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23-121 USAID Project Management Specialist (Energy)

USAID Kenya Nairobi, Kenya

Summary

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The USAID Project Management Specialist - Energy is responsible for contributing to the design, development, and management of Mission plans and programs to support the Kenyan and regional energy sector development. The Specialist reports to the Mission’s Energy Team Leader and provides technical advice on national and regional power sector development trends, with a major focus on energy access, efficiency, policy and energy infrastructure development for power generation, transmission and distribution. 

The Specialist utilizes his knowledge of the Kenyan and regional energy sector trends, and of economic growth issues in Kenya to help USAID achieve high impact programs. The Specialist works to improve energy policy and regulations and contributes to the design and implementation of projects/activities that facilitate expansion of power generation, transmission and distribution to increase access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity in Kenya and to a lesser extent regionally. Further, the Specialist drafts and analyzes technical documentation (Requests for Application, Requests for Proposal, Statements of Work, etc.) needed to develop strategy, obligate funds, and award grants and contracts; and serves as a member on Technical Evaluation Committees, contributing to the review and selection of project proposals.

 

The Specialist provides input to the conceptualization and articulation of energy and economic growth strategies and supports the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of existing and new power programs. The Specialist will work with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) as Agreement Officer's Representative/ Contracting Officer's Representative (AOR/COR), alternate Agreement Officer's Representative/ Contracting Officer's Representative (AAOR/ACOR) or activity manager for grants and contracts. The Specialist is required to monitor and evaluate ongoing programs, prepare performance reports, annual reporting documents, briefing papers, concept papers, and other periodic documentation for the Mission, USAID/Washington, USAID/Power Africa, the State Department and other relevant US government agencies. 

The Specialist also represents the Mission in discussions and negotiations with the government of Kenya, other development partners and implementing partners (IPs). The Specialist assists USAID staff including senior managers, visiting USG officials, and others in sector-related public meetings, field trips, and discussions with Kenyan officials and partner organizations. Finally, the Specialist advises on the allocation of budget available for the energy/power portfolio and establishes and maintains contacts for Mission management in the energy sector, including individuals in the government, private and non-governmental institutions, and donor community.

Description

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.: 23-121 
  1. ISSUANCE DATE: September 5, 2023 
  1. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 18, 2023 (4:30 PM East Africa Time). 
  1. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected] 
  1. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Energy) 
  1. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-11 Step 1 (4,792,523.00 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (8,147,267.00 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. 
  1. 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. 
  1. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. 
  1. 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. 
  1. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO. 

Education

Statement of Duties to be Performed

Program Management and Monitoring                                                   (50%)

The Specialist tracks clean energy projects in Kenya and to a lesser extent in the East Africa region, collaborating closely with the Energy Team Leader and with senior Mission management as required. The Specialist serves as the USAID Foreign Service National (FSN) employee responsible for interpreting, explaining, and clarifying US Mission policies, programs, and strategies in the energy sector, through regular contact with the government and utility officials, NGOs, IPs, other donors, and civil society organizations. The Specialist establishes and maintains contacts with government counterparts, donor agencies, the private sector, and a wide range of NGOs, research institutions, and universities.

The Specialist directs, coordinates, and monitors activities necessary to achieve the desired policy reforms and energy sector results supporting clean energy development; manages implementation mechanisms and provides advice and constructive feedback. The Specialist manages daily activities through interface with Implementing Partners (IPs) and relevant governments, conducting site visits and inspections (as approved by the Regional Security Officer (RSO) and others), and ensuring IPs receive needed information on USAID regulations and policies, including audit regulations, USAID-provided logistical support services, and assistance with country-level issues. The Specialist monitors and evaluates progress of IPs towards achievement of results through regular field trips, and meetings with IP management and project officials. The Specialist provides technical support in establishing performance monitoring systems for results frameworks in coordination with Mission management and IPs; and ensures appropriate accounting of resources by tracking quarterly accruals, maintaining project pipeline information, and providing leadership in meeting audit recommendations whenever required.

The Specialist provides regular analysis and reports on the energy situation in Kenya and the East African region, with a focus on the status and impact of USAID and other donor programs in support of clean energy. The Specialist provides recommendations to Mission management on longer-term energy activities, prepares and submits regular progress reports- both on a periodic and ad hoc basis for situation updates, and maintains regular contact with selected offices in USAID/Washington in order to provide information and advice as required. The Specialist provides input on energy related budgetary issues to Mission management and the Power Africa team and provides analyses of budgetary needs for the existing and planned Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI) energy-sector portfolio and participates in decision-making about funding allocation within the energy portfolio. The Project Management Specialist Energy, working with the OAA as alternate AOR/COR is responsible for the development and implementation of annual energy work and operation plans, schedules for budget allocation, obligation, and expenditure, 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 Nairobi Office of Acquisition and Assistance. The Specialist will support OEGI, Mission, and USG efforts to ensure effective, cost effective, and responsible programming and reporting in compliance with USG and USAID regulations and ethics standards, including environmental compliance, and, ultimately, help USAID achieve its economic growth objectives in Kenya.

 

Energy Policy and Technical Advice                                                           (30%) 

The Specialist serves as an energy expert, with a strong knowledge of energy policy, trends and issues in Kenya and a good understanding of broader policy, trends, and issues in the East Africa region. He/she reviews and analyzes developments and advises Mission management and as required, Embassy officials on issues relating to the energy sector in the country, particularly those bearing on bilateral assistance or other USG interests. The Specialist assists the Mission officials, other USAID staff, Power Africa Initiative and visiting officials in preparing for and participating in field trips, public meetings, conferences, and negotiations with the governments in the region, occasionally involving planning the events, managing field activities and logistics, and serving as a control officer for the field visits. The Specialist maintains regular contact with Power Africa teams in Pretoria and Washington DC, and provides them with information, advice and feedback as required.

 

Energy Strategic Planning and Program Design                                       (20%) 

The USAID Program Management Specialist, Energy provides technical and managerial support to the conceptualization, planning, implementation, and monitoring of significant components of the overall Mission/Power Africa energy strategy. The Specialist obtains support from and coordinates the involvement of IPs and major stakeholders (including relevant Government ministries, energy sector parastatals, independent power producers, and private companies, businesses and investors) to identify components of effective clean energy strategies, proposals for new activities, and determinations of

achievable results that will serve to improve the economic condition of women and men in Kenya. The Specialist obtains Mission-level approval for the initiation of new activities, provides support and input for the drafting of relevant OEGI Energy sections of Mission strategy statements, and other concept papers and relevant documents such as results frameworks, activities packages, budgets, background documentation, and performance monitoring plans. The Specialist coordinates the drafting of activity design, analysis, and assessment documentation and related technical, policy, economic, and budgetary analyses; takes a leadership role in implementing changes to existing clean energy activities and serves as a member of Mission technical review teams for energy-related (and other) concept papers, solicited or

unsolicited proposals, and proposed awards under USAID-funded activities.

 

Supervision Received

The Specialist works under the supervision of the Energy Team Lead. Assignments are made orally and in writing. Most assignments occur in the normal course of the work, but the Specialist is required to determine those 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 Specialist will seek advice and assistance as required. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved.

 

Supervision Exercised

Supervision of USAID/Kenya and East Africa staff is not contemplated.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

More Details on Experience

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) 

Strong knowledge of the Government policies, developmental initiatives and priorities for energy sector and related areas, as well as the understanding of socio-political culture in various geographical regions of Kenya is required. Also required is a thorough knowledge of issues relating to public and private sector roles in energy sector development, as well as the sector strengths, opportunities and vulnerabilities, for Kenya and the region. Additionally, the Specialist needs expert knowledge of a broad range of issues of energy policy, generation, transmission, distribution, access and human resources capacity building as well as knowledge of private-sector development and competitiveness. Knowledge of strategies, programs, and the working methodologies of other donor agencies and banks in the energy sector in Kenya is required. 

  • Skills and abilities (40 points) 

A high level of technical expertise and ability in energy and private-sector development is required. The Specialist should possess the ability to advise the Mission management on Kenyan energy sector development and issues across a wide range of energy related topics (such as the regulatory environment for energy, key barriers to energy reform, etc.) and their implications on USAID programs. Program design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills are essential. The ability to effectively communicate complicated policy, strategy, and program issues orally and in writing is also required. The Specialist must have good interpersonal, coordination, and

bureaucratic skills and be able to coordinate successfully with all parts of the USAID Mission and Embassy to advance program interests. The Specialist must be able to handle sensitive issues diplomatically, represent USAID authoritatively, and use good judgment in speaking on behalf of USAID in high-level meetings with the USG, government of Kenya, NGOs, and other donors and in conferences, seminars, and workshops. The Specialist must possess good organizational and management skills.

 

Total possible points:  100

Terms And Conditions

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.

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 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

The Contractor must observe Kenyan laws including those concerning income and related tax obligations. 

 

USAID REGULATIONS, AND 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. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract 
  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. 
  1. 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.

  2. 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].