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PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH/REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH) TEAM LEADER

USAID Kenya NAIROBI, KENYA

Summary

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.  SOLICITATION NO.: 21-150

2.  ISSUANCE DATE: October 18, 2021

3.  CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 1, 2021 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).

4.  POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Maternal Child Health/Reproductive Health Team Leader) – Re-advertisement.

5. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-PSC 12 (Step 1: 6,834,442.00 KSH to Step 13: 11,618,566.00 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 six (6) months probationary period, with an additional six (6) months upon successful completion of probation period. Four (4) additional option years contingent on fully successful or better performance rating, funds availability and the continued need to retain the position.

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. Government. 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 Maternal Child Health and Reproductive Health (MCH/RH) Team responsible for providing strategic planning, leadership, management, and technical expertise to ensure the well-coordinated and effective program implementation of the USG MCH/RH portfolio in USAID/KEA and the HPN Office. This will require establishing effective collaboration with other HPN Teams including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) interagency team, the President’s Malaria Initiative and other technical teams in analytics, policy, partnerships and systems as well as various support offices within USAID/KEA. The Jobholder is the senior public health advisor who will provide highest level strategic and leadership services in the areas comprising maternal, infant and child health initiatives and reproductive health programs. The Jobholder is recognized by the USG and the GOK as an expert in the field of maternal, infant l and child health and reproductive health and serves as a key advisor to mission management, the PEPFAR KEA Interagency, the GOK, and to implementing partners (IPs).

This position is an essential leadership position within HPN. Serving as a senior strategic and technical advisor, the Jobholder will lead the planning, design, management, and implementation oversight of USAID/KEA’s maternal, infant and child health, reproductive health investments as they relate to health activities related to the PEPFAR program. The incumbent coordinates closely with and provides guidance to the Government of Kenya family planning and MCH program to ensure U.S. government investments in the health sectors are in line with the GOK strategic framework and are effectively and transparently implemented. 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 reproductive health, family planning, and maternal and child health. The Jobholder has a mastery of global health issues, as well as the entire USAID/USG health portfolio. As the MCH/RH Specialist, the Specialist will also oversee USAID partner agreements, grants and contracts, supervise other USAID Team staff, and oversee USAID programming, financial, and other resources.

The position is supervised by the Family Health Center of Excellence Director, who will provide general guidance related to policy and program objectives. The MCH/RH Specialist works closely with technical and management staff throughout the HPN Office. In this role the Specialist may be called upon to provide briefings to other Technical Mission Offices and Mission leadership. As a senior MCH/RH advisor, the incumbent represents USAID at official national government events, national and international fora, donor forums and technical working groups to advise on policies, strategies, and technical issues, as well as coordination among implementing partners and other USG agencies as it relates to the reproductive health, family planning, maternal, infant and child health programs. S/he will ensure that planning and responses by USAID/KEA are carried out in accordance with Agency and State Department directions.

Description

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1.  STRATEGIC AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP                      50%

  • The incumbent serves as a high-level advisor to USAID/KEA's HPN Office and Mission leadership on maternal and child health and reproductive health. This includes providing vision, strategic direction, and leadership and taking prime responsibility for identifying new potential in the design and implementation of all projects/activities in the portfolio ensuring they meet the goals’ and objectives of the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and the USAID, Health Population and Nutrition integrated program, whilst responding to Government of Kenya priorities and strategies. 
  • This portfolio includes technical areas such as family planning, reproductive health, maternal infant and young children’s health and its integration with nutrition, HIV, malaria, water, sanitation and hygiene in collaboration with the water sector and agricultural sector. This role forms an integral part of Family Health’s mandate to contribute to the reduction of infant and child morbidity and mortality in Kenya as part of HPN’s integrated program.  
  • The Jobholder carries out a full range of consultative, advisory, strategic, coordinating, planning and evaluation responsibilities related to the assigned portfolio. Contributes to the development of USAID policy and programs in KEA in the area of reproductive health, maternal infant and child health. The Specialist is ultimately responsible for overseeing development and management of all Family Health Team’s, Reproductive Health, Maternal Infant and Child Health Team acquisition and assistance mechanisms. 
  • The incumbent keeps abreast of current and new health systems issues affecting the Maternal, infant and child health and reproductive health portfolio emerging from USAID/Washington and the Government of Kenya’s health sector and provides recommendations on options for shaping USAID/KEA’s integrated programing approaches in support of USAID Global Health Strategic Priorities. The incumbent represents USAID at the highest government and donor levels. 
  • Articulates USAID maternal, infant and child health, family planning and reproductive health strengthening vision and strategic priorities to GOK and other development partners including donor agencies and private sector providers, leads in the alignment and harmonization with national and global best practices for the achievement of sustainable strategies to facilitate medium to long-term impact of activities, providing technical direction and capacity strengthening, monitoring progress toward key milestones and recommending program course corrections as needed for interventions at national and county levels. 
  • The Jobholder keeps abreast of current and new MCH/RH 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. 
  • Develops and sustains high level relationships with senior GOK, respective development partners and private sector leaders to advocate, introduce and expand policies and programming that promote family and reproductive health through evidence-based interventions, promote the development of sustainable improvements, and to incorporate new technologies into the national and USG integrated MCH/RH health program. 
  • Provides strategic and technical leadership to build systems and capacity of Kenyan entities to ensure effective and efficient delivery of critical family planning interventions and MCH/RH initiatives at national and county levels utilizing a health system strengthening approach. 
  • Incumbent provides leadership and direction on scientific policy and practices associated with MCH/RH and family planning programs at the government and county levels to ensure sustainability of all USAID-supported interventions through the integrated program approach of the HPN Office activities. 
  • The incumbent serves as a high-level public health advisor on maternal and child health, family planning, and reproductive health to USAID/KEA, keeping abreast of current and new health systems issues affecting the portfolio emerging from USAID/Washington and provides recommendations on options for shaping USAID/KEA’s MCH/RH programs in support of the agency’s Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths Strategy, USAID Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), Global Health Strategic Priorities of Creating an AIDS-Free Generation, and Protecting Communities from Infectious Diseases. 
  • The incumbent directly supervises the Maternal and Child Health and Reproductive Health Team technical staff.

2.  REPRESENTATION AND COORDINATION                           25%

  • The Jobholder represents USAID in coordinating MCH/RH efforts with Government of Kenya officials, implementing partners, other development partners, and private sector organizations and providers. 
  • As the MCH/RH Specialist, represents USAID/Kenya and the broader USG health community at national and international meetings and technical working groups, including: leading internal and external meetings on issues related to USAID KEA health programs/projects/activities, with emphasis on all elements related to maternal and child health, family planning, and reproductive health; representing USAID/USG at relevant technical and steering committee meetings, such as the Inter-agency Coordinating Committees, and serving on Technical Working Groups; maintaining an extensive range of senior and mid-level GOK official contacts, such as the County Governors and County Health Leaders, MOH Chief Administrative Secretary, the Principal Secretary, Director General National Council of Population and Development, and Heads of Department in MOH. The Specialist also works with senior representatives from other development parties, civil society, academia, private sector and NGOs and senior USAID and USG staff. Serving as the one of the lead USAID KEA technical representative to the relevant PEPFAR interagency technical teams, ensuring strategic coordination among USG health teams and integration of HIV and maternal infant and young child programs as well as reproductive health. Coordination with the GOK, IPs, and other development partners such as UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, NHIF, DfID, Gates Foundation and CHAI is critical to align external investments in the health sector with GOK priorities. 
  • The Specialist provides technical assistance to support the MOH in the development, review and monitoring of relevant strategies and polices through the MOH structure of interagency technical committees and working groups. 
  • The Jobholder uses diplomatic skills and technical acumen to provide senior policy, strategic, and technical advice, guidance, and to influence the Ministry of Health in their strategic decisions and policy formulation to strengthen MCH/RH programs and initiatives, including transparency and accountability, and encourage KEA to take concrete steps in their overall journey to self-reliance. 

3.  PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, EVALUATION AND REPORTING  25%

  • The Jobholder supervises the management of field support activities and programming related to family planning, maternal and child health, and reproductive health, including planning, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation. Takes the lead in designing new activities, takes the prime responsibility for identifying new potential USAID-supported activities for MCH/RH initiatives, designing services in conjunction with partners, obtaining approval by all concerned parties, and coordinating targeted efforts. 
  • Seeks opportunities to implement strategies that enhance efficiency, innovation, and research to ensure the sustainability of the MCH/RH programs in KEA and reduce USAID costs by improving efficiencies. 
  • The Jobholder champions MCH/RH program requirements, performance standards objectives, and related funding to other USG agencies to ensure required MCH/RH budgets are included in the COP, MOP and OP. 
  • The Jobholder is a member of Activity Monitoring Teams that review select HPN implementing partner work plans to ensure procurement forecasting and planning is appropriate. Oversees the implementation of MCH/RH activities and provides technical leadership and direction to ensure that all implementing partners are well coordinated and that scale-up of activities are successfully implemented in targeted counties and health zones. 
  • Supports development of indicator and performance monitoring plans for MCH/RH partners and FP/MCH/RH portfolio related activities. Monitors progress according to these plans. Ensures FP/MCH/RH partners and portfolio activities are carried out in accordance with USAID directives and in collaboration with other PEPFAR programs.
  • Along with other HPN and Mission (as appropriate) Specialists, actively supports management and program integration opportunities in strategic and cost-effective ways, with a focus on strengthening activities across all sectors. As needed, may assume project management activities roles such as being a Contracting or Agreement Officer Representative (COR/AOR) or Activity Manager for cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts. 
  • The Jobholder supports the development and technical reviews of the MCH/RH program sections in the annual Country Operating Plan, the Semi- and Annual Reports, Congressional Presentations, Portfolio Review, Performance Monitoring Plan, and other key documents. 
  • The Jobholder will take an active role in developing specific Agency program goals and objectives for MCH/RH initiatives. This includes collaboration on initiatives proposed in country operational plans, annual work plans, and regular progress reports related to the delivery of services and system improvements. Prepares directives, memoranda, policy statements and proposals to introduce new initiatives and to recommend effective operations consistent with strategic objectives of the Annual OP and other USAID Washington mandates as well as and the Agency’s health program in Kenya and throughout the East Africa region. 
  • The Jobholder will ensure that all program documentation meets both USG requirements and audit inspection standards. Ensures that documentation of USAID activities is prepared with input from other USG Team members and implementing partners; and is submitted in a timely fashion to the relevant Mission Offices for approval before submission to, USAID/W, with adequate time for review and clearance. 
  • Working with the Family Health Team, the Jobholder performs budget formulation including preparing detailed analyses and estimates of annual USAID funding needs for one or more future budget years of funding. Monitors program obligations, commitments, expenditures, and results against targets in MCH/RH-related programs. Ensures that the budget system is used effectively as an evaluating tool in measuring program performance and effectiveness.

POSITION ELEMENTS

A.  Supervision Received: The Maternal Child Health and Reproductive Health Specialist will work under the general supervision of the USAID/ KEA Family Health COE Director. The incumbent works independently, takes initiative, and manages a very large results package for strengthening the Kenyan MCH/RH programs. Most assignments are self-generated, and occur in the normal course of the work, but the incumbent determines those that must be coordinated with the supervisor. The supervisor provides an overall general direction and results to be achieved. Completed work is accepted as technically correct, and the overall assignment is reviewed in terms of results achieved.

B.  Supervision Exercised: The position supervises up to eight (8) professional staff members, providing supervision, leadership, mentorship, and guidance.

C.  Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USAID Mission Orders, Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), bilateral agreements, Agency procedures and regulations, and other relevant reports; the Automated Directives System (ADS); and, USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, the FAR and AIDAR, PEPFAR specific directives and guidelines, the Country Operational Plan (COP) and Malaria Operational Plan (MOP) guidance which include technical guidance, and other published and unpublished guidelines that inform the programming of Family Health Funds. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring the incumbent to exercise considerable interpretation.

D.  Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent is given substantial latitude in planning and executing work assignments, and is thus required to exercise extensive judgment, including the specific approach to be taken, the resolution of problems and conflicts, and meeting of deadlines. Substantial judgment (discretion) is used daily in giving technical guidance to USG, USAID, and GOK colleagues, to IPs, and in representing USAID in multi-stakeholder fora, including the highest levels of the Embassy and GOK. Management decisions over certain IPs are at the discretion of the incumbent. Independent judgment is required for developing, implementing, and managing assigned program/project activities, for reporting, and for other assignments. The incumbent serves as the senior MCH/RH lead, and therefore substantial judgment is required in analyzing and determining whether to recommend approval of proposed programs/projects, activities, and engagements, in choosing among alternative proposals, and while evaluating data for reliability.

E.  Authority to Make Commitments: Authorized to make all commitments necessary to guide USAID portfolio within the scope of assigned duties and responsibilities. This position takes actions and establishes priorities based on USAID, PEPFAR guidelines and his/her professional judgment. The incumbent may act as COR/AOR and takes administrative, technical arrangements with respect to ADS, Mission, PMI, and OGAC directives and regulations.

F.  Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent maintains contacts and works within USAID and with other USG personnel within the region; with considerable interaction with USAID/Washington Global Health and Africa Bureau staff, to obtain and provide information relative to programs and activities and to participate in technical and policy working groups pertaining to the assigned portfolio. Official contacts include USAID/Washington technical staff and other high-ranking USG representatives, including high level officials in the US Embassy, other USG agencies and bilateral and regional missions in the process of managing project activities and explaining and defending USAID policies, objectives and procedures, and to transmit and interpret counterpart concerns to senior USAID officials. He/she will also work closely with senior officials in the national and county governments of Kenya, development partners, implementing partners, Regional Intergovernmental Organizations, academia, the private sector and other civil society entities. Frequent and substantive personal contacts with mid- and high-level officials of the provincial and local governments, and with the private sector, are for the purpose of explaining and defending USAID policies, objectives, and procedures, and to transmit and interpret GOK counterpart, county and local-level, and private-sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials.

G. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One year.

Education
Master’s Degree In Public Health With Focus On Maternal And Child Health, Family Planning, Reproductive Health, Health Policy, Or Management

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. If you have not been contacted within one month from the closing date of this advertisement, please consider your application unsuccessful.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Master’s Degree in Public Health with focus on maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, health policy, or management is required.

Post Entry Training: Familiarization training in USAID-specific procedures, regulations, and methods, and orientation to working from a donor-Agency perspective, etc., will be provided. Successful completion of formal AOR/ COR certification courses is required. Other training to maintain professional capability in the field, and other courses offered for professional USAID staff, as appropriate; and courses, seminars, conferences, and other activities in fields related to the sector and needed to maintain and update professional qualifications as they become available will be provided, subject to offerings and the availability of funds.

Language Proficiency: (Fluent (Level IV) English and Kiswahili written and oral capability is required.

More Details on Experience

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in leading, implementing, and evaluating maternal and child health, reproductive health, and/or family planning programs in international/ resource poor settings. This includes experience with USG, PEPFAR, or PEPFAR implementing partners, with progressively increasing responsibility for activity management and design. Must have technical experience managing MCH/RH activities (e.g. health promotion, child development and/or health); including designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluation activities. Experience in managing mid- and high-level coordination and relationships with public sector entities, bilateral and multilateral donors, and NGOs. At least three years of direct supervisory and/or managerial experience is required.

Job Knowledge: Advanced specialist knowledge and experience in public health and development programming, especially related to maternal and child health, nutrition, water and sanitation, family planning and reproductive health is required. Thorough public health knowledge of current MCH/RH issues and development policies is required. Comprehensive knowledge of how USG interfaces with the larger global program of HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases and malaria and how it affects incumbent’s area of maternal child health, reproductive health, and child survival. Must have thorough knowledge of MCH/RH program design, implementation and evaluation in general, and child survival in particular. Comprehensive knowledge of the Kenyan government MCH/RH policies, health care and family planning systems and structures including familiarity with Ministry policies, program priorities and regulations is required. The incumbent must have professional-level knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to the devolution of the health sector and the increasing roles and responsibilities of the Counties within this new formulation. The incumbent must have a good knowledge, or the potential to quickly acquire such knowledge, of USG legislation, policy, and practice relating to development assistance, of programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities is required. The incumbent must have knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective roles of the different levels of the GOK, and the role of units within each level, in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on program/project strategy and implementation plans. Serves as the Mission’s subject matter expert providing technical advice on MCH/RH/FP operations in order to maximize the process efficiency and productivity in USAID/KEA programs.

More Details on Skills

Skills and Abilities: The incumbent works at a senior level in a high-priority USG foreign assistance program that requires detailed technical knowledge, experience, maturity, and an ability to function independently under a complex, highly demanding, frequently changing environment. Demonstrated diplomatic and leadership skills with strong oral communication abilities at senior management levels is required. Ability to analyze, understand and discuss new technical developments and approaches at regional level, as well as program design, management and implementation approaches is required. This includes the development of evaluation designs, use of new MCH/RH regimens and protocols (including protocol/guideline development), use of reliable and valid instruments and methods for data collection, analysis and reports. Ability to lead project teams and workgroups and to develop effective working relationships with national and international working partners is required. The incumbent will be expected to exercise a high level of independence, ingenuity, and tact in applying guidelines to unique and different settings, as the work is highly complex. The ability to influence and persuade others will be required to work collaboratively with organizations engaged in MCH/RH/FP program activities. Strong skills in project programming, policies, and plans, and in developing strategies for implementation, are required. Ability to provide complex explanations, facilitate meetings and make oral presentations to senior officials and partners in a multi-cultural context, and exercise ingenuity and tact in a highly complex setting is required. The candidate must be capable of working independently, prioritizing and managing several activities simultaneously. The ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment, and to achieve consensus on policy, program/project, and administrative matters, is necessary. The work requires good computer skills in order to manage assigned activities and to achieve set goals and achievements, both technical and financial.

Terms And Conditions

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: 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. Scan and attach all the documents upload 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/usaid. 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 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.

4.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

5.  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.