USAID Food Security Project Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

USAID Food Security Project Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI) implements interventions that reduce hunger and poverty and promote inclusive economic growth through agriculture; increase resilience of arid and semi-arid land communities and systems; enable affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy; increase sustainable delivery of water and sanitation services; and catalyze finance, trade, investment and innovation to bolster development.

The Project Management Specialist (Food Security) manages a USAID portfolio of activities that aim to sustainably reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty in the Feed the Future (FTF) zone of influence (ZOI).

The incumbent will achieve results through sustainably driving increases in agricultural productivity, nutrition-sensitive production, reducing chronic vulnerability and facilitate locally led development through building the ability of people, households, and to mitigate, adapt to, and recover risks, shocks, and stresses to agriculture, in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.

The Project Management Specialist will serve as Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) or alternate AOR, or Contract Officer Representative (COR) or alternate COR, and activity manager for certain activities.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

Program/Project/Activity Management

The Specialist plans, designs, develops, and manages new and existing economic growth and integration programs and activities as a team member in OEGI.

These duties include activity design, leading procurement processes, and activity or project implementation, identifying and resolving program issues, assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner, and in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements.

The Project Management Specialist (Food Security) plans, designs, manages, coordinates, and monitors new and existing programs and activities which reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty in the Feed the Future (FTF) zone of influence (ZOI) through sustainable increases in agricultural productivity, nutrition-sensitive production, reducing chronic vulnerability and facilitate locally led development through implementation of locally owned, managed, and led interventions and approaches.

The incumbent will serve as the Contracting/Agreement Officer's Representative or activity manager for programs and activities in areas of Ag-resilience, local capacity development, and other areas relevant to the economic growth objectives of USAID/Kenya and East Africa and the Agency at large.

S/he identifies and resolves program issues and ensures that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner, and in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements.

S/he provides technical leadership in establishing performance monitoring systems and ensures appropriate accounting of resources by tracking quarterly accruals, maintaining project pipeline information, and providing leadership in meeting audit recommendations.

The incumbent will have regular engagement with the associated Implementing Partners (IPs) and ensure that IPs receive needed information on USAID regulations and policies, including audit regulations, and assistance with country issues.

S/he monitors and evaluates progress of IPs towards achievement of results and facilitates corrective measures in cases of deviation from expected results and impact.

Technical Assistance, Representation, and Reporting

The incumbent will serve as technical specialist in OEGI, in USAID/Kenya and to the US Mission to Kenya, on agriculture programming, particularly as related to economic growth.

S/he will be considered an important resource on youth-centered agriculture programming issues and will be expected to participate actively in internal and external strategy discussions, including active engagement across sectors at the Mission, and produce analyses in the area of expertise as required.

S/he supports USAID Kenya and East Africa teams in the development of agriculture and livelihoods programs and technical assistance from initial screening through due diligence, negotiations, approval, documentation, and funding on a need basis.

The Specialist will lead and/or actively participate in Collaborative Learning and Adapting (CLA) activities and

incorporate learning from all analysis into current and future programming to meet FTF results and share extensively across all stakeholders.

The incumbent will support US Mission Posts’ officials, other USAID staff, and visiting officials in various aspects involved in preparing for and participating in field trips, public meetings and conferences with the Government of Kenya, private sector and other stakeholders.

S/He keeps abreast of trends on agriculture issues; reviews and analyzes developments and advises the Mission leadership and, as required, USG officials on specialized and complex issues relating to resilience and livelihoods in Kenya.

Represents USAID/KEA Mission at donor and donor sub-group meetings organized by the government, the UN, and other meetings, seminars and workshops organized by donors on specific topics and report back to the Mission members as required.

Minimum Qualifications Required for This Position

Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Project Planning and Management, Rural Development, Agriculture, Food Security or related technical field.

Prior Work Experience:

Three (3) years of professional-level work experience in managing activities aimed at building community resilience, livelihood enhancement and food security with organizations directly involved in economic development, agricultural livelihood, or rural development.

Experience working with the Government of Kenya and donors, and/or regional institutions, private sector, and/or international development organizations in Kenya.

Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) English and Kiswahili is required.

Job Knowledge

The incumbent must have a good knowledge of food security and livelihood in rural context.

A thorough understanding of public institutions and private sector partners that support agriculture and livelihoods activities and interface with implementing and government agencies.

Knowledge and understanding of the provisions and principles of agricultural programming, food security and livelihoods in rural communities of Kenya.

Demonstrated understanding of the socio-cultural issues and nuances of working in communities and with vulnerable populations.

Solid understanding of issues and practical approaches to mainstreaming youth empowerment in economic development and agriculture programs.

The incumbent will be expected to learn the USAID/KEA Country Cooperation Development Strategy and implement relevant objectives through his/her portfolio.

Skills and abilities

Adaptability and flexibility will be required as the Project Management Specialist.

Primary responsibilities may change over time as new USAID strategies and GOK priorities emerge.

Ability to assess problems and develop sound solutions such as planning for and administering funds, personnel and equipment to best serve agriculture program oversight objectives.

Good oral presentation and writing skills; and show evidence of capacity to complete high quality written work under tight deadlines.

Strong organizational skills, ability to work with minimal supervision and work in a fast paced environment.

Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfill the technical responsibilities proposed and ability to prepare professional quality reports and presentations for both technical and general audiences.

Ability to work at ease with senior level officials from public and private sectors.

Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships across cultures, on team and with a broad range of institutional partners.

Proven track record of working effectively in teams.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; USAID Food Security Project Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

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