22-32 Project Management Specialist (Partnerships Team Leader) – Readvertisement.

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The incumbent is a senior Cooperating Country National (CCN) working for USAID/Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA) as a Project Management Specialist (Partnership Team Leader) in the Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI). The Partnerships Team Leader provides strategic planning, management, and technical leadership to OEGI and the broader USAID Mission in the area of private sector engagement, the New Partnerships Initiative, financial sector development, and investment. Directly and through his/her team, the incumbent provides technical leadership on the incorporation of financial inclusion and capital mobilization into USAID activities in all sectors supported by OEGI, including Feed the Future (FTF) initiative, the Power Africa strategy, and the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) strategy. The Team Lead provides technical support to other USAID/KEA offices including health and environment to mobilize private investment into their priority sectors and coordinates the implementation of the Mission Private Sector Engagement Action Plan. The Team Lead focuses on capital mobilization for investment in partnership with local Financial Institutions and Business Advisory Services Providers for investments across USAID sectors of interest, promoting investment enabling environment reforms through policy and regulatory interventions. The Team Lead is responsible for interagency engagement and collaboration with U.S. agencies engaged in capital mobilization.

The incumbent will have key representational duties with the Embassy, other donors, the private sector and national and local governments, with a particular focus on building strong partnerships for private investment facilitation and policy reform with national and county governments. The Team Lead will frequently meet with company and financial institutions at the Chief Executive Officer level and with the senior management of partner government ministries including the National Treasury. S/he is required to possess a high degree of competence and maturity, and will manage productive relationships within OEGI, the Embassy, private sector, from the local, regional, and international arenas. The incumbent provides senior-level technical expertise in the design, negotiation, management and monitoring of financial inclusions and capital mobilization activities, and evaluation of partnerships with private sector entities to accelerate development and humanitarian objectives across all USAID priority sectors. S/he is expected to incorporate science, technology, innovation and partnerships as well as Collaborative Learning and Adaptation into all activity design, implementation, and evaluation duties, technical leadership to OEGI and other technical offices and is expected to participate actively and fully in the Mission’s strategic planning and execution in these areas. As a recognized Agency-level expert, the incumbent regularly advises other USAID missions and serves on agency-level advisory boards within the Private Sector Engagement Hub and the Global Development Lab on private sector engagement, development innovation and impact investment.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

1. Strategic and Technical Leadership 50%

As a strategic and technical advisor, the Team Leader provides thought leadership and management to OEGI, other technical offices and Mission Leadership on private sector engagement, development innovation, and impact investment, particularly as they relate to stimulating inclusive, broad-based, and sustainable economic growth. S/he will keep updated of, and analyze economic, political, and other trends affecting USAID work, and will keep the Mission informed of these trends. S/he identifies ways to further meet both USG foreign policy and GOK private sector and innovation-related objectives in Kenya and the East Africa region. The Team Leader provides technical and strategic leadership at all levels from policy analysis to program design in developing and implementing sound approaches in support of the Private Sector Engagement Policy under the Feed the Future, Power Africa, Resilience, and WASH initiatives in Kenya, and through the East Africa region as appropriate, in close collaboration with the relevant USAID and bilateral Missions and country counterparts. Adaptability and flexibility will be required as the Team Leader’s focus sectors may change over time as new USAID strategies and GOK priorities emerge. The Team Leader advises other USAID missions and participates in agency-level discussions within the Private Sector Engagement Hub and the Global Development Lab on private sector engagement, development innovation and impact investment on technical solutions, and the development of new, innovative concepts and program designs which engage both traditional and non-traditional partners. The incumbent will lead and/or actively participate in USAID/KEA Platform Local Solutions, New Partnerships for Innovation and STIP Teams, as well as engage in Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) communities of practice.

Within the area of development innovation, the specialist will have a particular focus on leading USAID efforts to improve development and humanitarian outcomes through the harnessing of Kenya’s digital ecosystems. This includes helping the mission and implementing partners to support the Kenya Government, empower local civil society, and engage the private sector to harness digital tools and platforms for development. S/he will also support initiatives to build Kenya’s self-reliance by identifying and addressing gaps, weaknesses, and market failures that hinder the growth of an inclusive, open, and secure digital ecosystem. This will include mobilizing private sector investment in digital infrastructure and technology solutions which improve productivity of markets, increase inclusion for communities, and advance affordable, open and secure information flows; working with government on appropriate laws, policies, actions and informal governance mechanisms that support healthy digital ecosystems; supporting development partners to leverage and integrate digital technology and services into their work for more efficient and effective development outcomes; and enabling citizens to know their rights, acquire digital literacy, and gain access to the internet and mobile tools to meaningfully participate in social, economic, and political processes.

2. Program Management, Evaluation and Reporting 35%

The Partnerships Team Leader plans, designs, develops, and manages new and existing economic growth programs and activities as a technical expert in private sector engagement, development innovation and impact investment. 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. S/he will serve as the Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative or activity manager for programs and activities that include private sector development, innovation, policy reform, and local capacity development, and other areas relevant to the economic growth objectives of USAID/Kenya and East Africa and the Agency. The Specialist will support OEGI, Mission, and USG efforts to ensure effective, cost-effective, and responsible programming and reporting in compliance with USG and USAID regulations and ethics standards, including environmental compliance, and ultimately help USAID achieve its economic growth objectives in Kenya and/or the region. The incumbent leads USAID’s efforts to leverage private sector interests and innovation to support development gains particularly in OEGI focus sectors: agriculture, nutrition, energy, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). As the Mission PSE Coordinator, the incumbent also advises other Mission technical offices on private sector engagement, including Health, Population, and Nutrition (HPN), Education and Youth (EDY), Environment and Natural Resources (ENV), Democracy, Governance and Conflict (DGC), and Food for Peace/U.S. Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (FFP/OFDA).

The incumbent is responsible for monitoring and evaluation at the Project/Activity levels, including development of Project and activity-level M&E plans, Data Quality Assessments, design technical evaluations and provide input into high quality evaluations conducted by the Program Office, and analyze data and information sources to inform programming decisions, including supporting the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) data. The incumbent is responsible for drafting narratives and providing other inputs into the planning (Operational Plan, CDCS, etc.) and reporting (Performance Plan and Report; Mission Resource Request, CBJ, CBN, etc.) processes, as well as ad-hoc reporting requirements, such as responding to Washington taskers, event coordination, supporting VIP visits, and drafting outreach materials.

The Team Leader works closely with OEGI team members, the Program Office, the Mission Director’s Office, and the U.S. Embassy on day-to-day PSE, development innovation and impact investment activities and reporting requirements. The incumbent ensures that reporting is cohesive, comprehensive, and compliant with the Agency’s requirements. The Partnerships Team Leader is responsible for responding to U.S. Congressional inquiries and other Washington policy and operation requests; drafting briefing materials, speeches/talking points for high-level USG officials, press releases, and presentations; and contributing to Mission/Agency newsletters and other communications related to private-sector 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 OEGI Office Director and the USAID/Kenya and East Africa Mission Director.

3. Representation and Coordination 15%

The Partnerships Team Leader represents OEGI and USAID/KEA at public events and in meetings with senior leaders in the Kenyan, East African and American private sector; in the Kenyan government; and with implementing partners and other stakeholders. S/he is a principal mission contact with American, Kenyan, and international public and private sector officials on issues related to private sector development, development innovation, and impact investment. 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 private sector development, development innovation, and impact investment, and to represent USAID and the USG with internal and external audiences as required. The Team Leader facilitates knowledge management through exchange of technical information and ideas, collaborates on cross-cutting issues, provides effective collaboration among actors in private sector development, development innovation, and impact investment, and promotes program/project synergies.

The Team Leader coordinates the Mission’s PSE Group. S/he oversees and directs Mission-level efforts to build the capacity and internal systems required to institutionalize the PSE policy; builds support for, and promote awareness of, PSE and its potential for achieving more-sustainable outcomes across the various sectors across technical offices at the Mission; work closely with the Program Office and technical teams to integrate PSE into the Program Cycle; and support the Mission to mobilize resources to engage the private sector for more sustainable outcomes. S/he oversees key operations and targeted staff. S/he follows-up on decisions made in management meetings and ensures proper execution, facilitates the resolution of issues between departments and activities, and encourages activity managers to evaluate and take actions consistent with USAID overall strategy which will lead to high performance. S/he coordinates the US private sector mapping and follows up to ensure that benefits accrue both for Kenyan and US businesses.

Supervisory Relationship

This position operates under a broad direction of the Deputy Office Director – APPS with wide latitude for independently planning, organizing, and executing assigned responsibilities. Guidance received from the Supervisor is almost wholly related to policy, program objectives, and priorities, and the job holder independently plans and undertakes important projects and carries them to completion. Demands are heavy on initiative, resourcefulness, and sound judgment.

Supervisory Controls

The position supervises three (3) employees, including PMS Government of Kenya Liaison, PMS New Partnership Initiative Development and Private Sector Advisor providing supervision, leadership, mentorship, and guidance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position requirements do not involve rigorous 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 business management, economics, finance, international development/affairs, or a closely related field is required.

2. Prior Work Experience: At least seven (7) years of professional-level experience in private sector development, development innovation, and impact investment program management is required. Experience working with the government, donor, and/or regional institutional structures in private sector development, development innovation, and impact investment of a closely related sector is required. At least three years of direct supervisory and/or managerial experience is required.

3. Language Proficiency: Level IV English speaking, reading, and writing skills is required. Fluent (Level IV) proficiency in 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 //www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

• Job Knowledge (40 points)

Advanced knowledge in private sector development, development innovation, and impact investment issues, approaches, best practices, policies, host government priorities, initiatives, and institutions is required. Expertise in strategic planning and program management, including in-depth knowledge of the theory, practice, policies, procedures, and regulations governing the performance and M&E of development programs and projects is required. Practical knowledge of and experience integrating GOK policies, strategies, institutions and procedures into development activities and other development assistance is required. Demonstrated knowledge and involvement in mobilizing internal teams towards more effective PSE. A comprehensive understanding of international development principles, policies, strategic planning, operational systems, and regulations around PSE and the Journey to Self-reliance is required. Demonstrated and in-depth understanding of the socio-cultural issues and nuances working in communities and with vulnerable populations is required. Solid understanding of issues and practical approaches to advancing gender equity and mainstreaming youth empowerment in economic development programs is required.

• Skills and abilities (60 points)

The incumbent works at a senior level in a high-profile USG foreign assistance program that requires detailed technical knowledge, experience, maturity, and an ability to function independently under a complex, highly demanding, frequently changing environment. Demonstrated diplomatic and leadership skills with strong oral communication abilities at senior management levels is required. 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. Ability to analyze, understand and discuss new technical developments and approaches at regional level, as well as partnerships program design, management and implementation approaches is required. This includes the development of evaluation designs, use of new integrated partnership regimens and protocols (including protocol/guideline development), use of reliable and valid instruments and methods for data collection, analysis and reports. Ability to lead project teams and workgroups and to develop effective working relationships with regional, national, and international working partners is required. Proven ability to adapt in the face of change, synthesize new information, and then provide sound advice to Mission management and others. Ability to assess problems and develop sound solutions such as planning for and administering funds, personnel and equipment to best serve Private Sector program oversight objectives; and strong organizational skills. Highly developed people skills to facilitate external and internal relationships, and use of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting approaches to manage change processes. Must be able to produce publishable quality written documentation and to make oral presentations before high level officials. This position requires strong communications, mentoring, interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to prepare reports and technical and policy briefs sometimes with short deadlines. Advanced competency in MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required. Excellent English writing and editing skills, as well as an excellent ability to process information from a wide range of sources into cohesive, polished documents.

Total possible points: 100