USAID Project Management Democracy & Civil Society Specialist Jobs in Kenya

USAID Project Management Democracy & Civil Society Specialist Jobs in Kenya

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Kenya and East Africa (KEA) Mission seeks a qualified Kenyan for the position of Project Management Specialist in the Democratic Governance, Peace and Security (DGPS) Office.

This position requires technical expertise in the field of good governance, devolution, civil society and media freedom and capacity, as well as practical knowledge of program design, activity management, and monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning. The incumbent provides support to the USAID governance portfolio.

S/he must possess a high degree of competence and maturity, and the ability to manage relationships with the Embassy, other donors, the private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and private voluntary organizations (PVOs) working in Kenya and the East Africa region.

Statement of Duties to Be Performed

This position operates under the direction of the Governance Deputy Office Chief, but personally performs the complex work focused on good governance and civil society.

S/he must understand and apply a technical body of knowledge, as well as applicable laws and agency regulations and instructions on a day-to-day basis. Once the Project Management Specialist is fully on-boarded, guidance received from the Deputy Office Chief is almost wholly related to policy, program objectives, and office priorities.

Within such guidelines, the holder of this position designs and manages important activities and carries them to completion without significant supervision. Demands are heavy on personal initiative, resourcefulness and sound judgment.

The Specialist will provide support to DGPS in the following ways:

Program Management and Related Duties (55%)

The incumbent manages new and existing governance and civil society programs and activities as a team member in the DGPS Office.

These duties include participation in activity design, spearheading technical contributions to procurement processes, and activity implementation, identifying and resolving issues, ensuring 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 will serve as the Contracting/Agreement Officer's Representative (AOR/COR) or activity manager for activities that include capacity development for the Government of Kenya, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society organizations (CSOs)in order to achieve development objectives, including effective implementation of devolution, as outlined in the Kenya Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS).

Technical Specialist and Representational Duties (35%)

The incumbent will serve as a technical advisor to the DGPS Office and may be requested to advise USAID Missions in the region on governance, civil society, civic space and related issues.

The Project Management Specialist will keep abreast of and analyze political, social, economic and other trends and legislation/policies affecting governance, civil society and civic space in Kenya, and will keep the Mission informed of these trends/legislation/policies.

S/he will be considered a resource on civil society and civic space issues and will be expected to participate actively in internal and external strategy discussions, including active engagement across sectors at the Mission.

The DGPS Office manages programs that focus on other democracy and governance areas including elections and political process, devolution, conflict and CVE that contain program elements related to civil society and civic space.


Strategic Planning and Performance Reporting (10%)

Participates in USAID and USG strategy development, portfolio reviews, quarterly financial reviews and other USAID performance and planning processes. Drafts substantive contributions based on her/his area of expertise to annual performance reports, operational plans and other USAID performance management documents.

Supervisory

Relationship

The PMS will work under direct supervision of the Governance Deputy Office Chief and general supervision of the Office Chief.

The Office Chief, the Deputy and other USAID and USG staff will provide technical guidance as necessary. However, the incumbent is largely independent of technical supervision; guidance provided by the supervisor is primarily about policy, priorities, results to be achieved, basic approaches to be followed, and the basic content of reports.

Work is assigned primarily in terms of desired results and suggested approaches. As the incumbent is expected to work with a high degree of independence, s/he must be able to establish priorities, adhere to and meet established deadlines, and perform responsibilities and duties with minimal supervision and limited follow-up.

Supervisory Controls

This position is designated as non-supervisory; however, the incumbent plans, organizes and oversees the work of implementing partners’ projects and program activities; provides guidance and technical expertise; reviews the work produced, and evaluates the accomplishments of such contractors or grantees.

Physical Demands:

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

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 Political Science, Governance and Civil Society, Public Policy and Administration, Law, Development, Community Planning/Development, International Studies or related field is required.

Prior Work Experience:

Minimum of five years of experience directly relevant to the governance and civil society field is required, ideally in Kenya or elsewhere in East Africa. Prior work experience with a donor/international development agency is also required.

Language Proficiency:

Level IV English (fluent) written and spoken ability is required. Level IV spoken Kiswahili is required.

Job Knowledge

Must have a strong understanding of program management and development assistance in the governance and civil society field.

Demonstrated knowledge of civil society, civic space and devolution issues in Kenya, as well as an understanding of development priorities.

Demonstrated knowledge of international best practice in governance, civil society and civic space is required.

Skills and abilities

Ability to develop and maintain a range of mid-level working relationships within the U.S. government, with the Government of Kenya, international donor partners, civil society, media and with the private sector is required.

Ability to quickly understand the basics of development activity management including the requirements for financial and programmatic reporting is required.

Proficient use of word processing, spreadsheet, Google Docs, and PowerPoint software programs, and willingness to use these programs to prepare reports, draft correspondence, prepare presentations, and take notes is required.

Candidate must be able to communicate well in writing and verbally to a diversity of audiences.

Diplomacy, confidentiality, and sound judgement are required in handling sensitive issues.

Ability to work as part of a team within the DGPS Office and across the broader Mission is essential as is proven ability to work in a multicultural environment.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; USAID Project Management Democracy & Civil Society Specialist Jobs in Kenya

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