22-208 USAID Project Management Specialist (Food Security)

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.: 22-208

2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 15, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 30, 2022 (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 (Food Security).

6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-10 Step 1 (3,341,686 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (5,680,858 KSH per annum). 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: 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 periods from the contract commencement date.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

​​​​​​​9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens, including current locally hired employees of the US Government in Kenya. Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.

​​​​​​​10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI) implements interventions that reduce hunger and poverty and promote inclusive economic growth through agriculture; increase resilience of arid and semi-arid land communities and systems; enable affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy; increase sustainable delivery of water and sanitation services; and catalyze finance, trade, investment and innovation to bolster development.

The Project Management Specialist (Food Security) manages a USAID portfolio of activities that aim to sustainably reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty in the Feed the Future (FTF) zone of influence (ZOI). The incumbent will achieve results through sustainably driving increases in agricultural productivity, nutrition-sensitive production, reducing chronic vulnerability and facilitate locally led development through building the ability of people, households, and to mitigate, adapt to, and recover risks, shocks, and stresses to agriculture, in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.

As a key member of OEGI, the Project Management Specialist (Food Security) requires technical expertise in program management and practical knowledge of agriculture programming, project design, management, and monitoring and evaluation. The Specialist will be expected to participate actively and fully in supporting the management of the Office. S/he is required to possess a high degree of competence and maturity, and will manage productive relationships with the Embassy, other donors, the private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and community organizations. The incumbent is expected to incorporate continuous Collaborative Learning and Adaptation into all activity design, implementation and evaluation duties. The position will also entail effective and continuous communication with the Government of Kenya (GOK) officials at all levels, ensuring that USAID/Kenya is fully engaged in the agriculture sector reform agenda.

The Project Management Specialist will serve as Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) or alternate AOR, or Contract Officer Representative (COR) or alternate COR, and activity manager for certain activities.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

1. Program/Project/Activity Management 65%

The Specialist plans, designs, develops, and manages new and existing economic growth and integration programs and activities as a team member in OEGI. 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.

The Project Management Specialist (Food Security) plans, designs, manages, coordinates, and monitors new and existing programs and activities which reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty in the Feed the Future (FTF) zone of influence (ZOI) through sustainable increases in agricultural productivity, nutrition-sensitive production, reducing chronic vulnerability and facilitate locally led development through implementation of locally owned, managed, and led interventions and approaches. The incumbent will serve as the Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative or activity manager for programs and activities in areas of Ag-resilience, local capacity development, and other areas relevant to the economic growth objectives of USAID/Kenya and East Africa and the Agency at large.

S/he identifies and resolves program issues and ensures 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. The Specialist will be responsible for effective management of multiple USAID contracts and/or grants, discharging the full range of Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR)/Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) or Activity Manager (AM) responsibilities, to include establishing and approving annual work plans, performance monitoring systems, requisite FTF reporting, and ensuring appropriate accounting of resources by tracking quarterly and annual progress. S/he provides technical leadership in establishing performance monitoring systems and ensures appropriate accounting of resources by tracking quarterly accruals, maintaining project pipeline information, and providing leadership in meeting audit recommendations.

The incumbent will have regular engagement with the associated Implementing Partners (IPs) and ensure that IPs receive needed information on USAID regulations and policies, including audit regulations, and assistance with country issues. S/he monitors and evaluates progress of IPs towards achievement of results and facilitates corrective measures in cases of deviation from expected results and impact.

S/he will offer technical and programmatic contributions to inform the Mission’s efforts regarding submissions such as Congressional Budget Justifications (CBJ), Congressional Notifications (CN), Operational Plans (OP), annual Performance Plan and Reports (PPR) and other standard reporting documents and special briefing materials. S/he provides a supporting role in establishment of performance monitoring systems and ensures appropriate accounting of resources by tracking quarterly accruals, maintaining project pipeline information.

2. Technical Assistance, Representation, and Reporting 35%

The incumbent will serve as technical specialist in OEGI, in USAID/Kenya and to the US Mission to Kenya, on agriculture programming, particularly as related to economic growth. S/he will be considered an important resource on youth-centered agriculture programming issues and will be expected to participate actively in internal and external strategy discussions, including active engagement across sectors at the Mission, and produce analyses in the area of expertise as required. S/he supports USAID Kenya and East Africa teams in the development of agriculture and livelihoods programs and technical assistance from initial screening through due diligence, negotiations, approval, documentation, and funding on a need basis.

The Specialist will lead and/or actively participate in Collaborative Learning and Adapting (CLA) activities and incorporate learning from all analysis into current and future programming to meet FTF results and share extensively across all stakeholders. S/he will be required to maintain relationships with a wide range of contacts in government and semi-autonomous government agencies, private sector and civil society organizations, donor agencies, implementing partners, and other stakeholders as related to the resilience, and to represent USAID and the USG with internal and external audiences as required.

The incumbent will support US Mission Posts’ officials, other USAID staff, and visiting officials in various aspects involved in preparing for and participating in field trips, public meetings and conferences with the Government of Kenya, private sector and other stakeholders. S/He keeps abreast of trends on agriculture issues; reviews and analyzes developments and advises the Mission leadership and, as required, USG officials on specialized and complex issues relating to resilience and livelihoods in Kenya. Represents USAID/KEA Mission at donor and donor sub-group meetings organized by the government, the UN, and other meetings, seminars and workshops organized by donors on specific topics and report back to the Mission members as required.

The Project Management Specialist (Food Security) will work closely with the Team Leader, other OEGI team members, the Program Office, the Mission Director’s Office and the U.S. Embassy on day-to-day FTF activities and reporting requirements. The incumbent will work closely with the Team Leader, the SPA Office, EDY office and OEGI M&E team to ensure FTF reporting is cohesive, comprehensive, and compliant with the Agency’s requirements. The Specialist will provide input to responses to the U.S. Congressional inquiries and other Washington policy and operations requests; draft briefing materials, speeches/talking points for high-level USG officials, press releases, and presentations; and contribute to Mission/Agency newsletters and other communications related to FTF activities. The incumbent may be called upon to support VIP visits and carry out ad-hoc assignments, as dictated by unforeseen operational requirements at the discretion of the USAID/Kenya Mission Director, USAID/Kenya Deputy Director, OEGI Office Director and Deputy, and RFS Center Director.

Supervisory Relationship

The position reports to the Food and Nutrition Security Team Leader and has wide latitude for planning, organizing, and executing assigned responsibilities. S/he will handle work assignments independently according to established policies, previous training and accepted practices. S/he will be expected to develop her/his own work schedule and procedures for accomplishing tasks and to independently resolve problems that may arise during execution of objectives.

Supervisory Controls

Supervision of others is not anticipated.

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.

1. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Project Planning and Management, Rural Development, Agriculture, Food Security or related technical field.
2. Prior Work Experience: Three (3) years of professional-level work experience in managing activities aimed at building community resilience, livelihood enhancement and food security with organizations directly involved in economic development, agricultural livelihood, or rural development. Experience working with the Government of Kenya and donors, and/or regional institutions, private sector, and/or international development organizations in Kenya.
3. Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) English and Kiswahili 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)

The incumbent must have a good knowledge of food security and livelihood in rural context. A thorough understanding of public institutions and private sector partners that support agriculture and livelihoods activities and interface with implementing and government agencies. Knowledge and understanding of the provisions and principles of agricultural programming, food security and livelihoods in rural communities of Kenya. Demonstrated understanding of the socio-cultural issues and nuances of working in communities and with vulnerable populations. Solid understanding of issues and practical approaches to mainstreaming youth empowerment in economic development and agriculture programs. The incumbent will be expected to learn the USAID/KEA Country Cooperation Development Strategy and implement relevant objectives through his/her portfolio.

• Skills and abilities (40 points)

Adaptability and flexibility will be required as the Project Management Specialist. Primary responsibilities may change over time as new USAID strategies and GOK priorities emerge. Ability to assess problems and develop sound solutions such as planning for and administering funds, personnel and equipment to best serve agriculture program oversight objectives. Good oral presentation and writing skills; and show evidence of capacity to complete high quality written work under tight deadlines. Strong organizational skills, ability to work with minimal supervision and work in a fast paced environment. Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfill the technical responsibilities proposed and ability to prepare professional quality reports and presentations for both technical and general audiences. Ability to work at ease with senior level officials from public and private sectors. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships across cultures, on team and with a broad range of institutional partners. Proven track record of working effectively in teams.

Total possible points: 100