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.: 72061524R10007
2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 15, 2023
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 29, 2023 (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: Project Management Specialist (Youth)
6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-11 Step 1 (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 Mission 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:

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Project Management Specialist (Youth) position will be located in USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s (USAID/KEA) Office of Education and Youth and will contribute to the Mission’s youth strategy, with a particular focus on engaging with youth organizations to elevate youth voice in county and national development, and working with county and national governments, civil society, and the private sector to create social and economic opportunities for youth. The position is critical to implementing the Mission’s Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), USAID’s Policy Framework/Journey to Self-Reliance, USAID’s Youth in Development Policy, USAID’s Education Policy, and the U.S. Government’s (USG) Strategy on International Basic Education.

The Project Management Specialist (Youth) will leverage his/her robust relationships with youth organizations, county and national government officials, development partners, and private sector and civil society representatives to create or shape social and economic opportunities for youth. As the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), s/he will be integral to the design, management, and coordination of youth activities targeted at alleviating Kenyan youth’s frustrations via livelihoods/employment, governance, and education programming, ensuring that they are productive, active members of society. The incumbent will coordinate with other USAID/KEA technical offices (Economic Growth; Health, Population and Nutrition; and Democracy, Governance and Conflict) and U.S. Embassy Nairobi to coordinate USAID’s youth development priorities within complementary cross-sector initiatives. The incumbent will establish and maintain working relationships with Government of Kenya (GoK) officials at the national and sub-national levels to influence youth policies and ensure alignment of USAID youth activities with GoK priorities. The incumbent will also coordinate with other development partners, multilateral organizations, international non-governmental organizations, and private sector stakeholders to maximize USG investments and ensure effective and complementary program implementation.

Statement of Duties to be Performed.

Manage USAID/KEA’s Basic Education Program (50%) 

• Serves as the Mission expert in charge of development, management, and implementation of youth development projects, and provides technical guidance on activities targeting youth. Keeps Mission staff informed of developments in youth programming and provides technical guidance on how these may be applied within the Mission setting. 

• Achieves USAID/KEA objectives in the education and youth sector through AOR/COR management of awards focusing on youth with cross-cutting focus on gender, vulnerable populations, ICT, and public-private partnerships. Provides technical direction, guidance, and oversight of youth activities; monitors activity progress against objectives; ensures compliance with terms and conditions of agreements; ensures timeliness of implementation; monitors budgets, pipelines, accruals, and other financial matters; and manages activity closeout. 

• Provides oversight to implementing partners’ expenditures. Participates in activity budget formulation and review of expenditures to ensure U.S. taxpayers’ money is spent responsibly. Coordinates with USAID/KEA support offices to monitor implementing partners’ adherence to USAID financial and management procedures. Flags and resolves any financial or other non-compliance through consultation with USAID/KEA and implementing partners. Coordinates with USAID/KEA Office of Financial Management to ensure implementing partner accountability for audit findings. 

• Liaises with senior GoK officials and implementing partners to ensure USAID/KEA youth programming aligns with GoK youth development priorities. Identifies opportunities for USG collaboration with GoK; remains abreast of evolving GoK priorities; facilitates dialogue between USAID activities and GoK counterparts. Represents USAID at GoK meetings and other events on issues related to youth development. 

• Cultivates and maintains a wide range of contacts with the private sector, non-governmental institutions, and other multilateral and bilateral donors on matters relating to youth programming to ensure proper activity design and implementation. Represents USAID at donor coordination meetings and other events on issues related to youth development. 

• Analyzes economic, political and other trends affecting youth development both locally and globally. Identifies opportunities to further meet U.S. Government foreign policy and GoK youth policy objectives. Provides findings with appropriate recommendations to the EDY Office Chief. 

• Assists the EDY Office Chief and participates in all aspects of strategic and program planning for project activities relating to youth development including assistance with: a) representing the Mission in consultations and negotiations with GoK officials, and b) developing and coordinating all necessary Mission and Embassy initiatives related to youth. 

• Serves as the designated AOR or COR for Mission awards within the EDY office. 

• Consults with staff of the technical offices of Economic Growth; Democracy, Governance and Conflict; and Health, Population and Nutrition to identify collaboration opportunities in education, youth, gender, health, and governance. As needed, assists implementing partners of technical offices in developing systems to target and/or enhance youth participation. Tracks and coordinates youth-related programs, policies and initiatives across the broader U.S. Embassy. 

• Serves as Control Officer or Site Officer for VIP visits to USAID activity sites. Responsibilities include preparing briefing materials, arranging logistics, and drafting remarks and talking points.

 Assessment, Monitoring, Evaluation Data Management, and Reporting (30%) 

• Develops and manages data to be used for assessments and monitoring, and maintains evaluation tools, calendars, forms, guidelines, procedures, results, outcomes, mechanisms, and all other useful information as necessary. With respect to guidelines and procedures, the incumbent is responsible for assuring Mission compliance with ADS (Automated Directives System) 203.3.3 through 203.3.6 regarding performance measurement and evaluations. 

• Leads activity monitoring and evaluation. Makes regular site visits to monitor activity implementation and addresses arising issues. Evaluates implementing partner performance; maintains activity records and status reports; prepares project documentation; and provides solutions to implementation problems. 

• Identifies and tracks performance indicators for youth activities. 

• Demonstrates familiarity with youth education and youth programming activities of other significant donors operating in Kenya for the purpose of improving data collection and analyses, and coordination through the sharing of information. 

• As needed, provides Mission technical teams with input in the development of award solicitations to integrate youth development activities. 

• As needed, assesses the training requirements of implementing partners with respect to youth education development activities, and develops and delivers appropriate training materials and courses. 

 Analyze Program Effectiveness (20%)

• Establishes systems or procedures to regularly assess program effectiveness. 

• Analyzes select partner reports on youth programming and identifies areas of concern to Mission management. 

• Independently conducts formal or informal reviews to assess program accomplishments. Analyzes program processes and impact, and makes recommendations for effective changes. 

• Coordinates with the USAID/KEA Development Outreach and Communication Specialist to develop communication content highlighting programmatic accomplishments and USAID youth investments in Kenya. 

• Works closely with implementing partners to ensure that achievements and lessons learned are disseminated as appropriate to GoK, non-governmental organizations, and donor stakeholders. 

• Contributes to the successful implementation of the USAID/KEA CDCS and education programming. 

• The job holder is required to perform work-related travel.

Supervision Received

The Project Management Specialist (Youth) will receive overall supervision, policy guidance, and managerial oversight from the EDY Office Chief or his/her designate. S/he will give assignments verbally, set overall priorities and deadlines, and review the incumbent's completed work.

Supervision Exercised

None

Physical Demands

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Prior Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in international development, including field experience in education, vocational education, social development activities, or youth employment creation, is required. S/he must demonstrate technical expertise and experience in managing and/or supervising programs/projects/activities funded by international donors. Relevant development experience is required.

Language Proficiency

Level IV English speaking, reading, and writing skills is required and will be tested. Must be able to produce publishable quality written documentation and to make oral presentations before high level officials.

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)

Knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices, substantive and administrative elements of youth programming in Kenya. Thorough knowledge of Kenya's economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics and of the history of development assistance activities in Kenya is required. Must be able to obtain, analyze and evaluate complex data to prepare precise and accurate reports and oral briefings of information received. Must have thorough, proven knowledge of youth issues and strategies for addressing issues facing youth. Must be thoroughly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, and other word processing packages.

Skills and abilities (40 points)

The incumbent operates independently, and his/her work is reviewed primarily on the basis of results achieved within the broad constraints of policy and priorities. The incumbent must be able to analyze independently political, social, economic, and policy issues and formulate, present, and successfully defend complex investment structure and implementation actions around youth development and documents in a clear, effective and professional manner. The incumbent must be able to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts with highest and working level officials throughout the Mission, as well as GoK officials, donors, the private sector, and non-governmental participating organizations. The incumbent must be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of technical and managerial personnel in the Mission. The incumbent must be able to track and evaluate the latest developments in the youth arena. The ability to provide information and advice with objectivity is required. The ability to orient, train, and supervise lower-level Foreign Service National personnel, when appropriate, is required. A high level of English language writing ability, strong knowledge of computer software, administrative and management skills, policy and diplomacy skills are necessary.

Total possible points:  100

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 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 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 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. ontract 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].