Senior Elections Advisor Vacancy - USAID/Kenya Democracy and Governance Office

1. Basic function of the position

The Senior Elections Advisor reports to the USAID/Kenya Democracy and Governance Office Director and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent coordinates USAID strategy, assistance, and policy in support of elections. As a member of the USAID/Kenya Democracy and Governance Team, the Senior Advisor provides general support related to the broader portfolio as required.

S/he liaises with other USAID teams, U.S. agencies, the Government of Kenya, donors, civil society, international experts, and stakeholders to ensure maximum effectiveness of USAID activities in support of elections. The incumbent ensures that USAID assistance is well coordinated, well monitored, and effectively managed.

This position requires technical, programmatic, and financial expertise in the design and management of elections and political party programming.

Duties will include managing USAID election programs that support a wide array of activities: support to the Kenyan electoral bodies, strengthen political parties, strengthen domestic monitoring and media reporting, support state organs responsible for electoral reform such as Parliament and the Kenya Law Reform Commission, and coordinate USG monitoring efforts.

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 also have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a difficult political environment. As the lead technical expert in the elections arena, the Senior Advisor will be making policy recommendations to top USG officials, including the Ambassador.

Due to past election violence experienced in Kenya, the incumbent is expected to play a role in supporting and providing policy guidance that would lead to peaceful and transparent future elections and a further consolidation of Kenya’s democracy. Because the U.S. is the most influential and largest bi-lateral donor, the Senior Advisor position will be high-profile with high expectations attached.

The Senior Advisor is expected to provide policy recommendations and briefings to the DG Office Director, USAID Mission Director, and Ambassador on a regular basis.

As part of the USAID/Kenya DG Team, the incumbent will, as required, contribute to broader team functions such as preparation of relevant sections of the annual Operational Plan, Performance Report, Mission Strategic Plan, pipeline management reviews, program implementation reviews, and other USAID and USG reporting requirements.

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.

Closing date: 08 Oct 2010
Location: Kenya

2. Major duties and responsibilities

The Senior Elections Advisor will be responsible for the management – both technical and financial – of a complex, $20-million election assistance program with national impact. The program is expected to run for 2 years. The Senior Advisor will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. Travel to the country’s provinces and constituencies will be required throughout the course of the program to ensure effective monitoring and oversight.

The Senior Elections Advisor will:

a) Serve as the Contracting/Agreement Officer Technical Representative for a wide variety of contracts and grants to support the elections and strengthen political parties in 2012. The Senior Advisor will ensure all election-related activities within USAID are coordinated, there is no duplication of effort and the institutional and personnel strengths of USAID partners are fully engaged. The Senior Advisor will be expected to propose policy and exercise decision-making authority in the technical area of elections and political party strengthening. (50%)

b) Represent the U.S. Government in various settings, including meetings hosted by donors, the Kenyan government, and civil society. The Senior Advisor will be expected to represent U.S. policy interests in senior-level and working-level environments. (15%)

c) Serve as USAID’s election expert and advisor to the DG Team Leader and USAID Mission Director. Briefings for the Ambassador and other U.S. government officials will be required. As a high-level election and political party expert, the incumbent is also expected to provide guidance and policy advice to other international election experts that collaborate with the USG. (10%)

d) Coordinate, under the supervision of the DG Office Chief and in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, the USAID election and political party assistance portfolio. The Senior Advisor will play a lead role in ensuring all USG election-related activities are coordinated and the responsibilities of all agency partners clearly defined. (10%)

e) Supervise at least one Foreign Service National professional as Team Leader on elections and political parties. This includes conducting employee evaluations on a regular basis and providing ongoing mentoring. (10%)

f) Assist in the preparation of reports, analysis, and briefings as required. This will include both annual and weekly updates. The Senior Advisor will also be required to provide talking points, briefing notes, and speeches in response to specific events or requests. (10%)

g) Perform other duties, as assigned by the DG 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 Elections Advisor will receive overall supervision 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. The Senior Advisor will have wide latitude for exercising independent decision-making.

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 elections and political party 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, private sector entities, and international consultants 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 USG rules and regulations. A time period of approximately six months will be required to understand fully the Kenyan political context and range of players involved in the election process.

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

Reports: The Senior Advisor will be required to assist in the preparation of a wide variety of reports and briefings. While some of these reports are due on a regular basis, many assignments are 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 curriculum vitae that demonstrate 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 elections and political party assistance. Specific experience in Kenya or East Africa is desired.


Technical Expertise (60 points)

Technical expertise and experience in election program management and political party development. This includes experience 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 maintaining up-to-date and comprehensive files on individual contracts and agreements. Knowledgeable about current practices and emerging trends in electoral processes and electoral management including the use of information technologies. Proven ability to work in a highly political environment.

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

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of USG international assistance programs; management objectives; and demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, synthesize, and distribute information to implementing partners and relevant agencies. Certification as a Contracting Officer’s / Assistance Officer’s Technical Representative is preferred.

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.