Research Division
The Division is responsible for development, coordination and execution of wildlife research programs and policies. To effectively perform the above functions, the Research Division is further organized into five (5) departments, namely:
The Department is responsible for coordinating and undertaking research and monitoring of wildlife and their habitats in order to generate information needed to guide decision making and policy on wildlife conservation and management in Kenya.
The Department is responsible for coordinating and undertaking disease surveillance and veterinary research in order to safeguard wildlife, livestock and Public Health through prevention, early detection, identification and management of wildlife diseases. It will also be responsible for establishing and operating veterinary, forensic and genetics laboratories to facilitate disease surveillance and research and to employ genetics and forensic tools to enhance understanding of wildlife populations and prosecution of wildlife crimes.
The Department is responsible for provision of technical advice on intellectual property rights, bioprospecting research, advising on access and benefit sharing instruments, monitoring on utilization of genetic resources, and establishing and managing ex situ collections of wild flora and fauna among other.
The Resource Centre is responsible for coordinating collection and collation of wildlife spatial data and information capture, its classification and qualification, its storage, processing, portrayal and dissemination, including establishing and maintaining the infrastructure necessary to secure optimal use of this information.
The Department is responsible for providing an array of services that seek to address both the Institute’s, KWS and stakeholders’ needs geared towards the realization of the four (4) pillars of the National Wildlife Conservation Strategy 2030.
Training Division
The Department is responsible for provision of leadership in the development and implementation of education plans, policies, programs and curriculum activities; ensuring educational development of learners and the professional growth of staff of the institution; development and implementation of the institution’s strategy, work plans and budgets, and oversees the operations of the institution.
The Department is responsible for coordinating and ensuring quality management in admission of students, administration of examinations and assessments, grading of examinations and issuance of academic certificates.
The Department is responsible for providing social programs and support for students at the Institute.Programs include: Guidance and Counselling services, Sports, Clubs and Societies. There is also an active Alumni Association and a Trainee Council.Programs include: Guidance and Counselling services, Sports, Clubs and Societies. There is also an active Alumni Association and a Trainee Council.
The Division is responsible for providing training and capacity development programmes, and courses in wildlife conservation and management and related disciplines and award diplomas and certificates. In order to perform the above functions effectively, the division will be organized into three (3) Departments as follows: -
Corporate Services Division
The Division will be responsible for effectively harnessing the efforts of business and corporate services, providing strategic leadership, expert advice and input to the Director and senior leadership team to ensure optimal utilization and management of the Institute’s resources. It will also provide accountability in the functional areas of Human Resource and Administration, Finance and Accounts, Corporate Communication and Customer Service, Hospitality and Enterprise Development, and ICT to drive the Institute’s capability and operational excellence in support of wildlife research and training in Kenya.
Planning and Resource Mobilisation Department:
The Department is responsible for coordinating the development, implementation, review and monitoring the Institute’s strategic plan and Service Charter; Coordinating performance management and development of Divisional/Departmental work plans and aligning them to the Institutes budget and objectives.
Research Permitting and Compliance Department
The Department Coordinates Issuance of Research Permits related to Wildlife, Wildlife Protected and Non-Protected Areas. The permits are required for behavioral studies, field experimentations, field collections and sampling and laboratory analysis of the specimens. The permits cover studies of large mammals, small mammals, plants, water, soil, water, Arthropods, micro-organisms, as well as their derivatives The Department also coordinates preparation of Prior Informed Consent, Mutually Agreed Terms and Material Transfer Agreements in accordance to the Access Benefit Sharing as per the Nagoya Protocol. The Department coordinates the export of research material
Corporation Secretary and Legal Services:
The Division is responsible for providing legal advice and services to the Institute.
Internal Audit
The Division is responsible for providing independent assurance on governance, risk management and internal controls to ensure the Institute complies with statutory regulations and internal policies and procedures.
Supply Chain Management
The Department is responsible for implementing the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act Regulations and related statutes, on public procurement to ensure that the Institute complies with statutory regulations and internal policies and procedures for achievement of its mandate.
