Vacancy title:
22-132 Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Governance)
Jobs at:
US Agency for International DevelopmentDeadline of this Job:
07 August 2022
Summary
Date Posted: Friday, August 05, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed
JOB DETAILS:
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.
Solicitation No.: 22-132
Point Of Contact: USAID Kenya and East Africa and Somalia Human Resources, e-mail at nairobiusaid.hr@usaid.gov.
Market Value: Equivalent to FSN-11 Step 1 (4,792,523 KSH per annum)) to Step 13 (8,147,267 KSH per annum).In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
Period of Performance: 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. It is anticipated that the selection of the successful candidate will be completed within an estimated six-month period from the closing date of this solicitation. The base period will be for one year with the commencement date based upon successful medical clearance and security certification. Contingent on Agency needs, the Contracting Officer may exercise four additional option period from the contract commencement date.
Place Of Performance: Nairobi, Kenya;with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
Eligible Offerors: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens, Third Country Nationals and Current locally hired employees of the US Mission in Kenya. Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
Third Country Nationals will be hired under the U.S. Embassy Nairobi Local Compensation Pay Plan and paid in Kenyan Shillings. This position offers medical benefits to the employee and his/her immediate family - spouse and children only. Third country nationals will not receive a pension plan. Relocation to Kenya (including Entry Visa/Pass) is at the employee’s expense and will not be reimbursed by the U.S. Government.
Security Level Required: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.
Statement Of Duties:
General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
The Project Management Specialist will be primarily charged with designing, managing and monitoring the progress of USAID/Somalia democracy, stabilization and governance programs in support of USAID/Somalia’s Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). She/he will be held accountable for and evaluated against mutually established specific work objectives and performance indicators.
She/he is a senior professional with broad experience relating to democracy, human rights, and good governance, particularly in fragile state environments. Relevant experience includes work relating to parliamentary strengthening, public sector institutional capacity building, civil society capacity building, elections, political processes, security sector reform, rule of law and access to justice, conflict mitigation and management, human rights, and local government and decentralization. Incumbent will use her/his independent judgment and initiative to complete complex tasks with minimal technical supervision.
The incumbent will utilize her/his technical skills and knowledge of program implementation to recognize opportunities for new initiatives and propose modifications of program results. She/he will ensure financial and administrative management of his/her assigned programs, including Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) duties. Secondary responsibilities, as delegated, may include program management in areas such as media, stabilization, reconciliation, and conflict management and mitigation.
The specialist will have a primary role in engaging on democracy, stabilization and governance issues and in managing USAID’s democracy, stabilization and governance programs for USAID/Somalia. USAID’s overarching goal is to support Somalia and its people more effectively withstand disruptions and increasingly drive their own development. The Mission has developed a strategy to build individual, household, and community resilience to shocks and stresses. These priorities will be realized through the achievement of two development objectives (DO): (1) Targeted local institutions govern in a more legitimate manner, diminishing influence of violent extremist organizations and (2) Enable marginalized Somalis to more effectively withstand shocks and stresses. The incumbent will carry out his/her duties as a staff member of the Democracy, Stabilization and Governance (DSG) Office in the USAID/Somalia Mission, working in collaboration with other members of the team.
Statement of Duties to be Performed
Program Planning and Design 30%
Assist with the strategic planning and design of development activities, intermediate results, modifications to activity designs, and measures of achievement in Somalia. This will include USAID/Somalia’s Operational Plan, and Performance Plan and Report, and the U.S. Embassy’s Mission Strategic Resource Plan. The incumbent will also design new democracy, stabilization, and governance activities on behalf of the Mission.
Program Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting 30%
• Day-to-day oversight and management of performance to ensure program implementation achieves planned results. He/she will, in collaboration with implementing partners, develop performance monitoring systems and report on program performance, in accordance with USAID/Somalia reporting requirements.
• Monitor progress and impact of USAID/Somalia democracy, stabilization and governance programs in Somalia through continuous contact with implementing partners. This will include travel to Somalia when appropriate.
• Track, revise, and report on indicators of results and ensure that measurements of progress are accurate and clearly describe the objectives of the program and the results achieved.
• Report to USAID/Somalia staff on progress and impact of USAID programs as appropriate during program implementation reviews and during the preparation of USAID's annual performance report. Generate annual reporting as per USAID requirements.
• Conduct regular data quality assessments to ensure that indicators and data for USAID–funded programs are appropriate, collectible, and accurate.
• Regularly communicate and interact with USAID and Somalia stakeholders, including beneficiary communities, private sector firms, country development committees, government actors, civilian administrations, civil society groups, Somali indigenous NGOs, and international NGOs and UN agencies.
• Monitor relevant news and analysis sources to assist the Mission to better understand and address the complex governance, conflict, and social issues affecting Somalia and use the information and analysis to ensure that ongoing and planned programs in Somalia remain relevant.
• Represent USAID/Somalia and participate in conferences, workshops, and meetings. Work closely with stakeholders and partners to ensure that program achievements and lessons learned are properly disseminated.
• Prepare summary tables, graphs, and charts on the above information for the purpose of better informing USAID and Somalia stakeholders on trends, status, needs, and opportunities.
• Maintain liaison and professional exchanges with statistical offices and institutions to be familiar with their statistical information systems in order both to obtain information from those systems and as appropriate to recommend means of improving those systems through USAID programs or otherwise.
Program Management 30%
• Carry out official Activity Manager or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) duties, for specific USAID-funded development activities in Somalia.
• Oversee the development of annual work-plans by implementing partners. Review annual work plans and activity plans for comprehensiveness, clarity, and adherence to USAID/Somalia’s Operational Plan and Strategic Statement.
• Draft statements of work, procurement documents, congressional notifications, correspondence, and other documentation.
• Plan and track expenditures and obligations in grants and contracts and ensure that the flow of funds within the program is not disrupted.
• Serve on technical and sectoral coordination committees as a USAID/Somalia’s representative.
• Foster donor coordination by participating in donor meetings as USAID/Somalia’s liaison.
• Keep donor and implementing partners informed of USAID/Somalia’s assistance plans, implementation progress, and relevant USAID processes through regular communications and meetings.
• Maintain regular contact with implementing partners to support activity implementation and assess its effectiveness, efficiency, and impact, including reviewing and commenting on partners’ periodic reports.
• Coordinate the activities of short-term consultants and visitors for USAID/Somalia.
Administrative 10%
• Represent the USAID/Somalia program as required at official meetings and events and provide written reporting as appropriate.
• Perform USAID internal administrative tasks and other tasks as required such as actively participating in strategic planning and project design; and gathering information for draft concept papers, scopes of work, budget preparation, and evaluation.
• The logistical support provided by USAID/Somalia includes office space, transportation in cooperating country for official field work as well as travel arrangements and tickets for work related business, transportation to/from country, and secretarial support.
Supervisory Relationship
The position will be supervised directly by, and report to, the USDH DSG Deputy Office Director in the USAID/Somalia, or his/her designate, and will work in close coordination with the other members of the USAID/Somalia DSG Office. The Project Management Specialist will participate as a full team member of the USAID/Somalia DSG Office. Performance is evaluated annually on the basis of achieving work objectives and performance measures.
Supervisory Controls
This is a Non-Supervisory Position although he/she may have to supervise activities as COR/AOR.
Physical Demands
The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
Minimum Qualifications Required for This Position
Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.
a. Education
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Human Rights, International Law, International Relations, Public Administration, International Development, or related field.
b. Prior Work Experience:
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in international development is required. This work experience must have provided the opportunity for development of sectoral and project documents, and performance of project design, program planning, and/or implementation work.
• Three or more of the years of prior professional work experience must be in the area of democracy and good governance, institutional capacity building, elections, political processes, security sector reform, legal/constitutional work, conflict resolution, civil society capacity building, and local governance.
• At least two years of the years of experience should have been in development-related work for or other bilateral donor agencies, INGOs, UN agencies, Embassies, Government ministries, or private-sector institutions.
• Overall work experience should also include performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation and analysis of data.
c. Language Proficiency
Fluency in both written and oral English (Level IV) and Somali is required
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)
Must have knowledge of the current state of development in Somalia. Must possess extensive knowledge of Somali cultures, societies, and values, especially regarding the conditions and role of women and historically marginalized communities and be willing to learn relevant USAID procedures and regulations.
Skills and abilities (40 points)
• Managerial and coordination skills; excellent interpersonal skills in various settings; good social and professional judgment; ability to undertake extensive field trips in Somalia, as security permits;
• Ability to maintain collaborative working relationships in a team structure.
• Able to work under complex situations and maintain high-quality work output. 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. The incumbent must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with: 1) all categories of USG employees at post and in Washington, D.C.; 2) Somali government officials; 3) International Organizations, Donors, and Embassies; and 4) the general public. The incumbent is required to be able to prepare concise/thorough documents and reports including but not limited to: concept papers; scopes of work; reports; budgets; a range of other project documents for internal and external purposes; human interest stories; and correspondence, all of which must be done in a professional and competent manner requiring little or no editorial changes.
• The incumbent will also be required to be able to speak publicly in English and in Somali representing USAID effectively and competently.
• Able to communicate effectively with beneficiaries.
• The ability to work in teams and apply good listening and interviewing skills will be important to accomplishing the objectives of this position.
• Able to develop and maintain an extensive range of working level contacts with stakeholders. Able to communicate ideas in writing and orally, clearly and effectively in English.
• A strong ability to analyze information, evaluate data and prepare reports and related documents in English.
• Candidates with good monitoring, evaluation and management skills are required. Computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are essential to the effective performance of this job.
Total possible points: 100
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
The Contractor must observe Kenyan laws including those concerning income and related tax obligations.
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
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: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.
Education Requirement: No Requirements
Job Experience: No Requirements
Work Hours: 8
Job application procedure
Submissions will only be accepted through https://www.usaid.gov/ . 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.
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.
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