Senior Civil Society & Local Governance Advisor Vacancy - USAID /Kenya Democracy and Governance Office

1. Basic function of the position

Traditionally, Kenyan civil society groups have been instrumental in promoting good governance policy reform and multi-party democracy in the country. Throughout the last 20 years, the civil society movement in Kenya has been relatively strong and dynamic. It has also enjoyed a high level of legitimacy. Following the post election violence in 2007/2008, however, Kenya’s civil society emerged fragmented and weak. Ethnic divisions, lack of neutrality among organizations, and weak leadership have made it difficult for civil society to “find its voice” in today’s politically turbulent times.

Kenya is also in the process of implementing a new Constitution. This will set the framework for decentralization and a two-tiered level of government. Expertise will be needed to create a new model of government that devolves power and resources to the constituency level.

This position requires technical and programmatic expertise in the design and management of civil society and local governance programs. Duties will include managing USAID programs that support a wide array of activities. The incumbent is also responsible for representing USAID and the U.S. Government in donor meetings, technical working groups, and in meetings with host government officials and civil society representatives.

The Senior Advisor must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a highly political environment. The Senior Advisor is expected to brief the DG Office Director, USAID Mission Director, and Ambassador on a regular basis.

As part of the USAID/Kenya DG Team, the incumbent will be responsible for preparing the annual Operational Plan, Performance Report, and Mission Strategic Plan. Strong English writing skills are required. The incumbent will also provide talking points, briefing notes, and analysis in response to requests from the Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, DG Office Director, Congress, USAID/Washington, and the State Department.

As a highly qualified professional, the Senior Advisor is expected to independently plan and carry out the activities required to fulfill his or her duties and responsibilities with minimal oversight.

Closing date: 11 Oct 2010
Location: Kenya


2. Major duties and responsibilities

The Senior Civil Society & Local Governance Advisor will provide expert advice on all programmatic issues related to civil society, local governance, and decentralization. The Senior Civil Society & Local Governance Advisor reports to the Democracy and Governance Office Director.

S/He has specific lead responsibility for program management and activity design within the civil society and local governance arenas. The incumbent will participate actively in strategy development, office management, report writing, and U.S. Mission representation.

The Senior Civil Society & Local Governance Advisor will:

a) Serve as the Contracting/Agreement Officer Technical Representative for a variety of contracts and grants to strengthen civil society and local governance, including the countries new decentralization effort. This will include activity planning, design, oversight, and evaluation of programs within the two sectors. The Senior Advisor will ensure U.S.-funded activities in civil society and local governance are coordinated, there is no duplication of effort, and the institutional and personnel strengths of USAID partners are fully engaged. (40%)

b) Serve as USAID’s civil society and local governance expert and advisor to the DG Team Leader and USAID Mission Director. Because decentralization has never formally been undertaken in Kenya, the country has limited expertise in the process. It is expected that the Senior Advisor will work closely with Kenyan government counterparts and civil society to improve knowledge about the complexity of decentralization and to keep the process moving forward. Briefings for the Ambassador and other U.S. government officials will be required. (20%)

c) Represent the U.S. Government in various settings, including with other U.S. government agencies, donors, Kenyan government officials, and civil society members. The Senior Advisor will be expected to represent U.S. policy interests in senior-level and working-level environments. (15%)

d) The Senior Advisor may be required to supervise a Foreign Service National. This includes conducting an employee evaluation on a regular basis and providing ongoing mentoring. (10%)

e) Assist in the preparation of reports, analysis, and briefings. The Senior Advisor will be responsible for the first draft of all annual reports required by the Democracy and Governance Office. This includes the Performance Plan and Report, Operational Plan, and Mission Strategic Plan. The Senior Advisor will also be required to provide talking points, briefing notes, and speeches in response to specific events or requests. (10%)

f) Perform other duties, as assigned by the Democracy and Governance Office Director or USAID Mission Director, to further the objectives of the USAID Democracy and Governance portfolio. (5%)

3. Position elements

Supervision Received: The Senior Advisor will receive overall supervision and policy guidance from the USAID/Kenya Democracy and Governance Office Director. The incumbent, with the Office Director, will develop general work objectives against which performance is measured. In the day-to-day work environment, however, the Senior Advisor is expected to use initiative, resourcefulness, and creativity to resolve problems and attain the program’s goals and objectives.

Available Guidelines: The position requires an understanding of an array of U.S. Government and USAID regulations. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Automated Directives System (ADS), and technical publications located on the USAID/Democracy and Governance Office website provide guidance on many of the rules and regulations guiding program implementation.

Exercise of Judgment: The Senior Advisor must exercise sound and independent judgment in interpreting and applying U.S. Government and USAID regulations and standard operating procedures in the course of carrying out assigned duties.

Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent is not authorized to make any commitments on behalf of USAID/Kenya or the U.S. Government.

Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Senior Advisor will establish and maintain solid working relationships with all levels of U.S. Mission personnel and with USAID staff. Frequent contact with U.S. Embassy officers in Kenya, host government officials, civil society members, donors, and private sector entities will be required by the Senior Advisor in order to fulfill his or her duties. Often these contacts will be of a sensitive nature and discretion is required.

Interpersonal Skills: The Senior Advisor must exercise discretion and tact in a variety of situations. The donor community is by no means harmonious. The relationship between U.S. and Kenyan government officials is often contentious. As the election draws closer, relationships may become more strained. Diplomacy is required on a daily basis to resolve challenges that arise during the course of the work.

Time Required to Perform a Full Range of Duties: The Senior Advisor is expected to be skilled in program/project management and familiar with U.S. government rules and regulations. It is also preferred that the Senior Advisor be a certified Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative/Assistance Officer’s Technical Representative in order to effectively carry out all duties. A minimum of six months will be required to understand fully the Kenyan political context and range of players involved in civil society and local governance.

Period of Performance: The contract will be for 2 years, renewable up to a total of 5 years based on the need for continued services, satisfactory performance, and the availability of funds.

Reports: The Senior Advisor will play the lead role in preparing the annual reports required by the Democracy and Governance Office. These include the Performance Plan and Report, Operational Plan, and Mission Strategic Plan. The Senior Advisor will also be required to assist in the preparation of a wide variety of reports and briefings in response to specific events or requests from management.

4. Qualifications / selection criteria

Applicants must submit a completed and signed federal form OF-612 (http://www.usaid.gov/forms). Applicants should also provide a cover letter and resume or a curriculum vita that demonstrates how they meet the selection criteria outlined below. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following:

Education (20 points)

Master’s degree with significant study in a pertinent field (for example, international development, international relations, political science, etc.), and 10 years of relevant professional and progressively responsible experience in development assistance, including field experience in managing civil society and local governance programs.

Technical Expertise (60 points)

Technical expertise and experience in overseeing grants and/or contracts in a developing country context. Experience coordinating implementing partners, monitoring and tracking performance, and preparing documentation and analyses about program activities and results.

Experience in maintaining up-to-date and comprehensive files on individual contracts and agreements. Knowledgeable about current practices and emerging trends in civil society and local governance, including the use of information technologies. Proven ability to work in a highly political environment. Strong English speaking and writing skills.

Knowledge of U.S. Government Assistance Programs (20 points)

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of U.S. government international assistance programs; management objectives; and demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, synthesize, and distribute information to implementing partners and relevant agencies.

Each candidate is required to submit three personal references with their application. Reference checks will be conducted.

Total Possible Points: 100

How to apply

Instructions to Applicants

Qualified applicants should submit a completed and signed federal form OF-612 (which can be found at www.usaid.gov/forms), cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and three references with complete contact information including e-mail address and telephone number.

This information should be sent via the Internet to the attention of the Kenya Regional Contracting Officer at the following addresses mawambugu@usaid.gov with a copy to csigner@usaid.gov.

To ensure that the application is considered for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number and title of position on your application and as the subject line in any cover letter. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified in the cover letter.