The USAID Project Management Specialist position - Localization and Partner Relations Team Leader, is established in the Strategic Planning and Analysis (SPA) Office. The position is located in the Localization and Partner Relations Team within the SPA Office in the Kenya and East Africa (KEA) mission. The Localization team falls under the management of the SPA Deputy Office Director for Program Design, Performance, and Learning Division (PPL). The jobholder reports to the PPL SPA Deputy Office Director.

The SPA Office is responsible for broad program support, coordination, and project management functions for the combined USAID platform in Nairobi, which manages two operating units (OUs) -- bilateral Kenya and the East Africa Regional. SPA provides leadership and serves as principal advisor to the Mission on: (a) social, economic, and cross-cutting developmental issues; (b) strategic planning and programming; (c) project and activity design and implementation; (d) monitoring, evaluation and learning; (e) budget management and planning; and (f) program implementation of activities. In addition,this office keeps a pulse on major development trends in Kenya and the East Africa region to inform new programming needs. SPA also manages the Mission’s bi-lateral agreement with the Government of Kenya (GoK), known as the Development Cooperation Framework Agreement (DCFA).

The job holder shares in the full range of SPA Office activities and the USAID program cycle, with a concentration on localization efforts. The job holder will lead and play an active role in defining, developing, planning, and implementing the Mission’s approach to advancing the agency’s localization agenda, both on the bilateral and regional operating units. This is a supervisory position. As the Team Leader, the job holder is expected to manage a team of five individuals, provide day-to-day direction, and ensure the team's portfolio is implemented in a manner that is relevant to office, Mission and agency needs.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

1. Strategic, Project and Activity Planning, Design, and Implementation 70%

The job holder serves as the team leader for a team of five and will provide day-to-day technical expertise, management, oversight, and strategic direction on Mission localization efforts. The job holder advises, guides, and supports technical offices on program development and implementation to ensure adherence to and compliance with Mission/Agency strategies, policies, and procedures, with particular attention to local partners. The job holder identifies and analyzes gaps and/or needs in implementation and makes recommendations, coordinating with relevant technical and support office specialists where needed to enable the achievement of results. He/she leads teams to ensure the success of integrated programming as envisioned in the 2020-2025 CDCS, and supports County Liaison Team and Local Development Organizations.

The job holder will work across Program Office teams as well as with technical teams and Financial Management and Office of Acquisition and Assistance, helping with developing design documents associated with the approval of new localization activities and developing tools, guidance, and any other necessary deliverables associated with localization initiatives and activities. S/he may be asked to formally present the concepts of localization to the Mission, Implementing Partners and development partners. Main position functions include:

Localization Implementation

• G2G: Lead key deliverables related to the G2G program, including activity designs
• Regional: Serve as a SPA lead with Regional Intergovernmental Organization (RIGOs), under the East Africa Regional Development Objective Grant Agreements (RDOAG). Main relationships and pulse on regional
• Local Partner Capacity Building: assess and lead the design and implementation of new capacity building efforts for local partners; develop mission-wide deliverable timeline and action plan
• Strategic Planning
• Assist with investing and documenting alternative (plan b) options
• Develop presentations/materials on USAID’s localization initiatives (programmatically and strategically)
• Develop Mission Localization Mission Order, Action Plan, and Implementation Plan
• Work with the Mission's Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Team and MEL implementing partner on specific assignments such as assessments, learning events, and training programs.

Activity Designs

• Lead/facilitate county level capacity building assessment(s)
• Assist with developing guidance to TA partners on areas of focus for work planning.

Reporting

• Develop/strengthen reporting guidance and a process for our local partners
• Support tracking of progress against relevant Agency and project-level indicators at the input, output, and impact levels tied to localization
• Assist with communication of results and respond to taskers

The job holder will act as a champion of the bilateral Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (RDCS), providing seasoned expertise to strategic development, implementation, and stock-taking processes. S/he will be required to influence the policy environment in Kenya and the region while implementing the objectives of the strategies. To do this, the job holder will engage government actors, civil society, and the private sector in locally owned, locally developed, and locally managed solutions to development challenges. To ensure high levels of fiscal and programmatic accountability, the job holder will lead strategic and performance portfolio reviews and strategy mid-course stock takings, intended to examine progress towards achievement of the CDCS and RDCS and project results and expectations regarding future progress and status of critical assumptions and changes in the country or regional context. The Specialist will work closely with the Senior Collaboration, and Learning (CLA) Advisor to promote learning and seek opportunities to adapt programming.

The jobholder will develop guidance and coach and mentor Mission-wide staff on the implementation of the guidance to ensure full compliance and increased capacity to develop the required program documentation in the technical offices. S/he advises and assists in the conceptualization, research, development, in the preparation of concept papers and designs for new programs and activities with advanced writing skills to write and edit these documents, including the following: (1) Initial project conceptual documentation such as background studies, sector surveys, analyses, data collection presented in form and substance to permit Mission review; (2) Preparation of project development documents (PDDs) for Mission review and approval; (3) Provision of information on host country, regional intergovernmental, and USAID development objectives, capabilities, and priorities as they affect the program, and ensures that project design takes into consideration such priorities for maximum host country support and cooperation; and (4) Preparation of procurement documentation to acquire the services of resources needed to execute program/project design work. 

In this capacity, the job holder leads the review, approval, authorization, and obligation process for assigned technical and strategic portfolios, including: (1) Chairing Mission activity review committee meetings, recommending approaches consistent with current Agency policies and priorities; (2) As the final authority in the SPA Office on the preparation of project design documentation prior to submission for clearance, ensuring that sufficient technical and financial analysis is done and feasibility of approved activities demonstrated; (3) Preparing issues papers as appropriate; (4) Ensuring that management controls and monitoring systems are built into each program/project; (5) Ensuring that all project documents are aligned to the Kenya CDCS and/or East Africa RDCS; and (6) Coordinating and assisting with mobilization of teams for design, feasibility, and evaluation purposes. Additionally, s/he ensures that cross-cutting initiatives like Science, Technology, Innovations, and Partnerships (STIP), gender, and best practice design principles like Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) and local solutions/sustainability are foremost considerations in project and activity designs.

The job holder will serve as a SPA lead point of contact for one or more of the Regional Intergovernmental Organization (RIGOs), under the East Africa Regional Development Objective Grant Agreements (RDOAG). S/he is expected to develop and maintain close relationships with RIGO Executive and technical level staff at the Secretariat, as well as U.S. Ambassadors of the RIGO host country. The job holder will carry out responsibilities related to the USAID-RIGO partnership and facilitate communications and planning with RIGOs within the Mission by providing analyses and updates on RIGO internal management, events, and other matters relevant to the USAID program, through support to mission-wide RIGO working groups.

2. Special Program and Representational Duties 20%

The job holder maintains collaborative relationships with a wide range of contacts in the Mission and USAID/Washington. S/he supports the leadership of the SPA Office and other team members in coordination of dialogue and collaboration with the GoK, USAID Africa and Pillar Bureaus, and other donors in order to ensure complementary strategies and approaches, and to identify opportunities for collaboration. The job holder represents USAID and the USG with internal and external audiences as required, including representation at Government led-sector working groups and other donor coordination fora, as well as the Deputy Chief of Mission-led Embassy working groups. The job holder will be required to establish and maintain working level relationships with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Governors and their Cabinet members, County Speakers of the Assembly and Members of Parliament, and County Commissioners responsible to GoK. S/he will facilitate knowledge management through exchange of program-cycle related information, collaborate on cross-cutting issues, and promote program/project collaboration, learning, and adapting. S/he may also serve as Contracting/Agreement Officer Representatives on program cycle support and other mechanisms that support cross-cutting initiatives. S/he may also serve as Activity Manager on Implementation Letters for the regional platform.

3. Program Documentation and Reporting 10%

The job holder assists in the production of strategic planning documents, the annual Operational and Performance Plans and Reports, Congressional presentations, and other reports required to ensure that the Mission is able to accomplish its development objectives. The job holder maintains a comprehensive project file with all data needed to maintain historical and current records of Kenya and regional programs, including initiatives. S/he identifies, collects, and compiles information for regular and ad hoc reports, interpreting information and briefing Mission management on trends and issues; maintains summary materials on results for use in presenting and explaining the program/project portfolio, and how overall planning, achieving, and results reporting works; and manages the preparation of document.

Supervisory Relationship

The job holder will work under the general supervision of the SPA Deputy Office Chief/PPL. Most assignments occur in the normal course of the work with the job holder having significant latitude to manage his/her own work and priorities. The supervisor provides overall policy direction and the goals and objectives to be achieved. Work is reviewed in terms of progress made and results achieved.

Supervisory Controls

The position will serve as the team lead of a five-member team and supervise up to five (5) national staff members. Supervision encompasses full technical, programmatic, and administrative oversight of staff, including performance monitoring, mentoring and coaching, approval of leave, writing employee performance reports, and applying mid-term corrections.

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 https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

• Job Knowledge (60 points)

The work requires substantial knowledge and comprehensive understanding of development program management principles, practices, and reporting. The job holder must have professional- level knowledge of modern development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to program management. A thorough knowledge of Kenyan and regional intergovernmental organizations, East Africa’s varied legal and regulatory environments, policy directions, objectives, and priorities relating to development; and a sound understanding of Kenyan and regional political, economic, social, and cultural characteristics and developments is required. In addition, the job holder must have, or be able to quickly gain, a comprehensive knowledge of USAID policies and regulations, procedures and methodologies, and documentation and reporting requirements, and a good understanding of administrative procedures and operations of major donors and non- governmental organizations.

• Skills and abilities (40 points)

The work requires outstanding organizational skills and the ability to multitask, handle stressful situations, and meet firm deadlines, and the ability to convene and convince colleagues and counterparts to make specific actions and activities a priority. Excellent managerial, interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills are required; and, the ability to explain the wide array of applicable rules, regulations, and policies governing assigned activities, clearly and concisely, to other USG staff, and key regional and bilateral counterparts is necessary. The ability to establish and maintain productive and professional relationships with relevant senior-level officials and institutions, key private-sector and development organizations, senior USAID, Embassy, USAID/Washington, and Department of State officials is critical, as is the ability to command respect and engender cooperation among peers, superiors, external counterparts, and subordinates. The work requires excellent ability to prepare verbal/written reports and presentations. The Specialist must be able to perform planning and analytical work; analyze records and determine the need for various types of actions; record and reconcile conflicting views; and, to relate the purpose and objectives of programs/projects/activities to their investments and requirements.

Total possible points: 100

Prior Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic development, program design and implementation, government affairs, policy analysis, management, economics, and analysis or closely related work is required. Proven experience managing teams and providing programmatic leadership is essential. At least four years of this experience should have been in development-related work for International Organizations, Donor Agencies, Governmental/Non-Governmental organizations, or private-sector institutions which include planning and management, program/project/activity design, performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of large amounts of

Language Proficiency

Level IV (Fluent) English and Kiswahili is

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 com.
2. Submissions will only be accepted through 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 https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract.
3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://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 https://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: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

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