22-85 Project Management Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation) – Somalia Mission

1. 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.: 22-85
2. **ISSUANCE DATE:**July 1, 2022
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 17, 2022 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa and Somalia Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected].
5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation).
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. 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 period 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, 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.

1. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.
2. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Somalia Mission aims to help Somalia and its people to more effectively withstand disruptions and increasingly drive their own development. To this end, USAID/Somalia has a new five year-strategy (2020 – 2025) which works to help targeted local institutions govern in a more legitimate manner, diminishing influence of violent extremist organizations (VEOs), and enable marginalized Somalis to more effectively withstand shocks and stresses. In addition to the Front Office, the Mission comprises three technical offices (Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance; Economic Growth; and Social Services) and a Program Office. This position will be based in the Mission’s Program Office located in Nairobi, Kenya. The Program Office manages and supports strategic planning, the design of new activities, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and mandatory reporting requirements.

The Project Management Specialist (M&E – Somalia) supports the Mission’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) team within the Program Office. The PMS will report to the Senior MEL Project Management Specialist. The MEL Team is dedicated to supporting the Mission’s activity performance management and monitoring, reporting, evaluation, and learning.

The Specialist will support the MEL team and the Mission’s technical offices on activity-level data management, results reporting, and other MEL responsibilities. The PMS will also serve as the Mission’s information management lead, including managing the Mission’s Development Information System (DIS).

Statement of Duties to be Performed

Program/Project/Activity Performance Management and Reporting 60%

• Support technical offices and implementing partners (IPs) on drafting, reviewing and implementing activity level monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans (AMELP).
• Support the Mission’s Senior MEL Specialist in maintaining and using the Mission’s Performance Management Plan.
• Support the Mission’s Senior MEL Specialist in preparing and submitting Mission data to the Agency-wide Performance Plan and Report.
• Provide guidance to IPs and activity managers, Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), and Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR) in accessing and using DIS. S/he will provide technical support to IPs and activity managers/AORs/CORs on submitting, reviewing, and using activity-level data through DIS.
• Support the Mission and IPs to conduct Data Quality Assessments (DQA), including identifying indicators due for DQA, scheduling and communicating expected DQAs, developing DQA tools, training on DQA processes, reviewing DQA submissions, and following up with DQA recommendations.
• Support the Senior MEL Specialist in reviewing activity annual work plans (AWPs) to ensure alignment with AMELPs and ensure that activity implementation can be effectively monitored, and results assessed.
• Support the Mission in filing final and approved MEL related resources and information products such as activity AWPs, AMELPs, progress and close out reports, strategy documents, assessment and evaluation reports, among others.
• Serve as the alternate COR for the Mission’s third-party monitoring contract, including filing contract documents, reviewing vouchers, and reviewing contract deliverables.
• Support the AOR and COR for the Mission’s Development Objective level evaluation systems.

Program Management 40%

• Serve as the Program Office’s primary GLAAS Requestor, submitting GLAAS requisitions for any Program Office-related procurements.
• Review all emails submitted to the Mission’s general inbox and draft appropriate responses to general inquiries.
• Serve as the Mission’s unsolicited applications point of contact. S/he will receive, record, and review all unsolicited applications and proposals and facilitate technical review, when appropriate.

Supervisory Relationship

The Specialist will be supervised by the Senior MEL Project Management Specialist (M&E-Somalia) or designee within USAID/Somalia. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of program/project/activity goals, effectiveness in meeting Somalia and USAID objectives, integration with other initiatives in the Program Office and Mission portfolio. Some technical direction may come from other professionals from the Program Office. In general, the PMS will be expected to exercise some autonomy and best judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment.

Supervisory Controls

Continuing supervision of other employees 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 political science, economics, business administration, public administration, development studies, and/or related social science field such as statistics, monitoring and evaluation, or research methodology is required.
2. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of work experience in a relevant position, including a minimum of two years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning. At least 2 years of experience is required working in development at an International Organization, Donor Agency, Non-Governmental Organization or Embassy.
3. Language Proficiency: Level IV fluency in both oral and written English.

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 PMS must have in depth, professional-level knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and learning approaches and methods. The PMS must have excellent knowledge of data and information management. The Specialist must have working knowledge or the potential to acquire knowledge of USG legislation, policy and practice relating to MEL, and of USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation.

– Skills and abilities (40 points)

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 Specialist must have the ability to plan, organize and execute complex MEL activities, including the ability to effectively support a wide range of MEL stakeholders and the Senior MEL Program Management Specialist in completing these MEL activities. Excellent communication skills both writing and speaking, especially in being able to communicate technical subjects to individuals with nontechnical background. This role requires the ability to respond professionally and adjust in fluid situations in order to meet deadlines in the face of competing priorities and time pressures. Excellent computer and software skills, especially Excel.

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: [email protected]