Solicitation No.: 72061524R10051

Issuance Date: July 10, 2024

Closing Date/Time: **July 31, 2024 (**1630 hours Nairobi time)

SUBJECT: Solicitation for Resident Hire U.S. and Third Country National (TCN) Personal Services Contractor (U.S./TCN PSC) Risk Management Group Director, GS-15

Dear Prospective Offerors:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking applications from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation.

Submissions must be in accordance with Attachment 1 of this solicitation. Applicants should retain copies of all offer materials, for their records.

Applications must be submitted electronically via email to nairobipscjobs@usaid.gov by the closing date and time indicated above. Late, incomplete, or unsigned applications will not be considered. Scanned copies are accepted by email. Applicants must prominently reference the solicitation number in the application submission.

This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.

Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified below.

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72061524R10051
2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 10, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 31, 2024 (16:30 hours Nairobi time)
4. POINT OF CONTACT: Executive Office/Human Resources, Patrick Bii < pbii@usaid.gov> and Noel Sikasa nsikasa@usaid.gov
5. POSITION TITLE: Resident Hire U.S. and Third Country National (TCN) Personal ServicesContractor (U.S./TCN PSC) Risk Management Group Director, GS-15
6. MARKET VALUE: $123,041 to $159,950 annually equivalent to GS-15. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value. As a resident hire position, it does not include offshore benefits such as housing, post differential, relocation benefit and post allowance.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two-year base period, with three (1) one-year options subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance or better.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya. Overseas U.S PSCs may be authorized to telework or remote work only from a location within Kenya, in accordance with the Mission policy. Telework or remote work from outside Kenya may only be authorized in certain situations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to U.S. Nationals (U.S Citizens and/or U.S Resident Aliens1) and Third Country (non-US, non-Kenyan) Nationals residing in Kenya. Citizenship, if dual, must be clearly stated. This is a resident-hire position and therefore all offerors must be residing in Kenya.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facilities/Computer access only.
11. Travel Requirements: The employee must be available and able to travel within Kenya, and regionally. Travel may represent up to 25-75% of total work time.
12. Sunday Pay: Sunday pay is not authorized.
13. Support Items: The employee will be provided with the support services, equipment, and supplies necessary to perform the work. This will include a workstation that includes a desk, computer, file cabinets, network access, with the possibility for mobile computing devices based on need and Mission management approval.
14. STATEMENT OF DUTIES/POSITION DESCRIPTION
15. BACKGROUND

Directs the Risk Management Group (RMG) with responsibility for overseeing the risk management (RM) function within USAID/KEA. In coordination with lifeline (Strategic Planning and Analysis, Office of Financial Management, Office of Acquisition and Assistance, Resident Legal Office, Executive Office) and technical offices, including Contracting Officer Representatives and Agreement Officer Representatives (CORs/AORs), 1) develops a risk-based annual RM plan and budget for evaluating the effectiveness of building the capacity of local partners, 2) develop controls and safeguards to manage the full spectrum of risk exposures, and 4) coordinates with other Mission offices to ensure compliance with both US and Kenyan laws and regulations by all but primarily USAID/KEA’s local awardees, 5) suggests new initiatives, controls, and procedures to ensure good business practices related to international and local partner awards are in place, 6) schedules and facilitates quarterly Risk Management meetings with Mission stakeholders, including management and Department Directors, 7) prepares and, in coordination with other offices, provides input into RM training materials, 8) schedules and facilitates regular (at minimum quarterly meetings) with implementing partners and other stakeholders to build trust relationships and learn about partners’ issues and proposed solutions, including support needed to work with USAID, 9) facilitates and coordinates training programs for USAID local partners and USAID management and staff directly engaged with them, 10) works with all implementing partners to ensure that such training programs are extended to sub-awardees, and 11) selects, develops, and evaluates personnel in the RMG to ensure the efficient operation of the function.

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinates with the Office of Financial Management (OFM), the Strategic Planning and Analysis (SPA) Office, technical offices and other applicable and appropriate offices to develop an annual risk management plan and budget for evaluating the effectiveness of program and activity designs, building the capacity of local partners, risk management controls by all of the Mission’s implementing partners to minimize significant financial, programmatic, operational, reputational and other risk exposures, safeguard USAID resources, and ensure compliance with US and Kenyan applicable laws and regulations.
2. In coordination with the rest of the Mission:

• Works with all of USAID/KEA’s partners to identify and address all risks including related to finance, procurement, and governance, programmatic, operational, and other risks as described in the USAID Risk Appetite Statement.
• Provides implementing partners with tools and resources to address corrective actions and other requirements in their awards.
• Provides strategic leadership within the Mission on matters pertaining to RM. Prepare operational plans, goals and policies for the RMG coordinated with the Program Office, CORs/AORs, and relevant sector/technical offices working on locally-led strategies and issues.
• Secures support and buy-in from lifeline and technical offices and all relevant offices/functions to ensure productive collaboration that nurtures a culture of risk management and promotes a holistic approach.
• Regularly evaluates portfolios and projects/activities to determine if they are performing in compliance with recommended practices, processes, procedures and business controls; as well as whether training and other support provided to partners are effective and meet their needs, or need to be modified.
• Suggests new initiatives, controls, and procedures to ensure good business practices are in place.
• Generates and disseminates “best practices” and ensures RM and compliance training programs for management and staff are established and regularly updated.
• Coordinates with the Mission and African Bureau’s Enterprise Risk Management structure to share best practices and risk information.
• Develops and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the function. Establishes strategic workflow plans and Portfolio Risk Reviews.
• Designs and provides training, and/or identifies and recommends, relevant training to technical and support offices, as required, to develop internal capacities pertaining to risk management.
• Builds and leads a “whole-of-mission” risk management team that is inclusive of all offices/functions/staff to incrementally establish the enabling environment to change the current mindset from 1) compliance to USAID’s award requirements to commitment to building trust relationships with all but particularly local partners to meet their priorities and jointly address their risks in working with USAID, and 2) from being risk-averse to developing a more mature risk posture and risk-intelligent organization that proactively practices “anticipatory intelligence” with actions to prevent/mitigate emerging threats and turn these situations as opportunities to amplify development results. See, e.g., USAID’s Capability Maturity Model.

1. Oversees the RMG’s budget.
2. Executes the RMG’s operational plan and is responsible for its performance. Collaborates with senior leadership on critical and complex aspects of RM and makes operational recommendations.
3. Coordinates Mission responses to Social Environmental and Economic (SEE) allegations arising from all Mission & Washington activities.
4. Provides SEE risk management services on all Mission activities.
5. Liaises with Washington SEE Accountability Mechanism
6. Manages risks arising from responsibility, safeguarding, and compliance (RSC) (including but not limited to sexual exploitation and abuse, trafficking in persons, and child abuse, exploitation, and neglect) as well as partner procedures and compliance with safeguarding and award administration for all Mission awards
7. Assists Contracting Officers with sensitive fraud-related actions.

Position Elements

Knowledge Level Required:

• Well-versed in federal and international laws and regulations that have impact on internal audit, general accounting, management controls, development donor programming and operations.
• Sufficient knowledge and previous experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), practices and reporting guidelines.
• Ability to learn/understand how to integrate USAID’s and USG risk management requirements including GAO’s Fraud Risk framework, USAID’s Anti-Fraud Plan, USAID Anti Fraud Field Guide, USAID’s Risk Appetite Statement and OMB Circular A-123, Acquisition & Assistance Implementation Plan.
• Understanding of ADS relevant chapters including ADS 201, ADS 596, ADS 596mab, etc.
• Ability to provide innovative and strategic leadership to multiple divisions and can gain cross-functional support for major projects, improvements or changes.
• Ability to use risk data analysis to support strategic decision making
• Possesses a full understanding of the organizational structure, policies and practices, and their impact on the entire organization.
• Understanding of financial accounting systems and accounting cycles.
• Knowledge of automated financial reporting, government accounting practices, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) systems.
• Must have excellent presentation, coordination and “soft” negotiation skills to work with diverse internal and external stakeholders including other donors and host government partners.
• Ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and accomplish goals.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluent English. Swahili is an advantage.

Level and Purpose of Contacts:

• Maintain professional and effective working and senior level contacts with internal and external stakeholders including USAID and other USG officials, senior implementing partner representatives, as well as Government of Kenya officials, as necessary.

Supervisory Relationship:

• The Senior Advisor will work under the supervision of the Deputy Mission Director who oversees Support Offices.

Supervisory Controls:

• Decisions and actions have a direct impact on the USAID/KEA’s performance and reputation.
• Problems encountered are often complex, broad in scope, and implications are often unprecedented with no clear solution.
• Must be able to provide accurate, expert level advice to reach outcomes that will enable achievement of overall organizational goals.
• Has considerable latitude for independent action.

Supervision Exercised:

● Motivate, mentor, and empower individuals to achieve expectations and goals set for the functional unit.

● May supervise other staff if/when the Risk Management Group grows.

Physical Demands:

• The work is generally sedentary and does not pose undue physical demands. When traveling and visiting firms and farms, the employee may be subject to some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

Work Environment:

• Work is primarily performed in an office setting. If the employee travels, the work may additionally involve safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.

C. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The incumbent must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:

1. Education: Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, International Development or equivalent, Public Policy/Administration, safeguarding, human rights or Related Field; Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Risk Manager (CRM); Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or PMI Risk Mgt Professional (PMI-RMP from Project Mgt Institute (PMI)), International Certificate in Risk Mgt from Institute of Risk Mgt (IRM) designations.

2. Professional Experience: Related work experience at the corporate or organization level; work experience in internal audit/risk management that includes supervisory responsibilities and internal/external coordination and negotiation skills to build trust relationships with all relevant USAID offices and implementing partners. Experience living and working in an operating environment similar to Kenya.

The candidate must have excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to liaise authoritatively with representatives from the local government, USG, and other relevant actors.

D. EVALUATION FACTORS AND CANDIDATE SCORING

Applicants who clearly meet the skills and qualifications requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of Evaluation Factor responses submitted with the applicant’s application.

Applicants are required to address each of the following Evaluation Factors in a separate document describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education and/or awards they have received that are relevant to each factor. The evaluation factors will be used to determine the competitive ranking of qualified applicants in comparison to other applicants. Be sure to include your name and the announcement number at the top of each additional page. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors may result in your not receiving credit for all of your pertinent experience, education, training and/or awards.

Applicants should cite specific, illustrative examples for each Evaluation Factor. Responses must be limited to 500 words per factor. Any words above the limit will neither be read nor scored.

Factor #1: Demonstrated experience in risk management.

Factor #2: Demonstrated experience managing a department responsible for program, project, or activity management or financial accounting.

Factor #3: Demonstrated experience working with U.S. Government agencies and host governments, and/or development-focused organizations.

Factor #4: Educational and certification qualifications related to risk management such as Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, International Development or equivalent, Public Policy/Administration, safeguarding, human rights or Related Field; Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Risk Manager (CRM); Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or PMI Risk Mgt Professional (PMI-RMP from Project Mgt Institute (PMI)), International Certificate in Risk Mgt from Institute of Risk Mgt (IRM) designations.

The most qualified candidates may be interviewed, required to provide a writing sample, and demonstrate an ability to operate commonly used office applications. USAID will not pay for any expenses associated with the interviews. In addition, applications (written materials and interviews) will be evaluated based on content as well as on the applicant’s writing, presentation, and communication skills. In the event that a candidate has fully demonstrated his/her qualifications and there are no other competitive applicants, USAID reserves the right to forego the interview process. Professional references and academic credentials will be evaluated for applicants being considered for selection.

Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to submit three examples of previously developed visual and/or written materials in order to demonstrate experience editing and developing a range of visual and/or written materials for external and internal communications, including websites.

Evaluation Scoring:

Factor #1 – 15 points

Factor #2 – 15 points

Factor #3 – 15 points

Factor #4 – 10 points

Interview Performance – 45 points

Satisfactory Professional Reference Checks – Pass/Fail (no points assigned)

Total Possible Points: 100

[1] U.S. resident alien means a non-U.S. citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.