Project Management Specialist: Energy

Listing reference: usaid_000054
Listing status: Closed
Apply by: 2 July 2022
Position summary
Industry: Electricity, Energy & Water Supply
Job category: Energy and Power Engineering
Location: Pretoria
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: R968,725 – R1,356,200
EE position: No
Introduction
The USAID Project Management Specialist (Energy), hereafter referred to as the “Energy Specialist” or “the Specialist,” is a member of Power Africa's Energy Office in Pretoria. In this capacity, the incumbent will provide both strategic and operational senior-level contributions that will help advance Power Africa's goal of advancing sub-Saharan African development through universal access to clean energy. The incumbent will participate with other senior advisors and officers in the design, development, and management of initiative-wide energy/power-sector plans and programs to support energy sector development, with a focus on clean energy. The Specialist reports to the Team Leader focused transmission & distribution, and is the premier local senior professional advisor to the Power Africa team and its partners on sub-Saharan Africa power sector development, to include clean energy, energy policy and planning, energy sector regulation, utility strengthening and reform, energy infrastructure development, and public and private finance, covering the full sector from generation, transmission, and distribution. The Energy Specialist represents Power Africa in discussions and negotiations with the private sector, and with other donors and IPs. He/she assists USAID staff, including senior managers, visiting United States government officials, and others in sector-related public meetings, field trips, and discussions with partner government officials and organizations. The incumbent also advises on budgetary decisions and establishes and maintains senior-level contacts on behalf of Power Africa in the energy sector, including with individuals in the private sector, non-governmental institutions, and the donor community.
Job description

GENERAL INFORMATION
 
1.   SOLICITATION NO.: 72067422R10015 
2.   ISSUANCE DATE: June 17, 2022
3.   CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: July 01, 2022
      At 12:00 midnight, Local Time, Pretoria, South Africa
4.   POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist: Energy  
5.   MARKET VALUE: R968,725 – R1,356,200 pa equivalent to FSN GRADE/12
      Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value
6.   PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five years renewable contract subject to funds availability and need for the position.
7.   PLACE OF PERFORMANCE:  Pretoria, South Africa
8.   SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Facility Access
9.   AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Internal and External Applicants
10. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
 
II.      STATEMENT OF DUTIES
                                  
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
 
The Energy Specialist provides high-quality technical expertise and guidance to United States government programs related to Power Africa and all its stakeholders. He/she ensures operational excellence, efficiency and expediency in moving forward Power Africa's objectives, and is therefore the default professional in both the outward engagement of stakeholders and on the internal processes for ensuring implementation of USAID programs. The Specialist serves as an integral member of the larger Energy Office in performing the following principal responsibilities:
 
 
A. Program Management and Monitoring -40%
 
Serves as COR/AOR and/or as Activity Manager, as directed by the Supervisor, of major Power Africa implementation mechanisms, the implementation of which may span multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa. As such, leads the effective management of contracts, cooperative agreements, and/or grants, performing the full range of COR/AOR responsibilities as delegated, to include: technical direction in accordance with the instrument's scope and Power Africa's priorities; monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting of results and of implementing partners' performance; collaborating, learning, and adapting across Power Africa’s portfolio on technical topics; coordination with USAID missions and Embassies where program activities take place, to include the host governments; financial analyses and oversight related to the program's resources; and compliance with United States government and USAID regulations and policies. As Activity Manager, and as directed by the Supervisor and the AOR/COR, manages a sub set of activities, to include regional coordination of efforts on specific power transactions, energy sector policy or generation initiatives as appropriate. In performing these duties, works effectively and seamlessly with the COR/AOR.
 
Initiates and executes formal actions to either modify existing programs as necessary to adjust to shifting implementation priorities or realities; or to create new programs that will effectively contribute to Power Africa's objectives. Manages daily activities through interface with the implementing partners and counterparts, conducts on-site visits and inspections, and ensures implementing partners receive needed information on USAID regulations and policies, including audit regulations, USAID-provided logistical support services, and assistance with country issues. Monitors and evaluates progress of implementing partners toward achievement of results through regular field trips, and meetings/communications with the highest echelons of their organization.
 
Provides technical support in establishing performance monitoring systems and ensures appropriate accountability of resources by tracking quarterly accruals, maintaining project budget and pipeline information, and providing leadership in meeting audit recommendations. Accountable for high performance in all program management functions, including planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and managing for results. Offers technical, managerial, and programmatic contributions to support Power Africa and Embassy efforts regarding submissions such as Congressional Budget Justifications (CBI), Congressional Notifications (CN), Operational Plans (OP), the annual Performance Plan and Reports (PPR), and other standard and ad hoc reporting documents as required.
 
B. Strategic Planning and Program Design - 30%
 
Provides substantive technical and managerial support and guidance to the conceptualization, planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Power Africa’s high-level objectives across sub-Saharan Africa. Works with counterpart Energy Advisors and Specialists to coordinate efforts and input with major Power Africa stakeholders (including other United States government partners, international donors, private companies and investors) to drive strategic planning. Remains abreast and serves as principal contributor on effective clean energy strategies, power sector trends, regional challenges across sub-Saharan Africa, and opportunities for furthering Power Africa’s results. Capitalizes on opportunities in coordination with Power Africa leadership, developing proposals for new activities, areas of intervention or support, and determinations of achievable results that will serve to meet the goals of Power Africa. Working with the larger Power Africa team in Washington and at other USAID missions and Embassies, provides substantive technical, operational and managerial input into the initiation, design and implementation of new activities, to include results frameworks, design documents, activity packages, budgets, background documentation, and performance monitoring plans. Remains cognizant of Power Africa priorities across missions and Embassies and helps support that coordination with other United States government agencies active in the energy sector, to ensure complementarity and integration with USAID-funded energy programs.
 
Plans, coordinates and leads as directed by the supervisor new activity design processes, to include necessary expertise and resources, conducting in-depth technical analyses of challenges and opportunities, convening wide consultations with Power Africa stakeholders and other pertinent actors, and drafting and collecting all necessary documents, including technical, budgetary, sustainability and gender analyses to ensure a successful and impactful implementation. Translates strategies, analyses, and program concepts into functional statements of work (including budget estimates) for award of contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, donor-to-donor and inter-agency agreements that deliver technical services to governments, civil society organizations, and other USAID development partners. Takes a leadership role in implementing changes to existing activities, as warranted by shifts in the sector or Power Africa priorities. Serves as a member of, and often leads technical review teams for energy-related (and other) concept papers, solicited or unsolicited proposals, and proposed awards under USAID funded activities as needed in Pretoria, Washington or in other Power Africa countries.
 
C. Sector Knowledge and Technical Leadership - 30%
 
Serves as a seasoned energy professional, with a strong knowledge of the energy sector and its dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa, keeping abreast of trends and issues. Reviews and analyzes developments and advises Energy Office staff and leadership, and, as required, other United States government officials on highly specialized and complex issues relating to energy and power in the region, particularly those bearing on United States interests. Provides expert-level input to ensure that Power Africa development assistance programming related to energy reflects best practices and state-of-the-art knowledge of international competitiveness, on-grid electricity generation, transmission, distribution, utility management, and their application to broader USAID and development objectives.
 
In addition to technical expertise, also provides socio-political expertise and savviness spanning across sub-Saharan African countries, including the landscape of international and local institutions operating in the sector, their various equities, a strong network within this landscape, and how Power Africa can most strategically engage. Can understand and articulate the bigger picture of what needs to happen in the electricity sector across Sub-Saharan Africa for Power Africa to meet its ambitious goals, including innovations from other parts of the world - such as clean technology corridors, and private sector finance in transmission - and how they could be operationalized. Also is familiar with social-environmental issues in the energy sector and means of addressing them, including gender equity and women’s empowerment, electrification of marginalized communities, environmental impacts of and on the energy sector, and climate change impacts of and on the sector.
 
Assists United States government officials in all aspects involved in preparing for and participating in field trips, public meetings, conferences, and negotiations with private sector and donor partners, and participates in such events directly as well. Liaises and engages frequently and regularly with USAID/Washington and Embassy counterpart staff, United States government officials, and other partners to provide information, advice, and feedback, as required. Conducts data, policy, and trends analyses and provides technical recommendations and leadership to inform strategic planning exercises at the country, regional, agency, and interagency scale. At the country level, analyzes and informs on the status of energy and environmental challenges, energy and environmental policy and governance, and their economic impact. Understands existing economic, social, and political development programs of host-country governments, other USAID sectors, bilateral and multilateral donors, United States government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the private sector and incorporates this information into program design. Serves as a primary point of contact for a portfolio of Power Africa private sector partners. Acts speedily and effectively in response to frequent time-sensitive activities that require interaction with multiple offices to ensure timely submission, often with overlapping guidance. Responds flexibly and capably to a wide range of work-related requirements such as: 1) responding to taskers and inquiries; 2) supporting both traditional and VIP visits; and 3) carrying out ad hoc assignments as dictated by unforeseen operational requirements at the discretion of the Supervisor, Energy Office Director, Deputy Coordinators, and/or Coordinator or his/her designee. Contributes to general Power Africa management, implementation, and reporting needs. In collaboration with appropriate Country Development Officers and Africa Bureau staff, prepares other documents as needed, including, but not limited to, speeches, talking points, website text, and outreach materials.
 

POSITION ELEMENTS
a. Supervision Received:  The USAID Project Management Specialist (Energy ) works under the general supervision of the Team Leader focused on transmission and distribution. The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of, and effectiveness in meeting, objectives. The Specialist is expected to work in a collegial manner, and to exercise considerable autonomy and judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment.
 
b. Supervision Exercised:  Continuing supervision of other Power Africa staff is not contemplated currently.
 
c. Available Guidelines:  Available guidelines include United States government program management guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Power Africa strategy documents, and other relevant reports, the Automated Directives System (ADS); USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, and the FAR and AIDAR; and, other published and unpublished guidelines. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation.
 
d. Exercise of Judgment:  The Specialist applies independent judgment in working with energy and development professionals in the field - and others, both within and outside the United States government and throughout the targeted region, devising new approaches to resolve technical, administrative, managerial, and/or policy deficiencies and problems. Seasoned professional judgment must be exercised in setting priorities, in determining when interventions in planning or ongoing programs/projects/activities is necessary, and in brokering and reaching consensus on conclusions and recommendations.
 
e. Authority to Make Commitments As prescribed by USAID regulations and Mission policy, and within the scope of the assignment, the Specialist advises public and private sector representatives, USAID officials, and implementing partners on courses of action to resolve implementation deficiencies. Within the scope of authority delegated, the Specialist may indicate to ranking counterpart officials that they will make a strong recommendation to Power Africa, the Supervisor, or others, on specific recommended courses of action regarding the deficiencies, issues, or problems encountered. The Specialist may negotiate ad referendum for the Supervisor, but has no independent authority to commit the United States government to the expenditure of funds.
 
f. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts Contacts are maintained in person, by phone, by virtual conferencing software, or by written communication with Power Africa senior leadership, Power Africa colleagues and other USAID staff, senior and mid-level host-government officials, high-level private-sector representatives, major corporations, other donor organizations and other United States government high-level officials. In addition to routine administrative functions, contacts involve strategic issues regarding Power Africa program/project/activity in the sector, and the negotiation of corrective measures if needed. Contacts are typically to explain and negotiate activity proposals and objectives, secure cooperation, resolve problems, obtain or furnish information, and/or to persuade Power Africa and other high-level counterparts to take recommended actions and to accept recommendations.
 
g. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One Year.
 

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
 
The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors 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 offerors 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 offerors 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.
 
The following factors, and points for each, will be the basis for the evaluation of applications meeting the required minimum qualifications. All applications will be evaluated based on the documentation submitted with the application. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation.

1.  Work Experience (40 points) 
2.  Abilities and Skills (35 points) 
3.  Education (25 points)
 
How the Selection will be made:
 
The successful candidate will be selected based upon the following:
 
· A preliminary review of the applicant's submitted package (which includes the cover letter and CV) to establish that minimum educational, work experience and English writing fluency requirements are met;
· Assessments to include English writing skills, and Microsoft Office proficiency that might include any of the following: Word, Excel, PowerPoint; and any technical skill test that might be deemed appropriate; 
· A personal face to face interview; and
· Reference checks.
 
USAID/SA’s Human Resources Section will perform the preliminary review (Step 1 above) to eliminate those applications that do not meet the minimum educational and written English language requirements before forwarding the rest to the Technical Office or Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) for further review and assessment.
  
The TEC will review each of the forwarded applications against the established evaluation criteria to develop a shortlist of applicants to be tested and possibly interviewed. Applicants will be contacted for testing (Step 2) and/or possibly interviews.  Based on the results of the tests an applicant may be dropped from the interview list.
 
Following the interview (Step 3), during which the applicant will be evaluated against the established criteria, the TEC will make a preliminary determination of candidates to be considered for employment and forward that list to HR. The TEC Chairperson will conduct and document reference checks (Step 4) and advise the TEC members of the results of these checks. Please note that references may be solicited from current as well as former supervisors in addition to the references you provide in your application package. References will only be solicited for those interviewed applicants who are being considered for ranking.  
 
Based on this final input, the TEC will make its final decision on candidate ranking, prepare a selection memo for the review and approval of the Contracting Officer, after which an offer of employment will be made to the successful candidate. Unsuccessful candidates who were interviewed will be contacted and advised of their non-selection. As positive medical and security clearances are a condition of employment, the selected candidate will undergo stringent investigation prior to employment with USAID/SA.
 
Submitting an Offer:
 
· All interested and eligible candidates should visit usaid.ci.hr to apply. Applicants with P-net accounts can log-in from the above website to apply and first-time users will be required to register on the site before they can apply. 
· Kindly note that when you apply via cellphone you are not able to complete the required questionnaire. And if you do not complete the required questionnaire for the position, you will automatically be eliminated from further review.
· For an application to be considered complete, please include a high-quality cover letter, explaining why you are qualified for the position and a CV of no more than 4 pages.  Failure to comply with these instructions may result in your application being considered “non-responsive” and eliminated from further consideration.
· Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I.
· To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission.
· The U.S. Mission in South Africa provides 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. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also strives to ensure equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations.
· Only short-listed candidates will be contactedApplicants who do not follow the application instructions may be dropped from further consideration.
 
 
Points of Contact: 
 
·      Thabang Mothupi, Telephone: (012) 452-2198
·      Heather Franklin, Telephone: (012) 452-2028
·      Lavinia Denation, Telephone: (012) 452-2054
·      Engeline Sebego, Telephone: (012) 452-2188
·      Carol Masemola, Telephone: (012) 452-2058
·      Odessa Sifora, Telephone: (012) 452-2112
·      Alicia Veldman, Telephone: (012) 452-2088
·      Kim Sias, Telephone: (012) 452-2206
 

Applicability:
 
This position is open to South African citizens and South African permanent resident permit holders.  USAID Southern Africa management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, need for continuity, and residency status in determining successful applications. Current USG employees on probationary status (i.e., within their first year of employment) are not eligible to apply.
 
The EEO complaint procedure is not 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.
 
References:
 
Three (3) references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.
 
VI.     COMPENSATION
This position will be compensated in accordance with the U.S. Mission for South Africa’s Local Compensation Plan (LCP). The successful candidate’s salary level will be based on prior job-related experience and salary history.
 
VII.   REQUIRED FORMS FOR CCNPSC HIRES
Once the Contracting Officer informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the forms.
 
VIII.  BENEFITS
The plan includes basic salary, miscellaneous allowance, pension fund and medical aid subsidy.
 
IX.    TAXES
Every CCNPSC staff member in the Mission regardless of agency affiliation is required as a     condition of employment, to pay their taxes to the South African Government.
 
X.      USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO CCNPSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCNPSC 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 will be used for this contract.
3.      Acquisition and 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 Regulations .

Minimum requirements

Education: Completion of a Master’s Degree, or the local equivalent in Engineering, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Physical or Natural sciences, International Relations, or similar from an accredited university, is required.

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible job-related professional level experience related to energy and/or development assistance fields is required. Experience must have provided the opportunity for the development and writing of sectoral and project documents, project design and performance, program planning, and implementation. At least two years of this experience should be in development-related work in the African power sector, or for other donor agencies or private-sector institutions. Experience should include performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of large amounts of data.

Post Entry Training: Familiarization training in USAID-specific procedures, regulations, and methods, and orientation to working from a donor-Agency perspective, will be provided. The Specialist will be required to serve as a program/project/activity manager, and formal COR/AOR training and formal certification will be provided. Training to maintain professional capability in the field, and other courses offered for professional USAID staff, as appropriate; and, courses, seminars, conferences, and other activities in fields related to the function and needed to maintain and update professional qualifications may be provided as they become available, subject to availability of funds.

Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English, both spoken and written, is required.

Job Knowledge: The Specialist must have advanced knowledge of public and private sector dynamics related to energy, and a good knowledge of (or the potential to quickly gain a good knowledge of) United States government/USAID programming and international donor operations in the sector. In addition, the Specialist must have, or have the potential to quickly acquire, knowledge of United States government regulation, policy and practice relating to development assistance; United States government/USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and, of the objectives and methodology underlying United States government, USAID, and Power Africa goals and priorities for sub-Saharan Africa. The Specialist must have knowledge of and an understanding of the organization and roles of the different levels of host governments in the targeted region in order to maintain effective communication, and to develop consensus on plans for carrying out difficult and technical energy-sector development.
  
Skills and Abilities: The Specialist must have demonstrated skill in reviewing and developing formal documentation in the form of terms of reference, loan agreements, contracts, statements of work, program descriptions, and other technical documents. Skill in program/project/activity design, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation are essential. The ability to effectively communicate complicated policy, strategy, and program issues in English - orally and in writing - is demanded by the assignment. The Specialist must be able to analyze complex data and relationships in order to prepare complete, precise, and accurate factual and analytical reports; render advice objectively; prioritize and manage various tasks simultaneously; develop and maintain a network of mid- to senior-level contacts within the United States government, USAID, Power Africa, and other donors and intergovernmental organizations; operate efficiently and effectively in a multi-cultural, hybrid in-person and virtual team environment; and, work under pressure to meet tight deadlines. The Specialist must have good interpersonal, coordination, and time management skills, and the ability to coordinate successfully with a broad and diverse range of stakeholders to advance program interests. The Specialist must have a high level of tact, diplomacy and public speaking skills in order to represent Power Africa and the United States government authoritatively, and exercise good judgment in speaking on behalf of USAID in high-level meetings with the private sector, United States government, partner governments, NGOs, and other donors and in various fora. The Specialist must have an advanced facility with most applications in the Microsoft Office inventory, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Calendar), including in the preparation and presentation of reports and other official documentation (e.g., policy documents, project descriptions, taskers, MOUs, and Agreements).”

Our website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our use of cookies.