BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The Agency recently issued a new evaluation policy with a mandate to improve metrics, monitoring, and evaluation, requiring Missions to develop and manage an annual evaluation plan, develop more rigorous scopes of work, coordinate external evaluations, collaborate with USG partners on Presidential Initiative learning agendas, and advise on implementation and operational research studies. In addition, the policy puts forth that Evaluation Specialists will help build the monitoring and evaluation skills and capacity of mission staff as well as implementing partners to successfully implement USAID’s evaluation policy as well as adhere to Presidential Initiatives’ increased focus on monitoring, evaluation, research and innovation.
The Performance Management, Evaluation and Learning Specialist will have responsibility for monitoring and evaluation across the entire mission portfolio, including health, economic growth, education, youth, and democracy and governance. This position is the senior monitoring and evaluation specialist in the mission and therefore deals at the highest levels in terms of overall program results. The Specialist will serve the USAID/Kenya Mission by providing technical leadership and support to plan, initiate, and coordinate: complex monitoring and evaluation; applied programmatic research; results documentation and dissemination; and translation of results data into meaningful policy and program improvements.
In addition, the incumbent will play a key role for USAID in developing and enhancing knowledge management systems, dissemination of best practices and lessons learned, and expanding USAID’s capacity in Kenya to utilize various forms of data to inform implementing partner programs. As a member of the Program Development and Analysis Office and the Performance Management Team, the incumbent will provide leadership in this field and will oversee a USAID cross-cutting Program Improvement Committee of five (5) members (one from each technical office), as well as mentor other staff members who are responsible for overseeing USG-funded programs. The incumbent is expected to be able to dialog with senior management at the mission and in Washington, as well as the U.S. Embassy and senior level Government of Kenya officials on all performance related issues, including those that impact policy decisions.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Performance Management, Evaluation and Learning Specialist will provide high quality technical assistance to the USAID program, its implementing partners, and at times the Government of Kenya. The Specialist will substantially increase the quality of USG programs as well as transfer skills and best practices to targeted Government of Kenya’s (GOK) programs and institutions.
The incumbent will report to the USAID/Kenya Performance Management Team Leader and be part of that team. His/her principal responsibilities include:
a. Lead/Manage USAID/Kenya’s Performance Management, Evaluation and Learning Program (35% Level of Effort-LOE)
The incumbent will manage all aspects of performance management—including monitoring, evaluation and learning—for all USAID-funded programs in Kenya. In addition, the incumbent will provide technical assistance in this area to USAID/Kenya and implementing partner staff and will oversee the provision of technical assistance to targeted GOK institutions.
Specifically, the Specialist will:
1. Manage the implementation and updating/refinement of the Mission’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) and Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), as needed, and advise AOR/CORs on project-specific PMPs across the Mission.
2. Identify short and long term technical assistance required for successful program planning and learning, including assessments, studies, and evaluations—both performance and impact.
3. Draft and/or edit scopes of work (SOW) to obtain relevant research products and/or achieve USAID Forward Quality Evaluation standards, and assist in the identification, planning and procurement needed to obtain required assistance.
4. Establish and lead an inter-office Program Improvement Committee to advance cross-sectoral planning and learning.
5. Collaborate with other Performance Management Team members in the development and implementation of learning management and dissemination systems for use by all Mission staff.
6. The incumbent will utilize the agency’s new AIDTracker system and work with the Mission’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Team to identify and analyze issues and trends that could lead to better program monitoring and planning on the part of USAID and Implementing Partners (IPs).
7. Provide support to the PDA Planning Team and Office of Population and Health (OPH) with required documents for USAID/Kenya’s annual Operational Plan (OP), Country Operational Plan (COP) and Malaria Operational Plan (MOP).
8. Lead the Mission’s annual Performance Plan and Report (PPR) process, coordinating contributions from all technical offices, and ensuring timely and accurate submission of the report.
9. On request, prepare analytical progress reports for USAID Senior Management and the US Embassy, and dialogue on the same. The incumbent is expected to discuss how findings generated from performance data could or should impact USG or GOK policy.
b. Serve as the Activity Manager for the Mission’s Program Support contract (35% LOE)
The incumbent will manage the performance aspects of a five year contract that supports USAID/Kenya in meeting day to day information needs in order to make informed program management decisions, as well as providing substantive support with qualitative, quantitative, and analytical information to assist in continually assessing and evaluating the Mission’s development hypothesis.
1. Design and oversee strategic analyses and assessments of proposed programs, changes in the development environment, as well as sector-specific, cross-sectorial, and environmental assessments.
2. Ensure the provision of consistent, on-the-ground performance monitoring and reporting to technical Agreement Officer’s Representatives (AORs) and Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs) to enable them to more effectively manage their projects, as well as reviews of specific activities, programs, and the portfolio as a whole.
3. Design and oversee performance and impact evaluations of individual projects and activities.
c. Lead/Manage Capacity Building in Performance Management (20% LOE)
The incumbent will ensure the delivery of systematic and consistent technical assistance to USAID staff, implementing partners, and targeted GOK institutions in the areas of performance management and learning systems, as well as other monitoring and evaluation tools and systems.
1. Manage the development and implementation of capacity building programs, workshops, and other participatory activities that will serve to broaden knowledge and practice of effective monitoring and evaluation of Mission programs, including Presidential Initiatives, and related activities at national, sub-national (e.g. county), and partner levels.
2. Participate on relevant working groups and teams to provide technical expertise on performance and knowledge management and other related tools, systems, and issues.
d. Liaise and Coordinate with Key Partners (10% LOE)
1. The incumbent will build and strengthen relationships with key relevant partner institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning, and other key national and non-governmental institutions in Kenya to encourage optimal coordination, harmonization, and alignment of M & E processes, data dissemination tools and other developed knowledge management systems.
2. Develop and apply standard templates for presenting USAID strategic performance information to implementing partners, the Government of Kenya, other key stakeholders.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated. Only short listed applicants will be contacted. If you have not been contacted within one month from the closing date of this advertisement, please consider your application unsuccessful.
a. Education: A Master’s degree in statistics, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, research methodology, or other relevant field is required.
b. Prior Work Experience: Seven to ten years of relevant professional experience in program design and implementation with a focus on performance management. Previous experience working in an international context.
c. Post Entry Training: Rapid familiarization with a wide range of Agency policies, procedures and regulations. Training in Programming Foreign Assistance, Project Design and Evaluation will be arranged if possible.
d. Language Proficiency: The applicant must read, write and speak fluent English (Level IV).
e. Knowledge: Sound knowledge of the main technical and substantive issues related to program/project development with a focus on key program areas of USAID including health, economic growth, education and democracy and governance in sub-Saharan Africa. Good understanding of African social, cultural and political contexts. Knowledge of USAID Evaluation Policy and Performance Management Plan (PMP) systems preferred.
The position requires an understanding of an array of U.S. Government and Agency regulations and procedures, an expert comprehension of USAID evaluation policy and practices as they affect USAID/Kenya program operations. He/she should, as soon as possible, develop a broad and thorough knowledge of USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation as described in the ADS. A thorough knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices in performance management is required. A good working knowledge of Kenya’s economic, political, social and cultural characteristics is desirable.
f. Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability in dealing effectively and diplomatically with customers from a variety of organizations, e.g. public sector and the private sector. Demonstrated ability to work within a team framework and positive interpersonal skills as well as an ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Demonstrated monitoring and evaluation system development and maintenance skills, including data management. Demonstrated skill in the application of USAID Evaluation Policy and USG M&E guidance preferred. Computer literacy with common applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
The incumbent must be able to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts with the highest and working level officials throughout the Mission including technical and support offices, government of Kenya officials and implementing partners. The incumbent must be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of technical and managerial personnel in the Mission. Demonstrated capability for perceptive analysis and the ability to obtain, analyze and evaluate a variety of data and to organize and present it in meaningful terms. Writing and speaking effectively are required skills. In addition, the incumbent will be expected to lead and/or participate actively in meetings with both internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate.
The incumbent will take over, analyze and synthesize highly complex information from multiple sources within a specialist discipline alongside broad program responsibilities in performance management and evaluation fields. The incumbent must be able to effectively identify, mobilize, and draw upon the expertise of technical and managerial personnel in the Mission. The ability to provide information and advice with objectivity is required. Incumbent also deals with many different overlapping tasks and projects characterized by shifting or changing priorities. The incumbent must therefore apply the highest analytical skills and judgment to determine best possible solution from the range of possible alternatives.
POSITION ELEMENTS:
a. Supervision Received: The incumbent will report to the USAID/Kenya PDA Performance Management Team Leader. The Supervisor will provide overall supervision to the incumbent; however the incumbent must exercise independent judgment in planning and carrying out tasks, resolving problems and conflicts, and taking steps necessary to meet deadlines.
b. Available Guidelines: Guidelines include Agency regulations, ADS Series, USAID Evaluation Policy, Africa Bureau procedural guidance, Mission Orders, the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAR) and professional development literature. All of these are general, presenting options and approaches rather than blueprints. Therefore, the incumbent must be able to assess alternatives and interpret the guidelines accordingly. Excellent judgment and the ability to deal with ambiguity are essential.
c. Exercise of Judgment: In many ways, the incumbent serves as the face of USAID/Kenya when dealing with internal and external stakeholders in matters of performance management and evaluation of USAID programs. The exercise of a high level of caution and judgment when discharging these duties is a must for this position. Therefore, duties assigned to incumbent include a variety of duties and processes requiring extensive exercise of judgment.
d. Authority to Make Commitments: None. Incumbent's recommendations, however, will lay basis for making commitments.
e. Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Must maintain mid to senior level contacts with many internal and external stakeholders including: other senior USAID/USG Officials, Implementing Partners, and Host Country Officials in order to represent USAID/Kenya’s performance management and evaluation activities.
f. Supervision Exercised: Exercises no administrative supervision, but provides technical guidance and mentoring to the PDA Program Assistant as well as staff from Technical Offices. Offers guidance and recommendations to Technical and Support Offices particularly on matters related to performance management and evaluation.
g. Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties after Entry into the Position: The incumbent is expected to work a full 40-hour week and to be available on an as need basis to deal with emergency situations during times of heavy workload. It is expected that six months will be required for the incumbent to become familiar with the tasks outlined in this position and 12 months to undertake the full range of duties.
NOTE:
Current USG employees must meet the "time-in-grade" requirement of 52 weeks in the previous lower grade to qualify for the position at the level in this vacancy announcement or be at the same grade for which the position is being recruited. Applicants who meet the job qualification requirements but not the "time-in-grade" requirement may be considered for the position but will have to abide by the in-grade requirement prior to being considered for the next higher grade. In addition the employee must have received a Personnel Evaluation Report (PER) during the most recent rating period which clearly indicated the employee is ready and capable of assuming a more responsible position.
HOW TO APPLY:
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST NE SUBMITTED ONLINE. HARD COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Current USG Employees: Fill out the job application questionnaire at www.myjobsinkenya.com/usaid and upload a memo explaining their qualifications for the position, an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae, copies of all relevant academic certificates, and the most recent Performance Evaluation Report (PER).
External Applicants: Fill out the job application questionnaire at www.myjobsinkenya.com/usaid and upload an application letter outlining their qualifications for the position, an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae, and copies of all relevant academic certificates.
The system only allows you to upload documents once. Please scan all the documents that you need to attach as one document, then upload as one package. Incomplete application packages will not be considered. The closing date for receipt of applications is COB November 23, 2012.
