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 : 72061524R10022
2. ISSUANCE DATE: February 23, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 07, 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 (Monitoring, Reporting and Learning).
6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-11 Step 1 (5,435,381.00 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (9,069,687.00 KSH per annum). In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. The salary range provided is inclusive of all allowances. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 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. It is anticipated that the selection of the successful candidate will be completed within an estimated six- month period from the closing date of this solicitation.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens, including current locally hired employees of the US Mission in Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy

STATEMENT OF DUTIES

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The PMS (Monitoring, Reporting & Learning (MRL)) will focus on monitoring needs in the Mission and will support the larger performance management needs, including mandatory reporting requirements as well as improving upward pro-active reporting to the Ambassador, USAID Kenya and East Africa (KEA) leadership and stakeholders; as well as improving reporting at a localized level to further the Government of Kenya (GOK)s devolution objective at the county level.  Through these varied responsibilities, learning products will be developed and support the institutionalization of the Mission’s learning.  The Program Office is responsible for broad program support, coordination, and specific project management functions for the USAID/Nairobi platform, which includes the East Africa (EA) Operating Unit, the Kenya Operating Unit, and the Somalia Office.  The Program Office serves as the principal advisor to the Mission Director on: (a) social, economic and developmental issues; (b) strategic planning, programming, and budgeting; (c) program and project activity development; (d) monitoring and evaluation of the platform’s portfolio; (e) environmental compliance; (f) outreach and communications; and (g) limited program implementation of cross-cutting activities that fall within the Platform’s s ongoing Development Objectives under the Kenya Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and East Africa Regional Cooperation Development Strategy (RDCS).  The Office provides leadership and support on strategic planning, program design and development, monitoring and evaluation, and special issues and initiatives related to program and project strategy and design to all technical and staff offices.  In addition, this office keeps a pulse of major development trends in the East Africa region to inform new programming needs and reinforce learning.  In addition to the Program Office leadership (one Office Director and two Deputy Office Directors), the Program Office is composed of five functional teams: Program and Project Design, Budget Management, Performance Management and Learning, Communications and Outreach, and Cross-cutting Teams (environmental compliance, gender integration, donor coordination, and economic analyses).

Additionally, this position will lead collaboration with GOK colleagues in the M&E Directorate on improving the harmonization of data and monitoring functions. This individual will build strategic relationships with counterparts in the Government of Kenya and with the Mission’s implementing partners. This position will be responsible for areas including indicator (Performance Indicator Reference Sheet - PIRS) development, target setting, data visualization (in collaboration with the Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/analytics team), and others.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

The Specialist will manage various aspects of performance management—including monitoring, evaluation and learning, with a focus on monitoring—for all USAID-funded programs run out of the Mission. In addition, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to USAID staff and implementing partner staff as needed. The jobholder’s principal responsibilities include:

1. Serve as the Mission’s Monitoring Specialist (50%)

Serve as the Mission’s Monitoring Point of Contact (POC) and ensure implementation of Agency monitoring best practices. The position will present on and summarize monitoring policies and guidance to USAID staff and socialize these policies and guidance to Mission staff.  The position also requires developing schedules and following through on the Mission’s mandated monitoring needs outlined in the Automated Directives System (ADS) and other requirements, as well as supporting monitoring and learning agendas, including cross-border monitoring and cross-technical Data Quality Assurance (DQA)s. 

Due to the unit’s recently established partnership with the Government of Kenya (GoK), Ministry of Treasury & Planning, M&E Directorate, this individual will have a G2G role to help further collaboration between the Mission and the Ministry and support the GoK to improve its existing data in the county system, e-CIMES. This engagement is needed at a senior level as the Mission continues to work towards furthering its localization agenda and to support the GoK to meet its technical support and advisory role in counties.

Guide and advise technical office staff on development and utilization of activity work plans, M&E plans (Activity monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans (AMELPs) and PIRS, and site visit reports). Ensure A/CORs are aware of Agency compliance issues related to monitoring activities and projects. Support the development and utilization of the Mission’s Recommendation Tracker to institutionalize learning.  Advise A/CORs and implementing partners as appropriate on project and activity specific M&E plans across the Mission to ensure compliance with Agency standards and guidelines as well as alignment with project level M&E plans and Mission level Performance Management Plan (PMP).

Lead the Mission’s Data Quality Assessment (DQA) processes to collect performance data from implementing partners and analyze it to confirm that it meets Agency quality standards of validity, integrity precision, reliability, and timeliness. Advise A/CORs on determining data use and reporting in order to better manage programs and report on successes, as well as understand and correct limitations.

Develop and maintain Mission level Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) to ensure measurement of achievement of the CDCS and RDCS results framework, help the Mission utilize the PMP as a tool for planning and managing the process of monitoring, evaluating and analyzing progress.

Ensure the provision of consistent, on-the-ground performance monitoring and reporting to technical Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs) and Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) to enable them to more effectively manage their projects, as well as reviews of specific activities, programs, and the portfolio as a whole. Provides technical leadership to C/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.

The incumbent will build and strengthen relationships with relevant partner institutions, and other key national, regional, and non-governmental institutions to encourage optimal coordination harmonization and alignment of M&E processes, data dissemination tools and other developed knowledge management systems, and support the existing collaboration with the GOK, Ministry of Treasury and Planning specifically on their M&E data capturing system, e-NIMES and e-CIMES.

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.

Develops innovative and cross-cutting monitoring tools, including Data Quality Assessment and Improvement (DQA/I) tools; 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.

2. Lead the management of the Mission’s Monitoring, Reporting and Learning (25%)

• The incumbent will provide support to cross-Mission processes for managing the Performance Management Plan (PMP) of the Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and to revisions and development of new PMPs as appropriate
• This individual may be required to perform primary quantitative data collection and analysis of primary and secondary quantitative data analysis. This requires the ability to design and implement appropriate sampling strategies (simple, stratified, and clustered), perform descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, and interpret statistical findings to a broad range of audiences.
• Serves as a C/AOR and/or Activity Manager for 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 and data quality audits, as required, in order to monitor progress, and to provide technical and programmatic recommendations to ensure effectiveness, efficiency and judicious use of USG funding.

3. Lead and Manage Monitoring, Reporting and Learning Performance Data (25%)

• The incumbent will serve as the main monitoring and statistical technical expert within the Nairobi Program Office and, as such, will be expected to build capacity around sampling, data collection, data cleaning, and data analysis for quantitative data. This requires advanced statistical knowledge, the ability to build statistical models (potentially including linear regression models, logistic regression models, time-series models, and hierarchical modeling), the ability to choose the appropriate sampling design for any given population and apply it, and experience in Excel and at least one other statistical package (such as Stata, SAS, or R).
• Work with the GIS/analytics team as needed as well as with individuals across the Mission on data visualization, presentation of data, and explaining data and results. Experience with Tableau or other data visualization software is a plus. Support the roll-out strategy for improvements and enhancements to any existing monitoring  data system and improved usage, development of  a roll-out strategy for implementation of any new systems or existing monitoring systems not yet fully rolled out. Provide any training required for successful adoption of new systems

Prior Work Experience:

Minimum five years of progressively responsible work experience in Monitoring & Learning, Administrative Coordination of policy/systems/regulations. Working experience in program planning/administration, monitoring and evaluation or reporting, or closely related work is required. Experience with an international affairs agency, international development or international business organization, Donor Agency or Embassy is required.

 

Supervision Received

The incumbent will report to the Mission’s Program Office Performance Management Team Leader. The supervisor will provide overall supervision to the incumbent; however, the incumbent will exercise independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, resolving problems and conflicts, and taking steps necessary to meet deadlines.

Supervision Exercised

The individual exercises no administrative supervision.

Physical Demands

The work requested does not involve undue physical

 

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.

• Job Knowledge

The jobholder must have a solid understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, regulations, and objectives. The job holder will require specialist knowledge in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, especially monitoring. The individual should be familiar with data collection and data quality, including best practices and ways to improve the process and utilize the findings. The jobholder should be well versed in performance evaluations and their respective tools, including developmental evaluation, diagnostic studies, benchmark data collection, participatory evaluations, and theory based, quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. The jobholder will also be conversant in and familiar with impact evaluations and their relevant designs including experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental. The jobholder should have an understanding of the nature of development program goals and be familiar with U.S. foreign policy. The jobholder should have demonstrated initiative and creativity. Jobholder must perform successfully at high levels, with minimal supervision and daily direction. Sound knowledge of the main technical and substantive issues related to program/project development with a focus on health, economic growth, education, and democracy and governance in sub-Saharan Africa and understanding of African social, cultural and political contexts is preferable.

• Skills and Abilities

The individual must have demonstrated ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with a variety of customers. The individual must be able to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts with senior and working level staff throughout the Mission, as well as key officers within the Agency, development partners, donors, and other stakeholders. The individual must be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of USAID personnel. Candidate Jobholders should have the ability to work independently to develop completed work without technical review. Fluent written and oral English communication skills, as well as strong research, teamwork, and interpersonal skills are required to perform successfully in this position. Skills to analyze and resolve a wide range of problems arising in project and program monitoring and evaluation are necessary, and the individual should be comfortable developing outreach strategies and presentations. The ability to provide information and advice with objectivity is required. Good coordination and organizational skills within a multicultural work environment is required along with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and work effectively under pressure. The individual will handle many different overlapping tasks and projects characterized by shifting priorities. The individual must therefore apply the highest analytical skills and judgment to determine the best solution from the range of possible alternatives.

Additional abilities and skills include:

Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and to proactively build consensus.
● Ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with multiple U.S. and host country government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
● Demonstrated computer skills, including intermediate to advanced level mastery of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as statistical software.
● Monitoring and evaluation system development and maintenance skills, including data management, are required.

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 as one attachment 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 as one attachment and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

Offerors must provide a list of minimum three (3) professional references who are not family members or relatives, with complete name, title, organization where he/she works, description of relationship, with working/accurate telephone numbers and email addresses. The offeror’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities

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 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

The Contractor must observe Kenyan laws including those concerning income and related tax obligations.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN 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.usaigov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaigov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award.
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 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/OGE%20Regulations.
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].