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USAID Kenya and East Africa is hiring a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist: Apply Now!!

I. 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.

II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

a. 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.
b. 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.
c. Oversees the RMG’s budget.
d. 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.
e. Coordinates Mission responses to Social Environmental and Economic (SEE) allegations arising from all Mission & Washington activities.
f. Provides SEE risk management services on all Mission activities.
g. Liaises with Washington SEE Accountability Mechanism
h. 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
i. 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.

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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.
    III. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
    The incumbent must meet the following requirements in education and professional experience:

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.

Professional Experience: Minimum five years of progressive responsible experience equivalent to this level in the professional or technical field 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.


IV. 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.

How to Apply

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

Applications must be submitted electronically via email to [email protected] by the closing date and time indicated above.

See full job description here

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