Sol. 72061524R10048 - USAID Project Management Specialist (Environment and Climate Change)

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.: 72061524R10048
2. ISSUANCE DATE: June 20, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 07, 2024 (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: USAID Project Management Specialist (Environment and Climate Change)
6. MARKET VALUE: Ksh. 5,565,120.00 to Ksh. 9.460,674.00 KSH per year, equivalent to FSN-11 grade level in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. The salary range provided is inclusive of all allowances and annual bonus. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years estimated to start o/a December 10, 2024. 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 National (CCN) (an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country). Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
The Project Management Specialist (Environment and Climate Change) is responsible for the technical areas of biodiversity conservation, natural resources management, and climate change with a focus on transboundary ecosystems, including landscapes/habitats, wildlife, and freshwater and marine resources shared by countries in the East African region.

The position’s areas of responsibilities include: 1) managing regional programs, projects and/or activities as a USAID/KEA Agreement/Contracting Officer Representative; 2) providing technical and professional guidance to the Environment (ENV) Office on environment and climate change technical areas, including the nexus between Kenya bilateral and East Africa regional activities; 3) serving as ENV’s principal advisor on the regional programs, policies, strategies, initiatives, and protocols of East Africa institutions, related to ENV priorities in Kenya and East Africa; and, 4) leading on ENV’s regional localization, private sector, women’s and youth empowerment, and resource mobilization initiatives. The PMS will strengthen the capacity and commitment of regional institutions to lead, own and manage their development pathways.

The incumbent is responsible for planning, developing, managing, monitoring, and reporting environmental activities and programs across East Africa, consistent with USAID/KEA priorities and USAID development objectives. A primary focus area for this position is conserving biodiversity and addressing climate change-related challenges, including increasing the resilience of the region to the negative impacts of climate change and increasing climate finance to support regional climate priorities. In addition, the incumbent will help improve environmental governance in East Africa by fostering regional cooperation and through policy reform, institutional strengthening, and the more effective enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, which requires a broad understanding of the current status and variations across the region.

The incumbent will coordinate program activities with other USAID/KEA staff to ensure effective program implementation and compliance with USAID policies and procedures. S/he will guide and/or supervise contractors and grantees to increase program impact, enhance sustainability, and ensure compliance with USAID policies. The incumbent will both lead and support activities, depending on the delegation of responsibilities among ENV team members for specific activities and programs. The incumbent will also develop and maintain productive working relationships with key partners, including USAID Missions in East Africa, U.S. Government (USG) agencies, regional institutions, including the East Africa Commission, national ministries, international development agencies, donors, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and private sector firms.

Responsibilities

Statement of Duties to be Performed.
Technical Leadership- 50%
• Lead efforts to assess priority regional environmental challenges and issues in ENV’s focus areas, including providing leadership and technical analysis on existing and new bilateral and regional policies, strategies and laws related to biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation in East Africa.
• Operationalize strategies, including the ENV Regional Strategy, by developing new initiatives and program activities that conserve biodiversity and increase adaptive capacity and resilience to the negative consequences of climate change, and propose approaches that promote and scale up innovation, incorporate science and technology, and provide for robust monitoring and evaluation. Ensure new initiatives are consistent with U.S. Government priorities and the strategic objectives of USAID/KEA.
• Identify key opportunities and challenges to conserve biodiversity and increase adaptive capacity and resilience to the negative consequences of climate change in East Africa. Advise Mission staff on proposed actions to respond to these challenges and achieve the greatest development impacts with the available resources.
• Provide leadership and technical guidance in the design and implementation of regional program, strategies and funding agreements at the Mission and ENV Office level such as the Regional Development Cooperation Strategy, Development Objectives Grant Agreement, and Project Appraisal Documents.
• Serve as the ENV Office Point of Contact in the Mission’s Regional Intergovernmental Organization (RIGO) Working Groups and lead ENV’s representation in the East African Community Working Group.
• Identify and promote synergies and strategic linkages in bilateral and regional activity implementation by various implementing and development partners, including private sector entities.
• Work with the ENV Office Director and Deputy Directors to respond in a comprehensive and timely manner to all requests from the Mission Director, Front Office, Ambassador’s Office and Washington DC;
I.Respond flexibly and capably to a wide range of work-related requirements, including but not limited to: congressional or other inquiries, maintaining and reporting on biodiversity and climate indicators towards the achievements of bilateral and regional results, impacts and outcomes;
II.Support VIP visits, contribute to portfolio reviews, performance monitoring plans, accruals, and the Operational Plan, and responding to Washington policy and operational requests.
• Ensure that USG development assistance programming reflects best practices and state-of-the-art knowledge.
• Maintain strong and supportive relations with other USG technical offices and USG agencies involved in climate change, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, governance, and other relevant activities, as well as with donors and multilateral partners working in East Africa, including national government ministries, departments and agencies, County Governments, and RIGOs with a focus on the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

Project/program management - 40%
• Serve as an activity manager, Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), or Agreement Officer’s Technical Representative (AOTR) for assigned contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants aimed at achieving planned results under ENV’s RDCS and activity approval documents. Provide administration and oversight for regional ENV programs and activities, including monitoring activities through site visits and the review of work plans and progress reports; tracking expenditures and financial accruals against obligations; making recommendations to implementing partners to increase program impacts and enhance sustainability; facilitating coordination among implementing partners where synergies exist; and reporting program results.
• Maintain up-to-date records of the financial status and performance of contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants assigned to the incumbent and report this information upon request to ENV leadership and USAID/Washington. Coordinate financial tracking and reporting with ENV financial and MEL specialists, other USAID/Kenya units, and USAID/Washington. Draft official USAID documents required for reporting changes in the status of activities, such as Congressional Notifications, Annual Reports, Action and Justification Memos, and Acquisition Documents (i.e. MAARDS). Process actions related to developing new or modifying existing contracts, agreements, or grants using USAID’s Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS).
• Facilitate the development of work plans and performance monitoring plans (PMPs) by advising contractors and grantees on expected program performance indicators, targets, and results, and contributing to data collection and synthesis. Ensure program implementation achieves planned results, and developmental impacts are well-documented and reported.
• Provide strategic direction to contractors and grantees to ensure their activities support the strategic objectives of the RDMA and are consistent with the RDMA’s environmental strategy. Guide and monitor activities of contractors and grantees to ensure compliance with the terms of their contracts and agreements as well as with established USAID guidelines, policies and procedures, including USAID’s environmental compliance requirements. Resolve any implementation issues in an efficient and professional manner.
• Coordinate activities with appropriate personnel at the RDMA, USAID/Washington, and bilateral USAID Missions and US Embassies in the East Africa region. Wherever possible, ensure USAID’s regional initiatives complement bilateral USAID Mission activities.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including national ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, universities, and the media to identify and implement efforts to increase synergy among the key stakeholders and leverage resources. Ensure national and local governments are regularly apprised of activity implementation. When appropriate, work with national and local governments to overcome barriers to activity implementation.
• Oversee the organization of meetings and workshops to facilitate regional cooperation and dialogue on priority issues related to focus program areas. Identify appropriate participants and facilitators, develop agendas, plan and facilitate working group breakout sessions, document proceedings and results, and follow up on recommended action steps.
• Prepare and disseminate, on a regular basis, to RDMA Mission staff and program partners information on issues, accomplishments, and worldwide best practices in relevant program areas. Document success stories in achieving progress toward expected results. Contribute program updates to ENV and USAID/KEA weekly reports, as well as USAID and U.S. State Department briefing reports.
• Lead design and facilitation of regional IP meetings for ENV Partners.
• Carry out other tasks to support the implementation of the ENV Regional Strategy, as directed by the REO Director or a designated supervisor, as well as any other relevant strategic objectives (e.g., originating in Washington) as appropriate.

Private Sector Engagement, Resource Mobilization, and Collaboration- 10%
• Lead regional private sector engagement. Support the implementation of the USAID Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Policy by acting as a relationship manager for private businesses and companies interested in partnerships to conserve biodiversity and invest in climate adaptation and mitigation. Manage private sector relationships, advise on engagement with private companies and businesses on development issues, and disseminate USAID research and knowledge of interest to the private sector.
• Provide leadership and champion financing approaches that deliver more effective development results, outcomes and impacts.
• Work closely with the ENV Office Director and Deputy Directors to create and expand public-private sector partnerships, co-financing and engagement. Advise on engagement with private companies on development issues and disseminate USAID research and knowledge of interest to the private sector. Lead Private Sector Engagement with regional and bilateral implementing partners including, but not limited to the EAC Secretariat/LVBC.
• Develop resource mobilization plans with partners to reduce partner reliance on, and/or transition off of donor support.
• Coordinate activities with appropriate personnel from Washington, Field Missions, State Department, US Embassies and other USG agencies, and ensure that USG’s regional initiatives complement and add value to activities; and
• Represent the ENV Office (and occasionally USAID/KEA) at meetings, workshops, and conferences organized by regional institutions, including other donors, international organizations, private sector etc.

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

Bachelor’s degree in climate change; environmental or ecosystem sciences; urban and/or regional planning; public policy; economics; or related field.

Language Proficiency

English Level IV (Fluent) and Level IV (Fluent) Kiswahili required.

Experience

Additional experience

Prior Work Experience

At least five (5) years of progressive experience in implementing development programs, managing donor programs, and/or working in the development sector, with at least three (3) years of this experience in biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation, or a related field. Specialized knowledge and demonstrable expertise in program implementation and/or management is required. Experience in human and institutional capacity building is required. Must have experience working in a regional context.

Skills

• computer literacy
• analytical skills
• Organizational skills
• communication skills
• Teamwork

Additional skills

Supervisiory Relationship
The Project Management Specialist (Environment and Climate Change) will be supervised by the Project Management Specialist (Deputy Office Director, Technical Programs). The incumbent will handle assignments independently with minimal supervision.

Supervisiory Controls
The supervision of other USAID staff is not contemplated.

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.

Job Knowledge (60 Points)
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the critical threats to biodiversity and negative impacts facing East Africa due to climate change. Demonstrated understanding of proven approaches and strategies for building adaptation capacities and resilience to the negative impacts of climate change. Understanding of opportunities for addressing development challenges through more participatory practices and improved policies and institutions. Demonstrated understanding of the interrelationships between environment and key economic and social sectors; including, urban, agriculture/food security, public health, poverty/social, gender issues, water supply & sanitation, energy, and disaster preparedness; as well as effective approaches in mainstreaming environmental issues into the regional and national development agendas. Demonstrated understanding of effective approaches in ensuring the sustainability of development efforts. Must be a specialist in both technical and administrative aspects of project management.
The incumbent must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of Kenya and the East Africa region, including how regional programs can support country level programming, actors, and priorities in biodiversity and climate sectors. The incumbent must understand policies, processes, and strategies of the Government of Kenya, regional institutions such as the EAC, and other international organizations including multilateral development partners. Experience in managing results in a national and regional context and understanding of, or the potential to understand, USAID policies, strategic planning, and regulations is required.

Skills and abilities (40 Points)
The incumbent must be able to exercise independent judgment in the scope of their work; be highly organized; possess ability to develop and maintain a range of high-level contacts and communication with country and regional institutions, national and county government representatives. Must have strong analytical skills including ability to write, synthesize and explain results in a manner that is readily understandable to a wide audience and ability to quickly and objectively provide advice are required. Must have skills in computer applications, teamwork in a multicultural setting, and policy analysis; must be able to obtain, analyze, and evaluate complex information and prepare precise, accurate, and analytically sound written products.

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