Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF) Jobs and Career Opportunities

The Kenya Sugar Research Foundation (KESREF) is a state corporation in the Ministry of Agriculture, with its headquarters at Kibos near Kisumu.

KESREF is mandated to develop and disseminate appropriate technologies for enhanced productivity, value addition and competitiveness of the Kenyan sugar sub-sector.

KESREF wishes to recruit qualified and experienced individuals to the following vacant positions:

1. Internal Audit Manager 
Grade RF 12
1 Post-Re-Advertised
Ref: IAM/REC/01/10

The incumbent reports to the Director and the position exists at Kibos Headquarters

Tasks and responsibilities:
  • Ensure compliance with Government of Kenya regulations and policies.
  • Evaluate the effective utilization of organizational resources (physical, financial and Human resources).

  • Liaise with relevant professional bodies in order to secure current and up to date Auditing standards.
  • Prepare timely and regular internal audit reports and presentation to Management and Audit Committee.
  • Secretary to the Audit committee.
  • Supervise, train,develop and evaluate unit staff
  • Undertake independent evaluation of the adequacy, efficiency and effectiveness of internal controls
  • Provide objective assurance to the Board and Management on the effectiveness and adequacy of the Foundation's Risk Management strategies and processes.
  • Co-ordinate audit efforts with external auditors.
  • Preparation of Departmental work plans and budgets
  • Reviewing reliability and integrity of financial and operational information.
  • Provide adequate follow-up to ensure implementation of agreed audit recommendation.
Level of Education and experience:
  • A Bachelor's degree from a recognized university
  • CPA (K) and membership of ICPAK or HA.
  • In addition the candidate must have a minimum of five (5) years Internal Audit experience in a reputable organization, three of which must have been at a senior level.
  • ICT competency
Other Competencies
  • Honesty, confidentiality and integrity
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated high level of maturity and good leadership skills.
2. Financial Accountant
Grade RF 11
1 Post
Ref FA/REC/02/10

The incumbent reports to the Finance Manager.

Tasks and Responsibilities
  • Formulation of financial management and accounting procedures in compliance with International Accounting Standards (IASs) and the Kenya Government regulations
  • Developing and implementing effective administrative and financial internal controls
  • Preparation of and ensuring adherence to annual budgets based on work plans.
  • Coordinating and managing annual budgeting process and its quarterly review
  • Ensuring all procurements are made according to procedures and regulations
  • Cash management
  • Carrying out monthly bank reconciliation
  • Preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and reports
  • Financial strategic planning for the Foundation.
  • Ensuring adherence to statutory deductions policy.
Level of Education and Experience:
  • A Bachelor's degree
  • A minimum of CPA III
  • A minimum of three (3) years experience in a comparable position.
  • Proficiency in MS Office and Accounting packages
Other Competencies
  • Honesty, confidentiality and integrity
  • Demonstrated high level of maturity and good leadership skills.
  • A team player with good communication and interpersonal skills, high sense of maturity.
  • Ability to work within strict deadlines.
3. Extension Scientists 
Grade RF 11
2 Posts-Re-Advertised
Ref: ES/REC/03/10

The incumbent reports to the Assistant Director Technology Transfer. The successful candidates may be deployed in any of the four KESREF stations namely Kibos, Opapo, Mumias, or Mtwapa.

Tasks and responsibilities:
  • Plan and facilitate farmer training activities
  • Disseminate research results through field days, shows and Open days, meetings, seminars
  • Liaise closely with specific extension staff from sugar milling factories and farmers' organization to reach farmers
  • Participate in multi-disciplinary research teams
  • Supervision, staff evaluation and training.
  • Individual budget, work plans and reports
Level of Education and Experience:
  • MSc degree in Agricultural Extension or related field from a recognized university.
  • Evidence of output and extension experience of at least three (3) years.
  • ICT competency
Other Competencies
  • Personal initiative, integrity and demonstrable skills in communicating scientific information through reports and technical publications.
  • Good public relations.
4. Sugar Technologist 
Grade RF 11
1 Post
Ref: RSST/REC/04/10

The incumbent reports to Head of Milling and Processing. Position exists at the KESREF Kibos office.

Tasks and responsibilities

Conduct research in the following areas:
  • Cane quality parameters that influence the sugar milling process
  • Sugar milling parameters to improve sugar recovery
  • Undertake studies on cane payment systems
  • Utilization of various sugarcane processing co-products with a view to adding value to sugar production
  • Handling of factory effluent both from the pollution and irrigation use perspectives and other environmental issues
  • Review, develop and provide advice on sound methods, procedures and equipment for analysis of sugarcane, sugar and co-products.
  • Preparation of own scientific studies, complete with budgets, work plans and reports.
  • Personnel supervision training, development and evaluation.
  • Section's work plan and budget preparations.
Level of Education and Experience:
  • Masters Degrees from recognized university (ies), in Sugar Technology, Industrial Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Production Technology or related subjects.
  • Research experience of at least three (3) years, with proven quantifiable contributions in relevant fields, e.g. through publications.
  • ICT Competency
Other Competencies
  • Proven leadership, communication, presentation and writing skills.
  • Ability to understand and follow research protocol and procedures.
  • Analytical and result oriented team player.
  • Honesty and confidentiality.
5. Research Scientist(Biometrician)
Grade RF11
1 Post - Re-Advertised
Ref: RSB/REC/05/10

The incumbent reports to the Assistant Director Economics and Biometrics, and the position exists at Kibos Head Office.

Tasks and responsibilities:
  • Organize and conduct relevant in service courses for scientists to effectively integrate biometrics in their research and extension work.
  • Assist and / or advice research scientists in designing and conducting statistically-sound experiments, and in data analysis, interpretations, and report preparation.
  • Participate in identifying biometrical and mathematical needs and the strategies to address the needs.
  • Preparation of own scientific studies, complete with budgets, work plans and reports.
  • Personnel supervision evaluation and training
  • Work plan and Budget Preparations.
Level of Education and Experience:
  • Masters Degrees from recognized university (ies), in Biometrics or related field..
  • Research experience of at least three (3) years, with proven quantifiable contributions in relevant fields, e.g. through publications.
  • ICT Competency
  • Demonstrable knowledge of a range of statistical software and packages.
Other Competencies
  • Proven leadership, communication, presentation and writing skills.
  • Ability to understand and follow research protocol and procedures.
  • Analytical and result oriented team player.
  • Honesty and confidentiality.
6. Research Scientist (Plantpathologist)
Grade RF 11
1 Post - Re-advertised
RSP/REC/06/10

The incumbent reports to the Assistant Director Crop Development, and it exists in our Kibos Headquarters.

Tasks and responsibilities
  • Planning, conducting and reporting on research projects on the diseases of the sugarcane crop leading to discovery and development of appropriate technologies for their effective control and management.
  • identify specific project areas, plan activities, and prepare annual reports;
  • identify projects for multi disciplinary research
  • oversee the program for pesticide use for pathology,
  • entomology, and weed control projects for use by the sugar industry.
  • Personnel supervision evaluation and training
  • Work plan and Budget preparations.
Level of Education and Experience:
  • A Masters degree in Plant Pathology, from a recognized university.
  • Research experience of at least three (3) years
  • Proven quantifiable contributions through scientific publications.
  • Knowledge of the principles, concepts, methods, and techniques used in plant pathology research and ability to detect, isolate and identify plant pathogens; etc.
  • Ability to plan, conduct, and document (e.g., in peer-reviewed journals) a plant pathology research project using appropriate experimental design, procedures, techniques and impact on successful integrated control methods for soil borne fungal diseases of sugar cane crops.
Other Competencies
  • Proven leadership, communication, presentation and writing skills.
  • Ability to understand and follow research protocol and procedures.
  • Analytical and result oriented team player.
  • Honesty and confidentiality.
7. Research Assistants
Grade RF 8
4 Posts Re-Advertised
Re:RA/REC/07/10

The successful candidates may be deployed in any of the KESREF centres of Kibos, Mumias, Opapo and Mtwapa.

Tasks and responsibilities:
  • Assisting in implementing and managing research projects.
  • Participate in organizing, preparing and conducting field days, shows, Open days e.tc.
  • Compile, compile and forward reports to the relevant officer
  • Analysis of data
  • Supervise Research Technicians and casual labour.
Level of Education and experience:
  • Diploma in Agriculture/Irrigation/ Applied Biology/ Extension.
  • At least three (3) years relevant experience.
  • ICT competency.
Other Competencies
  • Honesty and confidentiality.
8. Administrative Assistant- II
1 Post Re-Advertised
Re:AA/REC/08/10

The incumbent reports to the Officer in Charge of KESREF's Mtwapa Sugarcane Breeding Center, Kilifi District

Tasks and responsibilities:
  • Ensure centre cleanliness and efficient staff services
  • Receipts, banking, and petty cash management
  • Management of the guest house.
  • Registry Administration
  • Administration of centers medical scheme
  • Assist in the preparation of Center budgets
Level of Education and Experience:
  • Diploma Certificate in Business Administration/ Management and CPSI from recognized institutions.
  • At least three (3) years relevant experience.
  • ICT competence.
Other Competencies
  • Good supervisory and public relations skills
  • Honesty and integrity
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision
9. Human Resource Assistant
Grade RF 8
1 Post
Re:HRA/REC/09/10

The incumbent reports to the Human Resource Officer

Tasks and responsibilities:
  • processing of advances,
  • preparation of routine correspondences,
  • facilitation of payroll changes,
  • PCA issuance
  • Preparation of retirement / terminal benefits.
  • Welfare/medical correspondences.
Level of Education and Experience:
  • Diploma certificate in Human Resource Management from a recognized institution.
  • Minimum of three(3) years experience
  • Computer literate
Other Competencies
  • Good supervisory and public relations skills
  • Honesty and integrity
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision
10. Plant Operator 
Grade RF 5
1 Post Re-Advertised
RE:PO/REC/010/10

The incumbent reports to the Farm Manager.

The position may be deployed to work in any of our stations

Tasks and responsibilities:
  • Undertake the operation of the assigned item of plant/farm equipment and associated activities in a safe and effective manner and in accordance with Foundation requirements.
  • Maintain, clean and refuel the assigned item of plant/ farm equipment to ensure it is operating in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Check the safe operation of all features of the assigned item of plant/ farm equipment prior to the commencement of work each day.
  • Complete relevant documentation required for the job (e.g. reports, log books, timesheets, running sheets etc).
  • Operate a range of hand tools, power tools, and equipment and construction plant appropriate to the skill requirements of the position.
  • Undertake appropriate and responsible delivery, storage and use of resources, such as tools, plant and materials.
Level of Education and Experience:
  • KCSE'C or equivalent
  • Government Plant Operator Trade Test Grade III
  • Current valid driving license for Class'D'
  • Three (3) years relevant experience
Other Competencies
  • Basic First Aid Skills
  • Willing to work odd hours and with minimum supervision
  • Honesty and integrity
11. Clerical Officer 
Grade RF 4
1 Post Re-Advertised
Re:CO/REC/011/10

The incumbent reports to Officer-in-Charge - Mumias Center

Tasks and responsibilities:
  • Handling office correspondence Verification of documents
  • Carrying out elementary accounting/stores transaction
  • Maintenance of inventory records e.g. invoices, delivery notes etc
  • General Office administration.
Qualifications and competencies
  • KCSE Grade C plain or its equivalent
  • Certificate in Business Administration or Stores or Accounts.
  • Computer literate
Other Competencies
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision
  • Good public relations, communication and interpersonal skills
  • Reliable, honest, and trustworthy.
Interested candidates for.any of the above positions who meet the requirements may send their applications with the reference number clearly stated on the envelop and letter of application and detailed curriculum vitae containing current as well as expected remunerations, names and addresses of three referees and day time telephone contact, with copies of relevant certificates and testimonials to:

The Director
Kenya Sugar Research Foundation
P.O. Box 44-40100
Kisumu
E-mail: director@kesref.org
Web: www.kesref.org

So as to reach him not later than 4.00 pm on 5th November 2010

KESREF is an equal opportunity employer.

Persons who had responded to our earlier adverts and received notification need not apply.

Please Note that Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

You can also visit www.kenyanvacancies.com for more jobs