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Project Management Specialist ( Regional Trade Facilitation)

USAID Kenya NAIROBI

Summary

1.  SOLICITATION NO.: 20-10

2.  ISSUANCE DATE: February 27, 2020

3.  CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 19, 2020 (4:30 PM East Africa Time)

 4. POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation)

 5. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-PSC 11 (Step 1: 4,597,211.00 KSH to Step 13: 7,815,239.00 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, Third Country Nationals (non-U. S, non-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.

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

BACKGROUND

The USAID Kenya and East Africa Mission based in Nairobi, Kenya, assists the region through innovative activities designed to diminish the risk of conflict, support political stability, foster economic growth, increase market integration, improve the business and trade environment and mitigate poverty.  OEGI is one of the largest technical implementation units within USAID/KEA with several functional teams that serve both Kenya and the region under a complex and broad portfolio valued at approximately $115 million. OEGI teams collaborate to cover agriculture, food security, trade, investment, power, and resilience. 

OEGI works in full partnership with African institutions to achieve local development goals and promote U.S. foreign policy objectives including Prosper Africa. The OEGI office and its partners jointly seek to reduce barriers and facilitate increased regional and global trade; to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the region, particularly in agricultural value chains; to support improved trade facilitation along regional transit corridors; and to promote innovation in trade facilitation for regional good. The OEGI office also provides services to bilateral USAID Missions in the region on policy, program and technical issues within its purview. 

 

The Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) will serve on the Trade Team of the Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI).  S/he will assist the Team in managing and developing a range of activities designed to increase trade, investment, competitiveness, and food security in the East Africa region.  S/he will provide technical leadership to OEGI USAID/Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA) and bilateral USAID Missions to ensure that the programs implemented are economically viable and fulfill the promise of regional integration and market-based economic growth. The work of the Specialist will substantially contribute toward advancing partner governments and regional economic communities (RECs) on their Journey to Self Reliance (J2SR).

 

The Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) will provide technical leadership to design and manage programs that increase regional trade, investment, food security and inclusive growth across a broad range of sectors supported by USAID. S/he will focus on but not be limited to leading trade facilitation and implementation activities in support of US trade agreements and Presidential trade priorities; supporting regional customs reforms; promoting integrated border management; improving logistical trade performance along the region’s corridors; and, leading policy interventions that unlock transactions and create an overall business enabled environment for both U.S. and African partners.  S/he will primarily focus on the East African Community (EAC) Common Market but will also work to harmonize trade facilitation procedures across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the TRIPARTITE Free Trade Area, which also includes the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), and the African Union’s African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCAFTA). The incumbent will provide technical and analytical guidance on private sector approaches to achieving bilateral and regional trade facilitation and cross border and transit efficiencies and will broker public-private partnerships that help OEGI achieve these objectives. S/he will be a key driver of policy change to realize the smooth implementation of trade competitiveness strategies in the region. The Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) will be an important part of the OEGI team and will be expected to provide technical leadership at the highest levels of USAID and its development partners in the region. S/he will perform technical leadership, bilateral support, representation, and program management roles.  The incumbent will help to develop and manage programs that promote extra-regional competitiveness in the global market as well as intra-regional competitiveness among the countries themselves.

 

 

Description

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Regional Program Management                                          40%

The incumbent is accountable for high performance in all program functions including planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and managing for results. S/he will be responsible for the design and/or effective management of trade facilitation assistance agreements, contracts and/or grants, discharging the full range of Assistance Officer’s Representative (AOR) and/or Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) responsibilities.  Examples of such responsibilities may include management of the USAID Agreement with TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) to reduce the time and cost of doing business in the region; support to various EAC implementation agreements; and, the management of any other Agreement or Contract that may be assigned to her/him. Management responsibilities will involve interaction and negotiation at high levels with the Secretary Generals (SGs), Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief of Parties (COPs). Hence the advanced negotiation and diplomatic skills of the incumbent will be necessary to ensure successful achievement of expected results. The incumbent will contribute to completion of required monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) efforts relevant to the OEGI Trade Team. This includes design and monitoring of Performance Management Plans (PMPs), completion of data quality assessments (DQAs) and semi-annual portfolio reviews.  It further includes drafting, editing and completing relevant reports and surveys, such as the annual Trade Capacity Building (TCB) Survey, and Trade sections of annual agency Performance Plans and Reports, the Mission Strategic Resource Plan, and participation in internal evaluations or mid-term project/program reviews. 

The Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) is responsible for providing consistent, high-quality, customer-friendly technical support on trade and investment facilitation, border operations, transport planning and customs reform to Embassies and Missions supported by USAID/KEA. This may include support to bilateral USAID Missions in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Somalia, Madagascar and Mauritius.  S/he will provide technical leadership to ensure that OEGI, USAID/KEA and other bilateral Missions are supporting all USAID reform agendas in collaboration with local private sector partners to increase economic viability and sustainability. 

Technical Leadership                                                           30% 

The Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) will be responsible for ensuring that USAID development assistance programming in East Africa reflects best practices and state-of-the-art knowledge about trade and investment, trade infrastructure development, policy and customs reform. S/he will be an important OEGI team member who will only achieve the required results by working with others in a team spirit, consulting regularly with external and internal stakeholders to be able to respond competently and knowledgably to trade related impediments in Kenya and the East African region. S/he will engage in regular technical exchanges with regional institutions as well as key government, donor and private sector stakeholders in order to stay abreast of issues, trends, and changes in trade facilitation and cutting-edge developments pertinent to regional integration. The Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) is expected to develop and strengthen networks with regional trade and transit support institutions as well as national and international organizations concerned with regional integration, especially across the EAC, COMESA, IGAD and AfCAFTA. S/he will further maintain close relations with private industry and a wide network of professional colleagues to build knowledge and expand contacts in this area. At this senior level, the Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) will be a leader of knowledge and organization at meetings as well as at donor related consultations and negotiations.

Representation and Operational Requirements                      20% 

As a respected development professional, the Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) will be called upon to liaise with local, regional, and international trade facilitation leads in both the private and public-sectors to promote trade facilitation and innovations. At times, s/he will be required to represent USAID to a number of different stakeholders including Ambassadors, Mission Directors, other senior USG and Agency representatives, RECs, national level counterparts, bilateral and multilateral donors, and private sector corporate executives. The Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) is also expected to respond flexibly and capably to a wide range of work-related requirements. This includes, but is not limited to responding to U.S. Congressional inquiries and other Washington policy and operational requests, supporting VIP visits, and carrying out ad-hoc assignments as dictated by unforeseen operational requirements at the discretion of USAID/KEA Mission Director, Deputy Director, OEGI Office Director or OEGI Deputies.

Bilateral Mission Support                                                    10%  

The Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) will also have bilateral Kenya responsibilities and will likewise provide consistent, high-quality, customer-friendly technical support to the Kenya Mission on trade and investment facilitation, support for market-based systems for agriculture trade and food security, negotiation of trade agreements and implementation of US and Agency border operations, transport planning and customs reform. Such support will extend to the US Embassy.

POSITION ELEMENTS:

1.  Supervision Received: Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation) will be supervised by the Trade Team Leader. S/he will handle assignments independently with minimal supervision according to established policies, previous training and accepted practices. S/he will be expected to develop her/his own work schedule, procedures for accomplishing tasks, and will work independently to resolve problems, which may arise during the accomplishment of activities. S/he will be expected to provide finished, accurate, concise reports as required without day-to-day assistance in the preparation of the reports and other outputs.                      

2.  Supervision Exercised: The supervision of other USAID staff is not contemplated. However, the incumbent will provide guidance to the OEGI Trade Team regarding information specific to the programs and activities managed by the incumbent. The incumbent may assign tasks to lower-level FSN personnel in the office when available and appropriate. Ad-hoc acting responsibilities may be assigned from time to time within the Trade Team and/or OEGI depending on office coverage needs.

3.  Available Guidelines: The Automated Directive Services (ADS), USG handbooks, Agency Notices on policies and procedures, Mission Orders, internal USG websites, instructions from the OEGI Trade Team Leader and Office Director. General guidance changes regularly and presents options and approaches rather than blueprints for action.

4.  Exercise of Judgment: Excellent judgment and the ability to deal with ambiguity are essential. The incumbent must be able to assess alternatives and interpret the issued guidelines and will exercise well-considered and mature judgment in carrying out all aspects of his/her work. The incumbent establishes priorities independently, identifies problem areas, determines solutions and takes action and keeps appropriate supervisors apprised and seeks additional guidance and assistance when needed.

5.  Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent will have no authority to make any financial commitments on behalf of the US Government. Authority will be limited to technical directions as contained in the position’s scope of work.

6.  Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will work with all OEGI technical, programmatic and administrative staff. S/he will also work internally with other USAID/KEA offices and positions, particularly other USAID/KEA Office Directors, the Deputy Mission Director and Mission Director.  At the U.S. Embassy, the OEGI Regional Trade Facilitation will liaise, subject to the assignment at hand, with the Economic/Political Sections and other US Embassy Front Office staff, including the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) and Ambassador on technical matters relevant to the incumbent’s role, responsibilities and technical expertise. External contacts will include middle and senior-ranking government/management officials and OEGI partner staff, up to and including the Chief of Party of each OEGI activity.  External contacts will be made to obtain and provide detailed program and budget management information to expedite the transmittal and processing of required Agency reports and responses to requests. The further purpose of these contacts is to enhance communications and sharing of experiences and to foster coherent implementation of OEGI programs. Contacts other private sector organizations and/or development partners will also be necessary to coordinate development programming.

7. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: It is expected that six (6) months will be required for the incumbent to become familiar with the tasks outlined in this position description and twelve (12) month to undertake the full range of duties.

 

 

Education
Bachelor Of Economics

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: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business, Law, Trade, International Development, Engineering, or a closely related field.               

Post Entry Training: Familiarization training in USAID and USG-specific procedures, regulations, and methods will be provided.  Formal courses offered for USAID staff, as appropriate, and courses, seminars, conferences, and other activities in fields related to the function and needed to maintain and update qualifications as they become available, subject to availability of funds will be provided. The incumbent will be expected to complete successfully the course for Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and become certified as soon as is practical and in compliance with USG regulations. Additional training includes the Introduction to Program Cycle, Programming Foreign Assistance, Project Design and Management and other USAID or outside training opportunities directly relevant to the performance of core responsibilities can be organized subject to funds availability. USAID’s Automated Directive Systems (ADS) and related Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directives (AAPDs) provide relevant guidance on topics related to the roles and responsibilities of the Project Management Specialist (Regional Trade Facilitation). 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.

Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) English required. The applicant should have demonstrated ability to prepare well-written reports in English.

Job Knowledge: Thorough understanding of the key challenges faced in trade facilitation in Kenya and the East Africa region and a proven ability to develop and implement innovative solutions to such challenges. Some knowledge of the operations of a regional common market, as well as regional financial sector integration efforts will be an advantage. Familiarity with, and proven ability to support implementation of ICT applications that will increase trade and transit efficiency and assist governments in their planning and development efforts in the area of transit facilitation. Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with institutional and private sector partners and stakeholders in a multi-country setting. Demonstrated experience implementing activities designed to leverage private investments to support development goals. Experience implementing activities designed to leverage private investments to support development goals in the area of transit facilitation.

More Details on Experience

Prior Work Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience in implementing development programs, managing donor programs that lead to increased trade and investment, reductions in the time and cost of doing business in the region, and compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Customs Organization (WCO) commitments and best practices; and proven ability to work effectively with high-level personnel from government, donor community, implementing partners and other development organizations.

More Details on Skills

Skills and Abilities: The following are required skills – high-quality organizational, interpersonal, planning, writing, and oral communication skills; self-motivation and the ability to work independently in an efficient and timely manner; analytic and problem-solving skills; and ability to work in a cooperative, team-oriented manner. Ability to shepherd projects in various stages of design and implementation; this may include developing budget spreadsheets and statements of work and/or reviewing and analyzing project reports, financial statements and quarterly/annual results reporting to ensure on-time achievement of project deliverables.  Incumbent must be dynamic and pro-active, with an eye for detail.  Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, as well as web-based systems, is required. Ability to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and web-based knowledge sharing tools would be an asset.  Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships across cultures, on teams, and with a broad range of development partners.

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:  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 upload all the documents 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 above 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. 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.