Summary
The USAID Development Program Specialist (Budget and Procurement) (the “Specialist) is located within the Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI).
The Specialist serves as a subject matter expert on the full range of USAID/ Kenya and East Africa/ OEGI budget management and procurement activities. The Specialist is responsible for leading and performing a wide array of budget and procurement actions for the entire diverse OEGI portfolio, including budget planning, development, implementation and monitoring complex multi-million-dollar economic growth, and Presidential and Agency Initiatives including the Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS), Prosper Africa, Water for the World Act, and Power Africa. The Specialist provides specialized guidance to OEGI, and other Mission colleagues related to all budget, financial and procurement components of the OEGI portfolio and liaises closely with USAID/Washington on relevant activities. The Specialist also plays a primary role in coordinating financial aspects of OEGI and other Mission reporting requirements.
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.
- SOLICITATION NO.: 23-112
- ISSUANCE DATE: August 18, 2023
- CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: September 1, 2023 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
- POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected]
- POSITION TITLE: USAID Development Program Specialist (Budget and Procurement)
- 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.
- 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.
- PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
- 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.
- SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.
Education
Statement of Duties to be Performed
The incumbent will provide leadership, coordination, advice, and assistance to the OEGI management team and activity managers on all aspects of budgeting and the programming of funding, including Operational Plans, Program Performance Reports, Semi-Annual Portfolio Implementation Reviews, Congressional Budget Justifications, Congressional Notifications, the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and the Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (RDCS).
Budget and Procurement Planning and Direction (40%)
- Serves as the subject matter expert in leading the OEGI team in the preparation of annual and multi-year office budgets and ensures program budget planning and development is aligned with Mission, Initiative and crosscutting priorities.
- Provides extensive advisory services to a wide array of stakeholders including project managers, USAID/Washington as well as other USG agencies as needed to ensure OEGI budgets are aligned with USAID priorities in the host country.
- Analyzes budget guidance from a variety of sources and guides OEGI and Mission leadership to ensure earmark adherence.
- Provides the appropriate fiscal data to be used for new and existing projects.
- Advise OEGI on budgeting and procurement issues and pertinent regulations that apply to the use of USAID funds by source, type and duration.
- Makes recommendations to the OEGI teams regarding appropriate contractual and financial actions.
- Compile budget information, project obligation materials and budget scenarios in conjunction with the Office of Financial Management (OFM).
- Serve as the OEGI point of contact to prepare for and participate in Quarterly Financial Reviews; lead the Manage to Budget (MTB) process; and other procurement related matters including managing the Business Forecast and Acquisition and Assistance Plan for the office.
- Mentor and work closely with Program Management Assistants (PMAs) to complete budget and procurement related tasks for OEGI’s three Centers of Excellence.
Budget Implementation, Monitoring and Analysis (30%)
- Ensure OEGI program budgets adhere to agency requirements (adequate documentation, forward funding compliance, adherence to earmarks, initiatives, directives and budget guidelines).
- Updates uncommitted balances regularly and provides technical and programmatic recommendations to OEGI management on the use of un-sub-committed balances for new or ongoing activities.
- Track obligations, outlays, accruals and pipeline and ensure their conformity to action plans, spend plans, U.S. regulations and other Agency guidelines.
- Analyze existing financial data, including pipelines, disbursements, accruals and forecasted expenditures to inform the budget formulation process.
- Prepare field support budget requests in coordination with the technical teams.
- Serve as the OEGI subject matter expert for GLAAS and Phoenix.
- Advance OEGI’s localization agenda, including leading efforts to support the capacity of local entities (both new and current).
- Serve as a liaison with implementing partners; be familiar with partners’ programs, burn rates and budget points of contact; and serve as a point of contact in the absence of the activity manager on financial issues, vouchers and accruals.
- Make periodic visits to contractor/grantee sites for purposes of performing financial reviews to ensure program financial management systems continue to comply with USAID requirements and that funds are managed and accounted for as required.
- Follow up with grantees and partner organizations to ensure various financial reports are submitted on a timely basis as stated in OEGI agreements.
Reporting (30%)
- Provides guidance and coordinates OEGI contributions to a variety of plans and reports, including the Operational Plan (OP), Congressional Budget.
- Justification, Mission Resource Request (MRR) and Performance Plan and Report (PPR).
- Organizes and coordinates OEGI portfolio reviews and assists in preparing necessary document and presentations for Mission Portfolio Reviews. Tracks and follow-up action items from portfolio reviews.
- Identifies existing and potential program implementation and management problems as evident from tracking efforts and work with respective program managers to resolve problems/take collective action.
- Serves as a key liaison with Mission’s Strategic Planning and Analysis Office (SPA) responding, on behalf of OEGI, to regular and ad hoc reporting and programmatic requests.
Supervision Received
The incumbent will report directly to the Analytics and Operations Team Leader within the Analytics, Policy, Partnerships and Systems (APPS) Center of Excellence of OEGI.
Supervision Exercised
None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
More Details on Experience
Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, or related fields is required.
Language Proficiency
Level IV (fluent) English and Kiswahili is required.
More Details on Skills
Prior Work Experience
The incumbent must have a minimum of five years working experience in budget, accounting and/or financial analysis. Experience should include analysis and interpretation of data and presentation of findings in written and oral form. Must have experience working with the USG, implementing partners, host country government, and/or another international donor organization.
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)
Advanced knowledge of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, procedures and regulations, including the principles and accepted practices of federal government and/or business financial accounting, budgeting and reporting. Knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of program/project management, performance management frameworks and tools in the delivery of development objectives. Working knowledge or the potential to acquire knowledge of Federal agency regulations and USAID policies and procedures, especially as related to budget and financial management.
- Skills and abilities (40 points)
Advanced skills in financial management and budgeting are required. Excellent computer proficiency, including advanced skills with Microsoft Excel, spreadsheet development and management, pivot tables, data visualization, web-based databases, and electronic filing. Skills attention to details and ability to ensure accuracy of documents, analyses and reports. Good interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. S/he must have strong conceptual and analytical skills to be able to quickly grasp and translate new concepts into operational plans which are reflected in the budget. This position requires an outstanding ability to exercise flexibility and prioritization skills to be able to accept and react to evolving planning and implementation contexts. Ability to exercise sound judgment, take proactive initiative and offer leadership.
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.
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:
- Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract
- 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.
- 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.
- 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].