Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) has announced external recruitment for various temporary positions on twelve-month terms. KMFRI is a State Corporation under the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries. It was established under the former Science and Technology Act Cap. 250 of the Laws of Kenya of 1979, now succeeded by the Science, Technology and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013.
The Institute’s mandate includes conducting research in marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture, environmental and ecological studies, and marine sciences such as chemical and physical oceanography. Its purpose is to produce scientific data and insights that support sustainable development of the Blue Economy. KMFRI collaborates with universities and research bodies in training and advancing relevant research. The Institute operates research centres and stations in Mombasa, Kisumu, Naivasha, Baringo, Kegati, Sangoro, Sagana, Turkana, Mutonga, Shimoni, a research substation at Gazi, and the Nairobi liaison office.
To support its wide research and administrative functions, KMFRI invites applications from individuals who are self-motivated, professional, and committed to public service. Opportunities are available across multiple departments, as outlined below.
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
- Administration Officer – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/1)
The Administration Officer will support the implementation of security strategies, policies and procedures within the Institute. Responsibilities include assisting with security matters related to assets and operations, coordinating emergency procedures, and participating in contingency planning. The officer will help identify potential security threats and support investigations of internal security breaches. Additional tasks include maintaining records of crimes and incidents, supporting security surveys and inspections, and reporting security-related matters to supervisors.
Key competencies for this role include communication abilities, interpersonal skills, supervisory capability, and organisational skills.
- Office Assistants – 5 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/2)
Office Assistants will provide general support services within the Institute. Duties include performing office and messenger assignments, operating basic office equipment, and ensuring meeting venues are professionally arranged. The role involves collecting and dispatching mail, requisitioning office supplies, and maintaining cleanliness of office spaces, machines, and equipment. Office Assistants will also handle waste disposal, dusting offices, and moving office equipment and furniture as required.
Key competencies include interpersonal skills, communication skills, and proficiency in English and Kiswahili.
AQUACULTURE DEPARTMENT
- Laboratory Technician – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/3)
The Laboratory Technician will undertake cleaning and sterilisation of laboratory glassware, surfaces, raceways, ponds, and related equipment. Responsibilities include storing laboratory apparatus, receiving and recording aquatic samples for analysis, and supporting the collection, processing, and preservation of test samples. The position entails arranging laboratory reagents, performing basic analytical work, disposing laboratory waste, maintaining laboratory reports and records, and assisting with demonstration of laboratory procedures to clients and visitors.
Required competencies include communication skills, interpersonal skills, and integrity.
- Field Assistant – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/4)
The Field Assistant will support collection and transmission of fisheries and aquaculture data. The role involves maintaining fish ponds and aquaria, cleaning laboratories and aquaculture facilities, seining and harvesting fish from ponds, and feeding fish in ponds and aquaria. Additional responsibilities include observing and reporting abnormalities in aquaculture systems and identifying faults in equipment or systems used in aquaculture operations.
Competencies required include attention to detail, the ability to work with minimal supervision, and good communication and interpersonal skills.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
- Corporate Communication Officer – 3 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/5)
Corporate Communication Officers will take part in planning organisational events and inspecting meeting and training venues to ensure proper preparation. They will contribute to designing and drafting first-level press releases, case studies, articles, leaflets, journals, reports, and website content. Duties include moderating social media content, responding to queries across digital platforms, editing press releases, translating scientific content for general audiences, and supporting administrative functions within the department.
Other tasks include incorporating online tools for stakeholder engagement, gathering publishable information, providing photography support, analysing social media metrics, and creating public awareness about Institute activities. Competencies required include communication, interpersonal, organisational, editing, teamwork, and creativity skills.
- Assistant Corporate Communication & PR Officer – 2 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/6)
These officers will assist in writing and distributing press releases, generating content for newsletters, and disseminating information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. They will maintain news briefs, attend departmental meetings, take minutes, and provide administrative support through filing, copying, and managing correspondence. The role involves organising meetings, planning PR events, and participating in campaigns. Additionally, the role requires assisting with distribution of branded materials.
Key competencies include communication, interpersonal, organisational, record-keeping, editing skills, and teamwork ability.
ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE
- Engineering Technician – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/7)
The Engineering Technician will support electrical installations, inspection and servicing of electrical equipment, and general building maintenance. Duties include servicing research vessels, maintaining the internal road network, servicing generators and related equipment, and keeping detailed records of maintenance activities. The technician will coordinate with Kenya Power regarding electricity supply, verify water and electricity readings, and support procurement processes for required materials. Regular equipment checks will be conducted to ensure efficiency and reduce operational costs.
Competencies include organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING
- Accountant – 6 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/8)
Accountants will participate in preparing periodic budgets and assist in developing and revising the Institute’s budget. Responsibilities include maintaining vote book entries, conducting variance analysis, capturing income and expenditure data, and identifying outstanding balances. Duties include processing statutory deductions, preparing financial reports, reconciling bank statements, verifying vouchers, accounting for project funds, filing financial reports, and maintaining accountable financial documents.
Key competencies include analytical skills, communication, interpersonal skills, and organisational abilities.
- Accountant Assistant – 2 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/9)
Accountant Assistants will record incoming payment requests, receive cash and cheques, issue receipts, and manage bank transactions including deposits and withdrawals. They will post payments into the ERP system, prepare cash balance reports, handle petty cash, process payment vouchers, and keep financial documents secure. Scanning and filing of accounting documents will also be required.
Competencies include communication, interpersonal skills, organisational abilities, and teamwork.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
- Assistant Human Resource Officer – 6 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/10)
These officers will prepare draft correspondences and job advertisements, handle pay change advice, and liaise with accounts on salary adjustments and related updates. Responsibilities include maintaining the staff establishment, processing salaries, allowance and benefits, updating HR information systems, issuing staff identity cards, and preparing statutory returns. The role also involves processing leave applications, pension elements, retiree matters, and implementing decisions made by Human Resource Officers.
Required competencies are interpersonal skills, strong communication abilities, and reporting skills.
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
- ICT Officer – 2 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/11)
ICT Officers will develop documentation for computer programs, install and configure ICT systems, and maintain application systems. They will train end users, maintain equipment registers, manage LAN components, administer users on Active Directory and email services, and support website maintenance. Regular backups will be conducted to ensure continuity of operations.
Competencies required include communication and interpersonal skills.
INFORMATION SCIENTISTS
- Information Science Officer – 2 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/12)
These officers will provide professional library and information services, support development of information systems, coordinate library projects, and oversee quality of outputs. They will train support staff, organise resources, prepare performance reports, and supervise day-to-day tasks. Responsibilities include training users on accessing online resources, identifying emerging library technologies, digitizing content, supporting system administration, data migration, and maintaining digital library systems.
Additional duties include reference services, cataloguing, bibliographic description, metadata indexing, and ensuring adherence to technical standards. Competencies include interpersonal, organisational, communication skills, teamwork, and collaboration.
LABORATORY SERVICES
- Laboratory Analyst – 7 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/13)
Laboratory Analysts will identify chemicals and consumables required for experiments, collect and prepare samples, and manage safe disposal of specimens. The role includes maintaining inventories, carrying out experiments, undertaking analytical work, maintaining cultures, recording experimental data, maintaining equipment, and demonstrating laboratory functions to visitors.
Competencies include communication, interpersonal skills, organisational ability, and computer proficiency.
- Laboratory Technologist – 7 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/14)
Laboratory Technologists will collect, prepare, manage, and dispose samples, conduct analytical work, clean laboratory equipment, preserve specimens, record data, maintain records, and perform demonstrations for visitors. Competencies include communication, interpersonal skills, and organisational skills.
MARITIME SERVICES
- First Mate (Desk Officer) – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/15)
The First Mate will keep watch over the vessel when afloat, coordinate cargo loading, manage vessel documents, oversee navigation matters, and supervise assistant marine captains. Responsibilities include planning vessel trips, coordinating servicing, fuelling, and maintenance, and participating in research activity planning by providing maritime expertise.
Competencies include navigational and supervisory skills.
- Coxswain – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/16)
The Coxswain will pilot small support boats, supervise seamen, and ensure efficient performance of regulatory duties. Competencies required include interpersonal skills, communication skills, and swimming ability.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
- Business Development Officer – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/17)
The officer will prepare marketing reports, manage publicity concepts, respond to customer concerns, and design marketing materials. Responsibilities include circulating enterprise marketing tools, managing customer communications, supporting brand development, assisting in media features, designing advertising billboards, and coordinating outdoor sales activities.
Key competencies include planning, communication, reporting, and interpersonal skills.
- Assistant Sales and Marketing Officer – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/18)
This officer will support implementation of marketing strategies, develop promotional materials, conduct market intelligence, maintain customer relationships, coordinate order sourcing, and support outdoor displays and exhibitions. Competencies include communication and interpersonal skills.
PLANNING
- Planning Officer – 1 Post (EXT/KMF/TEMP/19)
The officer will assist in preparing and reviewing strategic plans, executing internal policies, analysing departmental policy recommendations, and drafting policy position papers. Duties include preparing MTEF budgets, collecting economic and statistical data, integrating Institute activities into ministerial budgets, recommending strategy alignment, and conducting feasibility studies.
Competencies include interpersonal and organisational skills.
RECORD MANAGEMENT
- Records Management Officer – 2 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/20)
These officers will ensure security of information, manage mail processes, classify and index documents, maintain personnel records, and control confidential files. Duties include custody of documents, planning registry accommodations, maintaining file movement records, and digitizing documents for archival and circulation purposes. Required competencies include organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
RESEARCH
- Assistant Research Scientist – 6 Posts (EXT/KMF/TEMP/21)
Assistant Research Scientists may be deployed in Oceans and Coastal Systems & Blue Economy, Freshwater Systems, Aquaculture, or Socioeconomics. Duties involve identifying research problems, prioritising research topics, developing research concepts, reviewing literature, collecting field data, analysing data, and preparing technical reports such as research notes, technical notes, posters, and dissemination materials. They will also support dissemination activities, stakeholder engagement, and related research tasks.
Competencies include analytical abilities, communication skills, and teamwork.
