CANCELLED: Sol. 72061524R10064 - USAID Project Management Specialist (Public Finance)

Overview

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.: 72061524R10064
2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 06, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 22, 2024 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at hr@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Public Finance)
6. MARKET VALUE: Ksh 7,821,724.00 to Ksh 13,296,947.00 per year (including 13th month bonus), equivalent to FSN-12 grade level 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: Five (5) years estimated to start o/a March 16, 2025. 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.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Cooperating Country Nationals (CCN). CCN is an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country. Current employees of the U.S. Mission to Kenya presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

USAID Kenya and East Africa Mission (USAID/KEA) is the largest USAID mission in Africa supporting Kenya’s Journey to Self-Reliance and cross-border programs in East Africa. USAID/KEA furthers the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue between Kenya and the United States by addressing shared priorities such as economic prosperity, trade, and investment, democracy, governance and civilian security, and multilateral and regional issues. The Democracy, Governance, Peace and Security (DGPS) Office contributes to the achievement of USAID’s objectives to improve governance systems and strengthen community resilience in partnership with Kenyan civil society, private sector and national and county governments. In addition, DGPS supports integrated USAID/KEA platforms such as local development organizations, Prosper Counties, the Partnership for Resilience and Economic Growth (PREG), among others. DGPS’s role cuts across sub-sectors and areas, including civic engagement and participation, devolution, electoral processes, conflict early warning, peace building, youth participation, social accountability, inclusion and gender, Financing Self-Reliance (FSR) among others. Financing self-reliance (FSR) is a key Agency priority that advances partner countries’ Journey to Self-Reliance by strengthening their ability to finance their own development plans and strategies.

The Project Management Specialist (Public Finance) serves as Advisor on Financing Self Reliance (FSR) in Kenya and East Africa and the principal USAID/KEA specialist on public financial management, domestic resource mobilization and fiscal transparency and accountability. The incumbent leads the design and development of programs and sets the strategic direction for programming that supports USAID investments across different sectors. As a specialist responsible for the management and direction of USAID's support to public financial management (PFM), domestic resource mobilization and fiscal transparency, the jobholder directly manages or oversees programming totaling more than $5 million annually and is required to initiate and maintain high level contacts with Public Financial Institutions and host government officials.

USAID/KEA is a mission of leaders and the DGPS office staff exercise leadership in their role as technical advisors, developing and managing development programs, representing USAID in external partnerships and proactively implementing change within the mission.

Responsibilities

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed.

Strategic Development and Policy Analysis – 50%

• Advises USAID and Embassy leadership and staff on Public Financial Management (PFM), Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) and Fiscal Transparency through written reports, oral presentations and other communication.
• Provides strategic advice on PFM institutions that govern and regulate PFM (i.e. controller of budget, Auditor General, Kenya Revenue Authority, Parliamentary Budget Office and Central Bank), inter-governmental mechanisms, rules, procedures and processes.
• Provides advice on microeconomic policies and host country Mid Term Expenditure Framework MTEF
• Prepares analytical reports on changes in GOK’s PFM Act, DRM, PFM policies and practices and fiscal trends and their implication for financing self-reliance.
• Leads the development of strategic documents including DRM strategies, annual operational plans, annual performance reports, congressional budget justifications and other ad hoc reports.
• Guides other USAID Technical offices on addressing public financial management, domestic resource mobilization and fiscal transparency and accountability in ongoing and new programs.
• Provides specialized technical advice to the National Treasury and the Council of Governors and other relevant national or intergovernmental institutions.
• Provide strategic advice on public financial management operational policies within county level governance structures, including enhancing the role of civil society and the private sector in these structure(s).
• Develops and designs new program activities and reviews and advises on proposals from potential partners/contractors and documents recommendations for issuance of grants, contracts and host government agreements.
• Engages with cross-mission teams on the assessment and design of government-to-government programs, including advising on governance related risks, and mitigation measures related to those risks.
• Provides specialized advice and analysis in response to congressional, State and USAID/Washington (USAID/W) inquiries.
• Contributes to strategic and operational documents for the DGPS office and Mission.

Program Management– 25%

• Manages contracts and grants that address public financial management and domestic revenue policies, systems, and capabilities at the national and county/local levels, including those related specific service delivery areas.
• Oversees implementation of projects and activities, including jointly developing work plans, convening collaborative meetings and fosters collaboration to achieve results.
• Designs and implements strategies to deepen peer to peer learning among counties to facilitate FSR.
• Ensures all required USAID documentation is prepared including specialized opinions and reports that inform USAID’s regular portfolio reviews and annual reporting.
• Conducts periodic reviews and evaluations pertaining to these activities, identifies emerging problems and determines the course of action.
• Prepares technical memos related to areas of expertise and manages document processing.
• Provides technical direction and guidance to implementing partners to improve project implementation and results.
• Identifies and synthesizes best international and regional practices and lessons learned for purposes of informing new/ongoing programs.
• Provides guidance and coaches FSNs program management specialists.

Strategic Relationships and Representation – 25%

• Maintains direct and substantive contacts to advise and represent USG policy interests at high levels in the Government of Kenya: Treasury, Other Executive Branch, Kenyan Parliament, Council of Governors, Constitutional Commissions, civil society, business sector, media and academia.
• The incumbent will add value to existing partnerships and establish new ones - with international, regional and local partners - to support various streams of PFM and DRM.
• Represents USAID and the U.S. Government in donor meetings, Kenyan government task forces, inter-governmental working groups and county-led initiatives.
• Participates in and, on a rotational basis with other development partners, and leads relevant development partner working groups.
• Collaborates with USAID/Washington's DRG Center and Financing Self-Reliance Team and other USAID missions to share lessons.
• Provides public financial management expertise as a member of USAID’s County Liaison Teams/Prosper Counties and represents USAID at various engagements with county governments, civil society and private sector.

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the United States, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Additional education

Education

Master’s degree in Public Finance, Public Administration, Public Policy or related field is required.

Language Proficiency

Level IV English and Kiswahili.

Experience

Additional experience

Prior Work Experience:

At least seven (7) years of work experience in public financial management, domestic resource mobilization and fiscal transparency and accountability. Five of the seven years must be experience in a senior capacity leading public financial management and/or domestic resource mobilization that must include managing or developing strategies for development programs in collaboration with high level host country counterparts, sub national governments, diverse local stakeholders and the development partner community. Expertise in and ability to analyze complex budgetary strategy papers and policy statements, decentralized financing processes, host government audit reports, inter-governmental mechanisms, political and institutional challenges regarding PFM and other financial institutions. A past history of working with Kenyan institutions that govern or regulate PFM or DRM is required.

Skills

• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
• excellent communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Writing Skills

Additional skills

Supervisory Relationship

The incumbent operates under the policy direction of the Mission Director and receives overall supervision from the USAID/KEA/DGPS Office Director or their designee. The incumbent develops their own work objectives against which performance is measured. In the day-to-day work environment, the incumbent takes initiative and is resourceful and creative in resolving problems and achieving the program’s goals and objectives. The incumbent has wide latitude for exercising independent decision-making.

Supervisory Controls

The incumbent supervises two DGPS FSNs Grade 11: the Democracy and Governance Project Management Specialist (Accountability and Devolution) and the County Citizen Engagement Project Management Specialist.

Physical Demands

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Terms and conditions

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.

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications listed above will be evaluated and ranked according to the following job-related criteria. Top-ranking candidates will be invited for a skills test and an oral interview.

Job Knowledge (60 Points)

Requires specialized knowledge and understanding of public financial management, domestic resource mobilization and fiscal policy and the budget cycle in Kenya. Must understand the political and fiscal trends, role of fiscal institutions, interests of key actors and Public Financial institutions (i.e. Ministry of finance Treasury, Kenya Revenue Authority, County Governments, Audit and oversight institutions, etc.) and implications of devolution in the country. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the role of development partners in strengthening PFM institutions.

Skills and abilities (40 Points)

The incumbent must have superior communication skills and the ability to interact and work with people of different backgrounds. The job holder must have strong analytical and writing skills and ability to work independently. Demonstrated knowledge of development partners activities in the PFM arena. The incumbent must have initiative and good judgment and must be able to interpret and apply policies, regulations and procedures and deal effectively with highest level representatives of GOK officials, senior private sector personnel and U.S. Mission personnel.

Total possible points: 100

SUBMITTING AN OFFER
Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 2: Complete the job application at www.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 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 and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

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 through www.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.
3. 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
CCNPSCs are required to pay PAYE and statutory deductions. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCN 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/ads/policy/300/aidar

2.Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award.

LINE ITEMS
ITEM NO (A) - 0001
SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)
- Award Type: Cost
- Product Service Code: [ R497]
- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]
QUANTITY (C) - 1
UNIT (D) - LOT
UNIT PRICE (E) - $ TBD
AMOUNT (F) - $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

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/resources_standards-of-conduct.

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.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference
52.204-27 - PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION - JUN 2023