a) Job Specifications

Duties and responsibilities: -

1. Conducting pest risk analysis of plants, plant products, other regulated articles, and biological articles, and control agents, pest listing, reviewing and updating plant import requirements, and issuance of plant import permits;
2. Verification of applications by new clients and conducting audits/inspections of facilities before registration;
3. Inspecting imported seed, plants, plant products, and other regulated articles or those intended for export at official entry points and issuance of phytosanitary certificates;
4. Undertaking farm/facility audits/inspection of plants, plant products, and other regulated articles destined for export;
5. Undertaking seed certification activities including field inspection, sampling, post certification surveys, and post control;
6. Undertaking training, assessment, and audit of private persons undertaking authorized activities on behalf of KEPHIS;
7. Undertaking National Performance Trials and Distinctness Uniformity and Stability trials;
8. Processing and examining applications for Plant Variety Protection and recommending grants of plant breeder’s rights;
9. Implementing plant quarantine control and conducting pest surveillance, monitoring, emergency response, farmer advisory, and reporting of new pests;
10. Planning and execution of seedling nursery certification inspections to ensure timely audit of seedling nurseries and availability of clean seedlings;
11. Undertaking national, regional, and international trade relations;
12. Inspecting bio-containment facilities, GMO-approved activities, and other facilities for compliance with phytosanitary and biosecurity requirements;
13. Conducting market surveillance for GMO, biological products;
14. Participating in activities for maintaining border security together with other government agencies by implementing various border surveillance strategies;
15. Supporting development and implementation of training programs and curriculum on seed, phytosanitary, NPT, and DUS matters for capacity building of KEPHIS technical staff and stakeholders to enhance staff competence and efficiency in service delivery
16. Participating in audits conducted by importing countries to ensure market access and bilateral negotiations and agreement drafting;
17. Monitoring of databases for information security and accuracy, and participating in the review and updating of electronic systems;
18. Participating in the development of regulations and policies on plant health matters, seed certification, and PVP to ensure a proper regulatory framework;
19. Participating in standards-setting activities at national and international levels;
20. Ensuring management of WTO-SPS enquiry points for plant health to track notifications that have a bearing on Kenya's trade;
21. Participating in activities to address phytosanitary, seed certification & PVP non-compliances for enhanced compliance;
22. Participating in stakeholder activities at the national and county levels to sensitize them on seed and phytosanitary certification and plant variety protection issues;
23. Participating in research activities towards strengthening seed, phytosanitary, and plant variety protection regulation and bridging gaps in missing data;
24. Participating in the implementation and maintenance of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 27001:2022) for the delivery of quality services and trade facilitation; and
25. Participating in training, monitoring, and audit of persons authorized to undertake certain activities on behalf of KEPHIS.

b) Persons Specification

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have: -

1. Bachelor of Science in agriculture, biotechnology, entomology, crop protection, molecular biology, microbiology, Seed Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, Botany, or its equivalent from a university recognized in Kenya; and
2. Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.

c) Skills

1. Proficiency in computer applications;
2. Excellent problem-solving skills;
3. Communication skills;
4. Creativity;
5. Data analysis skills;
6. Analytical skills;
7. Report writing and presentation skills; and
8. Team player.

d) Competencies

1. Ability to work independently;
2. Ability to make decisions independently
3. Work well under pressure and prioritize work;
4. Demonstrated results in work performance;
5. Demonstrated knowledge in international standards and Quality Management Systems; and
6. Demonstrated outstanding professional competence.