing identification, designing and implementing of training programs based on identified needs.
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of staff training and development programmes
• Coordinate coaching and mentoring programs in the Company.
• Providing guidance on development and updating of the human resource database.
• Overseeing staff induction and on-boarding programs.
• Coordinate periodic reviews, updates and implementation of human resource instruments.
• Ensuring preparation and compiling staff deductions.
• Managing employee relations programs and ensuring staff discipline is maintained.
• Update human resource database in the Company.
• Coordinating staff welfare.
• Managing human resource communication and human resource information management systems.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory obligations related to health and safety, human immunodeficiency virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Alcohol and Drug Substance Abuse, Gender and Disability Mainstreaming and other requirements in working environment.
• Oversee staff payroll administration and statutory deductions.
• Managing staff separation.

Person specifications

• A minimum of Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management / Social Science / Business related field or equivalent from a recognised institution.
• Must be a Certified Human Resource Professional.
• Must be a member of the Institute of Human Resource Management in good standing.
• Must be a licensed Human Resource practitioner.
• A Diploma in Human Resource Management from a recognised institution.
• A minimum of twelve (12) years relevant work experience five (5) of which must have been in a managerial position in public or private sector.
• A leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognised institution will be an added advantage.
• Must demonstrate working knowledge of computer applications.
• Must demonstrate leadership and excellent communication skills.
• Must demonstrate ability to be a team player.