Assistant Director, Laboratory Services

About

KMFRI seeks one Assistant Director, Laboratory Services (Organic Chemistry) to oversee laboratory programmes, equipment, quality systems, audits and analytical work. Applicants need 12 years’ relevant experience including three years as Principal Laboratory Analyst or comparable, relevant bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and leadership training; organic chemistry experience is an added advantage. Job grade: KMFRI Grade 4. Number of posts: 1. Reference: KMF/EX/ADVT/AD-LAB/8. Salary: Basic Salary Scale: KShs. 148,634 – KShs. 193,225 P.M.; House Allowance: KShs. 50,000 P.M.; Commuter Allowance: KShs. 17,000 P.M.; Annual Leave Allowance: KShs.20,000 P.A.; Medical Cover and O

How to apply

Submit an application online through KMFRI’s official recruitment portal: https://careers.kmfri.go.ke/. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing implementation of policies, strategies and regulations for laboratory programs to achieve organizational objectives.
• Managing plans for maintaining and calibrating equipment, managing consumables and reagents, and ensuring efficient and cost-effective laboratory operations.
• Supervising of senior staff in the department to ensure their qualification and training meets requirements for GLP and ISO/IEC 17025.
• Reviewing technical documentation, protocols, and reports, including policies and procedures for recording and storing experimental data.
• Implementing policies and procedures for managing reagents, consumables, samples, and specimens to ensure accuracy, reliability, and safety.
• Implementing policies and procedures to monitor and improve the accuracy, reliability, and repeatability/reproducibility of test results and data.
• Ensuring all laboratory activities adhere to the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) system, particularly ISO/IEC 17025, and GLP standards where applicable.
• Leading internal audits to verify the effective implementation and maintenance of the laboratory management system (LMS).
• Establishing and implementing corrective actions to address discrepancies and prevent future issues, contributing to the continuous improvement of the QMS.
• Overseeing all analytical work and analysis, ensuring it adheres to set standards and turnaround times (TAT).
• Establishing and maintaining robust systems for documenting all activities, including experimental data, protocols, and reports.

Qualifications

• Cumulative period of twelve (12) years relevant work experience, three (3) of which should have been at the grade of Principal Laboratory Analyst or in an equivalent or comparable position.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Biology, Food technology, Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or equivalent, from a recognized institution.
• Master’s degree in Applied Biology, Food technology, Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or equivalent, from a recognized institution.
• Membership to a professional body/Associations where applicable and in good standing.
• Certificate in Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks, or equivalent, from a recognized institution.
• Proficiency in computer applications.
• Demonstrated results in work performance.
• Experience in organic chemistry will be an added advantage.