Project Management Specialist (Environment) Job Vacancy in Kenya

US Agency for International Development

Position Title: Project Management Specialist (Environment)

  1. SOLICITATION NO.: 23-07
  2. ISSUANCE DATE: January 23, 2023
  3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: February 5, 2023 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
  4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at nairobiusaid.hr@usaid.gov
  5. POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Environment) – Readvertisement.
  6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-10 Step 1 (3,341,686.00 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (5,680,858.00 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.
  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 Mission in Kenya. Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
  10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Project Management Specialist (Environment) position provides mid-level technical and project management support to the Biodiversity and Policy Team. The incumbent will provide support related to operational planning of program activities, monitoring and evaluation of program results, management and technical assessments, and the design of activities. The PMS will assume AOR/COR and Activity/Task Manager Responsibilities for several conservation programs. The Specialist will engage with other USG agencies, Government of Kenya stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations /Non-Governmental Organizations, academic institutions, the private sector, and other development partners concerning Kenya’s natural resource programs. This position requires sound critical thinking and analytical skills.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

Project Management: 70%

Serves as an Agreement/ Contracting Officer’s Representative or Activity Manager for activities focused on biodiversity conservation and Community Based Natural Resources Management.

Performs the following program/project management duties as AOR/COR:

  • Performs all responsibilities outlined in the AOR/COR designation letter- template located in the Automated Directive System (ADS) 300 Series (specifically ADS 302 & 303). Examples include providing activity management oversight, field monitoring, data quality assessments, review and approval of partner progress reports, analysis and approval of financial expenditure data and project budget tracking, preparing annual activity incremental funding actions and/or technical amendments as needed.
  • Ensure projects/activities/contracts contribute to the achievement of the Natural Resources Management project results and the relevant Development Objective (DO) at the Mission level.
  • Work with implementing partners and other stakeholders on creating innovative development ideas that are informed by the Agency’s Risk-Appetite Statement.
  • Operationalize adaptive management throughout the program/project by continually evaluating the contractor/grantee performance. Make programs adaptive to new learning and changing contexts and provide recommendations for program/project changes to relevant authorities in the Mission.
  • Manage opportunities for effectively communicating activity progress, in cooperation with Mission communications staff, for highlighting activities and accomplishments.
  • Utilize data and evidence for decision making.

Coordination: 20%

  • Assist the Biodiversity and Policy Team Lead to establish long term relationships with key Government of Kenya stakeholders at national and county levels as well as with not for profit and for-profit private sector stakeholders, academic institutions and civil society organizations.
  • Coordinate and facilitate biodiversity and community-based natural resources management meetings.
  • Coordinate development programming with other donors, development partners, private sector, civil society, and academia. This includes supporting the initiation, planning, and facilitation of multi-donor, multi-sectoral and private sector coordination meetings as well as technical meetings to advance practices, policies and private sector engagement and participation.
  • Assist the USAID/KEA/ENV Strategic Communications Manager in developing communications products about biodiversity programming.
  • Coordinate with the USAID/KEA/ENV MEL Specialist to develop a monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) plan to evaluate the results of projects managed. Ensure that activity performance and planning is analyzed and captured for Performance Plan and Report, Operational Planning and Portfolio Reviews.

Technical Support: 10%

  • Assist the Biodiversity and Policy Team Lead by providing advice on strategic decisions about the direction of USAID's Biodiversity programming.
  • Analyze and justify decisions to USAID/KEA’s leadership, Program Office, and counterparts in USAID/Washington, Government of Kenya and the Private Sector.
  • Ensure that activities are technically current and relevant,
  • Document and share lessons learned and best practices for programming. Advise counterparts on best practices including private sector engagement as it relates to community based natural resources outcomes.

Supervisory Relationship

The incumbent receives direct supervision from the Biodiversity and Policy Team Lead and is expected to work independently, seeking only major or policy guidance from the Director, Deputy Director or other senior staff.

Supervisory Controls

The PMS will not have supervisory responsibilities.

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.

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in environmental policy/management, biodiversity conservation or a related field is required.

Prior Work Experience:

Minimum ofthree (3) years of experience working in international development with at least two years on biodiversity conservation programming in a development context.

Language Proficiency:

Rapid familiarization with a wide range of USAID policies, procedures and regulations; Programming Foreign Assistance; Agreement/Contracting Officers’ Technical Representations (A/COR) certification; Program Performance Monitoring.

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 (50 points)

The applicant must have a solid understanding of the nature of the goals of development programs and be familiar or have the potential to acquire knowledge of the U.S. development assistance in the areas of biodiversity conservation (USAID Biodiversity Policy and the US National Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking). The Specialist must have basic knowledge of donor programming policies and regulations, procedures, and practices. The Specialist must be familiar with principles of international sustainable development and have experience completing analytical or project activities to a high standard of quality.

  • Skills and abilities (50 points)

The individual must have demonstrated ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with customers from a variety of organizations. The individual must be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of USAID personnel and other resources in order to effectively complete deliverables.

Job holder should have the ability to work independently to develop completed work with limited technical review. Proven written and oral English communication skills, as well as strong organizational, teamwork, and interpersonal skills are required to perform successfully in this position. Skills to analyze and resolve a wide range of problems arising in program structuring and project development are necessary.

Total possible points: 100

How to apply

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 2: Completethe job application atwww.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 3: Internal Offerors/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 them to MyJobsInKenya.

OR

External Offerors/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 them to MyJobsInKenya.

Offerors must provide a list of minimum three (3) professional references who are not family members or relatives, with complete name, title, organization where he/she works, description of relationship, with working/accurate telephone numbers and email addresses. The offeror’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

Note to Applicants:

1. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.

2. Submissions will only be accepted throughwww.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.

  1. 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.

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.

 

Updated:
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