KPA Principal Economist (Policy & Research) Job-July 2015

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) was established by an Act of Parliament on 20th January, 1978 with the mandate to maintain, improve and regulate all scheduled seaports along Kenya’s Coast.
In this regard, the Authority manages the Port of Mombasa which is strategically placed to serve the commercial, agriculture and industrial hinterland of Kenya and the surrounding landlocked countries.
The key focus areas of KPA include capacity expansion, productivity improvement, growth in market share as well as safety and security.
Due to the tremendous growth in business, Kenya Ports Authority is seeking to recruit high calibre professionals to support and strengthen its workforce.
The successful candidates will fill the following positions:
Corporate Development Department

Principal Economist (Policy & Research)

Grade HM1
1 Post

Overall Objective: Reporting to the Head of Corporate Development, the job holder is in charge of promoting high quality policy relevant research in support of the Authority’s development agenda and ensuring that KPA policy programs are informed by research.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Identifying critical research issues
• Developing research strategies
• Developing guidelines for assessing research quality and managing databases critical to research on port operations/development
• Developing, managing, monitoring and evaluating a portfolio of research projects
• Providing quality assurance for all research work and reports, including proposals, ethical reviews and research/donor reports
• Promoting culture change around research within KPA
• Ensuring policy and operations coordination, and maintains institutional relations with the government and stakeholders, especially on matter relating to port development

Requirements for the Post

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Statistics or Mathematics or in any other relevant field from a recognized institution
• Master’s Degree in Economics, Statistics or Mathematics or in any other relevant field from a recognized institution will be an added advantage
• Certificate in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) or any other relevant package
• Member of a recognized professional body
• Good understanding of Research Methodology
• ICT Skills
• Thorough knowledge of Port Operations
• Excellent analytical skills. Thorough understanding of Corporate Planning/ Strategy, Public Sector Policy, Performance Management regimes including the Performance Contract framework
• Demonstrated high degree of professional competency, administrative capabilities, initiative and a thorough understanding of Public Sector Policy and Reforms, Corporate Planning and relevant legislation that impact on attainment of the Corporate goals
• 5 years relevant experience in a similar role in a reputable organization

Other Qualifications and Abilities

• Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills with attention to detail and contextual background
• Ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations
• Creativity and problem solving skills
• Presentation and oral communication skills
• Supervisory skills
• Ability to provide specialized advice and guidance to external partners

How to Apply

Kenya Ports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and female candidates and People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) are encouraged to apply.

If your qualifications and career objectives match the requirements of any of the above positions, please submit your application with detailed Curriculum Vitae indicating your qualifications, experience, present position, e-mail address and mobile telephone number with copies of your certificates and testimonials on or before 17th July, 2015 to:

The Managing Director,
Kenya Ports Authority,
P.O. Box 95009- 80104,
Mombasa, Kenya.