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Directorates

The Directorate exists pursuant to the provision of Section7(2)(a), (b), (c) & (d) of Biosafety Act, 2009 to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms, ensuring safety of human and animal health and provision of adequate level of protection of the environment, responsible for the management of Biosafety Licensing, monitoring and surveillance, Laboratory Services and Border Management and Regional Offices.

FUNCTIONS

  1. Initiate the formulation, review and implement   policies, procedures, strategies and activities in relation to biosafety compliance and enforcement;
  2. Coordinate development of project proposals and concept notes on biosafety programs;
  3. Digitization of processes to facilitate biosafety in transboundary movement of GMOs;
  4. Coordinate the processing and issuance of GMO-Free certificates for non-GMO export commodities;
  5. Ensure proper labelling and traceability of approved GM foods, feeds, seeds and other commodities;
  6. Coordinate post release monitoring of commercialized genetically modified plants, animals and microorganisms;
  7. Review post market data submitted by applicants, Regulatory agencies and any other stakeholder for regulatory decisions;
  8. Conduct market surveillance activities nationally and at counties for purposes of testing;
  9. Coordinate Border Management and Regional Offices; 
  10. Conduct surveys, research to inform the Board and Management on topical matters and biosafety issues;
  11. Coordinate GMO Testing and Laboratory Services;
  12. Monitoring and surveillance activities to ensure compliance with biosafety regulations;
  13.      Coordinate the affairs of Border Management and Regional Offices;
  14. Enforce compliance through inspections and appropriate actions against violations;
  15. Ensure implementation of programs within the Directorate in accordance with the Biosafety Act and Regulations;
  16. Develop GMO sampling, detection and analysis protocols; and
  17. Facilitate timely analysis of GMO samples and other analytical tests.

The Directorate is established pursuant to the provision of Section 7(2)(a), (b), (d), (e), (f) & (g) of the Biosafety Act, 2009 to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms, ensuring safety of human and animal health and provision of adequate level of protection of the environment. The Directorate is responsible for biosafety risk assessment, biosafety awareness, education and capacity building and Biosafety Partnerships, Collaborations & International Obligations.

FUNCTIONS

  1. To initiate the formulation, review and implement   policies, procedures, strategies and activities in relation to, plant, animal and microbial biosafety including categorization, approval and certification of biosafety facilities;
  2. Ensure implementation of programs within the Directorate in accordance with the Biosafety Act and Regulations;
  3. Develop operational guidelines and manuals necessary for effective implementation of Directorate mandates;
  4. Consider and determine applications for approval for the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms, and related activities;
  5. Process and implement Board decisions affecting the Directorate including GMO approvals documents;
  6. Establish and ensure maintenance of GMO Applications’ Register;
  7. Establish and ensure maintenance of a roster of biosafety experts and coordinate the engagement of biosafety experts and consultation of relevant regulatory agencies on biosafety matters;
  8. Prepare relevant technical papers, reports and other submissions for consideration by the Board;
  9. Establish and manage administrative mechanisms to ensure confidential handling and storage of documents and data in connection to the processing of applications and other matters under the Biosafety Act, 2009;
  10. Develop checklists for inspection, classification and certification of GMO containment facilities;
  11. Ensure establishment and strengthening of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) in research and academic institutions engaged in GMO research-related activities;
  12. Coordinate training of regulatory agencies, expert reviewers and biosafety professionals in GMO research-related activities;
  13. Coordinate the mobilization of resources to augment the financial needs of the Authority;
  14. Enhance biosafety awareness and education by organizing programs for public education and awareness creation;
  15. Create an interactive and effective environment for communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders;
  16. Identify national requirements for manpower development and capacity building in Biosafety and coordinate training initiatives to Regulatory agencies, Institutional Biosafety Committees, decision makers and other stakeholders;
  17. Coordinate the management of the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH);
  18. Ensure compliance to international obligations on biosafety;
  19. Coordinate the monitoring of approved GMO research projects in containment and confinement facilities;
  20. Coordinate the development and domestication of relevant standards on biosafety;
  21. Monitoring and surveillance activities to ensure compliance with biosafety regulations; and
  22. Enforce compliance through inspections and appropriate actions against violations.

The mandate of the corporate services directorate is to provide strategic leadership and coordination of the Finance and Accounts, Human Resource Management, Administration, ICT, Corporate Communication and Records, Library & Knowledge Management.

FUNCTIONS

  1. To initiate the formulation, review and implement   policies, plans and strategies in the functional areas of Finance and Accounting, Human Resource Management, Administration, Information Communications Technology, Corporate Communication and Records, Library & Knowledge Management;
  2. Oversee the development and implementation of financial regulations, strategies, internal controls and plans for effective and efficient use of resources;
  3. Oversee Budget preparation and implementation;
  4. Coordinate the development of resource mobilization strategies;
  5. Coordinate preparation of the financial reports, financial statements and submission to relevant institutions;
  6. Coordinate the design and review of administrative structure of the Organization, direction and control for effective organizational performance;
  7. Inculcate a culture that promotes team capability and reflects the values which facilitate performance, professionalism and innovation by staff throughout the Authority;
  8. Coordinate the Authority’s human capital affairs, ensuring that the Authority has the right and sufficient human resource to meet its objectives;
  9. Oversee Human Resources development and succession plan;
  10. Coordinate the Authority’s Management Information Systems and security;
  11. Coordinate technology infrastructure in line with the Authority’s goals and changing technologies;
  12. Provide technical, strategic and policy advice on ICT matters and implementation of various ICT work processes, procedures and other administrative related matters;
  13. Coordinate the development of appropriate public communication strategies; preparing public education materials and communication plans for awareness creation;
  14. Provide interface between the Authority and other stakeholders to ensure enhanced corporate image, visibility and stakeholder engagement;
  15. Coordinate corporate social responsibility activities;
  16. Coordinate and organize protocol functions and other events of the Authority. Development of comprehensive Records and Knowledge Management systems for the preservation of   corporate memory and dissemination of information resources;
  17. Ensure custody of all Authority assets, controlling and monitoring of the location and movement of equipment; and
  18. Ensure conducive work environment for the Authority staff.

Strategy and Planning Directorate is established to ensure that NBA adopts and implements effective strategies in planning, performance management, monitoring 41 and evaluation, Quality assurance and risk management as well as ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.

FUNCTIONS

  1. Initiate the development of policies and strategies relating to planning, resource mobilization, performance management, quality assurance and risk management;
  2. Oversee the development and reviewing of the Authority’s Master plan, strategic and business plans for the Authority;
  3. Prepare of annual work plan for development activities for the Authority as per the strategic plan;
  4. Monitor and evaluating the implementation of the Authority’s strategic plan and board projects;
  5. Manage performance management process in the Authority;
  6. Oversee the preparation and implementation of the Authority’s performance contract;
  7. Co-ordinate the risk management activities in all directorates, departments and divisions;
  8. Submit monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual organizational performance report to the CEO and relevant statutory offices;
  9. Preparing and implementing the Authority’s Quality Management System through quality assurance programmes;
  10. Developing and maintaining Risk management Register;
  11. Promoting innovations within NBA and initiating business reengineering processes programs;
  12. Plan and formulate the Authority’s development and resource mobilization strategies;
  13. Develop overall strategic intent for the organization and business modelling in line with relevant government policies and communicate to function units;
  14. Prepare and coordinate the negotiation on behalf of the Authority the organizational performance contract; coordinate justification and provision of evidence on behalf of the Authority;
  15. Monitor and evaluate the Authority’s projects including donor funded projects. 
  16. Coordinate the Authority’s Quality Management system to ensure continuous improvement;
  17. Develop the M&E tools and implement them;
  18. Monitoring implementation of strategic plan; and
  19. Coordinate performance contracting activities.

Section 14 of the Biosafety Act of 2009 empowers the Authority to employ a

corporation secretary and other officers who include legal officers. Further Clause 1.21

of Mwongozo Code of Governance for state Corporations mandates the directorate  

to provide the Board’s secretariat.

 

FUNCTIONS

  1. Provide advice on legal and corporate governance matters;
  2. Provide guidance to the Board on their duties and responsibilities and on matters of governance;
  3. Provide Board secretarial services and assist the Board in carrying out Board induction, training, updating the Board and Committee charters, preparation of Board work plans, Board evaluation, Governance audit and implementation of Mwongozo and the code of conduct and Ethics;
  4. Maintain and update the Boards conflict of interest register;
  5. Develop and review relevant regulatory Legal framework for the Authority;
  6. Manage the litigation functions;
  7. Draft and review legal documents including contracts, Service Level Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding, leases and other legal documents for the Authority;
  8. Liaise with the office of the Attorney General and other government agencies on legal matter; 
  9. Formulate, draft and facilitate gazettement of Legal Notices issued by the Authority;
  10. Ensure the compliance of the corporation with relevant laws, rules and regulations including corporate governance practices;
  11. Be the custodian of the Authority’s seal, title documents and other legal instruments;
  12. Interpret Laws governing the Authority’s operations and giving appropriate and timely legal advice on matters affecting the Authority;
  13. Oversee formulation, vetting, review, negotiations of contracts, leases, agreements and Memorandums of Understanding;
  14. Spearhead policy formulation and review in line with relevant laws and Government Circulars;
  15. Conduct legal compliance audits;
  16. Ensuring compliance with principles of good governance, transparency, accountability, ethics and integrity; and
  17. Manage and develop staff in the Directorate.

The Directorate is responsible for providing assurance on the Authority’s internal control systems and the governance structure. It is established pursuant to the Section 14 of the Biosafety Act 2009 and public Finance act Gazette Notice number 2690 dated 15th April ,2016.

 

Functions

  1. Provide the secretarial services to the Audit Committee;
  2. Make independent reviews of internal control systems and verification of operations and activities with a view to assessing economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the organization’s resources are utilized;
  3. Evaluate and assess risk management, control and governance in the Authority;
  4. Conduct regular audits to ascertain effectiveness and efficiency of operations, compliance with policies, procedures, statutory laws and the industry best practices;
  5. Periodically asses Authority’s accounts and financial control systems to evaluate and advise on the reliability and integrity of financial information and the efficient and effective use of resources;
  6. Provide recommendations and advice on improvements to the Authority’s system and procedures;
  7. Facilitate systems and financial audit by external auditors and follow up to ensure implementation of the recommendations;
  8. Undertake special audits/investigations;
  9. Prepare, review and implement the internal audit charter;
  10. Prepare quarterly reports on the status of implementation of the internal audit annual work plan for submission to the Audit Committee;
  11. Plan and undertake audits to assess controls, operational and technical efficiencies and compliance with policies, procedures and regulations;
  12. Evaluate the effectiveness of the overall enterprise risk management program;
  13. Liaise with the Office of the Auditor General and ensure follow up on the process of implementation of Internal and external audit recommendations;
  14. Recommend mitigation measures to address identified weaknesses where necessary;
  15. Ensure that the Internal Audit systems, procedures and guidelines are prepared for approval;
  16. Prepare work programmes to ensure that audits are planned and well managed;
  17. Review and submission of audit reports to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board; and
  18. Draft the Audit Committee Board Charter.