GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  SOLICITATION NO.: 20-102.

2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 23, 2020.

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 7, 2020      (4:30 PM East Africa Time).

4. POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (HIV- Laboratory)      Team Leader.

5. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-PSC 12: (Step 1: 6,558,709.00 KSH to Step 13: 11,149,825.00 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.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Initial 1-year probationary period with 4 additional option years contingent on performance, position need, and funds availability.

7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.

8. SECURITY CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Prior to joining USAID, the selected candidate will be required to:

• Undergo a comprehensive background investigation
• Undergo a health check to obtain medical clearance and;
• Obtain and Retain an embassy issued Security Certification.            

9. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: (See Below).

10. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens and current employees of the U.S. Mission.  Employees currently on probation are ineligible to apply. USAID provides equal opportunity and equitable treatment for employment of all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status or sexual orientation.

11. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The position requirements do not involve rigorous physical demands.

BACKGROUND

USAID/Kenya and East Africa invests in population and health programs at national and county levels that aim to improve the survival, well-being and productivity of the Kenyan population by reducing the burden of major infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and addressing the main causes of maternal and child illness and deaths. This includes cross-cutting work to strengthen healthcare systems and build capacity, and to support the national government to formulate key policies and guidelines while assisting counties to better plan, manage and finance quality health services to meet local needs. The Health Population and Nutrition (HPN) office is USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s (KEA) largest office, managing a portfolio valued at over $400 million annually. The office receives funding from a number of U.S. Presidential Initiatives, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), Feed the Future (FtF) as well as other USAID health funds for family planning, maternal newborn and child health, nutrition, emerging pandemic threats, and water, sanitation and hygiene.

The position will serve as USAID’s lead for the HPN Laboratory Team responsible for providing strategic leadership, management, and technical expertise to the full range of laboratory systems, services, technology development, and investments as they relate to USAID/Kenya’s HPN program activities. The Jobholder will ensure that laboratory-related activities are well-integrated and coordinated with other USAID/KEA-supported health activities. This will require establishing effective collaboration with other HPN Teams including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) interagency team and other technical and support offices within USAID/KEA.

This position is an essential leadership position within HPN. Serving as a senior strategic and technical advisor, the Jobholder will lead the planning and implementation of USAID/KEA’s laboratory systems and service strengthening investments as they relate to health activities related to the PEPFAR program. The incumbent is a key player in the U.S. Mission’s interagency health efforts. This position requires highly specialized technical skills, expert subject matter knowledge, political and diplomatic tact, complex problem-solving skills and significant experience related to the respective field of laboratory infrastructure and systems strengthening. As Jobholder, the Specialist will also oversee USAID partner agreements, grants and contracts, supervise other USAID Laboratory Team staff, and oversee USAID programming, financial, and other resources.

The position is located in the USAID Health Population and Nutrition Office. The incumbent reports to the Health Products & Technology Center of Excellence Director and supervises a team of up to two professional staff and two program management assistants.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

TECHNICAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP                         30%

1. Serves as a high-level advisor to USAID/KEA's HPN Office and Mission management on laboratory infrastructure, systems, and services, diagnosis, and technology development. The Jobholder keeps abreast of current and new laboratory systems and services issues, interprets and advises the Office and Mission on implications and implementation options to maximize programmatic opportunities (as strategic and cost-effective) within KEA's integrated programming environment.

2. Articulates USAID laboratory management systems strengthening vision and strategic priorities to GOK and other development partners including private sector industry players, leads in the alignment and harmonization with national and global best practices for the achievement of accountable, affordable, accessible and reliable laboratory systems through the implementation of high quality laboratory interventions at national and county levels.

3. Serve as the lead technical officer for the USAID HPN’s laboratory portfolio and provides expert direction in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national laboratory networks across all the 47 counties, leading development of technical strategic laboratory strengthening programs and interventions.

4. Provide expert-level guidance to the Mission and the Ministry of Health including senior level officials in National Public Health Laboratory Services Division, serving as key advisor for all strategic and policy issues related to USAID laboratory systems strengthening and all related programming.

5.  Work closely with other units within the Health Office and across the Mission to optimize opportunities for cross-sectoral integration and leveraging of resources across the different program components.

6. Through literature review and other technical media research and regular communication with local and international stakeholders, keep abreast of emerging developments in the national and global laboratory systems strengthening landscape and advise accordingly on how these policies, strategies and technical guidelines can most effectively be incorporated to enable the Mission to maintain the fidelity and relevance of its integrated health programming.

7. Identify opportunities for integrated “state of the art” approaches, providing technical assessment and recommended strategies to pilot innovative interventions. Provide expert oversight and guidance to USAID implementing partners on newly emerging and highly efficacious approaches to laboratory systems strengthening portfolio implementation.

8. In collaboration with the other members of the Health Office, advise on the development of tools (such as dash boards, league tables) that support continuous learning and adapting to further improve and evolve the USAID knowledge base and data management capability related to laboratory networks systems strengthening activities. Advise on targeted analyses of national public health laboratory services data to inform program planning and implementation.

PROJECT PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND EVALUATION                                                                             20%

1. Provide strategic and technical leadership in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning and reporting documents including the Country Operational Plan, Operational Plan, Malaria Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, Portfolio Reviews, Performance Monitoring Plan, Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports.

2. Support country-level integrated health programming portfolio’s annual budget preparation process, providing technical assistance to USG financial teams and technical working groups in completing the required planning tools such as Funding Allocation to Strategy Tool (FAST) and any other new tools that may be provided for use in the planning processes.

3. Provide oversight to the annual laboratory systems strengthening portfolio budget and ensure costs remain within budget planning levels and that efficiency is maximized.

4. Analytically assess the integrated health programming portfolio, the performance of partners, the available budget, the need for additional activities or ending activities, and facilitate design of new projects or activities necessary to achieve strategic objectives.

5. Participate or take the lead on each stage of project design for new activities, including drafting and getting approval for concept papers, writing scopes of work, evaluating applications/proposals, and starting up new projects.

6. Ensure that implementing partners abide by their reporting requirements, including quarterly reports, trip reports, accruals, PMPs, annual reports, and other requirements such as PEPFAR, PMI and PPR reporting or other requests. This includes supportive supervision and guidance to other technical and support staff in the HPN office as necessary.

7. Lead routine meetings with implementing partners to discuss technical and programmatic direction of the laboratory networks strengthening for the effective programming of integrated HPN portfolio. Conduct field visits to USAID-supported HPN activities to meet with implementing partners and government health officials as appropriate to provide technical, programmatic, and administrative guidance as necessary.

8. Maintain a technical portfolio as Contracting Officer’s Representative/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager, which includes review and approval of workplans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, performance monitoring plans, monitoring activities through field visits and ensuring that financial reporting (accruals/vouchers) are submitted to the Financial Management Office as required.

9. Identify opportunities and strengthen existing opportunities for integration of HPN programs with education and youth, office of economic growth and integration, democracy, governance and conflict activities, and other areas of the Mission as appropriate.

10. Technically advise and makes recommendations on the need for short-term technical assistance (STTA) from USAID/Washington central projects and write the technical components of the scope of work for the consultants.

11. In collaboration with other members of the Health Office, manage the laboratory technical support services analytical agenda for national surveys such as the KENPHIA, KDHS, KMIS, NHA and other studies.

12. In collaboration with other Health Office staff, initiate and coordinate targeted analyses of national public health laboratory services data to generate trends and patterns to inform planning and programming.

13. Participate in and ensure the effectiveness of Site Improvement Monitoring System (SIMS) and other field visits to improve quality of service delivery.

REPRESENTATION AND REPORTING                                      30%

1. Represent USAID and HPN Office at designated national, regional and international meetings that relate to laboratory management systems including regular participation in national level health products and technology technical working groups and related committees.

2. Represent USAID on the inter-agency USG PEPFAR, PMI and Family Health Inter-Agency Technical Team.

3. The Jobholder liaises and works closely with WHO/AFRO and other regional institutions such as the Regional Center for Quality of Health Care (RCQHC) and East, Central and Southern Health Community (ECSA-HC) among other private sector laboratories QA/QI organizations, to strengthen the implementation of collaborative learning and adapting activities throughout Eastern Africa for the scale up of best practices on laboratory networks at national and regional levels.

4. As requested by the Mission Director, Health Office Director or Deputy Director, represent USAID at meetings outside of the laboratory systems strengthening field when needed.

5. Organize site visits and prepare orientation materials for delegations from Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator (OGAC), PMI, Global Health Bureau, USAID Headquarters, State Department, and other agencies.

6. As a member of the Senior HPN Management Team, respond flexibly and capably to a wide range of work-related requirements including responding to requests for information from USAID/Washington, Congress, PMI, Global Health Bureau and OGAC.

7. Establish strategic working relationships with senior government officials at the national and district level, donor agencies, civil society organizations, private sector health counterparts and medical associations to enhance regular and timely sharing of information on HIV/AIDS, FP/RMNCAH, Malaria, Nutrition and WASH interventions in the country, including changes in key policies, and legal and regulatory environments that could affect the implementation of USAID programs.

8. Serve as the Mission’s representative on all inter-agency forums related to laboratory systems strengthening for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and RMNCAH.

9. Prepares reports and responses to USAID/Washington requests for information.

SUPERVISION, COACHING/MENTORING AND STAFF SUPPORT      20%

1. Supervise Co-operating Country Nationals, which includes developing annual work objectives, identifying appropriate training opportunities, mentoring and coaching them in facilitation of professional development. Conduct regular performance reviews and address any performance challenges that may arise.

2. Works with direct reports to determine training needs, helps identify appropriate training opportunities and ensures fair participation in training.

3. Provide expert advice and guidance to direct reports on matters relating to National and County Public Health Laboratory Services and how best the other program components could contribute to ensure an effective service cascade.

POSITION ELEMENTS

A. Supervision Received: The Project Management Specialist (HIV - Laboratory) will report to the Health Products and Technology Center of Excellence Director. Most assignments are self-generated and occur in the normal course of work and the incumbent exercises independents in most phases of his/her job responsibilities but determines those situations that must be coordinated with the supervisor or other team members.  Completed work is accepted as technically correct and the overall work is reviewed in terms of results achieved.     

B. Supervision Exercised: The Project Management Specialist (HIV - Laboratory) will supervise up to five professional staff.

C. Available Guidelines: PEPFAR Guidance and Directives, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); AID Acquisitions Regulations (AIDAR); AID Automated Directives System (ADS Series); Contract Information Bulletins (CIBs); Office of Procurement Acquisition Memorandum (OPAMS); U.S. Department of State Standardized Regulations; Federal Travel Regulations; Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Circulars and Controller General Decisions, USAID Mission Orders, Project Papers, Mission Strategy, and other documents available, USAID policies and procedures, Technical Documents and Policy Papers.

D. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent will exercise a high degree of independent judgment and initiative to plan, prioritize and conduct the activities entailed in fulfilling major duties and responsibilities. The incumbent will be expected to analyze and address problems by applying relevant guidance (for management/administrative issues) and evidence-based strategies (for technical issues) to advance the Mission’s objectives. In the event that no formal guidance exists, the incumbent will use her/his own personal, well-informed judgment, making independent decisions that can be defended as necessary and seeking input when appropriate.

E. Authority to Make Commitments: When fully designated as COR/AOR s/he will have full authority and responsibility as delegated by ADS, other Mission, and USAID guidelines. However, because of the incumbent’s expertise and professional standing in his/her field, substantial weight will be given to his/her recommendations while commitments are made by those with the authority to do so. 

F. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent occupies a high profile and important position in the Mission. S/he represents USAID in engagements with high levels of a variety of host government officials at national and sub-national levels, donors, private and non-governmental organizations. S/he provides policy recommendations as well as strategic and programmatic advice to senior USAID and US Government officials, other donors, and implementing partners. S/he must also have an extensive range of contacts with the National Public Health Laboratory Services, health and social development sectors including senior government technical and managerial staff, Heads of Agencies, development partners, senior officials from the civil society and the private sector. The purpose of the contacts is related to project implementation and to obtain and interpret information relevant to program activities, to develop and/or clarify strategy or activity designs and to identify problems requiring resolution among USAID, technical assistance and training providers, counterparts and other donors.

G. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: 52 weeks.   

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in public health programming in developing or middle-income countries, with experience spent on public health laboratory testing procedures and systems -related work in Africa are required. Direct experience in clinical laboratory work, including molecular diagnostics, quality assurance, and accreditation is required.

                                              Experience working with or for bilateral or multilateral donors/stakeholders such as USAID, the World Bank, the Global Fund, the UN agencies, or national-level public sector projects.  At least one year of supervisory experience is required.

Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must possess strong skills in communication (oral and written), advocacy, and networking. S/he must have strong conceptual and analytical skills to be able to quickly grasp and translate new concepts into operational plans and results. 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 judgement, take initiative and offer leadership. S/he demonstrates timely decision-making and extensive judgment in planning and carrying out tasks. The incumbent must have the ability to identify significant economic, political and social trends in the host country and assess their importance and impact on USAID development assistance objectives and programs.

The incumbent must demonstrate excellent computer skills including skills with Microsoft Office, web-based databases, and electronic filing.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

Applicants must submit a resume/cv which describes how their relevant professional experience and education has prepared them to meet the specific challenges of the duties and responsibilities described above.  As part of the interview process, those applicants ranked highest may be required to submit a timed writing sample on a topic provided.  The selection committee may conduct reference checks at any time during the selection process.

Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. 

• Prior work experience (30 points)
• Job Knowledge (40 points)
• Skills and abilities (30 points)

Total possible points:  100

Candidates meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and reference checks.   References will be asked to assess the applicant’s technical knowledge, work performance, communication skills, and group dynamics, using the above criteria.  USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed applicants.  The interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

How to Apply

Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com    

Step 2: Complete the job application questionnaire at www.myjobsinkenya.com  The applicant must answer all the questions in the Questionnaire.

Step 3: Internal Applicants/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 to MyJobsInKenya.

                                                OR

External Applicants/Not Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages) and copies of all relevant certificates. Upload all the documents to MyJobsInKenya.

Note to Applicants:

1. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com as stated in Section IV.

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. The closing date for receipt of applications is indicated above.

3. USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.