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.: 72061525R10012
2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 6, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 20, 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 Development Program Specialist (Regional Engagement Team Lead)
6. MARKET VALUE: Ksh. 7,821,724.00 to Ksh. 13,296,947.00 KSH per year (including 13th month bonus), equivalent to FSN-12 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 May 5, 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 Current U.S. Mission Kenya locally employed staff members who meet the definition of a cooperating country national and are hired under the CCNPSC or PSA mechanism. Cooperating country national (CCN) means an individual who is a cooperating country citizen, or a non-operating 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

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract 

This position is located in USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s (USAID/KEA’s) Strategic Planning and Analysis Office (SPA). USAID/KEA manages one of USAID’s largest portfolios, with an annual operating year budget averaging close to $500 million across bilateral and regional programming, in addition to an extensive humanitarian assistance portfolio. USAID/KEA is one Mission platform managing and supporting two Operating Units, one for the bilateral Kenya program and one for the regional East Africa program. 

The SPA office is responsible for guiding and coordinating Mission-wide and regional strategy development and implementation; project and activity design; monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL); budget planning and execution; environmental compliance; donor and government engagement; and internal communications for both Operating Units. SPA coordinates closely with the Front Office and USAID/Washington on planning, budget, and reporting and assures compliance with the provisions of the Automated Directives System (ADS) related to the USAID Program Cycle. In addition, SPA keeps a pulse on major development trends in Kenya and the East Africa region to inform strategic and programming choices. SPA also provides strategic leadership for the Mission’s localization initiatives and manages the Mission’s bilateral agreement with the Government of Kenya (GoK), known as the Development Cooperation Framework Agreement (DCFA), as well as the two Regional Development Grant Agreements (RDOAGs) with Regional Intergovernmental Organizations (RIGOs). 

The DPS Regional Engagement Team Lead provides leadership, management, capacity building, and oversight of the regional platform’s program and operations. The Team Lead is the senior technical advisor who provides highest level strategic and leadership services related to regional engagement programs. The Team Lead is recognized by the USG Interagency as an expert in the field of regional engagement programs and serves as a key advisor to mission management, the USG Interagency, the GOK, bilateral missions in the region, and to implementing partners (IPs). The Specialist must understand the operational principles of regional platforms and incorporate an understanding of Collaborative Learning and Adaptation into all activity design, implementation, and evaluation duties.

The Team Lead directly supervises SPA’s Regional Engagement Team. This team is responsible for management, coordination, and leadership of crucial cross-mission regional priorities, regional intergovernmental engagement, regional East Africa strategy, programs, relationships, budget, and results, and external partnerships with other regional donors, foundations, and philanthropic organizations. The Team Lead reports directly to the Program Officer. The job holder also works directly with the Deputy Mission Director overseeing the regional operating unit, under the overall auspices of the USAID/KEA Mission Director.

Statement of Duties to be Performed 

Strategic Planning, Execution, and Leadership (40%)

The job holder leads USAID/KEA’s regional programs with respect to strategy, planning and execution. The Specialist is the technical expert and strategic leader for USAID/KEA’s substantial investment across the regional portfolio’s programs and activities. As the Mission’s lead in this area, the job holder coordinates a weekly Regional Core Group, comprising 20 staff from across USAID/KEA. The job holder engages with USAID leadership in bilateral missions in East Africa as well as other USG agencies to ensure that the regional platform maximizes impact from USG resources. The Specialist is expected to be innovative, forward-thinking, and experimental in all aspects of regional platform strategy development and implementation.

• Strategy Development: Guide and direct the development of the Regional Development Cooperation Strategy and support all stages of strategy development. The Specialist serves as USAID/KEA representative in the regional engagement platform discussions. The Specialist is a strategic thought partner with the Mission Offices, USG Interagency and SPA teams on the regional portfolio programs and projects. The Specialist provides leadership and participation in establishing linkages and networks for engagement with other technical offices, interagency, and other bilateral mission programs in the region. S/he leads and directs the co-design and
• co-implementation of regional programs and activities to improve regional programs' impact. S/he will be considered an expert resource on regional engagement strategic discussions in SPA and other sectors across the Mission.
• Performance Management Plan: Give direction to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Team to develop, implement, track, and adjust a robust Performance management Plan that captures USAID’s regional impact and contributions. The Specialist actively contributes to monitoring, evaluation, analysis, and learning at the regional project and development objective level. S/he will synthesize trends at the regional levels and incorporate learning from all analyses into current and future programming and share extensively across all stakeholders.
• Portfolio Reviews: Lead internal USAID/KEA portfolio reviews as well as external reviews with IGAD and EAC to convey how the regional program advances areas of mutual interest against the approved regional strategy.
• Regional Leadership and Representation: Represent USAID/KEA at intergovernmental meetings, when needed. Maintain relationships with regional organizational heads and facilitate relationships of USAID/KEA technical staff with regional counterparts. Represent USAID/KEA on issues of strategy, programming and budget with USAID/W, at the direction of the SPA Office Director and USAID Front Office.
• Core Group Management: Lead a weekly Regional Core Group Meeting, set agenda, and follow-up on actions.
• Communication: Draft quarterly updates for USAID bilateral missions in East Africa and USAID/W stakeholders.
• Special Projects: Lead or contribute to special projects and initiatives as assigned by senior management or as necessitated by organizational needs. 

Operational Oversight and Stakeholder Engagement (30%)

USAID’s East Africa Regional Platform has been operational for decades and merged with the bilateral mission over the past ten years. Most of the platform’s work is carried out through two Regional Development Objective Grant Agreements (RDOAGs), which focus on joint priority areas with the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and a large portfolio of complimentary activities that are carried out by Implementing Partners (IPs). Managing these partnerships and agreements involves several high-level USAID commitments, including relationship building and maintenance, reporting, joint programming, and collaborative initiatives.

• RDOAG Management: Oversee and manage two RDOAGs, tracking Total Estimated Costs, expenditures, pipelines, and programmatic alignment.
• Implementation Letters (ILs): Support the development of technical ILs, develop and manage cross-cutting ILs.
• RIGO Relationship: Ensure that USAID’s relationship with the EAC and IGAD is robust, respectful, strategic, and broad in response to USAID’s RDOAG commitments and donor partnership best practices. Support USAID technical offices in maintaining and expanding their relationships with relevant technical counterparts.
• Program, Project, and Activity Management: Plan, design, develop, and provide strategic leadership and technical assistance in managing new and existing regional programs and activities. These duties include activity design, leading procurement processes, and activity or project implementation, identifying and resolving program issues, assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner and in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements.
• Agreement/Contracting Officer's Representative (AOR/COR): Serve as AOR/COR or activity manager for programs and activities that include policy reform, capacity development, and other areas relevant to the regional engagement and local development portfolios and other focus areas in Office.
• Regional Partnership Development and Maintenance: Explore and develop new relationships with regional donors and other regional organizations that have similar regional objectives. Develop and maintain an up-to-date database of regional partners. Ensure good collaboration and information sharing with Accredited U.S. Ambassadors for IGAD and EAC. Facilitate regular meetings of EAC and IGAD leaders with USAID leaders.
• Program Management: Ensure, with Mission and SPA management, on-going meetings, communications, outreach and partnership with EAC and IGAD officials with full transparency and accountability of USAID’s programs.
• Internal Coordination: Coordinating with the FO and all offices in the mission, ensure that the process of designing, negotiating, signing and implementing Implementation Letters under the RDOAGs is fully carried out.
• Crisis Management: Coordinate with USG entities responsible for crisis response to manage regional emergencies, as needed. 

Reporting, Evaluation, and Communications (20%)

• Communications: Represent the Mission in high-level engagements with East African Intergovernmental Organizations, regional donors and philanthropic organizations, and bi-lateral Missions. Collaborate with Mission staff to develop strategic communications and briefing materials for the regional platform. Lead the development of a quarterly Regional Bulletin, which is sent to East Africa bi-lateral Missions.
• Annual Planning and Reporting: Work with SPA to ensure proper execution of the Operational Plan (OP), regional evaluations, regional budget analysis, regional portfolio reviews, and the Performance Plan and Report (PPR).
• Localization: Work with SPA to track regional localization developments and respond to DC-based data calls around for localization information and, work with DOC to disseminate regional localization successes.
• Provide recommendations on evaluation scopes of work, which deepen regional engagement within the performance assessments of USAID activities.
• Innovation and Improvement: Identify and propose new processes, technologies, or methodologies to enhance regional operations and performance.
• Knowledge Sharing: Share best practices, insights, and lessons learned with other regional teams and departments to foster organizational learning and improvement.
• Training and Development: Participate in or lead training sessions and workshops to support the professional development of team members and other stakeholders. 

Staff Supervision and Team Management (10%)

The job holder ensures smooth office operations and provides program leadership within the SPA Government, Local Partner and Engagement Team. The Specialist is a vital member of the SPA Office leadership team and will work with the overall leadership team to develop and implement office strategy. S/he will be required to assist in creating a supportive work environment that values diversity and elicits the highest possible level of performance from all team members, including the accomplishment of all other duties as assigned.

• Supervision: Supervise Cooperating Country Nationals, develop annual work objectives, identify appropriate training opportunities, mentor and coach staff in facilitation of professional development. Conduct regular performance reviews and address any performance challenges that may arise.
• Team Management: Lead the team to serve as USAID/KEA lead points of contact for the regional platform and RIGOs who have RDOAG with USAID. 

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

Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in international development, program management, and strategic leadership. Must have at least five (5) years experience of implementing and managing regional programming in East Africa and managing teams.

Supervisory Relationship
The job holder will work under the supervision of the Program Officer. 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. The Specialist is expected to develop her/his own work schedule and procedures for accomplishing tasks, and to independently resolve problems that may arise during the execution of objectives. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved.

Supervisory Controls
The position will directly supervise two Cooperating Country National staff members as part of the team: Project Management Specialist – Regional Engagement, and a Program Management Assistant.

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) 

This position requires senior-level technical expertise in, knowledge, and understanding of the provisions and principles of the international development field, specifically in East Africa. The job holder must have professional-level knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to the East Africa Regional economic, political, historical and cultural characteristics, as well as familiarity with partner development landscape in the East Africa region. The job holder must have knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective roles of the different levels of regional organizations, and the role of units within each level, in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on program/project strategy and implementation plans. Serves as the Mission’s subject matter expert providing technical advice on Regional portfolio operations in order to maximize the process efficiency and productivity in regional engagement programs. 

• Skills and abilities (40 Points) 

The Team Lead must have excellent leadership and management skills, ability to juggle competing priorities, and ability to be a team leader. Must have strong analytical abilities and interpersonal skills. Ability to cultivate and maintain constructive relationships with colleagues and high level officials of the U.S. Embassies, USAID Missions in the region, senior officials at the regional intergovernmental organizations (EAC, IGAD, others), other donor agencies, and the private sector. Ability to anticipate issues and to provide well thought out recommendations on development and program issues. Very strong ability to write logically, concisely, and convincingly. The job holder should have tact, good judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Strong intercultural skills to ensure effective team relations and to cultivate and manage complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships. The job holder will have the ability to work with a diverse set of individuals. The job holder should have excellent written and oral communication skills including preparing communications materials, training and support resources, presentations and reports for diverse audiences.

Additionally, the Team Lead must have ability to:

• represent USAID in high-level senior meetings, articulating USAID’s regional strategy and priorities.
• develop timelines for accomplishment of goals with clear objectives and benchmarks;
• convey complex policy and procedural requirements to client and colleagues and host country counterparts;
• adapt rapidly to changing program priorities and deadlines and recommend appropriate adjustments as needed;
• analyze and interpret policies, and guide stakeholders in the application thereof;
• analyze complex problems and develop options and recommendations for resolving them; and
• work effectively in a team environment, and to achieve majority agreement on policy, project, and administrative matters. 

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 at ADS 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 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]. 

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference 

52.204-27

PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION

JUN 2023