LEC – GENERAL ENGINEERING (GE) DEPARTMENT

Job Description

Position Information

• Department: General Engineering (GE)
• Grade: 11
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week
• Work Schedule: Flexible rolling week
• Duty Station: Kifaru Barracks, Nairobi
• Travel/Deployment: May be required to work across all BATUK estates
• Daily Reporting To: Chargehand
• Weekly Reporting To: Maintenance Manager

Job Purpose

To provide skilled maintenance, repair and general construction support across BATUK facilities and estates. The role supports senior trades personnel in carrying out electrical, plumbing, HVAC, painting, masonry, carpentry and other general engineering and maintenance activities while ensuring all work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required standard.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Maintenance and Construction

• Perform a variety of skilled maintenance, repair and general construction tasks across different trade areas.
• Support senior tradespersons in carrying out maintenance and repair activities.
• Undertake basic electrical, plumbing, HVAC, painting, masonry and carpentry tasks under appropriate direction.
• Carry out basic construction work using specialised techniques and appropriate tools.
• Receive and complete daily work assignments and work orders.
• Complete assigned tasks to the required quality and safety standards.
• Operate hand tools, power tools and light/heavy-duty equipment safely and effectively.
• Use equipment such as drills, jackhammers and other motorised tools as authorised and trained.
• Support tradespersons by loading, transporting and handling materials and equipment.
• Drive organisational vehicles where authorised and appropriately licensed.
• Assist with maintenance activities across BATUK estates when required.

Tools, Equipment and Materials

• Maintain all tools, machinery and equipment in a clean, safe and serviceable condition.
• Use tools and equipment only for their intended purposes and in accordance with training and instructions.
• Take responsibility for materials and tools issued for assigned tasks.
• Safely store and secure tools and materials when not in use.
• Protect materials and equipment from damage and weather exposure.
• Return unused materials to the appropriate stores.
• Report damaged, defective or unsafe equipment promptly.

Health and Safety

• Comply with all applicable organisational health and safety policies and procedures.
• Read, understand and follow task-specific risk assessments and site safety instructions.
• Conduct appropriate risk assessments before undertaking hazardous or heavy manual work.
• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your work.
• Correctly inspect, maintain and wear task-specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Report dangerous situations, hazards and deficiencies in health and safety arrangements to the Chain of Command.
• Avoid intentionally or recklessly interfering with or misusing health, safety or welfare equipment and provisions.
• Follow applicable workplace safety legislation, regulations, codes and organisational standing orders.
• Comply with requirements relating to hazardous substances and materials.
• Observe safe working procedures when working at height, in confined spaces or around electrical, mechanical and other hazards.

Workplace and Site Management

• Keep work areas, workshops and construction sites clean, organised and safe.
• Tidy the workplace at the end of each shift or working day.
• Maintain professional standards when working at occupied facilities and military establishments.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Follow oral and written instructions from supervisors and the Chain of Command.
• Meet assigned schedules, deadlines and work-order requirements.

Emergency and Special Duties

• Be available for emergency call-backs when required.
• Work occasional evenings, weekends and public holidays during emergencies or special events.
• Be prepared to work outside normal hours when operational requirements demand.
• After receiving sufficient training and experience, undertake designated competent-person duties relating to:
  • Confined Spaces.
  • Working at Height.
  • Petroleum systems.
  • Mechanical systems.
  • Legionella.
  • Asbestos.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and role as directed by the Maintenance Manager or relevant supervisor.

Working Environment

The role involves working both indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to:

• Varying weather and terrain conditions.
• Heavy traffic and moving vehicles/equipment.
• Construction and maintenance hazards.
• Noise and vibration.
• Fumes, gases and unpleasant odours.
• Wet and humid conditions.
• Extreme heat.
• Electrical hazards and potential electric shock.
• Toxic or caustic chemicals.
• High, open and confined spaces.
• Manual handling and heavy lifting.

The position requires frequent:

• Standing and walking.
• Bending and stooping.
• Kneeling and crouching.
• Climbing and crawling.
• Balancing.
• Reaching and grasping.
• Lifting and moving objects weighing up to approximately 50 pounds (23 kg).

Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Education

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

Technical and Professional Requirements

Candidates should be able to:

• Understand basic construction and maintenance techniques.
• Operate a variety of hand and motorised tools safely.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Recognise occupational hazards.
• Apply standard workplace safety practices.
• Conduct basic risk assessments and implement appropriate control measures.
• Work safely when undertaking heavy manual tasks or working in unfavourable conditions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and supervisors.
• Meet work schedules and deadlines.
• Adapt effectively to changing priorities and operational requirements.

Driving Licence

• A valid Kenya driving licence, preferably Class B, C1 or C, is desirable.
• Ability to drive for work-related duties is an advantage.

Experience Required

• Previous experience working as a construction labourer or maintenance worker.
• Practical experience with basic construction techniques.
• Experience working on construction or maintenance sites.
• Experience using basic hand tools and power tools is an advantage.
• Previous exposure to building maintenance trades such as plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, carpentry, masonry or painting is desirable.

Core Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Planning and Managing Resources
• Managing Customers and Suppliers
• Working Together
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Reliability and accountability.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Attention to detail.
• Commitment to health and safety.
• Professionalism and integrity.

Training Requirements

The successful candidate may be required to undertake training in:

• Structure and functions of the British Army, Defence Estates and BATUK.
• Health and Safety at Work.
• COSHH awareness.
• Manual Handling.
• First Aid.
• Fire Safety.
• Equipment care, use and maintenance.
• Confined Spaces.
• Working at Height.
• Legionella awareness.
• Asbestos awareness.
• Other relevant trade and workplace safety training.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate should:

• Be proactive and dependable.
• Have a "get it done" attitude.
• Demonstrate strong practical problem-solving skills.
• Be willing to learn new skills and take on new challenges.
• Work effectively with senior tradespersons and other departments.
• Communicate openly, honestly and respectfully.
• Listen to and consider the views of colleagues.
• Treat everyone fairly and respectfully.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Take responsibility for personal development and continuous learning.

• Perform a variety of basic construction tasks that require the utilisation of specialised techniques.
• Working with senior trades including basic electrical, plumbing, HVAC, painting, masonry and carpentry works.
• Work with a wide variety of tools, including drills, jackhammers, power tools, and other types of heavy machinery.
• Keeps work site/workshop tidy at all times especially at the end of each shift or working day.
• Maintains all equipment in a clean, safe and serviceable condition.
• Understand and adhere to Policies, functions and responsibilities, operations, and objectives of the organisation.
• Understands and carries out all requirements under Health and Safety for the task including reading, understanding, and complying with the risk assessments and site safety orders.
• Inspect, maintain, and correctly wear items of PPE specific to the task.
• Responsible for the use of materials and tools issued for the task including the safe storage and security, protection from the elements and returning unused materials to the store.
• Supporting trades persons by driving, loading and transporting of materials and personnel.
• Carry out any other duties commensurate with the trade/grade as directed by the MLM.

• Operate a variety of motorised and hand tools and equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all personnel.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Able to use under instruction motorised and hand tools and equipment used in maintaining, repairing facilities particular to work area.
• Solid solving problem skills.

• Kenya Certificate of secondary Education (KCSE).
• Experience of basic construction techniques and working on construction sites as a labourer.
• Be aware of occupational hazards and utilise standard safety practices.
• Be able to risk assess and mitigate as low as required when performing heavy manual works or working in unfavourable conditions.
• Understand occupational hazards and standard safety practices and procedures.
• Understand relevant UK, National and local laws, codes and regulations depending on work area.
• Policies, functions and responsibilities, operations, and objectives of the Organisation.