Director of Seed Certification and Plant Variety Protection

Director of Seed Certification and Plant Variety Protection

The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) is the government parastatal responsible for assuring the quality of agricultural inputs and produce to prevent adverse impacts on the economy, the environment, and human health.

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Vision : Healthy plants, safe trade, and sustainable aggro-environment for a prosperous Kenya.

Mission : To provide a science-based regulatory service by assuring plant health, quality of agricultural inputs and produce for food security, globally competitive agriculture, and sustainable development.

Core Values :

• Customer focus
• Professionalism and Integrity
• Teamwork
• Results oriented
• Innovation and Creativity
• Corporate social sustainability

Strategic Objectives :

• To protect plants from pests, weeds, and invasive species.
• To facilitate review and strengthening of the policy, legal and regulatory framework, so that it is in tandem with both local and international agricultural sector emerging issues.
• To contribute towards improved levels of agricultural productivity.
• To support compliance with market requirements.
• To build adequate technical and infrastructural capacity to facilitate efficient and effective delivery of the KEPHIS mandate.
• To mobilize adequate financial resources and ensure optimal allocation and utilization to enable full implementation of planned programs and activities.
• To enhance synergies through information and resource sharing with stakeholders and partners.
• To enhance the visibility and corporate image of KEPHIS.

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Job Specification

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Providing leadership in the implementation of the vision, mission, and strategic plan of the Service in the Directorate.
• Providing leadership on Seed certification, Seed testing, and Plant Variety Testing, Regulatory research, and Compliance functions of the Corporation.
• Contributing to the Corporation’s strategy, tactical initiatives, culture, and planning, and overall efforts to continually improve performance.
• Ensuring prudent management of financial, human, and physical resources of the service.
• Coordinating the designing and implementation of performance management systems.
• Developing and implementing innovative systems to improve efficiency in the functions under the Directorate.
• Resource mobilization through overseeing proposal writing and fostering strategic partnerships with development partners.
• Mentoring and coaching staff in the directorate.
• Coordinating the preparation of respective board papers for the Technical committees of the Board.
• Ensuring compliance of agricultural inputs and produce to regulatory requirements and relevant national and international standards.
• Ensuring implementation of the KEPHIS Strategic Plan, annual work plan, performance contract, and appraisal system in the Directorate.
• Establishing and fostering strategic linkages with stakeholders and relevant local, regional, and international bodies for harmonization and trade facilitation.
• Conducting technical negotiations and consultations with industry players to establish appropriate legislative and regulatory standards to ensure proper implementation of the mandate of the Directorate.
• Coordinating the publicity of the Service and promoting such nationally, regionally, and internationally for institutional visibility.
• Liaising with national, regional, and international bodies for development and harmonization of standards (ISTA, OECD Seed and Forest Schemes, UPOV, ARIPO, COMESA, EAC, KEBS).
• Overseeing the business of relevant national committees (National Performance Trials, National Variety Release, Plant Breeders’ Rights, and Seed Regulation Committees).
• Overseeing local, regional, and international training on technical subjects within the Directorate.
• Providing leadership in bilateral negotiations and development of MOUs and Agreements.
• Supervising and providing guidance to procurement of equipment and consumables required in the Directorate.
• Fostering a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices and good corporate citizenship; enhancing the corporate image of the organization.

Person Specification

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have :

• Bachelor of Science Degree in any of the following; Agriculture, Horticulture, Seed Technology, Botany, Biostatistics, Statistics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Applied Microbiology, Applied Biology, and Plant Nutrition from a university recognized in Kenya.
• Masters Degree in any of the following; Seed Technology, Plant Nutrition, Soil Science, Biometrics, Statistics, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Crop Protection, Agronomy, Botany, Microbiology, Molecular Biology or its equivalent from a University recognized in Kenya.
• Professional qualification and membership where applicable.
• At least twelve (12) years relevant work experience.
• Attended a Leadership course lasting not less than six (6) weeks from a recognized institution.
• Six (6) years’ experience in the level of senior management in public service or private sector.
• Meets the provisions of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya.

Skills

• Proficiency in computer applications.
• Excellent analytical skills and a good eye for detail.
• Strategic and innovative thinking.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Report writing skills.
• Scientific publication and writing skills.
• Aptitude in financial management.
• Ability to make decisions independently.
• Ability to work well under pressure and prioritize work.
• Ability to manage donor relations and to develop bankable concept notes and proposals for funding.
• Demonstrate a high level of integrity.
• Professional competence in plant health and administrative capability.
• Knowledge of and understanding of the application of the UPOV, WTO, OECD Seed schemes, International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) guidelines, ISO 17025 : 2017 guidelines, IPPC and related standards and procedures.

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