PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (BIODIVERSITY AND POLICY) At US Agency for International Development

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP 40%

As a recognized expert in the fields of Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management Policy the incumbent will provide technical and policy advice to all levels in the U.S. Mission. In this capacity the incumbent:

● Serves as a senior FSN staff member and USAID/Kenya’s expert in providing the perspectives of the Government of Kenya (GoK), governments in East Africa and local partners on Natural Resources Management/Biodiversity Policy, law and regulations.

● Leads in the identification of opportunities and approaches, in negotiating Project/ Activity Agreements and in resolving sensitive policy and programming issues with GoK and their impact on USAID’s Natural Resources Management/ Biodiversity program in Kenya.

● Performs a full range of professional consultative, advisory, and monitoring, information gathering, analytical and evaluative services on the scope and complexity of USAID/ Kenya’s ENV program portfolio.

● Is a policy analyst and reviews existing and newly formulated policies and laws that support biodiversity conservation across transboundary ecosystems in East Africa.

● Provides professional judgment and acumen in the development, management and evaluation of major programs and projects designed to achieve U.S. objectives.

● Acts as Deputy Office Director in the absence of the Deputy Director.

B. PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT 25%

Serves as an Agreement/ Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR) or Activity Manager for activities focused on the government, policy, and non-government implementing partners involved in biodiversity conservation and Community Based Natural Resources Management.

Performs the following program/project management duties as AOR/COR:

· Performs all responsibilities outlined in the AOR/COR designation letter- template located in the Automated Directive System (ADS) 300 Series (specifically ADS 302 & 303). Examples include provide activity management oversight, field monitoring, data quality assessments, review and approval of partner progress reports, analysis and approval of financial expenditure data and project budget tracking, prepare annual activity incremental funding actions and/or technical amendments as needed.

· Ensure projects/activities/contracts contribute to the achievement of the Natural Resources Management project results and the relevant Development Objective (DO) at the Mission level.

· Work with implementing partners and other stakeholders on creating innovative development ideas that are informed by the Agency’s Risk-Appetite Statement.

· Operationalize adaptive management throughout the program/project by continually evaluating the contractor/grantee performance. Make programs adaptive to new learning and changing contexts and provide recommendations for program/project changes to relevant authorities in the Mission.

· Manage opportunities for effectively communicating activity progress, in cooperation with Mission communications staff, for highlighting activities and accomplishments.

· Utilize data and evidence for decision making.

C. LEADERSHIP, ADVISORY, REPRESENTATION AND SUPERVISION 25%

The job holder is the Biodiversity and Policy Team Lead, leading and ensuring integration of community in the co-management of natural resources. This position will directly supervise and mentor the Project Management Specialist (Environment).

Serves as a leader and champion for the Journey to Self-Reliance. The Incumbent:

· Engages government officials and other partners in policy dialogues to achieve locally sustained results, mobilizing public and private revenues, strengthening local capacities, and accelerating enterprise-driven development related to natural resources management.

· Extends USAID’s influence through knowledge sharing and collaboration with other development actors. Catalyzes learning among country development actors to build capacity and facilitate country-led, country-owned, country-managed development.

· Leads the USAID/Kenya Community Based Natural Resources Management Team, serves as a Technical Adviser on Wildlife management in Kenya to the whole of Mission Combating Wildlife Crime Working Group and Donor Partners Wildlife Issues Group.

· In coordination with the ENV Deputy Office Director for Technical Programs, manages the relevant sections of the Development Objective Assistance Agreement.

· Serves as a Team Lead for ENV Private Sector Engagement Team and works with Mission integrated teams to create and expand public-private sector partnerships and investment in nature-based tourism and conservation of natural capital in the East African Region.

D. NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM STRATEGIC PLANNING & MONITORING 10%

Serves as a back up to the ENV Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Team. Works closely with other AORs/CORs to ensure that all activity MEL plans are up to date. Works closely with the ENV MEL team, tracks progress of implementation of the Kenya portfolio through the compilation of quantitative data for the USAID ENV annual Performance Plan and Report, Operational plan and Portfolio review.

IV. POSITION ELEMENTS:

A. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The incumbent is supervised by the Project Management Specialist (Deputy Director for Technical Programs).

B. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The incumbent supervises the Project Management Specialist (Environment).

C. AVAILABLE GUIDELINES: The incumbent will be expected to be fully aware of USAID procedures and policies included in the ADSs, FAR, 22CFR216, FAA, 117/118/119, Biodiversity Policy and other related statements of strategy and policy. In addition, he/she will have a good understanding of GoK development plans. Relevant subject matter under the Agency Policies – ADS 100, 200, 300 etc. as required for effective program management.

D. EXERCISE OF JUDGMENT: Incumbent has broad latitude to make judgement on program operation and management. Uses considerable judgment in interpreting available guidelines, noted above, and in adapting to guidelines

E. AUTHORITY TO MAKE COMMITMENTS: The incumbent deals with high-level government officials, and members of the Kenya Mission. The job holder will not make a commitment on behalf of USG but will be given substantial leeway in discussing development options and alternatives.

F. NATURE, LEVEL AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: During Program implementation consult with Senior GoK and NGO Partners to the level of CEOs and occasionally at the level of Permanent Secretary for GoK for policy direction. Regularly meet with senior donor representatives for the purposes of program coordination.

G. TIME EXPECTED TO REACH FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL: One Year.