GENERAL INFORMATION
USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANT’S BANK ACCOUNTS.

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72061524R10067
2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 27, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: October 13, 2024 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected]
5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Disaster Management)
6. MARKET VALUE: Ksh. 4,104,558.00 to Ksh. 6,977,740.00 KSH per year (including 13th month bonus), equivalent to FSN-10 grade level 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.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years estimated to start o/a April 15, 2025. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of funds, the continued need for services and successful performance.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Cooperating Country National (CCN) (an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country). Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
USAID’s regional Office of Food for Peace and Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance in Nairobi came together under a unitary team under the new Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) in June, 2020. Together BHA’s Sudans, East and Central Africa Regional Office (SECARO) supported approximately $3.9 billion of food and non-food humanitarian assistance in Fiscal Year 2023, partnering with public international organizations and non-governmental organizations on relief, nutrition, livelihoods and resilience-oriented activities. Staff in the office monitor the regional and country-specific emergency situation; directly oversee food and non-food assistance programs in countries where there are no BHA staff present; provide technical support to USAID Missions in countries that have BHA staff in-country; represent BHA in regional coordination forums; provide formal and informal training and mentoring for BHA staff in the region; provide surge capacity to respond to new emergencies or cover staffing gaps; and provide program logistics and commodity management support.

BHA SECARO works closely with other offices within the USAID/KEA Mission to ensure that programs are coordinated and effective. Staff also regularly liaise with inter-agency partners such as the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as other humanitarian donors, and United Nations (UN) and non-governmental organization (NGO) partners.

The Project Management Specialist works primarily in Somalia and provides specialized advice, and policy and technical guidance, on the design, monitoring, and implementation of humanitarian and food assistance programs to the BHA Office in USAID/Washington as well as UN and NGO implementing partners. PMS actions and recommendations are made through consultations and in cooperation with BHA SECARO, USAID/BHA, other USAID offices, and the international community including the UN, NGOs, host governments, and other humanitarian donors.

The PMS will work under the direction of the BHA Somalia Team Lead, or his/her designee. This position requires regular coordination with other BHA team members, representatives from other USAID offices, the humanitarian donor community, and BHA implementing partners, and therefore requires a highly collaborative work style.

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed.
Program/Project Management and Related Duties - 70%
• Serves as specialist on humanitarian assistance programming for Somalia and advises the USAID/Somalia Mission on concerns and provision of disaster assistance. Such advice includes providing updates on the security situation, changes in the humanitarian context or situation, and recommending the appropriate response within the context of the local conditions related to humanitarian needs, and the cultural and political situation.
• In close coordination with the Somali Team Lead, assist with the design, development and implementation of strategies and integrated disaster assistance and response for BHA, local government, and other donors/organizations as appropriate.
• Overseas BHA programs in-country and monitors partner program activities to ensure adequate compliance with BHA and USAID regulations and achievement of program objectives. Advises on partner’s, activity progress, provides partner pipeline and, budget analysis, and general project implementation management. Prepares recommendations for modifications, improvements, and activity management needs for USAID/BHA.
• Security permitting, travels to assess in-country program implementation, to participate in and conduct needs assessments, field monitoring, field evaluations, analysis of program impacts, financial review of activities, assessments of commodity logistics, and assist in the design of disaster assistance activities and general alignment of humanitarian assistance programs with BHA and broader USAID objectives.
• Collaborates with NGOs, UN agencies, inter-governmental organizations, and host country officials to analyze the humanitarian and food security situation and current and projected needs and regularly reports patterns and trends to BHA management and the USAID/Somalia Mission.

Coordination, Representation, and Communication - 20%
• In close coordination with the Somalia Team Lead or their designee, work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations (IOs), and United Nations (UN) agencies that are developing proposals for BHA (including grant amendments and extensions). Ensure that draft proposals are in compliance with BHA’s Guidelines for Unsolicited Proposals and Reporting.” Review concept papers and proposals and provide recommendations and comments to BHA for final funding determination.
• Maintain regular contact with BHA grantees, as well as other UN agencies, IOs, and NGOs. As requested by the Somalia Team Lead or their designee, regularly meet with donors, host government officials, and other United States Government (USG) agencies on humanitarian issues in order to advance BHA’s priorities. Maintain internal files as necessary to support response monitoring and effective program management.
• As necessary, liaises with other USAID offices, the U.S. Department of State, and other relevant USG agencies on programs. Where feasible, conducts joint monitoring visits and prepares joint action plans to coordinate and improve assistance.
• Provides regular reporting to SECARO management, USAID/Somalia Mission management, and BHA on the humanitarian situation in the assigned country, to include patterns and trends, site visits, program coordination and implementation, and donor and partner meetings that impact humanitarian efforts.
• Liaises closely with other humanitarian donors to share information, coordinate on international donor positions, design programs, ensure that BHA resources are programmed effectively, and monitor pledges and commitments.
• Collaborates with NGOs, UN agencies, inter-governmental organizations, and host country officials to analyze the humanitarian situation and current and projected needs. Represents USAID position on humanitarian assistance
regulations, criteria, procedures, and objectives governing the use of humanitarian assistance resources.
• The PMS will be required to assist in creating a supportive work environment that values diversity and elicits the highest possible level of performance from all team members.
• Supports other BHA country programs in the East and Central Africa region, or potentially globally as needed, and as assigned.

BHA Response Deployments - 10%
• Assist in humanitarian assistance activities in the region or potentially globally; serve as critical component of a USG disaster assessment team, DART, Response Management Team (RMT), or backfill other staff members in the overseas office, in response to crisis situations as necessary for short-term and long-term deployments which could exceed two months, in consultation with the SECARO Regional Director and Somalia Team Lead.
• Ensure availability to work extra hours and travel on an urgent basis during BHA disaster responses in the Region and globally.
• The PMS should be able to work in situations of urgency and stress during disaster events, providing high levels of support.
• The PMS may serve on a RMT in the BHA Operations Center in Washington, D.C., for short-term and long-term deployments which could exceed two months, in consultation with the SECARO Regional Director and Somalia Team Lead.

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the United States, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Prior Work Experience:

Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience related to emergency and/or resilience program management, including at least one (1) year of on-the-ground field experience in humanitarian needs assessment and/or assistance and one (1) year in implementation of humanitarian and/or resilience programs. This experience must show significant engagement with rural communities and the application of qualitative and/or participatory methods of inquiry.

Supervisory Relationship
The position reports to the BHA Somalia Team Leader or his/her designee. Supervisor will set overall objectives and will work with the PMS/DM to determine deadlines and work priorities. The job holder is expected to take the initiative, act independently, and perform duties.

Supervisory Controls
None.

Physical Demands

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1.  The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c).  In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers.  The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

Offerors who meet the minimum qualifications listed above will be evaluated and ranked according to the following job-related criteria. Top-ranking candidates will be invited for a skills test and an oral interview.

• Job Knowledge (60 Points)

The job holder must have professional-level understanding of disaster and humanitarian assistance interventions, to include program objectives, design, modalities, implementation, monitoring methods, and reporting systems. Knowledge of humanitarian principles and the international humanitarian system/ architecture is advantageous. Broad knowledge of the East Africa region, particularly Somalia. Knowledge of basic principles of humanitarian assistance, good humanitarian donorship, and assessing appropriate disaster response activities. Knowledge of communication equipment, mapping equipment, Microsoft Office Suite, and GIS mapping programs. Knowledge of M&E tools and assessment tools.

• Skills and abilities (40 Points)

The job holder must have excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Kiswahili and a strong working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and be able to manage databases. The job holder must also have:
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of staff and representatives.
• Ability to review, evaluate and apply complex policies and regulations.
• Ability to provide rapid, concise, accurate reporting, both verbally and in written English.
• Ability to grasp and theorize the complexities of a variety of humanitarian needs, the wide variety of dynamic influencing factors and the potential influence of international humanitarian assistance.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a multicultural team.
• Willingness to undertake extensive field work assignments, as necessary.
• Willingness to travel to Somalia and follow USG safety and security rules and regulations.
• A solution-seeking attitude.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a multicultural team.
• A solution-seeking attitude.

Total possible points:  100

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

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

Step 2: Complete the job application at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 3: Internal Offerors/Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages), a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

                        OR

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

Note to Applicants:

1. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, 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.
3. All Applicants must provide at least three professional references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD 

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit any required forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

Benefits and allowances are offered in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

TAXES

CCNPSCs are required to pay PAYE and statutory deductions. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs 

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar
2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO (A) - 0001
SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) - Base Contract FSN - 09 Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)
- Award Type: Cost
- Product Service Code: [ R497]
- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]
QUANTITY (C) - 1
UNIT (D) - LOT
UNIT PRICE (E) - $ TBD
AMOUNT (F) - $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.
4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.  See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct.
   
   
5. PSC Ombudsman
   The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: [email protected].
6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.204-27 - PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION - JUN 2023