Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, icipe was established in 1970, to address this very paradox of insects and accompanying challenges. The Centre’s mission is to use insect science for sustainable development, to ensure food security and improve the overall health of communities in Africa by addressing the interlinked problems of poverty, poor health, low agricultural productivity and environmental degradation. Since its founding, icipe has remained committed to developing and disseminating environmentally safe, affordable, acceptable and accessible tools and strategies to control insect pests and disease vectors. icipe’s mandate further extends to the sustainable conservation and utilisation of Africa’s rich biodiversity. icipe is the only international institution in Africa working primarily on arthropods. Therefore capacity building of individual researchers and institutions in Africa is an integral part of all the Centre’s research and development activities. icipe also aims to empower women, harness the youth and build capacity to use, transfer and teach the Centre’s technologies. How we work
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician
Overall purpose of the job
To undertake preventive and corrective maintenance of refrigeration equipment and air conditioning systems in the Centre, to ensure they perform reliably, efficiently, cost-effectively and are safe to use or operate.
Responsibilities
- Service and repair refrigeration equipment and systems to include walk-in coolers, ultra-low freezers and refrigerated laboratory equipment.
- Install, calibrate, service and repair laboratory safety cabinets.
- Inspect systems and their components (e.g. air conditioning, heating and refrigeration units) ensuring safety and identifying necessary repairs, and providing an ongoing programme of preventive maintenance.
- Diagnose problems in refrigeration systems to identify equipment and/or systems repair and replacement needs.
- Perform routine and preventive maintenance as needed and/or assigned for the purpose of ensuring the ongoing functioning of HVAC and refrigeration systems.
- Clean systems (e.g. coils, condensation pans, drain lines) to ensure units are operating correctly.
- Prepare documentation (e.g. records of refrigerants, paperwork, logs, time and materials, specifications) providing written support in compliance with regulations and/or conveying information.
- Repair various items, systems and/or components to ensure items are available and in safe working condition.
- Maintain tools and equipment to ensure the availability of equipment in safe operating condition.
- Respond to emergency situations during or after hours for the purposes of resolving immediate safety concerns.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements/Qualifications
- Higher National diploma in mechanical engineering (refrigeration option) with 5 years’ experience or Diploma in mechanical engineering (refrigeration option) with 7 years’ experience.
- Candidate must demonstrate practical experience in HVAC systems, ultra-low freezers and other refrigeration systems.
- Candidate must demonstrate knowledge of health and safety in engineering practices.
- Candidate must demonstrate ability to develop an equipment preventative maintenance programme.
- Candidate must demonstrate ability to develop equipment annual budget.
- Registration with regulatory bodies an added advantage.
- Experience in a research setting an added advantage.
Core Competencies
- Communicate effectively with supervisors/management as well as customers.
- Demonstrate ability to supervise staff.
- Must be able to effectively read, understand and apply blueprints, schematics, and flow charts during repair process.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Other desirable attributes
- Strong team player that is results-oriented.
- Must possess high degree of independent judgment.
- Must be prepared to work long hours, including weekends and holidays.
- Good interpersonal skills.
Reporting
- This position reports to the Facilities and Assets Manager.
The position is available immediately.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi