Kenya Maritime Authority was set up in June 2004 as the semi-autonomous agency in charge of regulatory oversight over the Kenyan maritime industry. As the pacesetter of the Kenyan maritime industry, the Authority seeks to strengthen maritime administration in Kenya through enhancement of regulatory and institutional capacities for maritime safety and security, to foster effective implementation of international maritime conventions and other mandatory instruments on safety, security, promote maritime training, Search and Rescue, pollution prevention and the preservation of the marine environment as well as promote trade facilitation and maritime investments.

Job Purpose

The licensing and seaborne trade officers are responsible for coordinating and implementing strategies towards orderly development of an efficient and effective framework for provision of optimal commercial maritime services.

Duties and responsibilities

• Advise on a system to carry out analysis of seaborne and inland water transport data;
• Assist production of seaborne and inland water transport trade reports;
• Developing maritime transport service communication framework to facilitate disputes resolution and sharing on information.
• Preparing the departmental budget
• Coordinating seaborne and inland water transport trade activities with relevant cluster stakeholders.
• Overseeing the licensing process for maritime service providers;
• Coordinating license vetting process for maritime service provider’s
• Taking a lead role in the vetting process of licensing the commercial
• maritime Service Providers.
• Maintaining a register of duly licensed maritime service providers.
• Responding to internal and external inquiries related to licensing process for the maritime Service Providers.
• Enforcing programs designed to assist in detecting malpractices and violations on use/application of Maritime Service Providers license as provided for in the regulations;
• Ensuring that accurate and up-to-date records of the vetting committee meetings are kept.
• Oversee maintenance of a database on industry complaints;
• Oversee production of quarterly and annual reports on industry complaints;
• Scheduling of meetings and visitations for vetting shippers/service providers under Method 2 of SOLAS VGM;
• Collaborating and coordinating with relevant stakeholders on matters pertaining to SOLAS VGM;
• Writing periodic reports on status of implementation of SOLAS VGM;
• Developing structures and mechanism for approval of SOLAS VGM;
• Issuing of certificates under method 2 of SOLAS VGM to approved shippers/service providers;
• Maintain a database of approved shippers/service providers (by KMA) and registered service providers (by Department of Weights and Measures) under SOLAS Methods 2 and 1 respectively;
• Carrying out audits on compliance with the SOLAS VGM in collaboration with the Maritime Safety Directorate;
• Promoting and creating awareness on the mandatory use of SOLAS VGM through meetings, workshops, publicity campaigns, publicity materials among other means;
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual performance management reports;

Person Specification

For appointment to this grade, a person must have: –

• Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies, Port Management, Shipping, Transport Economics, logistics, Business Management/Administration or any other relevant qualification from a recognized institution;
• Masters in Maritime Transport, Port Management, Shipping, Transport Economics, Business Management/Administration or any other relevant qualification from a recognized institution will be an added advantage;
• Should have relevant experience for a minimum period of three (3) years;
• Member of Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers;
• Membership to a shipping, transport, logistics, economics professional body or any other relevant qualification from a recognized institution;
• Shown merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results;
• Proficiency in Computer Applications