Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Human Rights & Elections) job at USAID
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Vacancy title:
Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Human Rights & Elections)

[ Type: FULL TIME , Industry: Business Management and Administration , Category: Management ]

Jobs at:

USAID

Deadline of this Job:
14 December 2021  

Duty Station:
Within Kenya , Nairobi , East Africa

Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, December 01, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
. Background
USAID’s Kenya and East Africa Mission (USAID/KEA) is the largest USAID Mission in Africa supporting Kenya’s Journey to Self-Reliance and programs in East Africa. USAID/KEA furthers the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue between Kenya and the United States by addressing shared priorities such as economic prosperity, trade and investment, democracy, governance, civilian security, and multilateral and regional issues. The Democratic Governance, Peace and Security (DGPS) Office is responsible for the achievement of USAID’s governance, accountability, anti-corruption, decentralization, conflict mitigation and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) objectives in partnership with Kenyan civil society, private sector, and national and county governments. In addition, DGPS supports integrated platforms such as local development organizations, Prosper Counties, and the Partnership for Resilience and Economic Growth (PREG), among others. DGPS’s expertise cuts across sub-sectors and areas including civic engagement and participation, devolution, electoral processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, preventing and addressing violent extremism, youth participation, legislative strengthening and oversight, social accountability, independent media, inclusion and gender, among others. USAID/KEA is a Mission of leaders and DGPS Office staff exercise their leadership in their varied roles as technical advisors, developing and managing development programs and representing USAID in external partnerships.
The incumbent serves as Advisor and Principal Specialist on democracy, human rights and elections and provides technical advice and direction in democratic governance (DG) sub-sectors such as legislative strengthening, anti-corruption, rule of law, political processes, and integration of participation, inclusion, transparency and accountability in other sectors. S/he represents USAID and the USG with senior officials of host governments, civil society and private sector in Kenya. Counterparts include U.S. Government Agencies, international, and local non-governmental and private sector organizations (NGOs/PSOs); international donors; and regional/county and national entities and officials.
The incumbent will carry out duties with a high degree of independence including serving as Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and supervision of staff. S/he leads the design, management and evaluation of complex, multi-million-dollar USAID initiatives.

Iii. Major Duties And Responsibilities
a. Program Management 40%
· The incumbent conducts analyses and drafts well-documented memorandums for Mission Director and other senior officials’ authorization.
· The incumbent provides authoritative direction and guidance to project implementers on technical, reporting and administrative aspects of award implementation as authorized by the CO/AO. The incumbent tracks project finances through maintenance of financial worksheets to monitor financial expenditures and spending rates. He/she ensures that money is disbursed effectively and within budget constraints. The incumbent ensures all program documents and project deliverables are properly maintained, organized and easily accessible in both electronic and hard copy format.
· The incumbent develops and implements program monitoring plans designed to ensure effective oversight and management of activities. The incumbent ensures that performance-monitoring systems are in place, and that periodic, reliable measures and indicators of portfolio impact are collected.
· The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that data and documents are easily accessible, current, and complete. The incumbent assesses progress in achieving results for assigned activities, determines when projects are underperforming, makes recommendations regarding corrective action, and provides written activity status reports to mission management and USAID/Washington.
· The incumbent continually strives to enhance the achievement of results by periodically reviewing the development context, results indicators, and activity implementation progress with the aim of identifying emerging problem areas, new priorities, and recommending necessary adjustments.
· The incumbent serves as a focal point for assigned contracts/agreements, oversight and monitoring. As COR/AOR of 2 to 5 mechanisms valued at up to $40 million, she/he is knowledgeable of the regulatory and program oversight requirements.

b. Strategic Development and Policy Analysis 30%
· Leads cross-sectoral analysis and reporting of USAID democracy and governance assistance efforts in Kenya which includes maintaining updating and expanding data.
· Conducts independent assessments and prepares technical and policy analyses for written reports and oral presentations that evaluate democracy and governance issues, documenting relevant opinions and points of view for use in presentations to senior decision makers and for incorporation into USAID and U.S. Embassy documents to inform and influence decisions.
· Leads in the development of strategic documents, including Mission and Embassy election and governance strategies and programs; annual Operational Plans; Portfolio Reviews; annual Performance Plan Reports (PPR), CDCS, annual Congressional Budget Justifications; and other ad hoc reports as required.
· Advises USAID front office, U.S embassy leadership and technical offices on political, social, economic and cultural contexts and local perceptions of USAID and U.S Government’s projects.
· Provides authoritative briefings for the Ambassador and other officials on democracy and governance, political and economic dynamics in the country and region to inform and shape decisions.
· Collaborates and consults with the U.S. Embassy and other stakeholders on the USAID democracy and governance portfolio. Ensures all U.S. Government’s democracy and governance-related activities are coordinated, and the responsibilities of all agency partners clearly defined.
· Mainstreams governance issues across USAID sectoral programs; leads a learning agenda through cross-sectoral context and systems analysis and promotes PITA across technical offices and programs.

c. Strategic Relationships and Representational 20%
· Conducts joint planning with host country government officials, parliamentary counterparts, the private sector, civil society representatives, media and academia.
· Represents U.S. policy interests at senior- and working-level contexts. Represents USAID and the U.S. Government in meetings with donors, host government, private sector and civil society.
· Liaises with other USAID offices, U.S. Embassy departments and agencies, nongovernmental organizations, cooperating agencies, Kenya Government officials and other partners to ensure that USAID assistance is strategic and impactful.
· Provides specialized advice to international organizations that collaborate with the U.S. Government, and leads technical working groups within and outside USAID and Embassy Nairobi.
· Serves as a key member of USAID and Embassy Nairobi Democracy and Governance Team, and regularly advises U.S. Government officials on political, social, and economic developments as well as cultural contexts and Kenyan’s perceptions of USG programs.
· Builds and maintains strong working relationship with USAID and USG staff and external partners.

d. Mission and Office Management 10%
· Serves as USAID’s democracy, human rights and elections specialist and advisor to the DGC Team Leader and USAID Mission Director.
· Leads a governance team, and provides technical direction and supervision to team members, ensuring that team activities contribute to overall accomplishment of the USAID/KEA strategy and the Journey to Self-Reliance for Kenya.
· Develops standard operating procedures, staffing and resource plans for the DGPS office.
· Serves as Acting DGPS Deputy Director for short and extended periods during which s/he supervises 10 staff and has decision making authority over a $5 to $10 million annual budget.

Iv. Position Elements
a. Supervision Received: The incumbent receives overall supervision from the USAID/KEA/DGPS Office Director or his/her designee. The incumbent develops his/her own work objectives against which performance is measured. In the day-to-day work environment, the incumbent takes initiative and is resourceful and creative in resolving problems and attaining the program’s goals and objectives. The incumbent has a wide latitude for exercising independent decision-making.
b. Supervision Exercised: The incumbent will directly supervise the Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Civil Society), FSN-10 and the PMS (Democracy and Elections), FSN-10 positions. The incumbent leads a team, and provides technical direction to team members, ensuring that team activities contribute to overall accomplishment of the USAID/KEA strategy and Mission’s vision on the Journey to Self-Reliance for Kenya.
c. Available Guidelines: The position requires an understanding of USG and USAID regulations, policies and guidelines, especially the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Automated Directives System, USAID technical and policy documents, including Ending the Need for Foreign Assistance.*
d. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent exercises sound and independent judgment in interpreting and applying U.S. Government and USAID regulations and standard operating procedures in the course of carrying out assigned duties.**
e. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent is not authorized to make financial or procurement commitments on behalf of USAID/KEA or the U.S. Government. Incumbent is required to exercise judgement when making commitments to other kinds of partnerships with host country stakeholders and other donors.
f. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent establishes and maintains solid working relationships with all levels of U.S. Mission personnel and with USAID staff. Frequent contact with U.S. Embassy officers in Kenya, host government officials, civil society members, donors, private sector entities, and international consultants is required for this position in order to fulfill his or her duties. Often these contacts will be of a sensitive nature and discretion and good judgement is required.
g. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year (12 Months).

V. Minimum Qualifications Required For This Position
Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.
Required Qualifications
a. Education: Master’s degree in International Development, Political Science, or related field is required.
b. Prior Work Experience: Minimum seven years of professional development experience, including 5 years managing Democracy, Human Rights, Governance and/or Electoral Assistance programs in Kenya; collaborating with senior host government and civil society officials; and conducting specialized analyses in Dsector**.**
c. Post Entry Training: Introduction to the Program Cycle; Project Design; Collaborating Learning and Adapting (CLA); Phoenix Accruals Training; Acquisition & Assistance Management for CORs/AORs.
d. Language Proficiency: Fluent (level IV) English and Kiswahili languages. Ability to prepare and present concise reports is required.**
e. Job Knowledge: Expertise on current practices and emerging trends in DG assistance, including electoral processes use of information technologies. Deep knowledge of political and power dynamics. Understanding of USG international assistance objectives.
f. Skills and Abilities: Due to frequent interaction with external stakeholders in high stakes environments, the jobholder must be able to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions and communicate effectively to ensure positive working relationships are maintained. Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to interact and work with people of different backgrounds; strong analytical skills. Ability to work independently and exercise judgment; ability to interpret and apply USG and USAID policies, procedures and priorities, ability to interact with high level host country officials; and proven ability to work in a highly dynamic environment.

Vi. 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)
• Language (Pass/Fail 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. a. Program Management 40%
· The incumbent conducts analyses and drafts well-documented memorandums for Mission Director and other senior officials’ authorization.
· The incumbent provides authoritative direction and guidance to project implementers on technical, reporting and administrative aspects of award implementation as authorized by the CO/AO. The incumbent tracks project finances through maintenance of financial worksheets to monitor financial expenditures and spending rates. He/she ensures that money is disbursed effectively and within budget constraints. The incumbent ensures all program documents and project deliverables are properly maintained, organized and easily accessible in both electronic and hard copy format.
· The incumbent develops and implements program monitoring plans designed to ensure effective oversight and management of activities. The incumbent ensures that performance-monitoring systems are in place, and that periodic, reliable measures and indicators of portfolio impact are collected.
· The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that data and documents are easily accessible, current, and complete. The incumbent assesses progress in achieving results for assigned activities, determines when projects are underperforming, makes recommendations regarding corrective action, and provides written activity status reports to mission management and USAID/Washington.
· The incumbent continually strives to enhance the achievement of results by periodically reviewing the development context, results indicators, and activity implementation progress with the aim of identifying emerging problem areas, new priorities, and recommending necessary adjustments.
· The incumbent serves as a focal point for assigned contracts/agreements, oversight and monitoring. As COR/AOR of 2 to 5 mechanisms valued at up to $40 million, she/he is knowledgeable of the regulatory and program oversight requirements.

b. Strategic Development and Policy Analysis 30%
· Leads cross-sectoral analysis and reporting of USAID democracy and governance assistance efforts in Kenya which includes maintaining updating and expanding data.
· Conducts independent assessments and prepares technical and policy analyses for written reports and oral presentations that evaluate democracy and governance issues, documenting relevant opinions and points of view for use in presentations to senior decision makers and for incorporation into USAID and U.S. Embassy documents to inform and influence decisions.
· Leads in the development of strategic documents, including Mission and Embassy election and governance strategies and programs; annual Operational Plans; Portfolio Reviews; annual Performance Plan Reports (PPR), CDCS, annual Congressional Budget Justifications; and other ad hoc reports as required.
· Advises USAID front office, U.S embassy leadership and technical offices on political, social, economic and cultural contexts and local perceptions of USAID and U.S Government’s projects.
· Provides authoritative briefings for the Ambassador and other officials on democracy and governance, political and economic dynamics in the country and region to inform and shape decisions.
· Collaborates and consults with the U.S. Embassy and other stakeholders on the USAID democracy and governance portfolio. Ensures all U.S. Government’s democracy and governance-related activities are coordinated, and the responsibilities of all agency partners clearly defined.
· Mainstreams governance issues across USAID sectoral programs; leads a learning agenda through cross-sectoral context and systems analysis and promotes PITA across technical offices and programs.

c. Strategic Relationships and Representational 20%
· Conducts joint planning with host country government officials, parliamentary counterparts, the private sector, civil society representatives, media and academia.
· Represents U.S. policy interests at senior- and working-level contexts. Represents USAID and the U.S. Government in meetings with donors, host government, private sector and civil society.
· Liaises with other USAID offices, U.S. Embassy departments and agencies, nongovernmental organizations, cooperating agencies, Kenya Government officials and other partners to ensure that USAID assistance is strategic and impactful.
· Provides specialized advice to international organizations that collaborate with the U.S. Government, and leads technical working groups within and outside USAID and Embassy Nairobi.
· Serves as a key member of USAID and Embassy Nairobi Democracy and Governance Team, and regularly advises U.S. Government officials on political, social, and economic developments as well as cultural contexts and Kenyan’s perceptions of USG programs.
· Builds and maintains strong working relationship with USAID and USG staff and external partners.

d. Mission and Office Management 10%
· Serves as USAID’s democracy, human rights and elections specialist and advisor to the DGC Team Leader and USAID Mission Director.
· Leads a governance team, and provides technical direction and supervision to team members, ensuring that team activities contribute to overall accomplishment of the USAID/KEA strategy and the Journey to Self-Reliance for Kenya.
· Develops standard operating procedures, staffing and resource plans for the DGPS office.
· Serves as Acting DGPS Deputy Director for short and extended periods during which s/he supervises 10 staff and has decision making authority over a $5 to $10 million annual budget.

Iv. Position Elements
a. Supervision Received: The incumbent receives overall supervision from the USAID/KEA/DGPS Office Director or his/her designee. The incumbent develops his/her own work objectives against which performance is measured. In the day-to-day work environment, the incumbent takes initiative and is resourceful and creative in resolving problems and attaining the program’s goals and objectives. The incumbent has a wide latitude for exercising independent decision-making.
b. Supervision Exercised: The incumbent will directly supervise the Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Civil Society), FSN-10 and the PMS (Democracy and Elections), FSN-10 positions. The incumbent leads a team, and provides technical direction to team members, ensuring that team activities contribute to overall accomplishment of the USAID/KEA strategy and Mission’s vision on the Journey to Self-Reliance for Kenya.
c. Available Guidelines: The position requires an understanding of USG and USAID regulations, policies and guidelines, especially the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Automated Directives System, USAID technical and policy documents, including Ending the Need for Foreign Assistance.*
d. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent exercises sound and independent judgment in interpreting and applying U.S. Government and USAID regulations and standard operating procedures in the course of carrying out assigned duties.**
e. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent is not authorized to make financial or procurement commitments on behalf of USAID/KEA or the U.S. Government. Incumbent is required to exercise judgement when making commitments to other kinds of partnerships with host country stakeholders and other donors.
f. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent establishes and maintains solid working relationships with all levels of U.S. Mission personnel and with USAID staff. Frequent contact with U.S. Embassy officers in Kenya, host government officials, civil society members, donors, private sector entities, and international consultants is required for this position in order to fulfill his or her duties. Often these contacts will be of a sensitive nature and discretion and good judgement is required.
g. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year (12 Months). ">
d. Language Proficiency: Fluent (level IV) English and Kiswahili languages. Ability to prepare and present concise reports is required.**
e. Job Knowledge: Expertise on current practices and emerging trends in DG assistance, including electoral processes use of information technologies. Deep knowledge of political and power dynamics. Understanding of USG international assistance objectives.

f. Skills and Abilities:

Due to frequent interaction with external stakeholders in high stakes environments, the jobholder must be able to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions and communicate effectively to ensure positive working relationships are maintained. Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to interact and work with people of different backgrounds; strong analytical skills. Ability to work independently and exercise judgment; ability to interpret and apply USG and USAID policies, procedures and priorities, ability to interact with high level host country officials; and proven ability to work in a highly dynamic environment.

Work Hours: 8


Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education:
Postgraduate Degree

Job application procedure
Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com 
Step 2: Qualified 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 as one attachment 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. Scan and attach all the documents as one attachment and upload to MyJobsInKenya.
Note to Applicants:
• 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.
• 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. The closing date for receipt of applications is indicated above.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.**
• 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.


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Job Info
Job Category: Corporate / Organisation Specialist jobs in Kenya
Job Type: Full-time
Deadline of this Job: 14 December 2021  
Duty Station: Nairobi
Posted: 01-12-2021
No of Jobs: 1
Start Publishing: 01-12-2021
Stop Publishing (Put date of 2030): 01-12-2061
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