The current rail network in Kenya is the metre gauge commonly referred to as 'The Lunatic Line’. It was initially named the 'Uganda Railway’ after its destination. Its construction began in the Port city of Mombasa in 1896 and was completed in 1901 at the lines terminus in Kisumu. Operations on the line commenced in 1903. 

Responsibilities or duties

• Spearheads formulation, implementation and review of the departmental annual work plans, budgets and procurement and asset disposal plans in line with the Board’s performance targets and strategic plan;
• Oversees the development and approval of electrical, signalling and communication technical policies, manuals, procedures and standards;
• Leads in the development of divisional maintenance and development programs for electrical, signalling and communication systems in order to meet requirements for train and marine operations;
• Oversees implementation of electrical, signalling and communication systems scheduled and unscheduled maintenance within the corporation;
• Leads in reviewing and recommending new systems and technologies that enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of the division in carrying out electrical, signalling and communication design, development and maintenance;
• Collaborates in rail incident and accident investigation for the purpose of identifying the root cause and implementing remedial actions to stop recurrence;
• Oversees preparation of technical and functional specifications requirements for tender documents to enable appropriate procurement of materials in the division;
• Spearheads electrical, signalling and communication systems failure and trend analysis, engineering inspection and audit, material and component quality inspection and analysis to assist in divisional engineering decision making;
• Oversees outsourced contractors and consultants for development and maintenance of electrical, signalling and communication systems;
• Oversees the undertaking of statutory electrical, signalling and communication tests and documenting them;
• Provides leadership in compliance with the applicable legal, statutory and regulatory requirements in undertaking electrical, signalling and communication maintenance and development;
• Leads in staying well-informed and adept in the latest advancements of modern electrical, signalling and communication systems maintenance techniques, maintenance equipment, production systems, procedures;
• Leads in the execution of risk management policy and strategies that ensure the division has a robust system and processes of accountability, risk management, internal controls, business continuity and succession management;
• Provide leadership to ensure continuous improvement of business processes and controls in the division and develop mechanisms for corporate consultations, increase public participation and involvement in corporation’s policies and programs;
• Foster a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices and good citizenship within the division;
• Oversee implementation of principles of Corporate Governance, relevant national policies, guidelines, and directives within the division;
• Oversee development, implementation and review of corruption prevention and mitigation strategies in the division;
• Oversee implementation of a robust performance management system within the division through providing oversight of the delivery of the annual performance contract and the strategic plan;
• Provide leadership in the division through supervision, coaching, mentoring, training and development of the division staff to ensure an effective and motivated team;
• Oversees planning, design and implementation of electrical, signalling and communication projects;
• Responsible for new electrical installations and power distribution in all buildings, workshops, electrical installations in all plant and equipment and maintenance of existing electrical installations in the corporation;
• Coordinates the expeditious restoration of damaged Signalling, Communication and Electrical equipment;
• Responsible for the electrical engineering designs and drawings and specifications revisions;
• Provides engineering advice to the department on electrical, signaling and communication engineering functions;
• Appraises the work performance of all staff reporting directly to him/her;
• Provides input in preparation and implementation of the departmental annual budget; and
• Certifies work conducted by external contractors for payment processing

Qualifications or requirements

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Project/Communication Management or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical/Telecommunication or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.

Experience needed

A minimum of ten (10) years relevant work experience, and at least five (5) years in a managerial role in the Public Service or in the Private Sector.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Registered by Engineers Board of Kenya as a professional Engineer.

Membership of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) as a Corporate Member.

Valid Annual practicing license from the Engineers Board of Kenya.

Leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution will be an added advantage.

• Spearheads formulation, implementation and review of the departmental annual work plans, budgets and procurement and asset disposal plans in line with the Board’s performance targets and strategic plan;
• Oversees the development and approval of electrical, signalling and communication technical policies, manuals, procedures and standards;
• Leads in the development of divisional maintenance and development programs for electrical, signalling and communication systems in order to meet requirements for train and marine operations;
• Oversees implementation of electrical, signalling and communication systems scheduled and unscheduled maintenance within the corporation;
• Leads in reviewing and recommending new systems and technologies that enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of the division in carrying out electrical, signalling and communication design, development and maintenance;
• Collaborates in rail incident and accident investigation for the purpose of identifying the root cause and implementing remedial actions to stop recurrence;
• Oversees preparation of technical and functional specifications requirements for tender documents to enable appropriate procurement of materials in the division;
• Spearheads electrical, signalling and communication systems failure and trend analysis, engineering inspection and audit, material and component quality inspection and analysis to assist in divisional engineering decision making;
• Oversees outsourced contractors and consultants for development and maintenance of electrical, signalling and communication systems;
• Oversees the undertaking of statutory electrical, signalling and communication tests and documenting them;
• Provides leadership in compliance with the applicable legal, statutory and regulatory requirements in undertaking electrical, signalling and communication maintenance and development;
• Leads in staying well-informed and adept in the latest advancements of modern electrical, signalling and communication systems maintenance techniques, maintenance equipment, production systems, procedures;
• Leads in the execution of risk management policy and strategies that ensure the division has a robust system and processes of accountability, risk management, internal controls, business continuity and succession management;
• Provide leadership to ensure continuous improvement of business processes and controls in the division and develop mechanisms for corporate consultations, increase public participation and involvement in corporation’s policies and programs;
• Foster a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices and good citizenship within the division;
• Oversee implementation of principles of Corporate Governance, relevant national policies, guidelines, and directives within the division;
• Oversee development, implementation and review of corruption prevention and mitigation strategies in the division;
• Oversee implementation of a robust performance management system within the division through providing oversight of the delivery of the annual performance contract and the strategic plan;
• Provide leadership in the division through supervision, coaching, mentoring, training and development of the division staff to ensure an effective and motivated team;
• Oversees planning, design and implementation of electrical, signalling and communication projects;
• Responsible for new electrical installations and power distribution in all buildings, workshops, electrical installations in all plant and equipment and maintenance of existing electrical installations in the corporation;
• Coordinates the expeditious restoration of damaged Signalling, Communication and Electrical equipment;
• Responsible for the electrical engineering designs and drawings and specifications revisions;
• Provides engineering advice to the department on electrical, signaling and communication engineering functions;
• Appraises the work performance of all staff reporting directly to him/her;
• Provides input in preparation and implementation of the departmental annual budget; and
• Certifies work conducted by external contractors for payment processing

• Leadership skills.
• Negotiation and Arbitration skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Financial management skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Strategic management skills.
• Stakeholder management skills.
• Change management skills.
• Planning and Analytical skills.
• Visionary Skills.
• Interpersonal and communication Skills.
• Networking skills.
• Creativity and Innovation.

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Project/Communication Management or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical/Telecommunication or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• A minimum of ten (10) years relevant work experience, and at least five (5) years in a managerial role in the Public Service or in the Private Sector.
• Registered by Engineers Board of Kenya as a professional Engineer.
• Membership of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) as a Corporate Member.
• Valid Annual practicing license from the Engineers Board of Kenya.
• Leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution will be an added advantage.