GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  SOLICITATION NO.:21-50

2.  ISSUANCE DATE: May 28, 2021

3.  CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: June 14, 2021         (4:30 PM East Africa Time).

4.  POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Private Health         Insurance).                                                   

5.  MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-PSC 11 (Step 1: 4,597,211.00       KSH to Step 13:7,815,239.00 KSH per annum). In accordance with       AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan.  USAID/             Kenya and East Africa. Final compensation will be negotiated                 within the listed market value.

6.  PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Initial six (6) months probationary           period, with an additional six (6) months upon successful                       completion of probation period. Additional four (4) option years             contingent on fully successful or better performance rating, funds           availability and the continued need to retain the position.

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             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 

USAID/Kenya's Office of Health Population and Nutrition (HPN)) invests in population and health programs that aim to improve the survival, well-being and productivity of the Kenyan population-especially in poor, marginalized and underserved communities. USAID partners with the Government of Kenya (GOK) at the national and county levels to reduce the burden of major infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and address the main causes of maternal, neonatal and child illness and death. This includes cross-cutting work to strengthen healthcare systems and 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 and leveraging on private sector capacities and/or risk pooling initiatives to increase access to affordable quality health services in the private sector.

This work underpins all the Mission's efforts to improve services for HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal/neonatal/child health, family planning, nutrition and water and sanitation. It also advances the principles of the Global Health Initiative, President's Emergency  Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), President's Malaria  Initiative (PMI), USAID Forward, "Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths", and an "AIDS-Free Generation" --- all of which recognize that in the absence of effective governance, qualified health staff, institutional capacity and adequate financing, and effective partnerships Kenya cannot deliver the health services that the country needs nor can Kenya effectively reduce its dependency on external donor financing for health.

The Project Management Specialist (Private Health Insurance - PHI) in the Office of Health Population and Nutrition at USAID/Kenya is the Senior Advisor on the development and management of USAID-funded activities that concern the promotion of private risk pooling initiatives for health and related reforms consistent with the Government Agenda on UHC and Kenyan Constitutional provisions on the right to health and social protection for all Kenyans. The incumbent reports to the Health Policy and Financing Team Leader and has no formal supervisory responsibility.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1.  TECHNICAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP                    55%

• Provide high level technical guidance to HPN and the Mission on strategies and processes for leveraging on capacities of the private health insurance markets to increase both insurance and service coverage for sustainable financing of essential health services in support of government agenda on UHC.                                                  
• Work in collaboration with USAID Mission staff and the Ministry of Health and relevant government regulatory bodies to ensure that health insurance policy framework addresses concerns of private health insurance and health providers to actively participate in financing and in the delivery of essential health care services in support of UHC.                                                                                            
• Provide updated technical information on USAID program policies to implementing partners and a wide group of private health collaborators as it becomes available.                                                          
• Perceive, determine, and arrange for procurement of short-term technical assistance (STTA) and ensure that objectives and outcomes of the TA are consistent with and support the furtherance of Mission priorities and programs. 

• Provide a leadership role in advising other HPN Office colleagues on private health insurance engagements, management and methodologies to improve on the performance of USAID’s health programs of interest at county level. 

• Serve as USAID/Kenya's lead technical expert in matters of Private Health Insurance, advising the HPN Director, Mission Director on private health insurance markets concerns and opportunities in Kenya as they relate to USG health and development goals and objectives. 

• Support a full range of consultative, advisory, strategic planning and evaluation activities for HPN, working as a lead technical advisor and keeping abreast of current and new private and social health protection issues in Kenya and those emerging from USAID/ Washington, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), and global technical fora in risk pooling, and provide recommendations on options in shaping USAID health programs in this area. 

• Articulates strategic direction for advancing private health insurance markets in support of UHC under devolution, new policy developments targeting efficiency improvements in raising and spending money for health, pooling and purchasing arrangements for essential benefit package and major costing models, provider payment mechanisms, cost containment measures, and financial sustainability. 

• Represents USAID/Kenya at various forums on private health insurance markets and financial risk pooling for health: at coordination meetings with USG implementing partners, donors, Government of Kenya (GOK) representatives and USG agencies; thru relevant stakeholder forums and technical working groups; and at international conference events requiring technical representation of USAID/Kenya's strategic and programmatic interests in these areas. 

• Coordinates with other donors, international agencies and GOK counterparts addressing concerns around private health insurance/ risk pooling, including through Interagency Coordination Committees, Intergovernmental Relations Coordination structures i.e. COG health committee and technical working groups as well as through policy engagement with senior Ministry of Health, regulatory bodies, NHIF and other private health insurance actors and County health, political and executive leadership. 

• Explores strategies for maximizing leveraging USAID resources i.e. financial and non-financial on existing risk pooling schemes and other relevant stakeholders including GOK to maximize on AID effectiveness.

 2.  PROGRAM/PROJECT/ACTIVITY MANAGEMENT                30%

• The incumbent will serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative/ Agreement Officer's Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager with program technical and administrative oversight for specific private health insurance/risk pooling schemes related contracts and grants. 

• Lead and/or participate in the development and management of private risk pooling initiatives and acquisition and assistance mechanisms, including coordination, management and reporting of all actions and functions required to support key activities and programs of USAID interest. 

• Provides technical assistance/advice to implementing partners to ensure timely and effective planning, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of program s and initiatives required to achieve stated goals and targets. 

• Develop scopes of work/program descriptions, budgets, and work schedules for solicitations. 

• Monitor implementation progress, ensuring that actions are completed on schedule or are adjusted to meet changing conditions, and making routine visits to project sites; monitor disbursements, certifying contractor's invoices, maintaining up-to-date records of project disbursements and expenditures, and reviewing and managing project pipelines. 

• Provide technical input on implementing partners' annual work plans and reviewing and approving these work plans and other key deliverables. 

• Review performance reports to ensure that partners are in compliance with bilateral government agreements and with the performance expectations outlined in their work plan and in their contract/agreement with USAID. 

• Ensure that implementing partners are in compliance with all relevant USAID and OGAC regulations and procedures. 

• Based on observations, assessment reports, performance statistics and other available data, make programmatic recommendation s to HPN. 

• S/he will also support other CORs/AORs and Activity managers as deemed appropriate by the Health Policy, financing and partnerships team leader and approved by the HPN Director. 

3.  RESULTS MONITORING AND REPRESENTATION             15%

• Monitor HPN and PEPFAR/PMI/FH partners' progress in the area of risk pooling; evaluate plans for feasibility, effectiveness, efficiency and economy; and, if necessary, develop alternative methods to achieve goals. 

• Serve as HPN and/or PEPFAR Kenya representative on private health insurance and related project performance and results reporting to USAID/Kenya offices, USAID/Washington, and Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC). 

• Support USAID regular and ad-hoc reporting needs including preparing relevant sections of key planning and reporting documents such as the Annual/Semi-Annual Performance Reports, Country Operational Plan, Health Implementation Plan, and portfolio reviews. Draft USAID communication document s, including presentations, success stories, briefers and other information as requested. 

POSITION ELEMENTS

A. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Directly supervised by the Health Policy Financing and Partnerships Team Leader, under the overall guidance and direction of the HPN Deputy Director. The incumbent must exercise independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, resolving problems and conflicts, and taking steps necessary to meet deadlines. Work is reviewed primarily in terms of performance against planned objectives described in annual performance evaluation reports (PERs).

B. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The incumbent exercises no administrative supervision over others. 

C.  AVAILABLE GUIDELINES: Available guidelines include USG program/ project/ activity guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission Strategy, and other relevant reports; the Automated Directives System (ADS); USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, and the FAR and AIDAR; and Country Operational Plans, host-government Five-Year Strategic Plans (or equivalent), and other published and unpublished guidelines. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation.

D. EXERCISE OF JUDGMENT: Extensive and substantive management responsibility in the formative stages of program elements. Substantive meetings with USG partners, host­ government officials and representatives of implementing agencies. Decisions have extensive impact on the USG health programs in Kenya and in turn on national policy development and implementation. 

E.AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS: The Specialist exercises the authority given to activity managers and CORs/AORs and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission and Office policy. The Specialist takes action and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Guidance is sought when needed, and superiors informed of activity and project status. Within the scope of the authority delegated, the Specialist may indicate to ranking counterpart and IP officials that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity, issue, or problems. The incumbent cannot make financial commitments on behalf of the U.S. Government. The incumbent's recommendations, however, will lay the basis for making commitments. 

F. NATURE, LEVEL, AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts will be at highest working levels with the Ministry of Health (e.g. Cabinet Secretary, directorate heads, technical staff), country government (Governor, County Health Executive and County Health Teams), Kenya Private Sector Alliance,  S. Government agencies (CDC, DOD, Peace Corps, PEPFAR Coordination Office, US Embassy), USAlD/ Kenya and USAlD/Washington (leadership, technical  and program staff), institutional contractor staff, private voluntary and non-governmental  organizations, and bilateral and multilateral donor representatives. Contact will be of a continuous nature through day-to-day meetings, technical working group forums and/or program performance reviews. Many of these contacts will be for the purpose of obtaining or providing information on relevant private sector health insurance markets and SHI concerns as they relate to USAlD program priorities.

G. TIME EXPECTED TO REACH FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL: One year.

PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in health care financing with emphasis on private health insurance/markets and private sector programming and policy development is required.

JOB KNOWLEDGE: Advanced specialist knowledge of health economics, health financing, health insurance mechanisms, and policy formulation.  Must have a comprehensive understanding of health financing issues including social health and private health insurance, knowledge of the landscape of the local health actors and stakeholders in health economics, health policy and financing and public health programming in Kenya, data collection, analysis and presentation. A detailed knowledge of health financing and private sector issues and strategic directions under the devolved health system is required. The position requires strong familiarity with health system strengthening and a track record of technical expertise in cost analysis, econometric modelling and health care services at all levels of the health sector and capacity building in developing countries. A thorough knowledge of the Kenyan public and private sector health system, donor environment and related sector programs is required. Must have a detailed specialist knowledge of general development procedures, laws and regulations, as well as budgeting and reporting requirements.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Demonstrated management skills and technical leadership capacity to effectively guide and oversee USG strategic investments in these areas. Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to establish and maintain effective contacts within USAID, the interagency PEPFAR Team, USG implementing partners, relevant GOK counterparts, other donors, private sector and civil society organizations.

Excellent analytical, writing and organizational skills. Strong initiative to obtain, evaluate, and interpret factual data and to prepare concise, accurate, and complete reports, as well as to recognize significant developments and data trends. Excellent technical writing skills.                                                                                                   

Competence in using various computer software applications including Microsoft Office programs. The incumbent must be able to work in a demanding and often high-stress environment to meet deadlines or ensure inter-agency engagement and consensus. Must be a self-starter with strong diplomatic and leadership qualities. Sound judgment combined with a mature and professional demeanor is required.

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.