The Financial Analyst, referred to as Financial Assessment Specialist (FAS), co-leads the Government to Government)/Local Capacity Building (G2G/CB) Division of the Office of Financial Management (OFM), USAID/Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA).

USAID/KEA supports development assistance programs, including a number of Agency initiatives, in Kenya and throughout the East Africa Region, in health; education; economic growth; environment; humanitarian assistance (including emergency food aid), as well as programs to improve regional cooperation, conflict resolution, food security, and trade and investment. The scope, complexity and visibility of the USAID activities and partner programs are one of the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. USAID/KEA’s OFM platform, based in Nairobi, Kenya, provides financial management support to a wide-range of USG development assistance programs and activities, both within Kenya and throughout the East Africa region, with a total active portfolio pipeline value exceeding $1 billion. The OFM platform is the second largest USAID CFO operating unit in the world. The OFM also has a mandate to support missions that fall outside the traditional operating environment and authorities of USAID/KEA as needed throughout the African continent, as well as world-wide operating units in other USAID Regional Bureaus’ span of authorities.

The Financial Assessment Specialist is based in Nairobi working under the cognizant authority of the Deputy Controller (Deputy OFM Office Director). The incumbent is one of two Financial Assessment Specialists with overall responsibility for the activities and management of the G2G/CB Division. The incumbent trains, supervises, mentors, and directs the activities of two or more Grade 11 Financial Analysts in carrying out the mandate of the G2G/CB Division. The FAS also leads and provides direction, mentoring, training, and guidance to multi-disciplinary teams, including Mission employees, expatriate and international donor partner personnel, and host country nationals from senior ministerial level staff to mid-level hire managers.

The Financial Assessment Specialist position is highly visible within the USAID Mission, the broader USG Mission, and with external host government and local and regional partners and stakeholders.

As representative of the OFM Director, the FAS provides analytical, informational, and advisory services to U.S. Government, host government, multinational, and regional and local partner institutions. The incumbent works with a broad range of other USG officials and offices to develop strategies, design projects and activities, analyze and conduct monitoring and evaluation of programs.

The Financial Assessment Specialist is the foremost specialist in risk management and capacity building in USAID/KEA and client missions’ relationships with host governments and regional, local, and multinational partner organizations. The incumbent leads direct capacity building support efforts to host governmental line ministries, parastatal organizations, private international organizations, USG implementing partners, and international donors in the Kenya and East African region and other USAID locations worldwide. The incumbent advises and mentors local government’s executive secretariats in the implementation of public financial management best practices. The FAS is the primary U.S. Government representative responsible for leading multi-disciplinary and international teams in evaluating risks and recommending risk mitigations plans with all partner and government Institutions in pursuance of G2G and other programming.

As the Assessment/Audit team leader, the FAS leads teams of USAID Financial Analysts in conducting reviews and assessments of U.S. Government funded activities and development and monitoring of risk mitigation strategies. The Financial Assessment Specialist also directs performance of risk assessments and related operational analyses of the internal controls and internal operations of USAID/KEA and other USAID bilateral missions and operating units. The incumbent oversees the review, compilation and tracking of the annual audit plan and risk mitigation strategies for USAID-funded activities.

Leadership and Advisory Functions: 75%

• As a designated U.S.G. Team Leader, guides, directs, and provides oversight of multi-disciplinary teams conducting reviews, audits, assessments on government ministries, agencies, parastatals, and private sector organizations. Oversees the development and issuance of all written reports on the work performed by the teams. Reviews, critiques, and suggests recommended courses of action to mitigate risks within the USAID/KEA, bilateral Missions, Host Governments, Contractors, and others as required by the assessment engagements. Designs all USAID/KEA and client Missions Assessments, Review and Risk Mitigation programs. Oversees the technical audit and assessment work conducted by Assessment and implementing partner teams. Ensures that all work-papers and assessment test documentation supports summary audit or assessment report recommendations. Develops internal procedures and mission notices governing the status, execution, and conduct of audit and assessment programs. Leads the conceptualization, design, documentation, and / or management of centrally administered financial and program audit/assessment projects.
• Acts as advisor and core member of the Partner Country Systems team for the Missions serviced. As an integral and influential team member, leads discussions and decision making related to the principal team functions in developing strategies, designing projects and activities, conducting monitoring and evaluation of direct assistance to Host Government entities. Serves as a principal financial advisor in providing assistance to USG officials, International Donors and Partners, Host Governments, and Regional and Local Institutions. Determines appropriate methods of financing for USAID-funded programs and operations. Provides uniform guidance and procedures for financial management of all appropriated and non-appropriated funds available to the USAID/KEA and other bilateral Missions. Provides guidance in implementation of internal accounting controls to safeguard funds and other USAID assets.
• Serves as advisor to USG officials and their staffs regarding the financial implications of existing or contemplated agreements. Assures that financing and reporting procedures, which conform with USAID’s financial and project reporting systems and with the requirements and limitations of the USG and Cooperating countries’ laws and regulations, are fully considered and set forth in the implementation instruments or mechanisms. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of implementation of USAID-funded programs and projects, based upon internal control reviews, analyses of accounting reports on the use USAID funds and funded technical services and commodities and supplies and alerts the OFM Director to the problem areas.
• Leads and directs capacity development efforts in targeted Partner Institutions to improve their ability to meet their constituent’s expectations and ensuring the entity’s technical and fiduciary controls lead to the long-term sustainability of the organization. The Assessment Specialist will be designated as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) when managing Contractors carrying out USAID Capacity Building Initiatives.
• Manages administrative, operational, and program activities involved in advising on the accounting and internal control operations of USAID recipients and implementing partner organizations. Develops concept papers and makes program and project amendment recommendations in line with USAID regulations and guidance. Leads meetings with internal and external clients.

Management and Oversight: 25%

• Manages and builds effective relationships and networks with regional and host national leaders and organizations facilitating effective strategic communication between those organizations and the U.S. Government. Develops and builds partnerships and networks between Non-Governmental, Civil Society, Private Sector Entities, and multi-national donors and development partners. Analyzes, sensitizes, disseminates, and champions the delivery of strategic information between actors and organizations to further fiduciary improvements and broad-based capacity building within the sectors. Builds collaboration between USAID Missions throughout the African continent and with other organizational units around the globe to improve the uniform application of risk mitigation standards and the furtherance of U.S.G. development assistance to local indigenous organizations.
• Acts as USAID technical specialist in the performance of capacity building initiatives and assessments and attest functions for USAID/KEA and client Missions programs, projects and activities. Determines compliance with applicable legislations, regulation, policies and procedures to determine and evaluate the extent and quality of programs and project implementation. Participates in the scheduling and establishing the scope of comprehensive evaluations and audits of USAID/KEA and clients, contractors, cooperating host countries and recipient financial transactions, and utilization of USAID goods and services. Monitors and evaluates all types of open evaluation and audit/assessment recommendations and participates in resolving and closing those findings. Provides mentoring, hands-on training, and direction to U.S. Government and Partner recipient employees related to managing capacity building, evaluation and attest function recommendations.

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible managerial work experience in auditing, accounting and financial management. Prior work experience must include experience as an Audit Senior or Audit Manager for a minimum of five years within a Certified Public Accounting firm. Certified Public Accountant experience must have predominately been acquired within the attest and management advisory service division functions in a CPA firm.

Ability to conduct risk assessments, develop teamwork plans, prepare and review working papers of organizations and teams is critical. The ability to present recommendations to a broad audience, both orally and in writing is necessary. The incumbent must have outstanding and demonstrable collaboration and diplomacy skills in working with Host Government officials, Contractors and Grantees, International Donors and their staff who may be unfamiliar with U.S. Government development assistance and programming requirements. The appointee must be able to work in challenging and stressful environments throughout the African continent. A substantial portion of the work will require excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills and the ability to use both tact and diplomacy with high level officials of Partner Organizations and Governments. Applicants must have extensive knowledge in the development of and use of audit and assessment programs and be able to prioritize and complete tasks through team members quickly and efficiently. The applicant must have the ability to manage relationships with contractors and advisors supporting partners in capacity building initiatives. This will require hands-on persuasion skills in using judgment and tact while managing partner expectations to successfully achieve collaborative results. The ability for situational awareness is paramount to the identification of weaknesses and strengths of Partner staff and systems. Once identified, the incumbent must possess the skills and abilities to use logic and reasoning to develop solutions and approaches to addressing issues while accomplishing the project in a professional and timely manner.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1.  The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c).  In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers.  The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. 

• Job Knowledge (60 points) 

A demonstrated ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of stakeholders, including community members, government officials, donor representatives and local and international NGOs. The applicant must have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in English both orally and in writing with a diverse audience. Proven ability to lead persuasive discussions on relevant audit and assessment topics in front of broad audiences is a required skill. The position requires that the applicant be able to prepare, draft, edit and issue formal written reports. The position also requires that the applicant be able to regularly make formal presentations to large and diverse groups and stakeholders. These presentations require that the applicant be able to prepare and deliver public speeches. The position requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and U.S. or International Generally Accepted Audit Standards. Knowledge of program/project management (design, implementation, monitoring and/or evaluation) principles, theories, concepts, methods and techniques is needed. Substantial knowledge of the African political, economic, security, and cultural environments are needed to effectively interact and lead interventions with a broad range of Host government institutions, private sector and local entities, and other multi-national donor organizations. 

• Skills and abilities (40 points) 

Ability to conduct risk assessments, develop teamwork plans, prepare and review working papers of organizations and teams is critical. The ability to present recommendations to a broad audience, both orally and in writing is necessary. The incumbent must have outstanding and demonstrable collaboration and diplomacy skills in working with Host Government officials, Contractors and Grantees, International Donors and their staff who may be unfamiliar with U.S. Government development assistance and programming requirements. The appointee must be able to work in challenging and stressful environments throughout the African continent. A substantial portion of the work will require excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills and the ability to use both tact and diplomacy with high level officials of Partner Organizations and Governments. Applicants must have extensive knowledge in the development of and use of audit and assessment programs and be able to prioritize and complete tasks through team members quickly and efficiently. The applicant must have the ability to manage relationships with contractors and advisors supporting partners in capacity building initiatives. This will require hands-on persuasion skills in using judgment and tact while managing partner expectations to successfully achieve collaborative results. The ability for situational awareness is paramount to the identification of weaknesses and strengths of Partner staff and systems. Once identified, the incumbent must possess the skills and abilities to use logic and reasoning to develop solutions and approaches to addressing issues while accomplishing the project in a professional and timely manner. 

Total possible points:  100

 

SUBMITTING AN OFFER 

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

Step 2: Complete the job application at www.myjobsinkenya.com 

Step 3: Internal Offerors/Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages), a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

                        OR

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

Offerors must provide a list of minimum three (3) professional references who are not family members or relatives, with complete name, title, organization where he/she works, description of relationship, with working/accurate telephone numbers and email addresses. The offeror’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

Note to Applicants:

1. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.
2. Submissions will only be accepted through www.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). 

1. TAXES

The Contractor must observe Kenyan laws including those concerning income and related tax obligations. 

1. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs 

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources: 

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
2. 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. 

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs. 

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.  See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.
   
   
5. PSC Ombudsman
   The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman. 

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: [email protected].