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.: 72061525R10008
2. ISSUANCE DATE: November 25, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 09, 2024 (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 (Pediatric Public Health)
6. MARKET VALUE: Ksh. 5,565,120.00 to Ksh. 9,460,674.00 KSH per year (including 13th month bonus), equivalent to FSN-11 grade level 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: Five (5) years estimated to start o/a September 25, 2025. 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.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Cooperating Country National (CCN) (an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country). Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
USAID/Kenya and East Africa invests in population and health programs at national and county levels that aim to improve he 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/Kenya and East Africa's KEA) largest office, managing a portfolio valued at over $400 million annually. The office receives funding from a number 1f 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, emerging pandemic threats, and water, sanitation and hygiene. The Program Management Specialist (Pediatric Health will work under the overall direction of the Centre of Excellence Director for Family Health with day-to-day supervision by the Team Leader for Nutrition and Child Health.

The Project Management Specialist (Pediatric Public Health) will provide technical expertise and serve as the infant, young child health and nutrition subject matter expert for USAID/KEA's Nutrition and Child Health portfolio; set strategic direction for the pediatric public health portfolio, including infant and young children health pertaining to preventive, promotive and curative health matters. The Specialist will work in collaboration with the Team Leader for Nutrition and Child Health who serves as the technical leader and resource in strategic planning, program and activity design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of pediatric public health programs/projects/activities. The specialist under the supervision of the Team Leader, serves as the Mission and USG representative in policy, strategic, and technical engagements with the host-country Ministry of Health (MOH), USG interagency, international and bilateral organizations, and donor agencies to address technical issues and coordinate efforts in implementation of pediatric public health research and innovation and infant and young child health and nutrition activities. The work includes serving as a Program/Project Manager and COR/AOR for significant and targeted interventions, providing technical assistance to the appropriate host-country Ministry in the development of host country policies, and the design and management of in country programs/ projects/ activities, reflecting best practices in pediatric public health.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed.
Technical Assistance and Leadership (50%)

• The USAID Project Management Specialist (Pediatric Public Health) provides a high level technical guidance and recommendations in pediatric public health initiatives, including infant and young children health and nutrition, pertaining to preventive, promotive and curative health, to the Mission and the Ministry of Health (MOH), including counterparts and senior level officials; provides direction in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of nutrition, infant and child public health programs/projects/activities and interventions.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert through active engagement with technical counterparts in the Ministry of Health, and other subnational and national stakeholders, to advance USAID and USG strategic objectives related to key pediatric and nutrition public health interventions.
• The Specialist supports USAID representation in the Kenya Global Vaccine Initiative GAVI interagency committee, MOH-led polio eradication working groups and MOHled immunization working groups. The Specialist supports USAID representation on MOH Nutrition committees and working groups and relevant multi-sectoral working groups for nutrition and food security.
• The Specialist participates in other relevant technical advisory committees - with MOH, academia, private sector, professional associations including the Kenya Pediatric Association and other organizations that have an oversight for child health and nutrition. The Specialist represents USAID/KEA at designated national, regional, and international meetings, in particular those relating to pediatric public health, nutrition including regular participation in national-level pediatric technical working groups and related committees.
• The Specialist develops and maintains relationships with relevant government officials and provides technical assistance to MOH in the development of policies, strategies, and guidelines related to pediatric public health, monitoring primary health care including community engagement as part of universal health care and in the GoK intergovernmental forum.
• The Specialist works closely with national and sub-national/County and local government officials in order to enhance success of nutrition, pediatric public health service delivery and interventions and advance USAID and USG strategic objectives.
• The Specialist works in collaboration with Health Policy and Financing Team to provides technical input in the HPN health care financing efforts as it relates to infant, child health and nutrition for national and county governments.
• The Specialist works closely with other units within the Health Office, and across the USAID Mission, to optimize opportunities for cross-sectoral integration, and the leveraging of resources across the different program components.

Program/Project Management and Monitoring (30%)

• The Specialist serves as an Activity Manager for USAID polio eradication activities, implementation science activities and other Global Health buy-in; provides overall management, technical guidance and leadership to implementing partners in carrying out designated activities within the HPN's portfolio. As such, the incumbent is responsible for technical, programmatic, and financial management of these activities, including developing, monitoring, and analyzing budget planning, obligations, and pipelines.
• The Specialist serves as an Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR) for a bilateral mechanism under the new Integrated Family Health and HIV Program. In this role, the incumbent manages the daily activities of mechanism, establishes routine communication, conducts site visits and inspections, and maintains up-to-date information and files on the status of partner activities, resources, and work plans.
• The Specialist, as an AOR/COR reviews and approves annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation plans, quarterly reports and other key documents of designated USAID supported projects. Monitors program resources allocated for child health and nutrition activities to ensure that they are being used rationally and that there are no cost overruns.
• The Specialist serves as an Activity Management Team (AMT) member of various activities within HPN, working closely with other staff in the HPN Office and across the Mission to optimize opportunities for cross-sectoral integration and leveraging of resources across the different program components, extending these efforts to the USG interagency and other development partners wheneverpossible. The incumbent serves as a member of PMI as Global Fund child health liaison.
• The Specialist fully participates in designing new activities, contributes to the identification of new potential USAID-supported activities for pediatric public health and nutrition approaches/models, designing strategies in conjunction with partners, obtaining approval by all concerned parties, and coordinating targeted efforts.
• The Specialist conducts site visits to USAID supported programs to assess the quality of services, provide expert advice on implementation and other relevant areas, and guide implementing partners on newly emerging and highly efficacious approaches to pediatric public health program implementation.
• The Specialist participates in data quality assessments for the health program to ensure the quality and reliability of program data especially as it relates to infant and child health.
• The Specialist monitors and makes recommendations to resolve implementation obstacles to ensure judicious use of USG funds and effective implementation of pediatric public health interventions.
• The Specialist contributes to and participates in pediatric public health-related program evaluations to document and scale up proven best practices, identify and address challenges, improve program performance, and ensure continuous learning.

Program Planning and Reporting (20%)

• The Specialist fully participates and actively engages in planning processes within HPN and in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents, providing input on child health and community engagement in the Operational Plan (OP), Country Operational Plan (COP) and Malaria Operational Plan (MOP), Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, Quarterly, and Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports, and providing input for the design and development of pediatric public health activities.
• The Specialist supports the annual budget preparation process, providing technical assistance to USG financial teams and technical working groups in completing the required reports and tools that may be provided for use in the planning processes. Participates actively in inter-agency processes for determining targets, unit costs and budgets for use in the annual planning for USG pediatric public health interventions.
• The Specialist prepares technical analyses, evaluates sectoral issues, and provides input to Mission activities with respect to pediatric public health initiatives. Prepares written reports that reflect a sound understanding of the assigned area of responsibility and document a wide variety of sources and points of view that have been consulted in undertaking analyses and in drawing conclusions.
• Responds to a wide range of work-related requirements as a member of the HPN Team, including responding to program and strategy requests for information from USAID Washington. The incumbent will ensure that all program documentation meets both USG requirements and audit inspection standards. Ensures that documentation of USAID activities is prepared with input from other USG Team members and implementing partners; and is submitted in a timely fashion to USAID/W.

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the United States, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Prior Work Experience

At least five (5) years of professional-level directly responsible experience in managing large-scale public health programs/activities with focus in infant and young child health and nutrition, with multi-lateral or bilateral organizations, and/or NGOs. Increasingly responsible experience in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of pediatric public health initiatives in developing countries. Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and assessing institutional processes and systems, particularly in local organizations.

Supervisory Relationship
The USAID Project Management Specialist (Pediatric Public Health) works under the very general supervision of the Family Health COE Director, and the closer but general supervision of the Nutrition and Child Health Team Leader. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of program/project/activity goals, effectiveness in meeting host-country and USAID objectives, and integration with other initiatives in the HPN Office and Mission portfolio. The Specialist will be expected to exercise considerable autonomy and best judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment.

Supervisory Controls
Continuing supervision of other Health Office and/or Mission staff is not contemplated.

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.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications listed above will be evaluated and ranked according to the following job-related criteria. Top-ranking candidates will be invited for a skills test and an oral interview.

• Job Knowledge (60 Points)

The Specialist must have a comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated experience in the programming of public health programs/projects/activities with focus on nutrition infant and young child health; and, the role of pediatric public health activities with other health areas such as HIV/AIDS, etc. Demonstrated knowledge of country's development and pediatric public health program dynamics, particularly the social, economic and cultural determinants and implications of the infectious disease epidemics in the country and in the region, and understanding of the resources, resource constraints, and overall development prospects and priorities of the host country and the region. Demonstrated understanding of state-of-the-art pediatric public health global guidelines, PEPFAR and Global Health initiatives and the current priorities at national and global level. Demonstrated knowledge of USG processes through which pediatric public health programs are planned, reviewed, approved, implemented and evaluated. Demonstrated experience in local organization capacity development focusing on governance, accountability and service delivery in public, faith-based, non-governmental, civil society and community institutions. The Specialist must have the knowledge of, or the potential to quickly acquire knowledge of, USG legislation, policy, and practice relating to pediatric public health activities, of programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities. The Specialist must have knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective roles of the different levels of the host government, the Ministry of Health in particular, in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on program/project/activity strategy and implementation. The incumbent should have knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to the devolution of the health sector and the increasing roles and responsibilities of the Counties within this new formulation.

• Skills and abilities (40 Points)

Ability to communicate information in objective, transparent, accurate, and concise oral and written forms, and to represent USAID programs and priorities to a wide range of outside parties, including Host Country Government officials at all levels, USAID senior management, interagency colleagues, and other stakeholders as relevant. Ability to present information, analysis, and recommendations in clear written and oral formats. Ability to independently conceive, plan, organize, manage, and evaluate important, diverse and complex work projects. Demonstrated ability to apply policy directives to activity design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. Excellent analytical, technical and project management skills to review and provide substantive feedback on concept papers, proposals, program descriptions/scopes of work, performance reports, and other technical and programmatic documents. Ability to respond professionally and adjust in fluid situations in order to meet deadlines in the face of competing priorities and time pressures. Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and tact, to work effectively with people at all levels, from senior officials to support staff, in a culturally diverse environment, accepting divergent points of view and helping to find consensus to achieve team goals. Ability to exercise diplomacy, judgment and sensitivity in challenging situations that may arise when working with interagency teams, government ministries, local government officials, civil society officials, implementing partners and other development partners. Ability to develop positive working relationships within the USG including but not limited to USAID, CDC, State Department, and other agencies. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with implementing partners, private sector partners, other development partners, and both central and sub- national/County-level host country government counterparts. Excellent computer skills including in Microsoft Office, web-based databases, and electronic filing, including the ability to help others and to learn new programs quickly.

Total possible points: 100

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Step 1: Eligible Offerors are required to 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.

 USAID’S ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

USAID has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct with the goal of fostering a respectful, safe, healthy and inclusive work environment. USAID maintains policies and procedures to establish a workplace free of sexual misconduct as described in Agency policy atADS Chapter 113, Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct.

By acceptance of the contract award, the contractor acknowledges having read, and agrees to abide by, the Agency’s ADS 113 policies and procedures.

SELF CERTIFICATION

Offerors must sign a Sexual Misconduct Self-Certification form [see hyperlink]related to sexual misconduct when submitting the offer. The signed form will be filed in the award file. If the offeror fails to submit a signed-certification, the offeror will be determined to be non-compliant to submission requirements and will not be considered for award. 

• For the Apparently Successful Offeror:
  • If Self-Certification response is “Yes”: In consultation with the Resident Legal Advisor (RLO) or General Counsel Acquisition and Assistance (GC/AA), the CO will request further details from the offeror. 
  • Event of False Certification: If the certification provided is found to be false, the offeror may be eliminated from consideration for the award. If the contract has been awarded, the false certification may be grounds for termination of the contract. The action may be punishable to the full extent of the law.

USE OF THE AGENCY’S MISCONDUCT PORTAL AND INQUIRIES MADE TO PREVIOUS COs FOR APPARENTLY  SUCCESSFUL OFFEROR

The Office of Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) operates USAID’s Misconduct Reporting Portal. Prior to award, the CO will email ELR at [email protected] to identify whether Agency records include any prior disciplinary action related to sexual misconduct taken against the apparently successful offeror.

If the apparently successful offeror has previously held a Personal Services Contract at USAID, the CO will attempt to contact the previous administrating CO to inquire about previous disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct against the apparently successful offeror.   

NEW ENTRANT ORIENTATION (NEO)

For PSCs onboarded in Washington, the contractor must complete the information session on USAID’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct as part of NEO. The CO will include documentation in the award file that the contractor has completed NEO and has been made aware of USAID’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct.

For PSCs onboarded overseas, including CCNPSCs and TCNPSCs, the PSC must complete an online module related to USAID’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct as administered by their cognizant CO as part of their onboarding process. The CO will include documentation in the award file that the PSC has completed the online module and has been made aware of USAID’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct.

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

CCNPSCs are required to pay PAYE and statutory deductions. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN 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/ads/policy/300/aidar
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 award.

 LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO (A)	SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B)	QUANTITY (C)	UNIT (D)	UNIT PRICE (E)	AMOUNT (F)
0001	Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [ R497] - Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]	1	LOT	$ TBD	$_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

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/resources_standards-of-conduct.
5. PSC OmbudsmanThe 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]. 

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference 

52.204-27

PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION

JUN 2023