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PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (STRATEGIC INFORMATION/MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING)

USAID Kenya NAIROBI, KENYA

Summary

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 20-111.

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 27, 2020.

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 10,        2020 4:30 PM East Africa Time).

4. POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Strategic                  Information/Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning).

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             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

The USAID Project Management Specialist (Strategic Information/ Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning [SI/MEL]) is located in the Health Population & Nutrition Office, Health Analytics Team, and plays a lead role in the development of effective FP/RMNCAH, Nutrition and WASH strategic information and monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems in support of the full range of Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (C/AOR) managing Mission Family Health programs/ projects/activities.

The Senior Specialist applies evaluation research to the monitoring of program/project/ activity implementation in order to document results, and to translate SI and MEL and other data into meaningful policy and program improvements. The Senior Specialist serves as a subject matter expert and key contributor to strengthening the capacity of information systems, providing senior -level technical guidance to Health Office leaders, the broader USAID Mission, implementing partners (IPs) involved in the integrated PEPFAR and FP/RMNCAH, Nutrition and WASH program monitoring and evaluation, and within the host government. The Senior Specialist serves as a C/AOR or Activity Manager, responsible for providing technical and programmatic guidance to assigned activities.

 

Description

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

A.  PROGRAM/PROJECT/ACTIVITY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING                                                                       40%

Provides senior/high level technical guidance to Health Office, Mission staff, IPs, and other USG agencies on MEL concepts, processes, design, training, and best practices.

Provides expert direction and technical guidance in the implementation of the Health Office portions of the Mission Performance Management Plan (PMP), and Health Office responsibilities from Mission PMP; and, SI and MEL services and support to IPs in the development and implementation of program/project/activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plans.

Provides guidance to IPs in understanding of the Performance Monitoring Plan systems, and their role in the process, and advises on specific measurement techniques appropriate for their programs/projects/ activities.

Provides technical strategic information (SI) and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) expertise to the Program Office, USAID/Washington, and other USG agencies to in order to plan and manage Health Office responsibilities related to the PMP, including collection, assessment of validity, and improving data quality.

Develops innovative and cross-cutting monitoring tools, including Data Quality Assessment and Improvement (DQA/I) tools in coordination with the Program Office and SI/MEL contractors; tracks and maintains multiple sets of key indicators, common indicators related to standard components in all USAID programs/projects/activities, indicators at the strategic objective level, and detailed indicators at the activity level; and, ensures proper collection of data, and that indicators serve is an appropriate measure of their corresponding result.

Provides technical leadership to CORs/AORs and IPs to ensure activity work plans and monitoring plans include relevant and effective performance measures, which together provide greater results and more accurate measurements.

Leads, designs and performs assessments/studies/research requiring independent analysis and interpretation, on a regular and recurring basis; studies and research are cross-cutting, and include substantive and often sensitive Mission and Health Office topics. Briefs Health Office and Mission leaders on findings and makes recommendations to impact strategic, operational and programmatic direction.

Provides expert guidance to Health Office technical staff on defining measurable indicators and targets for desired results addressed by their program/project/activity, and edits quarterly, semi-annual, and annual performance Reports.

Leads USAID’s support to the host government for the development and management of a national information system, and a central repository (data warehouse) for Health data; and, serves as USAID point of contact for Health data and information systems.

B. EVALUATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING                30%

Provides technical guidance and leadership to ensure evaluations are properly planned and carried out in a high-quality and professional manner, by aiding Health Office CORs/AORs to draft appropriate Scopes of Work (SOWs) for evaluation Teams, by actual participation in and/or leading evaluation Teams, and by ensuring that Team comments on draft evaluation reports are reflected in final reports.

Leads a team in the development and execution of an evaluation plan that ensures compliance with USAID Evaluation Policy. Advises thematic teams/working groups and technical specialists on planning, designing, and implementing appropriate Evaluation Plans.

Provides technical guidance and leadership to other USG agencies in the development, preparation, and dissemination of results of Public Health evaluations, Demographic Health Surveys, etc.

Leads cross-cutting evaluations, and supports prioritization and implementation of recommendations, as required.

Manages the Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) component of Health Office activities.

Organizes and leads roundtables and consultations with Health Office staff, IPs, and other stakeholders to develop a Learning Agenda for Health interventions; identifies mechanisms for implementing research; and, manages implementation of research and evaluation activities and dissemination of results.

Provides technical leadership and oversight to the Ministry of Health and other host-country government staff to ensure that national-level data is available and reliable, and works with inter-agency Heads of Departments and senior technical staff to ensure that USG data contributes to an accurate picture of the situation on the ground, that double-counting is avoided, and that results are attributable to USAID (and USG) interventions.

C. PROJECT MANAGEMENT                                                    10%

Serves as a C/AOR and/or Activity Manager for SI/MEL programs/ projects/activities awarded through the Health Office, providing financial and programmatic oversight to ensure contracts and grants achieve anticipated results, and are linked to and enhance attainment of the Health Office, Mission, and USG objectives.

Conducts site visits as required in order to monitor progress, and to provide technical and programmatic recommendations to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and judicious use of USG funding.

D. REPRESENTATION                                                           20%

Represents the Health Office, Mission, and USG at national and/or international technical and programmatic meetings, and in consultations with other social sector donors, government officials, and IPs.

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

Drafts talking points and/or speeches for the Office Chief, Mission Director, Ambassador and others, as required, and prepares briefing papers, presentations, and coordinates site preparations for VIP site visits.

POSITION ELEMENTS

A. Supervision Received: The Project Management Specialist (Strategic Information / Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning [SI/MEL]) works under the very general supervision of the Health Analytics Team Leader, and the closer but general supervision of the Center of Excellence Director for Family Health Programs. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of program/project/activity goals, effectiveness in meeting host-country and USAID objectives, and integration with other initiatives in the Office and Mission portfolio. Some technical direction may come from other professionals in the Office; in general, however, the Senior Specialist will be expected to exercise considerable autonomy and best judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment.

B. Supervision Exercised: Continuing supervision of other Division and Office staff is not anticipated. The Senior Specialist may be assigned as a group/Team Leader but will not serve as a full supervisor. The Senior Specialist is expected to serve as mentor to C/AORs, Assistant-level staff, and others in SI and MEL systems and processes, and to provide other work guidance as assigned.

C. Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USG program/ project/activity guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; the Automated Directives System (ADS); USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, and the FAR and AIDAR; and, PEPFAR operational plans, Country Operational Plans, F-Operational Plan, host-government Five-Year Strategic Plans (or equivalent), and other published and unpublished guidelines. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation.

D. Exercise of Judgment: The Senior Specialist applies independent judgment in working with health-systems professionals throughout the Mission, the host government, IPs, and stakeholders; in providing on-site SI and MEL studies of USAID program/project/activity implementation: and, in devising approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial, and/or policy deficiencies and problems. Judgment must be exercised in setting priorities, in determining when intervention in programs/projects/activities is necessary, and in reaching consensus on conclusions and recommendations.

E. Authority to Make Commitments: The Senior Specialist exercises the authority given to activity managers and C/AORs and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission and Office policy. The Senior Specialist takes action and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Guidance is sought when needed, and superiors informed of activity and project status. Within the scope of the authority delegated, the Senior Specialist may indicate to ranking counterparts and IPs that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity, issue, or problem. The Senior Specialist has no independent authority to commit the USG to the expenditure of funds but may negotiate ad referendum for the supervisor.

F. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Senior Specialist has a full range of contacts within the Mission, at all levels, and maintains contact with IPs implementing USAID-funded programs/ projects/ activities in the sector. Within the Embassy, contacts are with counterpart staffs, and with senior staff as needed. Host-government, local, and other, contacts vary widely with the type of activity being implemented and may be at any level. Frequent and substantive personal contacts with officials of the host government, and with the private sector, are for the purpose of explaining and defending Health Population and Nutrition Office and USAID policies, objectives, and procedures, and to transmit and interpret host-government and private-sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials. In addition, the Senior Specialist provides technical assistance and guidance on best practices to USG staff, and host-government and partners.

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

Education
Master’s Degree In A Field Related To Social Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Public Health, Infectious Disease, Zoonotic Disease, Biology

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.

1. Education: Completion of a US-style University Master’s Degree in a field related to social science, statistics, mathematics, mathematics, economics, computer science, epidemiology, health informatics, public health, infectious disease, zoonotic disease, biology or other quantitative discipline, or the local equivalent, is required.

2. Post Entry Training: Familiarization training in USAID- and FP/RMNCAH, Nutrition and WASH, PEPFAR-specific procedures, regulations, and methods, and orientation to working from a donor-Agency perspective, will be provided. Successful completion of formal C/AOR training is necessary for proper job performance and will be provided. 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 function and needed to maintain and update professional qualifications may be provided as they become available, subject to availability of funds.

3. Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent proficiency) in English, and in the appropriate host-country business language, both written and spoken, is required. Language competence may be tested.

 

More Details on Experience

A. Prior Work Experience: Five years of progressively responsible job-related professional-level experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and other surveillance systems, evaluation of program/project/activity implementation, in direct program/project/activity management, or in a closely related activity is required. At least two years of this experience in a development-oriented workplace, or a related field, for USAID, other donor agencies, host-country organizations, or private-sector institutions, and which included project design, performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of large amounts of data, is required.

B. Job Knowledge: The Senior Specialist must have in depth, professional-level knowledge of development approaches and methods for performance analysis, data visualization, and program design, monitoring and evaluation. The Senior Specialist must have excellent knowledge of MEL systems, public health programming, and international donor operations in the sector. The Senior Specialist must have knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics of the host country; development problems in the health sector in the host country and the region; an understanding of the resources, resource constraints, and overall development prospects and priorities of the host country and the region. The Senior Specialist must have working knowledge of USG legislation, policy, and practice relating to monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and of USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities.

More Details on Skills

Skills and Abilities: The Senior Specialist must have the ability to plan, organize and execute complex SI/MEL activities, including the ability to provide technical leadership and apply this ability to programming in the host country and the region. The Senior Specialist must have the ability to issue precise and accurate factual reports using rigorous analytical and interpretive skills. Excellent communication skills both writing and speaking, especially in being able to communicate technical subjects to individuals with nontechnical background. This role requires the ability to respond professionally and adjust in fluid situations in order to meet deadlines in the face of competing priorities and time pressures. Excellent computer and software skills including ability in excel, SPSS, STATA, R and/or other analytical databases.

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 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.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.