Sol. 72064924R10011 - USAID Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance).

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.: 72064924R10011
2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 16, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 01, 2024(4:30 PM East Africa Time).
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa and Somalia Human Resources, e-mail at hr@usaid.gov.
5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance).
6. MARKET VALUE: The full performance level of this position is equivalent to FSN-10, which is 4,104,558.00 KSH to 6,977,740.00 KSH per annum. However, if USAID’s evaluation does not result in an award at the full performance level, USAID may make an award to a selected CCN qualified at the closest next lower level, with contract options to place the contractor at each progressive level until the full performance level is reached. The entry level of this position is equivalent to FSN-09, which is between 3,258,661.00 KSH to 5,539,719.00 KSH per annum. In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID Somalia. 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 March 02, 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 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

This position is established as USAID Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance) “Ladder” position, which includes positions at the FSN-09 and the full performance level of FSN-10.

At the full performance level, the CCNPSC will perform the following general duties:

The USAID Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance) Full Performance Level (FPL) will support the Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance (DSG) Office in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the DSG Office’s programming. The job holder must follow up on correspondence and funding documentation related to the awards he/she manages as Contracting/Agreement Officer Representative (AOR/COR) and provide support to other DSG CORs/AORs on day-to-day project management duties as required. The job holder must have a thorough understanding of work planning, Somalia DSG program issues, superior office skills, good interpersonal skills, make independent decisions, and take action as required without supervision. The job holder will oversee the maintenance of the official and working files for the portfolio, in accordance with agency regulations on records management; will compose draft letters and other necessary correspondence; and will perform other programmatic and administrative functions as required.

This is the Full Performance level of a Career Ladder Position Description made at a level below the full performance level, where the selected CCNPSC demonstrates high potential to achieve the full performance grade level but cannot meet the full training and/or experience requirements of the full-performance position description at the time of award.

Responsibilities

Statement of Duties to be Performed.

Technical Specialist and Representational Duties – 40 %

• The Specialist assists Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AOR) and the Contracting Officer’s Representatives (COR) with information gathering, data analysis, drafting activity descriptions and scopes of work, preparing budgets, and evaluating proposals for DSG activities. The Specialist shall contribute to Office project appraisal documents, as well as the Mission’s strategy development processes, linking closely with other Mission portfolios. The Specialist shall keep abreast of and analyze political, social, economic and other trends affecting democratic development, governance systems strengthening, and stabilization activities in Somalia, and shall keep the Mission informed of these trends. S/he shall draft communications products, such as fact sheets and success stories, briefing materials, and annual reporting, and shall coordinate communications activities with the Mission’s Development Outreach Coordination Office (DOC) and the communications staff of implementing partners and provide guidance to implementing partners on project outreach activities.
• The Specialist provides the environmental review and compliance for the DSG team through reviewing required 22 CRF 216 documents and related documentation, such as the initial environmental examinations requests for categorical exclusions and environmental assessments. The Specialist shall serve as an adviser to DSG and other USAID Somalia teams on: (1) how best to comply with USAID’s Environmental Procedures and (2) how to obtain additional environmental expertise to assist in compliance with USAID’s mandatory environmental procedures. The Specialist will also serve as the gender and climate point of contact for the DSG team.

Office Management Support – 30 %

• The Specialist will maintain and update the DSG Office’s financial planning records and forward planning documentation, including tracking the expenditure of program area and program element funds, and ensuring that the Operational Plan and Congressional Notifications are adhered to, including notifying AORs/CORs and the Office Chief if changes need to be made.
• The Specialist shall be responsible for tracking, documentation, and priority setting for closeouts of all DSG awards including those for personnel. The Specialist shall assist in securing the approval of equipment disposition plans and closeouts by obtaining inventories of equipment purchased with USAID funds and final vouchers, reports, and any other documentation required for close-outs. The Specialist develops and maintains permanent filing systems; maintains orderly records of USAID DSG reference materials, regularly used forms, updates office publications, and provides records management guidance to DSG team members. The Specialist shall attend Office meetings and conferences and assure that obligations and commitments are upheld, technical and video connections are in place, and deadlines are met. S/he shall produce technical PowerPoint presentations and assist other staff members where necessary. S/he shall maintain up-to-date contact details for Office contacts and shall make travel and logistical arrangements for staff and high-level visitors on international travel and field visits and facilitate their contact with partners. The job holder shall assist the DSG Office staff in preparing other documentation, and follow up on the clearance process of documents from relevant offices until the relevant action has been taken. The job holder shall coordinate events held outside the US Embassy when required, and serve as the primary administrative liaison with other USAID staff and external partners.

Program/Project/Activity Management (30%)

• As an alternate AOR/COR, the Program Management Specialist is responsible for the development and implementation of annual work plans, scheduling of obligations, monitoring expenditures, portfolio reviews, evaluation planning and implementation, audits, development and outreach communications, and closeouts. These responsibilities are defined in the AOR/COR letter issued by the Office of Acquisition and Assistance. The Specialist provides day to day guidance and direction to implementing partners as needed; monitors implementation progress and provides feedback to the DSG Office and implementing partners as appropriate; monitors implementing partner submission of deliverables and reports and notifies the DSG office of upcoming and missed deadlines; and provides overall project management input to CORs/AORs if serving as an Alternate AOR/COR or as Activity Manager. S/he drafts documents related to program planning, implementation and management including memoranda, letters, performance reports, trip reports, analyses, etc.
• The Specialist manages the annual Performance Plan and Report process and other similar processes for the DSG team; prepares required data for Mission portfolio reviews; and presents monitoring data to Mission members and other audiences as required. S/he ensures indicator data and data quality assessment data is obtained in a timely manner from AORs/CORs and is accurate, prior to submission to the Program Office. In consultation with AORs/CORs, the Specialist consolidates, updates, and monitors programmatic procurement planning. The Specialist serves as the DSG monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) lead. S/he will liaise with MEL experts, including USAID/Somalia’s third party monitoring contractors, and help advise the DSG team on key MEL systems, processes, mechanisms, and approaches.

The Position Description for entry level FSN-09 as per this link: USAID Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance) (Entry Level-EL)

CCN PSCs may participate in temporary duty (TDY) travel to USAID/Washington and other Missions in order to participate in the Foreign Service National Fellowship Program described in ADS 495maa.

Additional education

Full Performance Level (FSN-10):

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Development Studies, Public Policy, Project Management, Law or related field.
2. Language Proficiency: Complete Level IV fluency (written/spoken/reading) in English and Level IV fluency in Somali is required.

Entry Level (FSN-09):

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Development Studies, Public Policy, Project Management, Law or related field.
2. Language Proficiency: Complete Level IV fluency (written/spoken/reading) in English and Level IV fluency in Somali is required.

Experience

Additional experience

Full Performance Level (FSN-10):

Prior Work Experience: Minimum three years of professional experience in Somalia, Kenya, or elsewhere in the Horn of Africa in project management or technical specialist support with an international assistance organization, a U.S. foreign affairs agency, or non-governmental organization in community development, economic development, peace building, democratization, governance, rule of law, human rights, and/or political analysis.

Entry Level (FSN-09):

Prior Work Experience: Minimum two years of professional experience in Somalia, Kenya, or elsewhere in the Horn of Africa in project management or technical specialist support with an international assistance organization, a U.S. foreign affairs agency, or non-governmental organization in community development, economic development, peace building, democratization, governance, rule of law, human rights, and/or political analysis.

Skills

• Team Player
• Computer Proficient
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration
• Interpersonal skills
• Coordination Skills
• Managerial Skills
• Financial Planning
• procurement planning

Additional skills

Supervisory Relationship

The position will be supervised directly by, and report to, the USDH Democracy, Stabilization, and Governance (DSG) Office Chief in USAID/Somalia, or his/her designate, and will work in close coordination with other members of the DSG team and the USAID Somalia Mission. Performance is evaluated annually on the basis of achieving work objectives and performance measures. Assignments are made orally and in writing. Most assignments are self-generated and occur in the normal course of the work. S/he exercises independence in most phases of the assignment but determines those situations that must be coordinated with the supervisor. The supervisor provides a review of the assignment, the goals and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected. The job holder seeks advice and assistance as required. Completed work is accepted as technically correct, and the overall assignment is reviewed in terms of results achieved.

Supervisory Controls

This is a Non-Supervisory Position.

Physical Demands

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Terms and conditions

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Offerors seeking consideration for the full performance level will be considered in isolation first, and only if no acceptable offeror is found at that level, the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will proceed to review offerors at the lower levels.

The technical evaluation committee may conduct reference checks, including references from individuals who have not been specifically identified by the offeror, and may do so before or after a candidate is interviewed.

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)

This position requires specialist knowledge of development issues, with a focus on governance, democratization, and peace building in Somalia. Must have professional-level knowledge of development approaches and methods for program design, project management, monitoring and evaluation, performance analysis, budget planning and management.

• Skills and abilities (40 Points)

Managerial and coordination skills; excellent interpersonal skills in various professional settings; good social and professional judgment; ability to undertake extensive field trips; and ability to maintain collaborative working relationships in a team structure are required. The job holder must be able to work under complex situations and maintain a high-quality work output. The position requires the use of high level procedural expertise, and knowledge of procurement and financial planning, The position requires the use of mid-level technical/professional skills to serve as Activity Manager and AOR/COR, and in support of other DSG Office activity managers and AORs/CORs. The job holder should be proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet communication.

Total possible points: 100

“'The TEC will consider all offerors below the full performance level on an equal basis for their demonstrated potential to rise to the full performance level.”

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 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 as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO (A) - 0001
SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) - Base Contract FSN - 09 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_

ITEM NO (A) - 1001
SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) - Option 1 – FSN – 10 (Attachment A) 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_

1. 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.
2. 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.

3. 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.
4. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 - PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION - JUN 2023