Principal Accreditation Officers- Medical Laboratories at Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS)

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the selected candidate will entail:

1. Coordinate in carrying out accreditation activities in the assigned scheme – general testing, medical, Calibration and Proficiency testing, certification and inspection.
2. Advising management on policies and strategies relating to Accreditation;
3. Participate in developing policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations for maintenance of an internationally recognized management system for accreditation;
4. Participating in the formulation and monitoring of national regional and international guidelines and standards to facilitate the accreditation process;
5. Supporting KENAS in activities in mutual recognition agreements relating to accreditation at ILAC, IAF and AFRAC;
6. Coordinating in liaison with regulators with respect to any matter related to accreditation;
7. Assessing conformity assessment bodies for competence;
8. Advising for designation of accredited conformity assessment bodies by regulatory authorities;
9. Participating in the establishment and maintenance of a register of the accreditation status of conformity assessment bodies;
10. Promoting the use of regional and international accreditation marks;
11. Promoting the use of accreditation marks on certificates issued by conformity assessment bodies;
12. Planning use of resources to meet the organization’s objectives;
13. Establishing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and accreditation bodies around the world;
14. Representing KENAS views at National, Regional and international forums;
15. Commenting and balloting on national, regional and international documents, standards and regulations;
16. Preparing, execution and reporting of work plans and resources for proper management of accreditation activities;
17. Developing a work plan for the Working Groups and evaluate their performance for the existing schemes;
18. Developing and reviewing criteria documents for conformity for the existing Schemes
19. Maintaining and reporting on the performance of accredited conformity assessment bodies;
20. Developing schedules and ensuring accreditation certificates are developed and transmitted promptly;
21. Administration and analysing of client’s feedback on accreditation;
22. Monitoring and provision of feedback to Assessors;
23. Identifying performance targets for the department;
24. Coordinating staff appraisal in the departments; and
25. Developing operational budgets for the division.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

1. At least six (6) years’ working experience in Conformity Assessment, three (3) of which must have been at a supervisory position;
2. Bachelor’s degree in Science related fields;
3. Professional Qualification and membership in good standing where applicable;
4. Management Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;
5. Demonstrated results in work performance;
6. Trained in conformity assessment standards;
7. Trained Assessor in relevant conformity assessment standards;
8. Proficiency in Computer application; and
9. Fulfil the requirement of Chapter Six (6) of the constitution

Skills and Competencies

1. Communicating with impact;
2. Managing and supervising people;
3. Applying technical expertise and managing projects;
4. Planning, organizing, and managing performance;
5. Budgeting, analyzing, and innovating;
6. Customer and stakeholder orientation;
7. Coaching, mentoring, relating, and networking; and
8. Technological savviness.