RBA Chief Manager, Research and Strategy job in Kenya

The Retirement Benefits Authority is a public sector organization tasked with the role of regulating the retirement benefits schemes in Kenya.
The Authority is seeking qualified and experienced talent to join its senior dynamic management team in the following position;-

Chief Manager, Research and Strategy

1 Post

Ref. HCD/1/686/08/13
Reporting to Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will spearhead all research and development activities, namely: Actual Research, Product Development, Customer Satisfaction Surveys, Outreach, Corporate Strategy Planning, Quality Assurance, and Production of Pensions Industry Statistics. 

He/she will also coordinate multidisciplinary teams providing technical support from new product concepts to data gathering, analysis and report compilation.
 

The key responsibilities of the position include:-
 

I. Corporate Strategy

• Coordinating activities leading to the development of strategic plans
• Generating status reports on compliance with the strategic plan
• Monitoring and evaluation of the strategic plan
• Providing strategic leadership in developing and updating the Authority’s research policy and strategies.
• Performance contract monitoring and evaluation

II. Business Development and Innovation

• Proposing and participating in the initiation and development of innovative products and services for the pensions industry as a whole
• Participating in the monitoring and implementation of the developed products
• Identifying emerging problems prevalent in the industry
• Sensitizing of the stakeholders on product development in order to facilitate a wider rollout.

III. Policy Development and Recommendation

• Coordinating the development of the Budget Memoranda
• Coordinating the development and implementation of the National Pensions Policy
• Liaising with stakeholders and staff to submit and present policy concerns for the industry.
• Developing industry practice notes
• Participating in the dissemination of policies to stakeholders through appropriate outlets

IV. Pensions Industry Statistics and Library services

• Monitoring and evaluation of investment performance of existing Retirement Schemes
• Drawing of inferences on analyzed data and recommending corrective actions for implementation by Retirement Benefits Authority
• Preparing Statistical Digest and Pensions Literature
• Administration of the Retirement Benefits Library

V. Research and Surveys

• Spearheading and coordinating research assignments in priority areas and ensuring that results of the research are put to good use
• Collecting and analyzing market data to measure effectiveness of advertising and communications programs and strategies
• Identification and adaption of research methods appropriate for the problems of the industry
• Profiling of the research project’s outcomes
• Selecting research outcomes efficacious to the problems identified
• Applying the selected research outcomes to develop new products and / or improve existing ones
• Collecting and analyzing of data on customer satisfaction surveys
• Participating in joint research activities, evaluations and sharing of results.
• Collaborating with universities to undertake research

VI. Quality Assurance

• Facilitation of peer reviews and benchmarking

VII. Stakeholder Relations

• Participating in external stakeholder programmes – conferences, consultative meetings, and stakeholder workshops.
• Collaborating with the stakeholders to analyze the shortcomings in the industry, to formulate appropriate solutions, and to effect changes as necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics (Second Class Honours, or higher) AND a Master of Arts degree in Economics from a recognized university(ies). 
• A PhD degree in Economics will be an added advantage.
• At least Ten (10) years relevant working experience in research, five (5) of which must have been at a senior level, preferably in the financial services sector.

Key Competencies

• Have mastery of modern research techniques, including online surveys and a demonstrated ability to adopt emerging technologies;
• High professional and ethical standards and conformity with relevant prescriptions of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 on Leadership and Integrity;
• Have a proven ability to test research findings and hypotheses;
• Highly developed analytical and interpersonal skills and an ability to make sound business decisions with strong implementation, monitoring and evaluation focus;
• Strategic and innovative thinking including the ability to develop proposals, concept papers, pensions literature, publications and comprehensive reports;
• High proficiency in Information Technology applications and ability to handle multiple and conflicting priorities, and to deliver quality results ahead of schedule; and
• Strong leadership, team, organizational and communication skills.
• Knowledge of pensions dynamics and trends at both national and international levels, awareness of the international best practices in pensions structures and governance, and an in-depth understanding of the financial instruments, products and services will be an added advantage.

How to Apply

Candidates who meet the relevant criteria should download and fill the Employment ApplicationForm Here and submit with up-to-date CV containing details on daytime telephone contacts, names and contacts of three referees, copies of all academic and professional certificates and the National ID.
 

Candidates short listed for interview shall be required to produce a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, clearance from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Tax Compliance certificates by Kenya Revenue Authority, a clean report from an approved credit reference bureau and clearance by the Ethics and Anti – Corruption Commission.

Terms of Offer
 

These positions offer a competitive remuneration package, excellent opportunity to make a contribution to the performance of the Authority and prospects for advancement.

Applications should be sent by post, courier or hand delivery (but not on email), quoting the Job Reference on the envelope to the address below:

The Chief Executive Officer
Retirement Benefits Authority
Rahimtulla Towers
P.O Box 57733 - 00200
Nairobi
 

RBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified Kenyans are encouraged to apply.

Applications should be received by 6th September, 2013.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and canvassing will result in automatic disqualification.

Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) is ISO 9001:2008 Certified