Job Opportunities at International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI)

The Somalia Program Support Services (SPSS) contract implemented by International Business & Technical Consultants Inc. (IBTCI) provides support for program-related services to program and technical teams in the USAID/KEA/Somalia Office in Nairobi, Kenya. The contract comprises multiple, simultaneous Task Orders including: implementing an ongoing monitoring system for funded activities; baseline studies and evaluation and providing logistical, administrative, and facilitation support for technical team meetings with partners or other stakeholders for the purposes of planning, monitoring, evaluating and/or learning. 

Reports to: Quality Assurance Manager

This is a Nairobi-based, full-time position. The M&V Technical Officer manages activity-level monitoring and verification of results in the field in order to ensure that all USAID Implementing Partners’ data are complete, accurate, and consistent with agreements and reports, and with USAID’s regulations. S/he will provide direct management and supervision to the Nairobi-based MV&R team, and oversee the IBTCI Field Supervisors.

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:

Research, Planning and Monitoring & Verification Process Management:

• Directly responsible for the day-to-day implementation of all key MV&R work processes (pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment and reporting)
• Maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of all USAID Implementing Partners’ (IP) key activities, target populations and implementation approaches
• Develop relevant M&V tools and protocols that reflect client’s needs for each Implementing Partner and against the overall USAID activity portfolio
• Work closely with the Deputy Chief of Party/Technical on site selection, tool/protocol application and revision as well as M&VR policies and strategy
• Test all new tools within the mobile data collection (MDC) platform and responsible for final green-lighting of all new tools and sites prior to field work
• Conduct random back-checking of a sample of data entered onto the MDC platform and conduct random field spot-checking of a sample of verifications conducted by TPMs
• Conduct sample of verification activities in the field according to specific requirement for sensitivity, objectivity and / or diplomacy
• Sign-off all individual M&V reports presented by report writers prior to collation by the Quality Assurance Manager for submission to USAID
• Manage MV&R folders and update senior management as needed
• Troubleshoot and problem-solve challenges arising in the field with tact and diplomacy

Relationship Management:

• Main point of contact with USAID IPs to enable efficient and timely communication on all M&V related matters, including tool development, feedback on site selection list, access to IPs database / work plans on range of sub-activities to be monitored
• Overall management of all documentation related to IPs, including documents received from IPs as per verification requirement, information sheets, versions of individual M&V reports and IP feedback trail
• Development and maintenance of tracking system for effective performance management of TPM outputs and approval of TPM deliverables
• Support M&V Officers in problem-solving and responding to issues identified in field processes
• Make timely requests for periodic additional human resources (report writers, MDC scripting etc.) against MV&R budget
• Contribute to the presentation of MV&R findings to USAID and IPs per round of fieldwork

Database Management:

• Implement quality control management policies and processes for checking all incoming and outgoing details of data in the mobile platform, and ensure all relevant personnel (SPSS and TPMs) are adhering to such
• Coordinate queries related to database to relevant team members for prompt resolutions
• Work closely with MV&R team to verify and cross-reference incoming data and completed reports as needed
• Overall responsibility for establishing data archive system

Training:

• Develop/update training materials in key aspects of monitoring and verification tools, protocols and processes
• Facilitate training to field staff and third party monitoring contracted firms, using Trainer-of -Trainer and adult learning methodologies

Line Management:

• Directly manage workload and performance of SPSS Data Manager, M&V Officers and M&V Data Administrative Assistant, using dedicated performance management tools and processes / policies
• Participate in recruitment and management of Field Supervisors and support M&V Officers in on-going line management / performance management

Additional Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Approve Field Supervisor monthly invoices
• Other duties/tasks as assigned. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Over seven years of international experience in the management, monitoring and evaluation of development programs
• Experience in developing monitoring and verification tools, and training and managing staff in effective use of those tools
• Knowledge of relevant USAID rules and regulations (incl. ADS 204 and ADS 320) related to monitoring and verification activities and approaches
• Experience in mobile data collection platforms and processes (preferably ASKIA but any other experience valued), including CAPI formatting and mobile scripting processes
• Ability to multi-task within tight deadlines and with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent English, oral and written.
• Strong collaborative and relationship management skills

Minimum Requirements:

Experience:

• Over seven years of international experience in the management, monitoring and evaluation of development programs
• Experience in developing monitoring and verification tools, and training and managing staff in effective use of those tools.
• Excellent English, oral and written.

Education:

• A graduate degree in the field of evaluation, international development or a related technical field.

Supervisory Responsibility: The SPSS Data Manager, MV&R Officers and M&V Data & Administrative Assistants will report to this position.

Travel: An average of 25% to 35% travel for project implementation and/or project management. Percentages may vary depending on portfolio needs.

Working Conditions: The majority of work is performed in a typical corporate office environment, but may be performed in Somalia.

Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to twenty five pounds.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Position description:

IBTCI field Office is currently seeking four a Senior Technical Officer (STO) for his projects, Evaluation Services and Program Support (ESPS) in each following location: Isiolo, Nakuru, Kisumu and Mombasa (Kenya).  The Senior Technical Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of all technical and administrative staff at the regional office and the collection & submission of Site Improvement through Monitoring System (SIMS) data. S/he will be responsible for ensuring on time and quality deliverables to the Program Manager.

Locations: Isiolo, Nakuru,Kisumu and Mombasa. 

Essential Job Duties:

A) Human Resource Management and General Administration

• Manage human resources functions including performance planning and evaluation for regional staff;
• Ensures all employees know the SIMS’s objectives;
• Ensure compliance with IBTCI-USAID contractual obligations;
• Administers personnel policies fairly and consistently;
• Resolves employee grievances in a fair and timely way;
• Ensures employees understand policies, pay procedures, bonus plans and benefits, if any;
• Maintains effective communication, at all times, among the team, including holding regular management and staff meetings; and
• Provide performance reports, as required, to PM.

B) Technical Oversight and Implementation

• Provides overall technical leadership and expertise in SIMS implementation at the regional level;
• Is the primary contact person at the regional level with County MoH and Implementing Partners;
• Mentors, supports and supervises activity staff and oversees the development of all activity deliverables;
• Ensures that activity planning, development, resource availability and management of the activity functions smoothly and efficiently;
• Works closely with the PM to establish the quarterly work plan for the region and liaises closely with the MOH and IPs after the work plan has been approved to ensure their participation in the SIMS assessments.
• Leads the institutionalization of quality assurance and quality control in the SIMS Program at the regional level;
• Verifies the completeness and accuracy on all the SIMS data collected before submission to PM on a weekly basis;
• Participates in the regular IBTCI senior management meetings, as required;
• Provides regular and timely feedback to the staff on data collection to ensure any issues in data collection are quickly addressed;
• Collects SIMS data using SIMS tools;
• Ensures that underperforming sites (meeting the 25/50 rule) are reported daily to the PM (on the day the site was visited);
• Ensures the quarterly work plan is on track and targets are met on a weekly basis and informs the PM immediately if targets cannot be met providing the reason(s) why;
• Lead the SIMS debrief at the site level; and

C) Additional Job Duties:

• Performs other related duties as required.

Education:

Master’s degree or above in publich health, health science ,social science or medecine. Medical doctors are prefered. 

Experience: A Minimum of 10 years of experience working in Public health in Kenya and/or in developing countries (preferably East Africa). 

This is a short-term position with anticipated travel to Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti, and Zambia.

• Master’s degree in M&E or a related technical field (Health or Economic growth or Environment) and at least ten years of progressively responsible related professional experience, with at least five recent years of experience working with international development projects including working on and creating M&E systems

Or

Bachelor’s degree in M&E or a related technical field (Health or Economic growth or Environment) and at least 15 years of progressively responsible relative professional experience, with at least seven recent years of experience working on and creating M&E systems with international development projects (recent being within the last ten years).

• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Excellent as facilitators and communicators
• Demonstrated experience/traits in the following areas:
• Managing complex, full life cycle M&E system implementations, including design, development, testing, rollout, and training phases;
• Successfully communicating with management and users to create MEL plans and systems that meet organizational needs and gain adoption of those plans and systems;
• Full understanding of USAID performance management and M&E systems and requirements, including relevant ADS sections.
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel;
• Analytical, management, and coordinating skills;
• Ability to coordinate and guide change in a large, complex organization, including through current and future business processes and gaining stakeholder buy-in;
• Demonstrated success working both in teams and individually;
• Strong communication skills, notably in resolving issues and conflicts quickly and settling disputes equitably;
• Ability to manage workload in a well-planned and organized manner, with clear directions for tasks required of others.
• Experience designing PMPs and MEL plans for USAID