USAID Project Management Specialist (M&E)

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066324R10008

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 02/28/2024

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 03/13/2024, no later than 5:00 p.m (EAT) (close of business).

4. POINT OF CONTACTS: James Cerwinski, Supervisory EXO and Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, e-mail at addisusaidjobs@usaid.gov.

5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (M&E)

6. MARKET VALUE: $24,124 $43,420 yearly i.e., equivalent to FSN-11. In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Ethiopia. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. Salary will be paid in local currency at the exchange rate in effect when the payroll is processed.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature through a series of sequential contracts, subject to continued need, satisfactory performance, and the availability of funds.

The expected period of performance will be from 07/14/2024 07/13/2029.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: US Embassy, Entoto Road, Addis Ababa, with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Cooperating Country Nationals (CCNs). Cooperating country national means an individual who is a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities access.

11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES

1. General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The USAID Project Management Specialist (M&E Specialist) fulfills a key role in the USAID/Ethiopia Office of Economic Growth and Resilience (EGR). The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist provides expertise focusing on program outcomes and impacts and integrating information into existing M&E systems, programming decisions, and collaboration with partners. The Specialist contributes to the Offices intellectual leadership by helping to coordinate and implement the Offices analytical, evaluation, and learning agendas. The incumbent coordinates with Program, Humanitarian Assistance, Education and Youth, Democracy and Governance, and Health offices of the Mission in planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of activities. The Specialist communicates with USAID Washington Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Teams to exchange information and receive guidance. In addition to these duties, the Specialist will serve as an Agreement Officers Representative (AOR) or Contracting Officers Representative (COR) for activities as assigned by the Office Management. These activities may include management of evaluations, assessments, or other learning activities for EGR-managed activities, which promote a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant private-sector-led economy that is led and owned by Ethiopians. The Specialist is a member of EGRs Learning and Operations Division and reports directly to the Learning and Operations Division Chief .

The EGR Office manages a large and complex portfolio, worth approximately $200 million annually. The EGR Office also leads Mission-wide coordination for a number of high-priority USAID initiatives, including Feed the Future (i.e. food security and nutrition), Resilience, Prosper Africa, Private Sector Engagement, Power Africa, Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

2. Statement of Duties to be Performed

A. EVALUATION and KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (50%)

Manages the Offices evaluation and learning agenda, which may include evaluation research activities and dissemination of results. Designs the Offices evaluation plan and assists staff with planning, designing and implementing evaluations of their respective activities.

Leads the coordinated management of cross-cutting evaluations and supports findings of relevance for more than one activity.

Ensures that ad hoc evaluations of individual activities are properly planned and carried out in a high-quality and professional manner, by assisting staff to draft appropriate statements of work for evaluations, actively participating in evaluations, and ensuring that comments on draft reports are reflected in the final reports.

Supports the Office to collate, prioritize, follow up and close out recommendations from evaluations.

Provides technical support to staff to improve the use of project data to develop future activity designs and take mid-course corrections of existing activities.

Promotes learning across the Offices portfolio to ensure lessons from implementation are identified, reinforced within existing programs, disseminated, and scaled up to inform the broader economic growth and resilience agenda.

Assists AORs/CORs and Activity Managers in evaluating selected interventions by ensuring that performance monitoring systems are in place, and that periodic, reliable measures of impact indicators are established. Reviews annual work plans and quarterly reports of Implementing Partners, as requested by AORs/CORs.

Works closely with Implementing Partners to ensure program achievements and lessons learned are disseminated to sector representatives and inform program course corrections and new designs.

Supports coordination and learning across the Offices Divisions and Teams on a range of programmatic and technical questions, reinforcing USAIDs leadership in multiple government and donor partner platforms on national policy issues related to resilience, economic growth, private sector engagement, market systems development, food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability, power, climate change, biodiversity, and WASH.

Establishes and maintains relationships with technical-level government officials on program M&E, including representing USAID in development partners platforms.

B. PROGRAM REPORTING and MONITORING (30%)

Supports the routine planning and reporting processes in which the Office participates, namely annual reporting through the Operational Plan (OP) and the Performance Plan and Report (PPR), including preparation of key issue narratives, implementing mechanism narratives, indicator tables, and success stories.

Designs and manages the Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Plans for the Development Objectives (DOs) and Projects managed by the Office and works directly with the Mission Program Office, EGR staff, other technical offices, and USAID/Washington to coordinate M&E-related actions for EGR-managed activities. Ensures that the Office CLA plans comply and articulate well with the Missions overall Learning Agenda and the Missions Results Framework.

Tracks and maintains multiple sets of key indicators: common/standard indicators used in all USAID projects; indicators at the DO level; and detailed or custom indicators at the activity level.

Advises and provides guidance to staff members on the process of defining performance measures, including measurable indicators and targets, for the desired results addressed by their activity and assists them on their contribution to the monitoring portion of Annual Report(s).

Works with AORs/CORs, activity managers, and implementing partners (IPs) to ensure activity work plans and monitoring plans include relevant and effective performance measures that, all together, provide greater results and more accurate Development Objective measurements. Coordinates with AORs/CORs to ensure that data are properly collected, and that each indicator is an appropriate measure of its corresponding result.

Works with Implementing Partners to ensure their understanding of the DO CLA Plan, including their role in the process, and advises them on specific measurement techniques appropriate for their programs. Reviews Implementing Partners M&E/CLA Plans and provides technical advice to the CORs/AORs to inform their review and approval.

Develops user-friendly innovative and cross-cutting tools to support rigorous activity monitoring by EGR staff, where needed and appropriate, including Data Quality Assessment (DQA) tools. Conducts DQAs for standard performance indicators reported by EGR-managed awards, in coordination with CORs/AORs and the Program Office.

Manages the web-based portfolio management system, Development Information Solution (DIS), for the EGR Office, including reviewing, verifying and tracking data with the AORs/CORs, and ensuring that Implementing Partners enter their data into the DIS on a regular basis.

Manages the teams budget for planned M&E activities.

C. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND OVERSIGHT (20%)

Serves as the AOR/COR for awards, or as the Technical Officer on purchase orders, made to third-party entities for the review and/or evaluation of EGR-managed activities; provides technical assistance and direction throughout the implementation of these activities, to be assigned upon successful completion of mandatory training.

As AOR/COR, conducts regular site visits to review activity implementation and meet with beneficiaries. Based on the information collected during field visits, communicates findings and recommendations to EGR Office management and, as appropriate, to Implementing Partners and GOE counterparts.

Prepares technical and program documentation, such as briefing papers, fact sheets, letters, cables, and memos for information and action for EGR-managed activities. Programmatic documentation may include program descriptions, terms of reference, and statements of work for acquisition and assistance actions, amendments, modifications, incremental funding requests, GLAAS actions, and illustrative budgets.

Maintains responsibility for financial management of assigned activities, which includes ensuring that obligations, expenditures, and budget pipelines conform to action plans and USAID regulations; ensures appropriate and timely incremental funding of activities.

Reviews performance reports to ensure that Implementing Partners are in compliance with the performance expectations outlined in their work plans and in their contract(s)/agreement(s) and host-government agreements.

Ensures that Implementing Partners are in compliance with all relevant USAID regulations and procedures. Applies specific and in-depth knowledge of applicable USG laws, legislative directives, and regulations.

Based on personal observations, assessment reports, performance statistics, and other available data, makes programmatic recommendations to the EGR Office management and Implementing Partners.

Maintains AOR/COR files in accordance with USAID regulations.

The contractor is eligible for travel to the U.S., or to other locations abroad, for training, for temporary duty, or to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

3. Supervision Received: The employee will be directly supervised by the Learning and Operations Division Chief and take general direction from the EGR Office Director and/or Deputy. The M&E Specialist should require little supervision in carrying out routine responsibilities, and only general guidance for most tasks. The scope and flexibility of the duties will demand a great deal of initiative to identify and test innovative approaches and solutions to complex situations and the ability to work independently.

4. Supervision Exercised: None

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The Contracting Candidates will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

1. Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)

2. Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)

3. Fingerprint Card (FD-258)

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

BENEFITS:

Group life insurance, medical coverage, annual leave and sick leave.

ALLOWANCES:

Meal allowance and miscellaneous benefit allowance.

TAXES

Cooperating Country Nationals are expected to comply with all relevant Ethiopian laws and regulations.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN awards are available at these sources:

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad, including contract clause General Provisions, available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:

LINE ITEMS

ITEM NO (A)	SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B)	QUANTITY (C)	UNIT (D)	UNIT PRICE (E)	AMOUNT (F)
0001	Base Period - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: [e.g. R497] - Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]	1	LOT	$ _TBD__	at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.

5. PSC Ombudsman
The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference

52.304-27

PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION

JUN 2023

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission in Ethiopia provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. USAID/Ethiopia also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations.

The EEO complaint procedure is available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

a. Education: A minimum of a bachelors degree in economics, statistics, food security, agriculture, nutrition, natural resources management, environmental science, international development, international relations, or other international development-related or M&E-related fields is required.

b. Prior Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience is required, with directly relevant experience and a proven track record of programmatic accomplishment and professional achievement in monitoring and evaluation, food security, humanitarian assistance, livelihoods development, or agriculture. Experience in the following areas is also required: (i) M&E systems development and maintenance, including the development of program impact indicators, data collection and analysis, performance reporting, and development and utilization of GIS in programmatic monitoring, coordination, performance evaluations, impact evaluations, and knowledge management. (ii) Development of program-related evaluations and statistical analysis. (iii) Strategy design and program policy development. (iv) Successful leadership experience in a team environment.

c. Language: English and Amharic at Level IV.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with candidates 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 candidates 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 candidates 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.

Rating factors are used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified candidates in comparison to other candidates. Candidates must demonstrate the rating factors outlined below within their resume, as they are evaluated strictly by the information provided. The rating factors are as follows:

EVALUATION FACTORS

EDUCATION (15 points): Points will be given for (1) education above the minimum level and/or (2) specialized education pertinent to the position. and/or (3) specialized training pertinent to the position.

WORK EXPERIENCE (25 points): Points will be given for (1) experience above the minimum levels required, (2) specialized experience pertinent to the position, (3) experience in pertinent development assistance activities, (4) experience in development organizations that are large and/or international.

JOB KNOWLEDGE (40 points): Demonstrated familiarity and knowledge of commonly applied M&E methodologies is required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES (20 points): Good organizational and management skills, strong analytical and research skills, good social and professional judgment, excellent interpersonal skills in cross-cultural and multi-level settings; demonstrated ability to interact effectively with mid-and-senior-level government officials, members of the business community and to maintain collaborative working relationships within a team structure. Excellent skills in computer software including Google Workspace Suite, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, statistical and other relevant software required to implement, analyze, and monitor, and manage activity goals, inputs, outcomes, and achievements, both program and impact. Demonstrated ability to manage several complex and competing tasks under tight deadlines. Demonstrated capability of rapidly analyzing information, evaluating data, and preparing high quality written reports in English. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and succinctly in oral presentations and in meetings. Good customer service and diplomatic skills, to work closely with Implementing Partners, USG representatives, GOE officials, and other external stakeholders.

INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE (40 points)

WRITTEN TEST (if applicable) (60 points)

BASIS OF RATING: Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be evaluated in accordance with the Evaluation and Selection Factors.

Candidates should address these factors in the offer package, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received as it pertains to the factors. Failure to address the Evaluation and Selection Factors may result in not receiving credit for all pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview and writing test. Interviews may be conducted either in person or by telephone/video call at USAIDs discretion.

Final TEC recommendations for the candidates will be based on the initial evaluation of the applications, interview performance, and written test. USAID/Ethiopia will not pay for any expenses associated with interviews.

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks Pass/Fail (no points assigned). Reference checks will be conducted only for the first-ranked candidate. Please be advised that references may be obtained independently from other sources in addition to the ones provided by an offeror. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the candidates cover letter, and USAID will not contact those references without contacting the candidate.