General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

USAID/Kenya and East Africa (KEA) invests in population and health programs at national and county levels that aim to improve the survival, well-being, and productivity of the Kenyan population by reducing the burden of major infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, and addressing the main causes of maternal and child illness and deaths. This includes cross-cutting work to strengthen healthcare systems and build capacity, and to support the national government to formulate key policies and guidelines while assisting counties to better plan, manage and finance quality health services to meet local needs. 

The Health Population and Nutrition (HPN) office is USAID/ KEA’s largest office, managing a portfolio valued at over $400 million annually. The office receives funding from U.S. Presidential Initiatives, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), Feed the Future (FtF) as well as other USAID health funds for family planning, maternal newborn and child health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene. The Mission has a Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) with the goal “Kenya’s competitive private sector, resilient communities and civil society organizations, and citizen-responsive public sector better collaborate to drive inclusive growth and well-being for Kenya’s self-reliance.”  The Health Population and Nutrition Office portfolio contributes to this strategic goal by primarily contributing to the CDCS Development Objective (DO) 1 “Key systems, especially health, governance, and markets, improved”; DO 2 “Resilience of vulnerable populations and environments improved”; and DO 3 “Economic growth opportunities, especially for young men and young women, catalyzed”.

The Project Management Specialist (Local Partners Capacity Development) of the Health Population and Nutrition (HPN), USAID/KEA serves as a technical advisor to the HPN Director, Deputy Office Directors, COE Directors in the planning, delivery, and management of the targeted capacity building and/or organizational development initiatives under the HPN portfolio. The Project Management Specialist (Local Partners Capacity Development) is one of key members on the Partnerships and Operations Team, and reports to the Partnerships and Operations Manager.

GENERAL INFORMATION

USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANT’S BANK ACCOUNTS.

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 22-105

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 27, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 9, 2022 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).

4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected]

5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Local Partner Capacity Development) - Readvertisement.

6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-11 Step 1 (4,792,523.00 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (8,147,267.00 KSH per annum). In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of funds, the continued need for services and successful performance. It is anticipated that the selection of the successful candidate will be completed within an estimated six-month period from the closing date of this solicitation.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens, including current locally hired employees of the US Government in Kenya. Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

1. Technical Leadership for the Implementation of Capacity Building Strategy - 40%

Ensures coordination, coherence, quality, and targeted delivery of the capacity development programs/initiatives for the health office in line with HPN’s Local Partners’ Capacity Development Strategy. In close collaboration with OFM ensures that capacity building activities are implemented, and that local partners progressively and systematically follows through action plans developed as part of the delivered capacity building initiatives for increased systems maturity and ownership. Leads the development of multi-year action plans on priority capacity gaps organized under the thematic areas of technical, operational, financial management and reporting, procurement, and subaward management and legal requirements. Provides overall guidance and direction to the capacity strengthening of local partner organizations, and oversees the implementation of organizational development plans, ensuring requisite technical support is available to partners to support these efforts. Provides expert technical assistance and support to local partner organizations in the following organizational development areas: governance; administration; human resources; financial management; organizational management; and project management.

Ensures that information gathered from monitoring and evaluations is used to inform local implementing partners’ collaborating, learning, and adapting agenda in strengthening systems as well as technical capacity for improved activity performance. Assists in coordinating the technical support on organizational development and/or institutional capacity strengthening for the local implementing partners and ensures that planned capacity building activities meet the needs of the local partners.

2. Local Capacity Building Strategy Development - 30%

Serves as USAID’s technical expert on the organizational development of local partner organizations and provides senior/high level technical guidance to the Mission, the HPN, the host country government, notably the MOH, and to other development partners on issues pertaining to organizational development. Develops a strategy for the local partners capacity building in close coordination with the Office of Financial Management, Office of Assistance and Acquisition and the technical teams within HPN. Ensures the coordination between the office of financial management (OFM), health population and nutrition office, office of assistance and acquisition in the planning and conduct of the Non-U.S. Organization Pre-Award Survey, (NUPAS), to determine whether local implementing partners’ financial management and internal control systems are adequate enough to manage USAID awards. Works with OFM to document identified organizational development and/or capacity building gaps ranging from technical, operational, and legal requirements, as well as requirements related to financial management and reporting, procurement, and subaward management.

Ensures that each local implementing partner is fully informed of the organizational development and/or capacity gaps and works with the organizations to line up capacity building plans and activities. Continuously reviews the capacity building strategy and uses lessons learnt over time to re-adapt the strategic directions to fast track the achievement of sustainable organizational development and/or institutional capacity systems outcomes.

3. Representation and Coordination (30%)

Serves as COR/AOR and/or Activity Manager for strategic partnership activities as assigned. Analyzes program performance metrics on institutional systems’ capacity strengthening data and financial reports, including reports on activity burn rates and pipelines and expenditure accruals, reviewing reports from partners with particular attention to improved organizational capacity performance metrics.

Supports technical staff on their understanding of organizational development and/or local capacity strengthening programming, institutional capacity outcomes monitoring, action planning on key capacity gaps and continuous capacity strengthening initiatives.

Liaises with county health technical as well as political leadership on the planned capacity building initiatives, especially those that focus on risk compliance and mitigation as a way of strengthening results and financial accountability and transparency.

Supports the USG interagency team, the GOK, and implementing partners’ efforts in rapidly strengthening and using the one host country policies, guidelines and tools that would help in preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and other misuses of U.S. Government resources, and potential diversion of resources from the most vulnerable populations.

Supervisory Relationship

The Project Management Specialist (Local Partners Capacity Development) works under the supervision of the Partnerships and Operations Manager. Assignments are made orally and in writing. Most assignments are self-generated and occur in the normal course of the work. S/he exercises independence in most phases of the assignment. The supervisor provides the goals and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected. Completed work is accepted as technically correct, and the overall assignment is reviewed in terms of results achieved.

Supervisory Controls

Supervision over others is not anticipated.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1.  The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c).  In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers.  The FAR provisions referenced above are available at //www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

• Job Knowledge (55 points)

The Specialist must have in-depth professional-level knowledge in one or more of the following areas: governance; administration; human resources; financial management; organizational management; and project management. Superior knowledge and understanding of organizational development and capacity strengthening of local organizations. A thorough knowledge and understanding of host-country historic, economic, social cultural, and political characteristics and an understanding of the general level of development in the region is required. The position requires a demonstrated track record and in-depth knowledge in providing human resource development and organizational development.  Must have an extensive understanding of the public and private health sectors, understand the complex inter-related nature of public health sector and relevant institutional structures required for sustainable implementation of development programs. The incumbent must possess a familiarity with a wide range of tools in organizational capacity assessments, and different models for the delivery of institutional capacity strengthening especially in low-income countries. This position requires a thorough knowledge of programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation; and the objectives, methodology, and status of projects assigned. A strong knowledge of the objectives and operations of the USG, or the program activities of other international donor organizations.

• Skills and abilities (45 points)

Due to frequent interaction with external stakeholders in high stakes environments, the jobholder must be able to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions and communicate effectively to ensure positive working relationships are maintained. The incumbent must possess strong skills in communication (verbal and written), advocacy and networking. S/he must have strong conceptual and analytical skills to be able to quickly grasp and translate new concepts into operational plans and results. The Project Management Specialist (Local Partners Capacity Development) must be able to prepare clear, substantive reports and briefing papers in English, in a timely manner, and must over time develop a thorough understanding of USG and host government policies and procedures. The work requires flexibility, and an ability to react to changing systems with sound analyses, and the ability to work under pressure.

Total possible points:  100

 

Prior Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in organizational development and/or capacity building and human resource development.  Experience in the development of various capacity development/strengthening modules, especially for local organizations and/or local government institutions is required. Demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance in the delivery of capacity development/strengthening; planning and conducting organizational capacity assessment (OCA), and prioritization of capacity development areas for local organizations based on local context and available resources is required.

Language Proficiency

Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili proficiency, speaking and writing, is required.

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 2: Complete the job application at  www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 3: Internal Offerors/Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages), a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents as one attachment and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

                        OR

External Offerors/Not Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages) and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents as one attachment and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

Offerors must provide a list of minimum three (3) professional references who are not family members or relatives, with complete name, title, organization where he/she works, description of relationship, with working/accurate telephone numbers and email addresses. The offeror’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

Note to Applicants:

1. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.
2. Submissions will only be accepted through www.myjobsinkenya.com. Late and incomplete applications (those that do not contain the applicant’s most current and up to date detailed CV and relevant education certificates) will not be considered for the position.
3. All Applicants must provide at least three professional references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit any required forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

Benefits and allowances are offered in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

TAXES

The Contractor must observe Kenyan laws including those concerning income and related tax obligations.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at //www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at //www.usaid.gov/forms. 
3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at //www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.
4. Ethical Conduct.  By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.  See //www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.
   
5. PSC Ombudsman
   The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: //www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: [email protected].