GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 20-109.

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 8, 2020.

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 23,            2020 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).

4. POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (HIV – Pediatric          Care and Treatment) Deputy Team Leader

5. MARKET VALUE:  Equivalent to FSN-PSC 12: (Step 1: 6,558,709.00      KSH to Step 13: 11,149,825.00 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.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Initial 1-year probationary period with      4 additional option years contingent on performance, position need,        and funds availability.

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

8. SECURITY CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Prior to joining USAID, the      selected candidate will be required to:

• Undergo a comprehensive background investigation
• Undergo a health check to obtain medical clearance and;
• Obtain and Retain an embassy issued Security Certification.

9.  STATEMENT OF DUTIES: (See Below).

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens and        current employees of the U.S. Mission.  Employees currently on              probation are ineligible to apply. USAID provides equal opportunity          and equitable treatment for employment of all people without regard        to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political          affiliation, marital status or sexual orientation.

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The position requirements do not involve            rigorous physical demands.

BACKGROUND

The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) represents the US government response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history. Thanks to American leadership and generosity, alongside the work of many partners, PEPFAR has saved millions of lives, averted millions of infections, and changed the course of the epidemic. As countries progress towards HIV/AIDS epidemic control, the point at which new HIV infections have decreased and fall below the total number of deaths among HIV-infected individuals, PEPFAR is now undertaking the challenge of controlling the pandemic.

The USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV - Pediatric Care and Treatment) is a senior professional and expert in strategic planning, program and activity design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the full spectrum of HIV/AIDS prevention, detection, care, and treatment activities. The incumbent serves as the team’s senior advisor on HIV/AIDS issues and provides leadership in identifying opportunities for U.S. Government (USG) engagement in HIV/AIDS programming. This senior position ensures that the Mission has the necessary strategic, technical, and management expertise to handle and successfully implement HIV/AIDS programs and activities in the Health Office portfolio. The incumbent serves as the in-house subject matter expert on HIV/AIDS and the Mission’s senior representative in policy, strategic and technical engagements with the interagency, host country government, international and bilateral organizations, and donor agencies to address technical issues and coordinate efforts in implementation of HIV/AIDS activities.

The position is located in the USAID Office of Health and HIV/AIDS. The incumbent reports to the HIV Team Leader, or his/her designee, and supervises a team of up to five professional staff.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

TECHNICAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP                               30%

1. Serve as the lead technical officer for the USAID HIV/AIDS portfolio and provides expert direction in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs and interventions.

2. Provide expert-level guidance to the Mission and the Ministry of Health including senior level officials in HIV/AIDS, serving as key advisor for all strategic and policy issues related to HIV/AIDS programming.

3. Work closely with other units within the Health Office and across the Mission to optimize opportunities for cross-sectoral integration and leveraging of resources across the different program components.

4. Through literature review and other technical media research and regular communication with local and international stakeholders, keep abreast of emerging developments in the national and global HIV/AIDS landscape and advise accordingly on how these policies, strategies and technical guidelines can most effectively be incorporated to enable the Mission to maintain the fidelity and relevance of its HIV/AIDS programs.

5. Identify opportunities for integrated “state of the art” approaches, providing technical assessment and recommended strategies to pilot innovative interventions. Provide expert oversight and guidance to USAID implementing partners on newly emerging and highly efficacious approaches to HIV/AIDS program implementation.

6. In collaboration with the other members of the Health Office, advise on the development of tools (such as dash boards, league tables) that support continuous learning and adapting to further improve and evolve the USAID knowledge base and data management capability related to HIV/AIDS activities. Advise on targeted analyses of HIV/AIDS data to inform program planning and implementation.

7. The Jobholder provides a high level technical guidance, including clinical adult and pediatric HIV Care and Treatment and PMTCT recommendations, to the Mission and the Ministry of Health, including counterparts and senior level officials; provides direction in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of adult and pediatric HIV Care and Treatment and PMTCT programs/projects/activities and interventions; and/ provides oversight to the annual portfolio budget, ensuring costs remain within budget planning levels, and that efficiency is maximized.

8. Carries out a full range of consultative, technical advisory, development planning, and evaluation responsibilities providing technical input on all programs with adult and pediatric HIV Care and Treatment and PMTCT or other related components.

9. Together with the Team Leader, the Jobholder works closely with other units within the HPN Office, and across the USAID Mission, to optimize opportunities for cross-sectoral integration, and the leveraging of resources across the different program components; and, works closely with the Health Products and Technology Team to ensure adequate planning towards uninterrupted availability of key HIV commodities, including ARVs, test kits, and essential laboratory reagents.

10. The Jobholder provides technical leadership in quality and performance improvement, working with key stakeholders to improve the quality of facility and community-level adult and pediatric HIV Care and Treatment and PMTCT services, by applying evidence-based guidelines, approaches, and tools; and liaises with other technical advisors and MOH staff to institutionalize and scale up quality improvement for adult and pediatric HIV Care and Treatment service delivery.

11. Through literature review, research and regular communication with local and international stakeholders, the Jobholder keeps abreast of emerging developments in the national and global pediatric HIV Care and Treatment landscape, and advises accordingly on how policies, strategies, and technical guidelines can most effectively be incorporated to enable the Mission to maintain fidelity and relevance in its adult and pediatric HIV Care and Treatment, and PMTCT programs.

12. The Jobholder provides strategic and technical leadership in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents, including the Country Operational Plan, Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, Quarterly, and Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports; and, supports the annual PEPFAR budget preparation process, providing technical assistance to USG financial teams and technical working groups in completing the PEPFAR Funding Allocation to Strategy Tool (FAST), and any other new tools that may be provided for use in the planning processes.

13. The Jobholder may directly supervise a team of up to seven adult or pediatric HIV care and treatment and PMTCT professionals and provides managerial support to the Team Leader in leading and managing the entire HIV Care and Treatment Team of 17 staff members. Provides advice and guidance to other HPN Office and HIV/AIDS Team colleagues on matters relating to adult and pediatric HIV Care and Treatment, and how best the other program components could contribute to ensure an effective service.

PROJECT PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND EVALUATION                                                                               20%

1. Provide strategic and technical leadership in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents including the Country Operational Plan, Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports.

2. Support country-level PEPFAR annual budget preparation process, providing technical assistance to USG financial teams and technical working groups in completing the PEPFAR Funding Allocation to Strategy Tool (FAST) and any other new tools that may be provided for use in the planning processes.

3. Provide oversight to the annual HIV/AIDS budget and ensure costs remain within budget planning levels and that efficiency is maximized.

4. Analytically assess the HIV/AIDS portfolio, the performance of partners, the available budget, the need for additional activities or ending activities, and facilitate design of new projects or activities necessary to achieve strategic objectives.

5. Participate or take the lead on each stage of project design for new activities, including drafting and getting approval for concept papers, writing scopes of work, evaluating applications/proposals, and starting up new projects.

6. Ensure that implementing partners abide by their reporting requirements, including quarterly reports, trip reports, accruals, PMPs, annual reports, and other requirements such as PEPFAR reporting or other requests. This includes supportive supervision and guidance to other technical and support staff in the HIV/AIDS office as necessary.

7. Lead routine meetings with implementing partners to discuss technical and programmatic direction of the HIV/AIDS program. Conduct field visits to USAID-supported HIV/AIDS activities to meet with implementing partners and government health officials as appropriate to provide technical, programmatic, and administrative guidance, as necessary.

8. Maintain a technical portfolio as Contracting Officer’s Representative/ Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager, which includes review and approval of workplans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, performance monitoring plans, monitoring activities through field visits and ensuring that financial reporting (accruals/ vouchers) are submitted to the Financial Management Office as required.

9. Identify opportunities and strengthen existing opportunities for integration of HIV/AIDS with health, economic growth and governance activities, and other areas of the Mission as appropriate.

10. Technically advise and makes recommendations on the need for short-term technical assistance (STTA) from USAID/Washington central projects and write the technical components of the scope of work for the consultants.

11. In collaboration with other members of the Health Office, manage the HIV/AIDS analytical agenda for national HIV/AIDS surveys such as the UHIA and other studies.

12. In collaboration with other Health Office staff, initiate and coordinate targeted analyses of HIV/AIDS data to generate trends and patterns to inform planning and programming.

13. Participate in and ensure the effectiveness of Site Improvement Monitoring System (SIMS) and other field visits to improve quality of service delivery.

REPRESENTATION AND REPORTING                                     30%

1. Represent USAID and PEPFAR at designated national, regional and international meetings that relate to HIV/AIDS including regular participation in national level HIV/AIDS technical working groups and related committees.

2. Represent USAID on the inter-agency USG PEPFAR Inter-Agency Technical Team.

3. As requested by the Mission Director, Health Office Director or Deputy Director, represent USAID at meetings outside of the HIV/AIDS field when needed.

4. Organize site visits and prepare orientation materials for delegations from Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), USAID Headquarters, State Department, and other agencies.

5. As a member of the PEPFAR Team, respond flexibly and capably to a wide range of work-related requirements including responding to requests for information from USAID/Washington, Congress and OGAC.

6. Establish strategic working relationships with senior government officials at the national and district level, donor agencies, civil society organizations, private sector health counterparts and medical associations to enhance regular and timely sharing of information on HIV interventions in the country, including changes in key policies, and legal and regulatory environments that could affect the implementation of USAID programs.

7. Serve as the Mission’s representative on all inter-agency forums related to HIV.

8. Prepares reports and responses to USAID/Washington requests for information.

SUPERVISION, COACHING/MENTORING AND STAFF SUPPORT  20%

1. Supervise Co-operating Country Nationals, which includes developing annual work objectives, identifying appropriate training opportunities, mentoring and coaching them in facilitation of professional development. Conduct regular performance reviews and address any performance challenges that may arise.

2.  Works with direct reports to determine training needs, helps identify appropriate training opportunities and ensures fair participation in training.

3. Provide expert advice and guidance to direct reports on matters relating to HIV/AIDS and how best the other program components could contribute to ensure an effective service cascade.

POSITION ELEMENTS

A. Supervision Received: The USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV - Pediatric Care and Treatment) will report to the HIV Team Lead, or his/her designee. Most assignments are self-generated and occur in the normal course of work and the incumbent exercises independents in most phases of his/her job responsibilities but determines those situations that must be coordinated with the supervisor or other team members.  Completed work is accepted as technically correct and the overall work is reviewed in terms of results achieved.                                                   

B. Supervision Exercised: The USAID Project Management Specialist (HIV - Pediatric Care and Treatment) will supervise up to five (5) professional staff.

C. Available Guidelines: PEPFAR Guidance and Directives, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); AID Acquisitions Regulations (AIDAR); AID Automated Directives System (ADS Series); Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs); Office of Procurement Acquisition Memorandum (OPAMS); U.S. Department of State Standardized Regulations; Federal Travel Regulations; Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Circulars and Controller General Decisions, USAID Mission Orders, Project Papers, Mission Strategy, and other documents available, USAID policies and procedures, Technical Documents and Policy Papers.

D. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent will exercise a high degree of independent judgment and initiative to plan, prioritize and conduct the activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities. The incumbent will be expected to analyze and address problems by applying relevant guidance (for management/administrative issues) and evidence-based strategies (for technical issues) to advance the Mission’s objectives. In the event that no formal guidance exists, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well-informed judgment, making independent decisions that can be defended as necessary and seeking input when appropriate.

E. Authority to Make Commitments: When fully designated as COR/AOR s/he will have full authority and responsibility as delegated by ADS, other Mission, and USAID guidelines. However, because of the incumbent’s expertise and professional standing in his/her field, substantial weight will be given to his/her recommendations while commitments are made by those with the authority to do so. 

F. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent occupies a high profile and important position in the Mission. S/he represents USAID in engagements with high levels of a variety of host government officials at national and sub-national levels, donors, private and non-governmental organizations. S/he provides policy recommendations as well as strategic and programmatic advice to senior USAID and US Government officials, other donors, and implementing partners. S/he must also have an extensive range of contacts with the HIV/AIDS, health and social development sectors including senior government technical and managerial staff, Heads of Agencies, development partners, senior officials from the civil society and the private sector. The purpose of the contacts is related to project implementation and to obtain and interpret information relevant to program activities, to develop and/or clarify strategy or activity designs and to identify problems requiring resolution among USAID, technical assistance and training providers, counterparts and other donors.

G. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: 52 weeks.  

 

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in public health programming in developing or middle-income countries, with experience spent on HIV/AIDS-related work in Africa are required.  Experience working with or for bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as USAID, the World Bank, the Global Fund, the UN agencies, or national-level public sector projects.  At least one year of supervisory experience is required.

Job Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of multi-sectoral HIV/AIDS approaches and interventions, as well as the host country context including priorities and challenges, funding of the epidemic and the key stakeholders engaged in the response is required. Thorough knowledge of the host-country’s economic, political, social and cultural characteristics and the history of development assistance, in particular the response to HIV/AIDS, including current trends and directions. The incumbent is expected to have an in-depth understanding of US Government foreign assistance to the host-country government and familiarity with central aspects of U.S. Government policy in the host-country. Working knowledge of USG and USAID’s strategic direction, its chief accomplishments and its challenges.

Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must possess strong skills in communication (oral 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. This position requires an outstanding ability to exercise flexibility and prioritization skills to be able to accept and react to evolving planning and implementation contexts. Ability to exercise sound judgement, take initiative and offer leadership. S/he demonstrates timely decision-making and extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks. The incumbent must have the ability to identify significant economic, political and social trends in the host country and assess their importance and impact on USAID development assistance objectives and programs.  The incumbent must demonstrate excellent computer skills including skills with Microsoft Office, web-based databases, and electronic filing.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Applicants must submit a resume/cv which describes how their relevant professional experience and education has prepared them to meet the specific challenges of the duties and responsibilities described above.  As part of the interview process, those applicants ranked highest may be required to submit a timed writing sample on a topic provided.  The selection committee may conduct reference checks at any time during the selection process.

Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. 

• Prior work experience (30 points)
• Job Knowledge (40 points)
• Skills and abilities (30 points)

Total possible points:  100

Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and reference checks.   References will be asked to assess the applicant’s technical knowledge, work performance, communication skills, and group dynamics, using the above criteria.  USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed applicants. The interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

How to Apply

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

Step 2:  Complete the job application questionnaire at                                            www.myjobsinkenya.com  The applicant must answer all the                      questions in the Questionnaire.

Step 3:  Internal Applicants/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 to MyJobsInKenya.

                                                      OR

            External Applicants/Not Current USG Employees: Attach an                        updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages) and                copies of all relevant certificates. Upload all the documents to                MyJobsInKenya.

Note to Applicants:

1. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com as stated in Section IV.

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. The closing date for receipt of applications is indicated above.

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