Latest Vacancies at Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization

Job Purpose

The purpose of the job is to champion the organization's vision, mission and overall direction of the provision of high quality research agenda; manage the organizations operations and formulation of coherent policies and oversight of activities by coordinating the delivery of the organizations strategy through planning, implementing and integrating the strategic direction to maintain constant responsibilities, accountability and authority within the organization this will ensure compliance with strategic priorities and meet the expectations envisioned in the KALR Act 2013 as part of the reform agenda in agriculture.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Managing the day-to-day operations of the Organization;
• Administering, organizing and controlling staff of the Organization;
• Managing funds, property and affairs of the Organization;
• Formulating and coordinating implementation of policies and programmes of the Organization and reporting thereon to the Board;
• Developing operations plan for achieving the Organization's objects;
• Spearheading the design and development of new technologies and products to respond to the needs of the agricultural and livestock sectors;
• Providing overall strategic leadership and developing vision for the Organization;
• Reviewing operational performance of the Departments and Institutes;
• Coordinating the development and achievement of the organization's performance targets;
• Establishing and promoting strategic linkages, collaborations, and partnerships with other institutions and key stakeholders;
• Mobilizing resources and directing the formulation of policy frameworks for their prudent management and utilization;
• Ensuring that the Intellectual Property of the organization is protected;
• Overseeing the establishment of research database;
• Coordinating information flow amongst the research Institutes and sector Ministries; and
• Monitoring and reporting to the Board on arrangements for dissemination and utilization of research results and their impact on the development of agriculture and social improvement in the country.

Job Requirements

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must:-

•  Have not less than 15 years' experience in agricultural/livestock research, five (5) of which must have been in a senior management position in a reputable institution;
•  Have Bachelors degree in any of the following disciplines:- Biochemistry; Chemistry; Botany; Zoology; Physics; Agriculture; Environmental Science; Natural Resource Management; Animal Health and Production; Agriculture Education and Extension; Crop Improvement and Protection; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Agribusiness Management; Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Engineering; Animal Science; Dairy Technology and Management; Horticulture; Food Science and Technology; Land Resource Planning and Management; Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering; Range Management; Agroecosystems and Environment; Veterinary Medicine; Agrometeorology; Microbiology; Biotechnology; Biometrics; Science; Sugar Technology; Applied Statistics; Crop protection; Geography; Sociology; Anthropology; Home Economics; Nutrition and Dietetics; or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
•  Have Masters degree in any of the following disciplines:- Agricultural Economics; Agribusiness; Animal Ecology; Animal Physiology; Agronomy; Biotechnology; Parasitology; Plant Breeding; Plant Ecology; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology and Biochemistry; Agricultural Education; Agricultural Engineering; Crop Production; Animal Breeding and Genetics; Animal Nutrition; Crop Protection; Environmental Science; Livestock Production Systems; Natural Resource Management; Water Resource and Environmental Engineering; Entomology; Food Science and Technology; Land and Water Management; Agricultural Information and Communication Management; Poultry Science; Animal Nutrition and Feed Science; Veterinary Surgery; Range Management; Horticulture; Applied Veterinary Parasitology; Veterinary Pathology and Diagnostics; Veterinary Anatomy; Cell Biology; Microbiology and Parasitology; Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology; Bioinformatics; Chemistry; Industrial Chemistry; Molecular Biology; Sociology; Anthropology; Pathology; Entomology; Zoology; Weed Science; Virology; Nematology; Bacteriology; Geography; Bioinformatics; Plant Breeding; Animal Breeding; Agronomy; Geographical Information Systems; Plant Nutrition; Soil Science; Production Ecology; Agroecosystem and Environment; Crop Ecology; Weed Ecology; Range Ecology; Home Economics; Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
•  Have PhD degree in any of the following disciplines - Agricultural Science; Biometrics; Applied Statistics; Agricultural Economics; Sugar Technology; Agricultural Education; Agricultural Extension; Agricultural/Industrial Biotechnology; Crop Protection; Taxonomy; Botany; Veterinary Medicine; Animal Production; Horticulture; Natural Resource Management; Animal Health; Environmental Science; Agricultural Engineering; Soil Science; Agrometeorology; Food science and Technology; Agri-business; Land Resource Planning and Management; Chemistry; Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering; Molecular Biology; Rural Development; Pathology; Entomology; Zoology; Weed Science; Virology; Nematology; Bacteriology; Geography; Bioinformatics; Sociology; Anthropology; Pasture Agronomy; Crop Physiology; Animal Physiology; Plant Breeding; Animal Breeding; Agronomy; Geographical Information Systems; Range Management; Plant Nutrition; Production Ecology; Agroecosystem and Environment; Crop Ecology; Weed Ecology; Range Ecology; Home Economics; Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
•  Certificate in A Strategic Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;
•  Be well versed with Government policies, procedures and regulations;
•  Be of high integrity and professional standards;
•  Have excellent leadership, management and organizations skills;
•  Have understanding of sectoral and national development policies;
•  Excellent innovative and strong analytical skills;
•  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
•  Demonstrated excellent qualities of a team player;
•  Meet the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity;
•  Certificate in computer applications from a recognized institution;
•  Demonstrated a thorough understanding of national goals and objectives in the crops or livestock sector and the ability to translate these goals into research programmes.

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Job Purpose

This position is responsible for provision of leadership and guidance in the implementation of crops research to improve national crops productivity to enhance livelihoods and food and nutrition security in Kenya.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Spearheading development, review and implementation of research policies, strategies and plans in the Department;
• Identifying and prioritizing areas of research in the department;
• Establishing platforms for the purposes of advancing research, sharing research information and transfer of technology;
• Coordinating the formulation of medium and long term plans, strategies and budgets of research Institutes;
• Coordinating assessment of the impact of research policies, strategies and technologies;
• Coordinating development and review of research proposals;
• Coordinating appraisal of research proposals, grant applications and programmes;
• Facilitating linkages with industry for incubation for technology and innovations;
• Coordinating development of agricultural and livestock research policy briefs;
• Coordinating resource mobilization for research projects and programmes;
• Overseeing the operations of research Institutes and operational divisions;
• Ensuring that the research programmes developed are supported and implemented by respective research institutes;
• Coordinating the review and approval of scientific papers for publication;
• Coordinating the development of work plan and budgets, and ensuring efficient utilization of resources for the department;
• Ensuring prudent management of resources;
• Promoting collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enhance the strategic role of the department;
• Overseeing the development and timely submission of management reports;
• Aligning the department target to overall performance contract of the organization;
• Coordinating the development and management of staff; and
• Ensuring research activities comply with set standards.

Job Requirements

For appointment to this position, candidates must:-

•  Have not less than fifteen (15) years' experience in agricultural/livestock research, five (5) of which must have been in a senior management position in a reputable institution;
•  Have Bachelors degree in any of the following disciplines: [list as provided] or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
•  Have Masters degree in any of the following disciplines: [list as provided] or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
•  Have PhD degree in any of the following disciplines: [list as provided] or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
•  Be well versed with Government policies, procedures and regulations;
•  Have excellent leadership, management and organizations skills;
•  Have strategic management, project management, policy formulation and negotiation skills;
•  Have a certificate in A Strategic Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;
•  Have a certificate in computer applications from a recognized institution;
•  Have excellent innovative and strong analytical skills;
•  Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
•  Have Demonstrated excellent qualities of a team player;
•  Meet the requirements of Chapter 6 of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity;
•  Demonstrated a thorough understanding of national goals and objectives in the crops or livestock sector and the ability to translate these goals into research programmes.