USAID Resilience Team Leader Project Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

USAID Resilience Team Leader Project Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

tatement of Duties:

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

USAID Kenya and East Africa’s Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI) manages and implements a portfolio aiming to reduce hunger and poverty through agricultural interventions; increase the resilience of households and communities.

Building resilience is a high priority for USAID, the Government of Kenya (GOK), and the Horn of Africa region. As a tier top-tier funded FTF and resilience focal country, the Kenya FTF Resilience program represents one of the most complex portfolios globally and constitutes nearly 70% of the overall OEGI budget that is implemented in over 80% of Kenya's land mass.

This is an essential leadership position with wide latitude for planning, organizing, and executing assigned responsibilities. The Specialist provides strategic vision and technical leadership to OEGI and the broader USAID/KEA Mission in agriculture policy, livestock, and resilience sectors.

Statement of Duties to be Performed

Strategic Planning and Program Design – 40%

The Specialist provides substantive technical and managerial leadership for conceptualization, planning, implementation, and monitoring of USAID Kenya and East Africa’s strategy and the US Embassy team on resilience, livelihoods, livestock sector development, and poverty eradication in Kenya and East Africa.

The incumbent works closely with other offices of USAID Kenya and East Africa and Washington to coordinate the involvement of all relevant stakeholders that including Kenyan and other Governments, the private sector, regional economic communities, and other USAID Missions in the Horn of Africa to identify effective strategies to advance the livestock sector development, resilience and poverty eradication agenda in Kenya and Horn of Africa region.

The Specialist provides technical expertise and leadership in the development of Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), and Annual Program Statements (APS); and serves as a leader of technical review teams for resilience, livestock, and livelihoods-related concept papers solicited or unsolicited proposals, and proposed awards in Kenya and Horn of Africa Region.

The incumbent provides leadership on the initiation of new activities during the implementation of CDCS and implementing changes to existing activities.

Technical Leadership and Representation – 30%

The Project Management Specialist (Resilience Team Leader) serves as a recognized technical expert in rural livelihoods and livestock sector, with a strong knowledge of agriculture policy and pastoral livelihoods.

The incumbent keeps abreast of trends and issues in the agriculture/livestock/resilience sectors; reviews and analyzes developments and advises Mission leadership and USG officials on specialized and complex issues contributing to severe climatic and other disaster occurrences within Kenya and the region.

The incumbent liaises with USAID Kenya and East Africa management to provide strategic and timely information, advice, and feedback, on shock responsive programming, rural livelihoods, and the livestock sector as required.

The Specialist provides a senior level representation at the regional, national, and county level, where he/she represents the USAID Mission and management, in technical and policy meetings on agriculture, livestock, and rural livelihoods.

The incumbent leads and directs private and public sector partners dealing with agriculture and livestock sector development in Kenya. The Specialist represents USAID in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties in Kenya in all forums.

Program Management and Monitoring – 20%

The Specialist directs, coordinates, and monitors aspects of activities necessary to attain policy reforms in agriculture and livestock sectors in Kenya and the East Africa region, in line with the US Government and USAID Kenya and East Africa’s objectives and provides advice and constructive feedback to inform Mission’s policy and development positions.

The Specialist plans, designs, develops, and provides strategic leadership and technical assistance in managing new and existing resilience - livestock, pastoralism, agriculture, and rural livelihoods, programs, and activities.

S/he will serve as the Agreement/Contracting Officer's Representative (AOR/COR) or activity manager for programs and activities that include resilience, livelihoods, livestock sector development and poverty eradication, and other areas relevant to the focus areas in OEGI.

The Specialist has a regular interface with

Implementing Partners (IPs) and ensures that IPs receive needed information on USAID regulations and policies, including audit regulations, and assistance with country issues.

The incumbent monitors and evaluates the progress of IPs towards the achievement of results and facilitates corrective measures in cases of deviation from expected results and impact.

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.

Minimum Qualifications Required for This Position

Education:

A Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary sciences, agriculture, agriculture economics/policy, business management discipline, or a closely related field is required.

Prior Work Experience:

At least seven (7) years of directly related professional responsibility in the field of veterinary sciences and livestock sector development or rural development and policy analysis and development.

Must have demonstrated experience working collaboratively with public institutions and private sector partners that support livestock sector and policy development activities and interface with implementing and governmental partners.

Substantive experience with program/project development, management, and performance monitoring, is required.

Experience with pastoralist systems and/or arid and semi-arid lands development, or closely related issues, is essential.

Language Proficiency:

Must be fluent (Level IV) in reading, writing, and speaking English and Kiswahili.

Job Knowledge

An in-depth knowledge and demonstrated experience with the theory, practice, policies, procedures, and regulations governing the performance, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs and projects is required.

In addition, the specialist must have in-depth knowledge and understanding of issues, stakeholders, policies, strategies, and best practices in the areas of resilience, livelihoods, livestock, and food security in Kenya and the East Africa region.

A thorough understanding of global development policies, strategic planning, operational systems, and regulations is required.

This position requires senior-level technical expertise in, knowledge, and understanding of the provisions and principles of resilience, rural livelihoods, and livestock sector, with a strong knowledge of agriculture policy and pastoral livelihoods.

Thorough understanding of the key logistical challenges faced in the East Africa region and a proven ability to develop and implement innovative solutions to such challenges, either in the region or in a similar development context.

Skills and abilities

Program design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills are essential.

Strong organizational and management skills, disciplined work habits, and the capacity to get tasks done on time with a minimum of oversight in a high-pressure environment are a must.

The ability to summarize complex quantitative information from multiple sources in graphs and tables and combine it with text to explain the underlying reality clearly and unambiguously is required.

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

Strong skills in negotiations and influencing policy positions in line with USG priorities is required.

A proven track record of working effectively in teams is required.

The ability to handle sensitive issues diplomatically and use good judgment in speaking on behalf of USG in high-level meetings and in conferences, seminars, and workshops is required.

Must have an excellent written and verbal presentation in English, including strong presentation skills and the ability to prepare professional quality reports and presentations for both technical and general audiences including senior USAID and other government officials.

Proficiency in computer applications, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is a must.


How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; USAID Resilience Team Leader Project Management Specialist Jobs in Kenya

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