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.: 72061524R10013
2. ISSUANCE DATE: December 05, 2023
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 19, 2023 (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: Development Program Specialist.
6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN 11 Step 1 (4,792,523.00 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (8,147,267.00 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.
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 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 Development Program Specialist (DPS), in the Strategic Planning and Analysis (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.

The DPS is responsible for providing substantive advice and support for the development and implementation of programs/projects within the health sector within the bilateral and regional portfolios managed by the Nairobi platform. S/he provides expert advice on all aspects of the development and implementation of projects and programs and performs the full range of consultative, information gathering, conceptualization, design, development, implementation, monitoring, evaluative, and learning services of broad scope and complexity. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all Kenya and East Africa Regional programs are designed and implemented in keeping with the Agency's rules, regulations, procedures, and best practices. The incumbent establishes effective working relationships with the highest levels of USAID, national and local Government of Kenya (GOK), East African regional inter-governmental organizations (RIGOs), the U.S. Government interagency, and other development partners. In addition, the incumbent will be required to ensure a strong working relationship with other Embassies in the East Africa region to ensure relevant coordination and information-sharing on key programs and priorities. The nature of the position in the Mission structure requires that the individual be highly knowledgeable in the substantive and administrative elements of USAID's assistance mechanisms and procedures and be capable of working independently with minimal supervision and direction.

The DPS shares in the full range of SPA Office activities and the USAID program cycle, with a concentration on strategic program planning and project and activity design and implementation. The Specialist provides leadership and plays an active role in defining, developing, and planning overall Mission programs, projects, and activities and related documents; and, advises Mission management on all aspects of strategic, program, project, activity development and implementation. The Specialist is fully responsible for ensuring the design and implementation of programs/projects/activities are in line with Agency and Mission strategies, objectives, and priorities.

Statement of Duties to be Performed.

Strategic Project/Activity Planning, Design & Implementation (70%)

The DPS serves as a backstop to the Health, Population, and Nutrition Office (HPN) for both bilateral Kenya and the East Africa Regional OU programs; serves as the primary or alternate backstop to the mission’s regional intergovernmental organization (RIGO) portfolio; and provides strategic expertise and leadership on all aspects of the USAID program cycle across programs, projects, and activities. S/he is expected to become part of the extended technical office, attending staff and other meetings to maintain a pulse on all critical actions. S/he provides up-to-date information on the technical office to the SPA Office and serves as the go-to person within the SPA Office for all key information for the technical office from a strategic, project, and activity planning and implementation lens. The incumbent advises and guides technical offices on program/project/activity development and implementation to ensure adherence to and compliance with Mission/Agency strategies, policies, and procedures. The Specialist identifies and analyzes gaps and/or needs in project implementation and makes recommendations, coordinating with relevant technical and support office specialists where needed, to enable the achievement of results. The Specialist prepares Assistance Agreements and amendments and other program agreements, coordinating with other offices.

The DPS will provide critical support to the bilateral CDCS and RDCS strategic development, implementation, and stocktaking processes, including participation and support in strategic and performance portfolio reviews and strategy midcourse stock-takings, intended to examine progress towards achievement of the CDCS and RDCS and project results and expectations regarding future progress and status of critical assumptions and changes in the country or regional context. The Specialist will document and promote learning and seek opportunities to adapt programming.

The DPS provides guidance and leads the development of required program documentation for the Health Office s/he backstops. S/he advises and assists in the conceptualization, research, development, writing and editing of documents, in the preparation of concept papers and designs for new programs, projects, and activities including the following: (1) Initial project conceptual documentation such as background studies, sector surveys, analyses, data collection presented in form and substance to permit Mission review; (2) Preparation of project appraisal documents (PADs) for Mission review and approval; (3) Provision of information on host country, regional intergovernmental, and USAID development objectives, capabilities, and priorities as they affect the program, and ensures that project design takes into consideration such priorities for maximum host country support and cooperation; and (4) Preparation of procurement documentation to acquire the services of resources needed to execute program/project design work.

In this capacity, the incumbent coordinates the review, approval, authorization, and obligation process for assigned technical and strategic portfolios, including: (1) Chairing Mission activity review committee meetings, recommending approaches consistent with current Agency policies and priorities; (2) As the final authority in the SPA Office on the preparation of project appraisal documentation prior to submission for clearance, ensuring that sufficient technical and financial analysis is done and feasibility of approved activities demonstrated; (3) Preparing issues papers as appropriate; (4) Ensuring that management controls and monitoring systems are built into each program/project; (5) Ensuring that all project appraisal documents are aligned to the Kenya CDCS and/or East Africa RDCS; and (6) Coordinating and assisting with mobilization of teams for design, feasibility, and evaluation purposes. Additionally, s/he ensures that cross-cutting initiatives like Science, Technology, Innovations, and Partnerships (STIP), gender, and best practice design principles like Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) and local solutions/ sustainability are foremost considerations in project and activity designs. 

The DPS will serve as a SPA alternate or lead for one or more of the RIGOs the Mission’s regional programming supports under the East Africa Regional Development Objective Grant Agreements (RDOAG). S/he is expected to develop and maintain close relationships with RIGO staff at the Secretariat level with responsibilities related to the USAID partnership, and to facilitate communications and planning with RIGOs within the Mission.

Special Program and Representational Duties (20%)

The DPS will identify ways to further meet USG foreign policy, GOK, and East African RIGO development and policy objectives. S/he maintains up-to-date knowledge of Agency and USG initiatives, development issues and innovations, and political and economic trends in Washington, Kenya, and the East African region. S/he will liaise closely with relevant USAID/Washington bureaus and offices to identify opportunities to strengthen Mission strategic design and implementation processes. The Specialist actively participates in and/or supports relevant program cycle-related Mission and/or Agency Teams, and communities of practice to promote and strengthen the adoption of best practices and emerging program approaches for the achievement of and scaling up of development results.

The DPS maintains collaborative relationships with a wide range of contacts in the Mission and USAID/ Washington. S/he supports the leadership of the SPA Office and other team members in coordination of dialogue and collaboration with the Africa Bureau and with other donors, in order to ensure complementary strategies and approaches, and to identify opportunities for collaboration. The Specialist represents USAID and the USG with internal and external audiences as required. S/he will work to facilitate knowledge management through exchange of program-cycle related information and ideas, collaborate on cross-cutting issues, and promote program/project collaboration, learning, and adapting. S/he may also serve as a Contracting/Agreement Officer Representative or alternate on program support cycle mechanisms and other mechanisms which support cross-cutting initiatives.

Program Documentation and Reporting (10%)

The DPS assists in the production of strategic planning documents, the annual Operational and Performance Plans and Reports, Congressional presentations, and other reports required to ensure that the Mission is able to accomplish its development objectives. The Specialist ensures completion of required project and activity documentation for all activities; prepares required project waiver documentation; and works with Technical Offices to participate in development of indicators and targets to monitor the effectiveness and impact of program/project/activity implementation.

The DPS maintains a comprehensive project file with all data needed to maintain historical and current records of Kenya and regional programs, including initiatives. S/he identifies, collects, and compiles information for regular and ad hoc reports, interpreting information and briefing Mission management on trends and issues; maintains summary materials on results for use in presenting and explaining the program/project portfolio, and how overall planning, achieving, and results reporting works; and manages the preparation of documents for regular and ad hoc reports and presentations. The Specialist identifies reporting requirements and works with senior management, DOATs, Project Teams, and technical offices as necessary to identify, collect, and draft reports and high-level and mission-wide presentations. The Specialist will draft and issue program support cycle mission orders. Ad hoc reporting and information requests and taskers are numerous, and the Specialist is often required to work under extremely tight deadlines.

S/he will be required to support bilateral and regional-level reporting and ensure coordination systems have been developed and maintained. S/he may be required to make regional visits and organize implementing partner and RIGO events.

Supervision Received

DPS will work under the supervision of the Development Program Specialist, FSN-12, who provided assignments orally and in writing. Most assignments occur in the normal course of the work, but the DPS is required to determine those that must be coordinated with the supervisor. The supervisor provides a review of the assignment, the goals and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected. The

Specialist seeks advice and assistance as required. Work is reviewed in terms of results achieved.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Physical Demands

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Prior Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) 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. Work experience in development program and/or project implementation will be an added advantage. 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.

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 (60 points)

The work requires substantial knowledge and understanding of development program/project/activity management principles, practices, and reporting, and a solid understanding or the potential to quickly acquire knowledge of USAID programming and management policies and techniques. The DPS must have professional-level knowledge of modern development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to program management. A thorough knowledge of Kenyan 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 Specialist must have, or be able to quickly gain, a good 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 (40 points)

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, and teamwork skills are required; and the ability to explain the wide array of applicable rules, regulations, and policies governing assigned activities, 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 Specialist must be able to perform planning and analytical work; analyze records and determine the need for various types of actions; record and reconcile conflicting views; and, to 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.

                        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.

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 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/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
2. ontract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract.
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/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].