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.: 72061524R10034
2. ISSUANCE DATE: April 26, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: May 12, 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 Supervisory Development Assistance Specialist (GIS/MEL Team Lead)
6. MARKET VALUE: Ksh 7,647,460.00 to Ksh 12,830,261.00 per year, equivalent to FSN-12 grade level 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 and annual bonus. 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: Five (5) years estimated to start o/a July 1, 2024. 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 current locally hired employees of the US Mission in Kenya. Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES
General Statement of Purpose of the Contract
The USAID Supervisory Development Assistance Specialist (MEL/GIS Team Lead) position is established in the Strategic Planning and Analysis (SPA) Office. The SPA Office is responsible for broad program support, coordination, and project management functions for the combined USAID platform in Nairobi which manages two operating units (OUs)-- the bilateral Kenya and the East Africa Regional OUs. SPA
provides leadership and serves as principal advisor to the Mission Director on: (a) social, economic, and cross-cutting developmental issues; (b) strategic planning and programming; (c) project and activity development; (d) monitoring and evaluation and learning of the platform’s portfolio; (e) management of current year budget obligation and out-year mission-wide budget planning; and (f) program implementation of activities that fall within the platform’s ongoing Development Objectives under the $2 billion Kenya Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and $300 million East Africa Regional Cooperation Development Strategy (RDCS). In addition, this office keeps a pulse on major development trends in Kenya and the East Africa region to inform new programming needs. SPA manages the
Mission’s bi-lateral agreement with the Government of Kenya, known as the Development Cooperation Framework Agreement (DCFA), currently valued at an estimated $2 billion over five years and which is signed with Kenya’s National Treasury.

The Supervisory Specialist is the Team Lead for a combined MEL and GIS team within SPA and reports directly to one of the two SPA Deputy Office Directors. The Specialist is the principal MEL and GIS advisor to the Mission Director and senior Embassy and Government of Kenya officials. The Supervisory Specialist directly supervises six professional-level GIS and MEL specialists. As Team Lead for the combined Mission MEL and GIS team, the Specialist has a unique high level of technical expertise in both
areas, responsible for leading MEL and GIS processes and support to USAID’s bilateral and regional programs, projects and activities and leading performance management, evaluation and institutional learning for the Kenya program and the East Africa regional program. The Specialist is the principal advisor on all GIS and data analytics and aspects of geospatial technology at post and provides oversight for the GIS operations. The Specialist also serves as the Mission’s MEL subject matter expert.

The Senior Specialist will oversee consultation and workstreams with technical offices to ensure their GIS and MEL needs, data requirements and provide solutions. The Specialist will strengthen partnerships with USAID Offices and Implementing partners that promote the use of state-of-the-art monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches as well as data analytics and GIS in the Mission, related to the entire program cycle, from Strategy Development to design to implementation. The Specialist will also advise on resources required to deliver Mission-wide MEL and GIS services efficiently and effectively.

Statement of Duties to be Performed.
Performance Management and Strategic Leadership (30%)
The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist serves as the Mission’s subject matter expert on all aspects of USAID's performance management efforts. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing the Mission’s performance monitoring, evaluation and assessment approach to measure and demonstrate the impact of USAID’s development program in Kenya and in the region under the USAID KEA regional program. The incumbent will lead the team to ensure that all technical teams receive mentorship and guidance to ensure compliance with all Agency required performance monitoring and management procedures and policies. The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist overseas guidance from his/her team to technical teams to implement monitoring, evaluation and learning across the Program Cycle to assess and document achievement of actual versus planned results. The Specialist will also oversee and ensure guidance to implementing partners to develop, refine, and implement results monitoring systems to measure the performance of their activities. In this capacity, the incumbent ensures that the team reviews and advises on all implementing partner Activity MEL Plans, ensures that data quality assessments are conducted in accordance with ADS 201, and ensures that the Mission’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) is up to date and being used to track performance measurements relevant to the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). The Specialist is responsible for leading the drafting of a new PMP following the development and approval of a new CDCS. The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist also leads the preparation of the annual Performance Plan and Report. This position also requires continued strategic collaboration with relevant counterparts, including GOK Ministry of Treasury & Planning, M&E Directorate (MED) and with county staff/officials who implement Kenya’s county-level monitoring system, e-CIMES.

Analytics/GIS Technical (30%)
The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist and Team Lead serves as the senior specialist within USAID/KEA's Mission on analytics/GIS policies and their implementation. S/he supports the GIS team and his/herself to keep abreast of new policies, regulations, technologies, services and issues and advises the Mission on GIS implementation to maximize program impact. The Specialist leads the development of annual work plans and required reports that provide direction and determine expected deliverables over the short and medium term from the Analytics/GIS specialists on his/her team. With his/her team of GIS specialists, s/he initiates and manages complex Analytics and GIS projects for the mission. The Specialist guides and leads the establishment and maintenance of a Mission-based GIS database, containing USAID Partner activity location information and other socioeconomic and geographic datasets. The Specialist ensures that all USG, USAID and relevant ISO standards on GIS data use, storage, submission and dissemination are implemented. The Specialist leads all efforts that
require the integration of GIS into Mission Management Information Systems such as DIS (Development Information Solution).

Supervisory duties (20%)
The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist leads and supervises a team of six professionals in MEL and GIS and is expected to lead the MEL/GIS team in a collaborative approach to maximize the synergies and efficiencies between the MEL and the GIS specialists. The Specialist sets high performance expectations, develops annual work and training plans in support of those expectations, and provides job-specific guidance, performance feedback, and recognition as appropriate to ensure the entire team meets the expectations of their role in support of the Mission’s broad MEL and related GIS/analytical needs and Agency policies.

Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) (10%)
The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist leads the Mission’s CLA efforts across the Program Cycle. The Specialist will guide the analytical process for helping the Mission assess whether course corrections are needed at the activity, project, Development Objective (DO) or strategy levels. The Specialist designs approaches to gather evidence and conduct analyses to help guide the Mission through a dialogue and build consensus
on how to adapt the strategy and/or activities to better achieve results. The Specialist leads his/her team to help coordinate the Mission’s portfolio reviews including the mid-course stock taking. The Specialist leads a continuous learning effort for the Mission’s MEL points of contact from each technical team and ensures/coordinates quarterly learning events that include all implementing partners’ MEL specialists.

Special Program and Representational Duties (10%)
Senior MEL/GIS Specialist represents USAID and the USG with internal and external audiences as required, including representation at high-level Government-led meetings and other donor coordination fora. The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist presents top-level GIS and MEL topics in meetings with the US Ambassador and high-level Government of Kenya partners. The Specialist will serve as liaison to host government counterparts; donors, contractors and grantees, and all other U.S. Government agencies on matters pertaining to MEL, data analytic and GIS. As the primary MEL and GIS specialist for USAID/KEA, the Senior Specialist will be required to establish and maintain senior-level relationships with MEL, data analytics, GIS, research, statistical authorities and other technical specialists within Government both at the national and county level. The Senior Specialist represents the Mission at both local and international events and GIS and MEL technical working groups where the opportunity to explain the Mission's approach is available. The Specialist will work to facilitate knowledge management through exchange of analytics/GIS and MEL related information and ideas as well as collaborate on cross-cutting issues, and promote collaboration, learning, and adapting.

Prior Work Experience 

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic development, program planning, financial and policy analysis, management, economics, and analysis or closely related work is required. At least two years of this experience should have been in development-related work for International Organizations, Donor Agencies, Governmental/Non-Governmental organizations, or private-sector institutions which include planning and management, program/project/activity design, performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of large amounts of data.

Supervision Received
The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist will work under the general supervision of the SPA Deputy Office Chief. Most assignments occur in the normal course of the work with the Senior MEL/GIS Specialist and Team Lead having significant latitude to manage his/her own work and priorities. The supervisor provides overall policy direction and the goals and objectives to be achieved. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved.

Supervision Exercised
The position will supervise six (6) national professional specialists (three FSN 11, one FSN 10, one FSN 9 and one FSN 8). Supervision encompasses full technical, programmatic, and administrative oversight of these staff including performance monitoring, mentoring and coaching, supporting teamwork and cooperation, approval of leave, writing employee performance reports, and applying mid-term corrections.

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 work requires substantial knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of development program/project/activity management principles, practices, and reporting, and a solid understanding of USAID programming and management policies and techniques, in addition to high-level technical knowledge of GIS/analytics and MEL. The Senior MEL/GIS Specialist must have professional-level knowledge of modern development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to using MEL and GIS for program management and results. A thorough knowledge of Kenya and a good knowledge of regional intergovernmental organizations, East Africa’s varied legal and regulatory environments, policy directions, objectives, and priorities relating to development; and a sound understanding of Kenyan and regional political, economic, social, and cultural characteristics and developments is required. In addition, the Senior Specialist must have, or be able to quickly gain, a comprehensive knowledge of USAID policies and regulations, procedures and methodologies, and documentation and reporting requirements, and a good understanding of the administrative procedures
and operations of major donors and non-governmental organizations.

Skills and abilities
The work requires outstanding organizational skills and the ability to multi-task, handle stressful situations, and meet firm deadlines, and the ability to convene and convince colleagues and counterparts to make specific actions and activities a priority. Excellent interpersonal, communication, supervision and teamwork skills are required; and the ability to explain the wide array of applicable rules, regulations, and policies governing MEL and GIS in USAID, clearly and concisely, to other USG staff, and key regional and bilateral governmental counterparts is necessary. The ability to establish and maintain productive and professional relationships with relevant senior-level officials and institutions, key private-sector and development organizations, senior USAID, Embassy, USAID/Washington, and Department of State officials is critical, as is the ability to command respect and engender cooperation among peers, superiors, external counterparts, and subordinates. The work requires excellent communication skills and the ability to prepare verbal/written reports and presentations. The Senior Specialist must be able to perform technical GIS and MEL planning and analytical work; analyze records and determine the need for various types of actions; record and reconcile
conflicting views; and relate the purpose and objectives of programs/projects/activities to their investments and requirements.

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.

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 www.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
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.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.
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