Development Assistance Specialist (Partnerships and Liaison). At US Agency for International Development

GENERAL INFORMATION

USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANT’S BANK ACCOUNTS.

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72061524R10026
2. ISSUANCE DATE: March 07, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: March 21, 2024 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at nairobiusaid.hr@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: Development Assistance Specialist (Partnerships and Liaison).
6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent FSN-11 Step 1 (5,435,381 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (9,069,687.00 KSH per annum).In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. The salary range provided is inclusive of all allowances and annual bonus. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate.Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of funds, the continued need for services and successful performance. It is anticipated that the selection of the successful candidate will be completed within an estimated six-month period from the closing date of this solicitation.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya;with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens, including current locally hired employees of the US Mission in Kenya. Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The USAID/Kenya and East Africa Partnerships and Liaison Specialist serves as the liaison and partnerships operations to the front office to support the overall coordination of external stakeholder relations. The job holder assists Front Office and broader mission staff to 1) Liaison Management and Protocol Responsibilities 2) establish and maintain effective linkages, partnerships, and relationships. 2) Contact Development to build linkages and networks with GoK, civil society organizations, academia, private sector actors, implementing partners and development partners; 3) Providing strategic protocol advice and coordination with the high-ranking Government of Kenya (GOK) officials; 4), Information gathering, analysis and reporting on matters of strategic importance to USAID’s development program; 5) Liaise with county government on USAID development issues; and 6) Perform other related duties to assist the Kenya and East Africa Front Office. The incumbent serves as the deputy to the strategic partnership front advisor on matters pertaining to establishing and building effective strategic partnership, strengthening the mission liaison with stakeholders, facilitating communication, providing advice on government protocol, building linkages and networks, knowledge sharing with the Mission Senior Management within all US Government (USG) agencies on matters related to host country protocol guidelines, contacts, communication, and correspondence. The incumbent will support the coordination and collaborative efforts for sustainable relationship management with mission stakeholders i.e. GOK and County Government officials, private sector, civil society, academia, donors/ foundations etc.

The job holder is responsible for providing substantive advice on host country protocol advice, gathering background information on issues of partnerships that require management action from the Mission Director, structuring briefings and meetings for interaction with Mission stakeholders, and drafting guidance on relevant correspondence to external partner meetings in which the Mission Director and senior leadership is involved. The Partnerships and Liaison Specialist works closely with the Front Office strategic partnerships advisor, chief of staff, Visitor coordinator and DOC team to align the Mission Directors and the deputy mission director’s agenda with regards to Mission development priorities. The incumbent demonstrates the highest standards of confidentiality and integrity. The job holder will manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, mixing long-term projects with the urgency of immediate demands. The incumbent must also have the demonstrated ability to deal with highly confidential information and act as a liaison between the Mission Director and other partner or Mission entities, both internal and external. The incumbent must also demonstrate willingness and ability to manage large amounts of detail with confidentiality, great care and accuracy. Lastly, the job holder will interface with the deputy mission directors and Office Directors to ensure they are adequate preparations for Mission Director’s engagements organized by others.

Statement of Duties to be Performed.

The Partnerships and Liaison Specialist will work closely with the USAID/Kenya and East Africa Executive Secretaries to ensure effective Front Office operations. This position has four core areas of responsibility: Liaison Management and Protocol Responsibilities, partnership and relationship management; and information gathering and contact database management in interfacing with the Embassy, USG Washington staff, GOK, Development Partners, Implementing Partners, and other Front Office relationships affecting USAID’s development program.

Liaison Management and Protocol Responsibilities 40%

1. Provides protocol guidance and liaison with both national and county government, private sector, CSOs, institutions and local community. The job holder is required to make suggestions for events, in coordinating and planning events including providing input and guidance on the expected pattern of official functions and the review of the generated list and preparation of the final guest lists, issuance and distribution of invitation cards, and seating arrangements.
2. Prepares responses to letters requesting invitations to functions and representational events and for the Strategic Partnership Advisor clearances while referring other letters to relevant sections for action.
3. Prepares letters for the Mission/DMD signature and works with front office manager and secretaries in keeping records of the incoming and outgoing correspondence and responses. c) Coordinates with strategic partnership advisor meeting requests and travel arrangements for the Mission Director and other DMDs and identifies emerging concerns and potential problems, which breach protocol. The job holder will provide backstopping and representation support for visit of Washington delegations, senior government and manage the functioning of the office and administrative support.
4. Secures appointments for the Mission/DMD and other mission officials as requested and obtains appropriate contact info upon request of the GOK and their contacts. Facilitates and follows-up on all meeting requests with National and County government officials at all levels. The job holder supports various teams in organizing consultation meetings including undertaking documentation and capturing the meeting proceedings.
5. Coordinates with various technical office representatives/ secretaries to personally review guest lists for events, identifies, meet and greet and also escorts them whenever required and also coordinates with the Regional Security Office and Executive Office to inform and request access for VIP and regular visitors to Mission.
6. Identifies synergies and leverages any existing networks to maximize the impact of USAID programs with external stakeholders and supports the day-to-day liaison activities with government counterparts of USAID/KEA programs to support the implementation of various activities.
7. Initiates the preparation of drafting of outgoing correspondence to National and County Government, Development partners Private sector Implementing partners, Diplomats CSOs, FBOs and respond to invitations both in writing and over the telephone and ensures that drafted remarks, talking points, briefing materials and written communication are accurate and consistent as required by USAID.
8. Manages strategic partnership issues in the absence of the Strategic Partnerships Advisor and undertakes any other duties as prescribed and ensures that any emerging concerns and issues/ obstacles to protocol services are addressed.

Partnership and Relationship Management (30%)

1. Build networks with national and county leaders to serve as a platform to promote USAID development programs and build strategic linkages to enhance the effectiveness of those programs.
2. Strengthens the coordination and collaboration for effective sustainable relationship management with mission stakeholders and creates an institutionalized and systematic process driven outreach and relationship management.
3. Identifies synergies and leverages any existing networks to maximize the impact of USAID programs with external stakeholders.
4. Develop and manage a relationship management system that facilitates effective strategic communications both inside and outside of USAID and establishes relationships with a wide range of institutional and government actors including Missions and representatives of Development Partners, Private Sector, Academic/Research Institutions and CSOs, FBOs and NGOs.
5. Develop and maintain relationship and linkages with all the county officials (Governor, CECs, County Liaisons, County Commissioners etc.) and other key stakeholders working at the county level and ensures respectful, solution-oriented communication through the correspondence process.
6. Support technical and lifeline offices to establish and maintain existing relationships with external stakeholders and identifies and fosters new opportunity for potential partnerships through effective networking.
7. Build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.

Information Gathering and Reporting on County Government (20%)

1. Collect relevant county information from technical offices, provides support to county outreach activities and liaises with technical offices in documenting county visits including county program activities.
2. Develop a National and county government database to support the programmatic work of the USAID/Kenya mission.
3. Responsible for information gathering and tracking relevant reports to support the needs on programs being implemented.
4. Liaise with USAID implementing partners, GoK MDAs and County Governments to support the collection of the development plans as requested by the Front Office and ensure that all the records are maintained in an efficient and professional manner.

Contact Database and Biodata management 10%

1. Develop Contact to create and maintain information database for sustainable linkages, partnerships and networks with GoK, civil society organizations, private sector actors and development partners.
2. The incumbent maintains a contact list of both National and County Government officials and regularly provides updates on any changes made to the structures of governments at both levels.
3. Manages, edits, updates, corrects, and creates new contacts databases and updates existing contacts.
4. Oversees the completeness, accuracy, and accessibility of records by liaising sectional office teams to compile contact lists for the mission and reviews them to avoid duplication of records and correcting erroneous entries as and when found.
5. Work closely with senior USAID/Kenya and East Africa staff to ensure follow-up of Front Office required actions. The job holder will participate in the development of activity ideas, as requested.

Supervision Received

Incumbent will report directly to the Strategic Partnerships Advisor. The incumbent is expected to take significant initiative in organizing, planning and carrying out the assignment with minimal supervision.

Supervision Exercised

Exercises no administrative supervision.

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.

1. Education: Bachelor’ degree in liberal arts, public relations, international relations, business management or a related field is required.
2. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in development or diplomatic work in building partnerships, protocol management, communications, public relations, or journalism in an English-language work environment is required. Three of the five years’ experience should be within a donor agency or international organization at a senior level. The incumbent must have working experience in a position with responsibilities similar to the duties outlined. Prior administrative management knowledge and/or experience, either within the USG or with an international organization is required. Solid experience of Host Country Operational environment, particularly in the areas of protocol management, developing and fostering relationships, political framework, socio-cultural activities etc.
3. Language Proficiency: The candidate must be fluent (Level IV) in both spoken and written English and Kiswahili and be able to serve as both editor and speechwriter when called upon, producing high quality documents and correspondence for the USAID/Kenya and East Africa Front Office.
4. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

• Job Knowledge (40 points)

The incumbent has advanced knowledge of the GoK protocol issues, partnership management, fostering and maintaining relationships, political, economic, social, and cultural environment with demonstrable experience in liaison strategy and interacting with a range of partners including national and county government officials, diplomatic personnel, private sector, academia, international development organizations, civil society organizations. The incumbent must demonstrate understanding of the contextual complexities of Kenya and how development programs should assimilate these.

• Skills and abilities (30 points)

The incumbent is highly motivated, dedicated, a self-starter, and able to work in challenging and stressful environments; excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a team setting; and ability to easily interact with tact and diplomacy when interacting with high level officials, external stakeholders, and USAID partner organizations. H/She should have proven ability to develop new and build existing linkages, partnerships, and networks with GoK, civil society organizations, private sector actors and development partners that will enhance USAID development outcomes and results. Possess a strong protocol management and communication skills to articulate the information to provide strategic guidance and manage USAID-GOK institutional relationships. H/She must have the ability to gather, analyze and synthesize information and develop a plausible interpretation of implications for USAID programs implementation is critical.

The incumbent must exhibit skill to collaborate with, and achieve results through, others, the ability to build strong and sustainable partnerships and relationships, and the capability to interact within all levels of the Agency and mission staff. The incumbent must have a high-level collaboration skill, with outstanding diplomacy, analytical and organizational skills, finely honed oral and written communication skills, laterally to others on the executive team, downward through the system, and upward to the Mission Director and senior management. Demonstrates keen judgment and emotional intelligence, in addition to a successful track record of achieving results through persuasion, influence and collaboration rather than explicit reporting relationships.

The incumbent must also possess analytical and critical thinking skills, using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses in relationships, and have the ability to seek alternative solutions, conclusions, and approaches to problems. The job holder must have the ability to flawlessly manage significant amounts of detail and a successful track record managing multiple complex projects simultaneously. The job holder must exercise discretion, sound judgment, and the highest professional ethics and confidentiality. The incumbent must have the ability to weigh issues in an unbiased manner. The job holder must be flexible and highly organized. Demonstrated success in protocol management at all levels, information gathering and analysis, and professional reporting is essential.

Work Experience (30 points)

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in development or diplomatic work in building partnerships, protocol management, communications, public relations, or journalism in an English-language work environment is required. Three of the five years’ experience should be within a donor agency or international organization at a senior level. The incumbent must have working experience in a position with responsibilities similar to the duties outlined. Prior administrative management knowledge and/or experience, either within the USG or with an international organization is required. Solid experience of Host Country Operational environment, particularly in the areas of protocol management, developing and fostering relationships, political framework, socio-cultural activities is required.

Total possible points: 100