Quality Assurance Manager – Geothermal - Kenya

A major utility‑scale geothermal power plant in Kenya is seeking an experienced Quality Assurance Manager to establish, lead, and maintain the plant’s Quality Management System (QMS) through commissioning, transition to Commercial Operations Date (COD), and long‑term operations.

This is a critical O&M‑focused role supporting plant reliability, compliance, and operational excellence in a safety‑ and performance‑driven environment.

Role Overview

The Quality Assurance Manager is responsible for implementing and maintaining a robust ISO‑aligned Quality Management System covering all plant operations, maintenance activities, contractors, and service providers.

The role ensures full compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, OEM standards, and international best practice throughout the plant lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning & COD Transition (Pre‑COD)

• Oversee quality compliance during commissioning, performance testing, and reliability runs
• Verify compliance of test procedures with EPC contracts, OEM requirements, and offtake agreements
• Review FAT/SAT documentation, Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs), performance test reports, and reliability run data
• Monitor EPC punch‑list close‑out through the Defects Notification Period
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of as‑built documentation prior to handover to O&M

Quality Management System (Post‑COD)

• Develop, implement, and maintain the plant Quality Management System aligned with ISO 9001
• Define plant quality policy, objectives, KPIs, and performance metrics
• Develop and control SOPs, work instructions, and quality plans
• Ensure effective document control, records management, and audit readiness
• Lead internal audits and coordinate external audits
• Manage non‑conformances (NCRs) and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
• Support plant performance optimisation and loss‑reduction initiatives

Regulatory & Contractual Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements and all contractual quality obligations
• Support audits by lenders, insurers, regulators, independent engineers, and internal stakeholders
• Maintain up‑to‑date and audit‑ready quality documentation at all times

Contractor & Vendor Quality Oversight

• Monitor contractor quality compliance during outages and maintenance activities
• Conduct vendor and OEM quality audits where required
• Ensure warranty conditions are preserved through appropriate quality controls

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Develop quality performance dashboards and reporting tools
• Conduct risk‑based quality assessments for critical plant systems, including:
• Turbine‑generator sets
• Cooling systems
• Steam and reinjection interfaces
• Protection, control, and balance‑of‑plant systems
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual quality performance reports
• Maintain controlled documentation systems for: As‑built drawings, O&M manuals and procedures, Compliance certificates and OEM documentation

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Process Engineering (or equivalent)
• 7–10+ years’ experience in power generation or heavy industrial environments
• Strong experience with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor certification (preferred)
• Professional engineering registration (or eligibility) required

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of power plant systems and reliability engineering
• Experience with commissioning, performance testing, and operational readiness
• Proficiency in root cause analysis methodologies (5‑Why, Fishbone, FMEA)
• Strong audit, reporting, and documentation control capability
• Familiarity with SCADA/DCS documentation and CMMS/ERP systems (SAP advantageous)
• Advanced MS Excel and data‑driven analysis skills