The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is a State Corporation established under the provisions of the Biosafety Act No. 2 of 2009.
The mandate of NBA is to exercise supervision and control over the development, transfer, handling and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) with a view to ensuring safety to human and animal health as well as the provision of adequate level of protection to the environment.
The Authority wishes to replace the following positions with qualified, experienced and dynamic persons as follows:
Deputy Director, Technical Services
Job Grade NB 3
(a) Job Specification
An officer at this level reports to the Director, Technical Services and is the head of Department responsible for coordinating functions of the department in regard to ensuring safety of human and animal health as well as provision of adequate level of protection of the environment.
The duties and responsibilities at this level entails;
Biosafety Risk Assessment
i. Overseeing the GMO applications process including receiving, screening, acknowledgement and engagement of reviewers
ii. Overseeing the risk assessment for GMO applications is carried out in a scientific, transparent and predictable manner;
iii. Overseeing socio economics impact assessment during environmental release of GMO applications is done;
iv. Ensuring confidentiality of Business Information in GMO applications is maintained
v. The Deputy Director shall serve as the Contact Person for Emergency measures to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
vi. Coordinate the reviews technical papers, reports and other submissions to the board and other stakeholders.
vii. Assisting the Director in developing technical board agenda and technical board paper in the area of biosafety risk assessment and BCH activities.
viii. Mentoring and coaching of biosafety staff within the Department
ix. Appraisal of officers that directly and indirectly report to the Deputy Director
x. Ensuring the setting, implementation and monitoring of Performance contracting within the department
xi. Ensuring preparation of budgets proposals, procurement and work plans for the department
Biosafety Education and Awareness
i. Ensure guidelines and procedures related to biosafety training of professionals and competencies are developed;
ii. Advising the Director on the establishment and operationalization of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) in research institutions engaged in GMO research related activities.
iii. Coordinating enhancement of biosafety awareness, education and capacity building activities.
iv. Coordinate the reviews technical papers, reports and other submissions to the board and other stakeholders.
v. Assisting the Director in developing technical board agenda and technical board paper on biosafety education and awareness matters
vi. Oversee the development of policy briefs and publicity materials;
vii. Mentoring and coaching of biosafety staff within the Department
viii. Appraisal of officers that directly and indirectly report to the Deputy Director
ix. Ensuring the setting, implementation and monitoring of Performance contracting within the department
x. Ensuring preparation of budgets proposals, procurement and work plans for the department
Compliance and Enforcement
i. Overseeing preparation of schedules for monitoring of approved GMO research projects, post release monitoring of GMOs released into the environment.
ii. Ensuring market surveillance activities are undertaken.
iii. Coordinate the reviews technical papers, reports and other submissions to the board and other stakeholders.
iv. Approving GMO Free certificates for non GMO export commodities;
v. Assisting the Director in developing technical board agenda and technical board paper in compliance and enforcement activities
vi. Overseeing the development of systems and controls for facilitating trade through digitization of processes, timely consignment clearance and issuance of permits and certificates.
vii. Coordinating and reviewing GMO market surveillance and inspection and monitoring schedules;
viii. Ensuring that inspection and monitoring reports of approved GMO projects and containment facilities
ix. Mentoring and coaching of biosafety staff within the Department
x. Appraisal of officers that directly an d indirectly report to the Deputy Director
xi. Ensuring the setting, implementation and monitoring of Performance contracting within the department
xii. Ensuring preparation of budgets proposals, procurement and work plans for the department
Certification and Laboratory Services
i. Assisting the Director in developing technical board agenda and technical board paper in the area Certification and Laboratory Services.
ii. Overseeing the development of guidelines and checklists for inspection, classification and certification of GMO containment facilities.
iii. Ensuring GMO sampling, detection and analysis protocols are developed for timely analysis of samples as well as reviewing the GMO analysis reports.
iv. Overseeing the development of certification criteria for biosafety professionals and competencies on biosafety.
v. Coordinating the establishment of new Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) and registered IBCs seeking renewal;
vi. Oversee the preparation of technical papers, reports and other submissions to the board and other stakeholders in areas of certification and laboratory services.
vii. Mentoring and coaching of biosafety staff within the Department
viii. Appraisal of officers that directly an d indirectly report to the Deputy Director
ix. Ensuring the setting, implementation and monitoring of Performance contracting within the department
x. Ensuring preparation of budgets proposals, procurement and work plans for the department
(b) Person Specification
i. At least ten (10) years’ experience, three (3) of which must be in a Senior Management level in the public or private sector;
ii. Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology / Environmental Science/Agricultural Sciences/Microbiology or relevant fields from a recognized Institution.
iii. Master’s Degree in Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology / Environmental Science/Agricultural Sciences/Microbiology or relevant fields from a recognized Institution from a recognized Institution.
iv. Authorship in five (5) publications on Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular biology, Agricultural Sciences and related subjects will be an added advantage.
v. Biosafety related short courses
vi. Management Course lasting not less than four weeks from a recognized institution
vii. Member of a professional Body in good standing where applicable
viii. Demonstration of work performance
ix. Proficiency in Computer applications
x. Relevant skills and competencies
xi. Meets requirement of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
(c) Key Competencies and Skills
viii. Strategic leadership skills
ix. Excellent Interpersonal skills
x. Analytical skills
xi. Leadership skills
xii. Results orientated
xiii. Proficiency in Computer Applications
xiv. High level of Integrity
How to Apply
If you believe you meet the criteria for the positions above, please submit your application in Hard OR Soft Copy enclosing copies of your academic and professional certificates, testimonials and a detailed Curriculum Vitae, email and telephone contacts of three (3) referees in sealed envelope clearly marked with job title to the address below
Chief Executive Officer
National Biosafety Authority
Nacosti Building, Loresho, – Off Waiyaki way
P.O Box 28251 – 00100 – Nairobi
OR
Scanned copies of all your certificates and send to; info@biosafetykenya.go.ke
on or before 13th April, 2021 at 5.00 p.m.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and they MUST bring with them current clearance certificates during interviews from the following bodies: –
(i) Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
(ii) Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC)
(iii) Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
(iv) Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and
(v) Credit Reference Bureau (CRB)
NBA is an equal opportunity employer; women and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.
