Government Jobs in Kenya – KEFRI

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) is a state corporation undertaking research in forestry and natural resources.

KEFRI is ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System certified.

The Institute wishes to recruit qualified persons for the vacant positions outlined below:

Assistant Research Scientist (Agroforester)
JG RF 8
1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Participate in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating of Research & Development projects / programmes / activities.
  • Develop and validate diagnostic approaches for agroforestry systems and technologies.
  • Design, collect data and analyze agroforestry experiments for various agro-ecological zones.
  • Evaluate agroforestry systems for enhanced livelihood.
  • Manage resources.
  • Identify problems, analyze and formulate multi-disciplinary research proposals with other scientists.
  • Prepare reports and technical/scientific publications.
  • Provide advisory and training services.
  • Disseminate research findings.
  • Guide other technical staff including foresters and technologists working the scientists.

Requirements for Appointment
  • B.Sc. Degree in any of the following disciplines: Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Agroforestry,  from a recognized Institution.
  • Computer literacy

Assistant Research Scientist (Tree Breeder)
JG RF 8
1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Participate in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating of Research & Development  projects/programmes/activities.
  • Develop and update strategies for national germplasm improvement.
  • Identify, select and develop programmes for genetic improvement of various tree species.
  • Design, collect data and analyze tree improvement experiments in various agri-ecological zones.
  • Manage resources.
  • Identify problems analyze and formulate multi-disciplinary research proposals with other scientists.
  • Prepare reports and technical/scientific publications.
  • Provide advisory and training services.
  • Disseminate research findings.
  • Guide other technical staff including foresters and technologists working with the scientists.

Requirements for Appointment
  • B.Sc. Degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies and Biology & Silviculture from a recognized Institution.
  • Computer literacy.


Technologist (Horticulturist)
Job Grade RF6

Duties and Responsibilities
  • To undertake vegetative propagation for the Institute.
  • To undertake agronomy of horticultural (tree) crops.
  • Prepare orders for various types of plants and seeds.
  • Prepare and implement proper nursery management.
  • Build capacity of departmental staff and conduct demonstrations to clients/visitors;
  • To undertake data collections and elementary analysis.

Requirements for Appointment

  • At least a diploma in Horticulture from a recognized institution.
  • At least 3 years’ hands on experience in horticultural farm.
  • Thorough knowledge of plant propagation and cultivation.
  • Computer Literacy

Supply Chain Officer II
JG RF 9
1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Prepare procurement plans and tender documents.
  • Preparation, publishing and issuing of procurement requests for quotations or tenders.
  • Coordinate the opening, evaluation and recommendations of quotations to Tender/Procurement Committee in line with procurement regulations.
  • Liaise with the Stores Officer on stock levels in order to determine re-order levels for the next purchase.
  • Assist in the preparation of contract documents, keeping records of the procurement and related committees and ensuring compliance with the procurement laws and regulations.
  • Maintenance of proper procurement records in accordance with the laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing public procurement.
  • Facilitate and oversee the implementation of the Procurement Committee’s decision.
  • Monitor the implemented contracts.
  • Receipt and follow-up of orders from suppliers and issuance of purchase orders to suppliers.
  • Maintain Asset Register.
  • Initial action on write off and disposal of stores.
  • Preparation of procurement reports.
  • Maintain database of approved suppliers.
  • Issue and manage stores and suppliers and maintain a store inventory.
  • Carry out market survey and analysis.

Requirements for Appointment
  • At least three (3) years in the grade of Supply Chain Officer III or in a comparable position.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management or its equivalent from a recognized Institution.
  • Computer literacy.

Supply Chain Officer III
JG RF 8
1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Prepare procurement plans and tender documents.
  • Preparation, publishing and issuing of procurement requests for quotations or tenders.
  • Coordinate the opening, evaluation and recommendations of quotations to Tender/Procurement Committee in line with procurement regulations.
  • Liaise with the Stores Officer on stock levels in order to determine re-order levels for the next purchase.
  • Assist in the preparation of contract documents, keeping records of the procurement and related committees and ensuring compliance with the procurement laws and regulations.
  • Maintenance of proper procurement records in accordance with the laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing public procurement.
  • Facilitate and oversee the implementation of the Procurement Committee’s decision.
  • Monitor the implemented contracts.
  • Receipt and follow-up of orders from suppliers and issuance of purchase orders to suppliers.
  • Maintain Asset Register.
  • Initial action on write off and disposal of stores.
  • Preparation of procurement reports.
  • Maintain database of approved suppliers.
  • Issue and manage stores and suppliers and maintain a store inventory.
  • Carry out market survey and analysis.

Requirements for Appointment
  • At least three (3) years in the grade of Supply Chain Assistant I or in a comparable position.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management or its equivalent from a recognized Institution.
  • Computer literacy.


Research Scientist II (Taxonomist)
JG RF 9
1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Ensure that all scientific work in KEFRI is performed with correctly named plants.
  • Get actively involved in all aspects of conservation, inventory and mapping of vegetation resources.
  • Ensure that voucher specimens permitting future checking are deposited in KEFRI herbarium.
  • Maintain and develop KEFRI herbarium.

Requirements for Appointment

  • M.Sc. Degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies and Agroforestry from a recognized Institution.
  • Computer literacy.

Research Scientist II (Agroforester)
JG RF 9
1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Participate in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating of Research & Development projects/programmes/activities.
  • Develop and validate diagnostic approaches for agroforestry systems and technologies.
  • Design, collect data and analyze agroforestry experiments for various agro-ecological zones.
  • Evaluate agroforestry systems for enhanced livelihood.
  • Manage resources.
  • Identify problems, analyze and formulate multi-disciplinary research proposals with other scientists.
  • Prepare reports and technical/scientific publications.
  • Provide advisory and training services.
  • Disseminate research findings.
  • Guide other technical staff including foresters and technologists working the scientists.

Requirements for Appointment
  • M.Sc. Degree in any of the following disciplines: Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Agroforestry, from a recognized Institution.
  • Computer literacy.

Research Scientist II (Tree Breeder)
JG RF 9
1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Participate in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating of Research & Development projects/programmes/activities.
  • Develop and update strategies for national germplasm improvement.
  • Identify, select and develop programmes for genetic improvement of various tree species.
  • Design, collect data and analyze tree improvement experiments in various agri-ecological zones.
  • Manage resources.
  • Identify problems analyze and formulate multi-disciplinary research proposals with other scientists.
  • Prepare reports and technical/scientific publications.
  • Provide advisory and training services.
  • Disseminate research findings.
  • Guide other technical staff including foresters and technologists working with the scientists.

Requirements for Appointment
  • M.Sc. Degree in Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies and Biology & Silviculture from a recognized Institution.
  • Computer literacy.

Research Scientist II (Biometrician)
JG RF 9
1 Position

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Assist Research Scientists in design of experiments, field layouts, social studies, data analysis, interpretation of results and reporting.
  • Assist Research Scientists in designing research tools for data collection and management.
  • Identify biometrical and statistical needs of the scientists and that of Institute and strategize how to address them.
  • Organize and conduct relevant refresher courses for scientists and technical support staff to effectively integrate biometry in research.
  • Oversee management of research protocols, database and applications.
  • Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

Requirements for Appointment
  • M.Sc. degree from recognized university in Biometry/Statistics or M.Sc. Mathematics.
  • Research experience of at least two (2) years with proven quantifiable contributions in relevant field such as publications.
  • Demonstrate knowledge on a range of statistical software and packages such as GENSTAT, SPSS, R, STATA, SAS among others.
  • Demonstrate knowledge on relation to database and applications.

Senior Personal Secretary
JG RF 10
2 Positions

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Security of records, documents, equipment and furniture.
  • Operate office equipment.
  • Respond to routine correspondences.
  • Handle telephone calls and appointments.
  • Attend to visitors/clients.
  • Manage office petty cash.
  • Record dictation in shorthand and transcribe in typewritten form.

Requirements for Appointment
  • Served satisfactorily for a minimum of three (3) years in the grade of Personal Secretary I or in a comparable position in a similar Institution.
  • Passed the following examinations from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC);
  • Shorthand III (minimum 110 w.p.m.)
  • Typewriting III (50 w.p.m.)/Computerized Document Processing II
  • Business English III/Communications II
  • Commerce II
  • Office Management III/Office Administration and Management III
  • Secretarial Duties II.
  • OR Diploma in Secretarial Studies from the Kenya National Examination council (KNEC) or its equivalent from a recognized Institution.
  • Bachelors Degree in Secretarial Studies or its equivalent qualifications from a recognized Institution.
  • Certificate in Computer Applications (Windows, MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Access, Internet) from a recognized Institution.

How to Apply

Applications to be addressed to:

The Director
Kenya Forestry Research Institute.
P.O.Box 20412 – 00200 City Square
Nairobi.

All applications should be received on or before 10th June 2014.


Kenya Forestry Research Institute is ISO 14001:2004 EMS Certified