icipe Animal Rearing and Containment Unit Manager Job in Kenya

icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health is an intergovernmental organisation funded by governmental aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improving health and agricultural productivity in the tropics. 

icipe has approximately 350 staff to support its research and capacity building programmes located at various sites in Kenya and  Ethiopia.

icipe wishes to urgently recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Animal Rearing and Containment Unit Manager in the Animal Rearing and Containment Unit (ARCU). 

The position is tenable in Nairobi, Kenya. 

The Animal Rearing and Containment Unit (ARCU) is a vital Research Support Unit that is charged with the critical function of rearing quality experimental insects, ticks, mites and laboratory animals, in sufficient numbers and in a timely manner, for users within and outside icipe. 

Further, it ensures effective quarantine of imported arthropods.

This is a national position and women candidates are highly encouraged to apply. 

A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate.

Overall purpose of the job

To co-ordinate the animal rearing activity in icipe and be responsible for the management of the ARCU.

Responsibilities
 

Overall duties
 

Work with a team of technicians experienced in rearing agricultural, medical and veterinary pests,
 

Supervise the day-to-day activities in ARCU, and
 

Ensure quality and timeliness in supply of arthropods and laboratory animals.
    
Specific duties

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Ensure all the insects and small mammals production and supply records (based on approved projections from various users) are kept up to date;
• Ensure timeliness and quality of supplied arthropod and laboratory animals, through monitoring the production unit’s adherence to approved standard operating procedures (SOPs);
• Develop and implement sound quality assessment mechanisms after close consultation with the various users, and ensure that the facilities are kept clean and maintained to high standards at all times;
• Enhance visibility of ARCU activities (and the arthropods reared) to interested users, and to develop income-generating opportunities, from both within and outside icipe, for cash revenues for the Unit;
• Undertake training of NARES personnel, students and other practitioners, as may be required from time to time;
• Manage the biological containment facility in conformity with national and international standards, and take due regard of various users’ interests within the Centre;
• Develop appropriate budgets, and ensure projects are recharged for services and supplies provided, in consultation with the management and the users;
• Undertake timely procurement of feed and other ingredients, to maintain the production levels of insects;
• Hold regular meetings with staff, and motivate them to ensure accountability and maximum output, including carrying out annual performance reviews of the staff in the Unit.
• Undertake the necessary research to keep the Unit’s activities cost-effective, competitive and at the cutting edge;
• Take responsibility for advising the Centre’s management on any issues, including additions or modifications to the physical components of the Unit; and
• Assist in the development of rearing protocols of new arthropods of interest.

Knowledge required for performing the job

• Prior experience in managing arthropods, in particular, in an insect rearing facility.
• Hands on experience in insect rearing.
• Demonstrate effective reporting and Unit management skills.
• Good communication skills in English and Kiswahili.

Requirements/Qualifications
BSc or MSc in biology, zoology, agricultural or medical entomology, with track record of experience in managing insect rearing facilities.

Disposition

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to mentor technical staff, and liaise with scientists and students in the Centre for efficient functioning of the Unit.

Applications will be accepted up to 18th December 2012, or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier. 

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged. 

Please send applications with detailed CV, names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers), a one-page write-up on how you consider yourself suitable for the above job, and remuneration package to:

icipehr@icipe.org

Human Resources Department
icipe—African Insect Science for Food and Health
P.O. Box 30772-00100
Nairobi
Kenya

icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer