The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) is seeking a talented and experienced Project Management Specialist to join their dynamic team in Nairobi, Kenya. This critical role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on humanitarian assistance efforts in Somalia and the broader East Africa region.

About the Position:

The Project Management Specialist (Disaster Management) will play a crucial role in USAID’s Sudans, East and Central Africa Regional Office (SECARO), which manages approximately $3.9 billion in food and non-food humanitarian assistance annually. This position focuses primarily on Somalia, providing specialized advice and technical guidance on the design, monitoring, and implementation of humanitarian and food assistance programs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program/Project Management (70%):

•    – Serve as a specialist on humanitarian assistance programming for Somalia
•    – Advise USAID/Somalia Mission on disaster assistance concerns and appropriate responses
•    – Assist in designing and implementing integrated disaster assistance strategies
•    – Oversee BHA programs in-country, ensuring compliance with regulations and achievement of objectives
•    – Conduct field visits to assess program implementation, participate in needs assessments, and monitor activities
•    – Analyze humanitarian and food security situations, reporting trends to BHA management

2. Coordination, Representation, and Communication (20%):

•    – Review and provide recommendations on proposals from NGOs and UN agencies
•    – Maintain regular contact with BHA grantees and other humanitarian partners
•    – Liaise with donors, host government officials, and other U.S. government agencies
•    – Prepare reports on the humanitarian situation, including patterns, trends, and program impacts
•    – Represent USAID in coordination forums and meetings with partners

3. BHA Response Deployments (10%):

•    – Assist in humanitarian response activities regionally or globally as needed
•    – Serve on disaster assessment teams, Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), or Response Management Teams (RMTs)
•    – Be available for urgent travel and extended deployments during crisis situations

Requirements:

• – Bachelor’s degree in international relations, economics, disaster assistance, or related field
• – Minimum 3 years of progressive experience in emergency/resilience program management
• – At least 1 year of on-the-ground field experience in humanitarian needs assessment/assistance
• – 1 year experience implementing humanitarian/resilience programs
• – Fluency in English and Kiswahili (Level IV – written, spoken, and reading)
• – Strong public speaking skills to represent USAID effectively

Desired Skills and Knowledge:

• – In-depth understanding of disaster and humanitarian assistance interventions
• – Knowledge of humanitarian principles and the international humanitarian system
• – Familiarity with the East Africa region, particularly Somalia
• – Proficiency in communication equipment, mapping tools, and Microsoft Office Suite
• – Experience with monitoring and evaluation tools and assessment methodologies
• – Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills
• – Ability to work in multicultural teams and high-pressure environments
• – Willingness to undertake extensive field work and travel to Somalia

Why Join USAID/BHA:

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to life-saving humanitarian efforts in one of the world’s most challenging contexts. The successful candidate will:

• – Work with a diverse team of dedicated professionals from various U.S. government agencies
• – Collaborate closely with international organizations, NGOs, and host government officials
• – Gain exposure to complex humanitarian crises and innovative response strategies
• – Develop expertise in disaster management and resilience programming
• – Contribute to shaping U.S. foreign assistance policy in the region

Additional Details:

• – Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with travel to Somalia and potentially other locations)
• – Contract Type: Personal Services Contract (PSC)
• – Salary Range: Ksh. 4,104,558 to Ksh. 6,977,740 per year (FSN-10 grade level)
• – Duration: Initial 5-year contract with possibility of extension
• – Start Date: Estimated April 15, 2025

USAID values diversity and inclusion. They encourage applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups.