USAID Project Management Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning)

GENERAL INFORMATION

SOLICITATION NO.: 72066324R10004

ISSUANCE DATE: 02/05/2024

CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: 02/19/2024, no later than 5:00 p.m (EAT) (close of business).

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

POSITION TITLE:USAID Project Management Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning)

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.

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 05/01/2024 04/30/2029.

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

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.

SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities access.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

The USAID Program Management Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) fulfills a key role in the USAID/Ethiopia Office of Humanitarian Assistance (OHA). The MEL Specialist provides expertise focusing on monitoring activities, evaluating program outcomes and impact and integrating information into existing MEL systems, programming decisions, and collaboration with partners. S/he contributes to the Offices intellectual leadership by helping to coordinate and implement the Offices analytical, evaluation, and learning agendas. In addition to these duties, the MEL Specialist will serve as an Activity Manager for USAID/Ethiopias MEL activity, overseeing monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian activities. The MEL Specialist may also serve as AOR of activities as assigned by the office management. These activities may include management of purchase orders and/or awards for third-party reviews of humanitarian and disaster risk management programs. The MEL Specialist provides services to the entire office and is a member of the OHAs Disaster Risk Management Team and reports directly to the Disaster Risk Management Team Lead.

OHA manages a large and complex portfolio that encompasses humanitarian activities to improve the food security and nutrition of vulnerable populations responding to multisectoral emergency needs in Ethiopia. Through its $1 billion-dollar annual budget, OHA manages multisectoral humanitarian and recovery programs including large-scale live- saving humanitarian response activities, and activities that protect household assets and build community resilience. Effective monitoring and evaluation of these activities and taxpayer resources is essential.

Statement of Duties to be Performed.

Program/Project/Activity Performance Management and Reporting (40%)

• Provides senior/high level technical guidance to OHA, Mission staff, IPs, and other USG agencies on MEL concepts, processes, design, training, and best practices.
• Provides expert direction and technical guidance in the implementation of the OHA portions of the Mission Performance Management Plan (PMP), and OHA responsibilities from Mission PMP; and, MEL services and support to IPs in the development and implementation of program/project/activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plans.
• Provides guidance to IPs in understanding of the Performance Monitoring Plan systems, and their role in the process, and advises on specific measurement techniques appropriate for their programs/projects/activities.
• Provides technical monitoring and evaluation (M&E) expertise to the Program Office, USAID/Washington, and other USG agencies in order to plan and manage OHA responsibilities related to the PMP, including collection, assessment of validity, and improving data quality.
• Develops innovative and cross-cutting monitoring tools, where needed and appropriate, including Data Quality Assessment tools. Conducts DQAs for standard performance indicators reported by OHA-managed awards, in coordination with CORs/AORs and Mission Program Office.
• Provides technical leadership to C/AORs and IPs to ensure activity work plans and monitoring plans include relevant and effective performance measures, which together provide greater results and more accurate measurements.
• Leads, designs and performs assessments/studies/research requiring independent analysis and interpretation, on a regular and recurring basis; studies and research are cross-cutting, and include substantive and often sensitive Mission and OHA topics. Briefs OHA and Mission leaders on findings and makes recommendations to impact strategic, operational and programmatic direction.
• Provides expert guidance to OHAs technical staff on defining measurable indicators and targets for desired results addressed by their program/project/activity, and edits quarterly, semi-annual, and annual performance Reports.
• In collaboration with the Mission Program Office, leads the OHA compilation and reporting on the annual Performance Plan and Report (PPR) to Congress and ensures all required indicators have appropriate targets and data are collected and reported on by IPs.
• Leads USAIDs support to the cooperating country government for the development and management of a national information system, and a central repository (data warehouse) for OHA; and serves as USAID point of contact for OHA data and information systems.

Program Management (30%)

• Serves as AOR/COR or activity manager for assigned activities, which may include Title II or DA-funded activities to promote social accountability, disability inclusion, food security and nutrition of vulnerable populations, or other activities, as assigned.
• Serves as Activity Manager for OHAs buy-in to USAID/Ethiopias Mission-wide Learning Project, valued at approximately $1.5 million (of a $47 million Mission-wide contract).
• 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 OHA Office management and, as appropriate, to Implementing Partners and GOE counterparts.

Evaluation and Organizational Learning (20%)

• Provides technical guidance and leadership to ensure evaluations are properly planned and carried out in a high quality and professional manner, by aiding OHA C/AORs to draft appropriate Scopes of Work (SOWs) for evaluation Teams, by actual participation in and/or leading evaluation Teams, and by ensuring that Team comments on draft evaluation reports are reflected in final reports.
• Leads a team in the development and execution of an evaluation plan that ensures compliance with USAID Evaluation Policy. Advises thematic teams/working groups and technical specialists on planning, designing, and implementing appropriate Evaluation Plans.
• Provides technical guidance and leadership to other USG agencies in the development, preparation, and dissemination of results of Public Health evaluations, Demographic Health Surveys, etc.
• Leads cross-cutting evaluations, and supports prioritization and implementation of recommendations, as required.
• Manages the Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) component of OHA activities.
• Organizes and leads roundtables and consultations with OHA staff, IPs, and other stakeholders to develop a Learning Agenda for Health interventions; identifies mechanisms for implementing research; and, manages implementation of research and evaluation activities and dissemination of results.
• Provides technical leadership and oversight to the cooperating country government staff to ensure that national-level data is available and reliable and works with inter-agency Heads of Departments and senior technical staff to ensure that USG data contributes to an accurate picture of the situation on the ground, that double-counting is avoided, and that results are attributable to USAID (and USG) interventions.
• Manages the teams budget for planned M&E activities.

Representation (10%)

• Represents the OHA, Mission, and USG at national and/or international technical and programmatic meetings, and in consultations with other social sector donors, government officials, and IPs.
• Provides technical and strategic leadership in the preparation of key annual and mid-term planning reporting documents including Congressional Budget Justifications, Technical Notifications, Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports.
• Drafts talking points and/or speeches for the Office Chief, Mission Director, Ambassador, and others, as required, and prepares briefing papers, presentations, and coordinates site preparations for VIP site visits.

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.

Supervision Received: The employee will be directly supervised by the OHA Disaster Risk Management Team Leader and take general direction from the OHA Deputy Chief and Chief. The MEL 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.

Supervision Exercised: None anticipated.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

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:

• Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
• Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions (SF-85)
• 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 (as applicable):

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 and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

• 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
• 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

• 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

• 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.
  
• 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.

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

Education: Minimum of bachelors degree in international Affairs, Economics, Management, Food Security, Agriculture, Humanitarian Assistance or other related field is required.

Prior Work Experience: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning related to Humanitarian Assistance, Resilience or International Development. Of that experience, at least two (2) years with the other multilateral or bi-lateral organizations, and/or NGOs is required.

Language: Excellent written and spoken English and Amharic (Level 4).

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 (20 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 (20points): 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.

KNOWLEDGE (40 points): Demonstrated familiarity and knowledge of commonly applied M&E methodologies is required. Demonstrated knowledge of Title II programming and guidelines and familiarity with food security programming.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES (20 points): Demonstrated organizational and management skills, analytical and research; social and professional judgment; as well as interpersonal interaction in cross-cultural and multi-level settings. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with mid-level and senior-level government officials and members of the business community; and an ability to maintain collaborative working relationships within a team structure. Demonstrated computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, statistical and other relevant software. Demonstrated ability to manage several complex and competing tasks under tight deadlines is required. The incumbent must be capable of rapidly analyzing information, evaluating data and preparing high quality written reports in English. Demonstrated customer service and diplomatic skills, as the incumbent works closely with Implementing Partners, USG representatives, GOE officials, and other external stakeholders.

WRITTEN TEST (40 points)

INTERVIEW PERFORMANCE (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.