The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi is seeking dynamic, skilled, and mission-driven individuals to join its team in the Foreign Assistance Office as Project Management Specialists (HA – Programming). This recruitment aims to fill three full-time, permanent positions, with a strong focus on humanitarian assistance and project oversight.
Applicants with a deep understanding of humanitarian programming, a keen eye for project delivery, and the capacity to represent the U.S. Department of State (DoS) in diverse technical, operational, and stakeholder environments are encouraged to apply. If you are passionate about contributing to complex and impactful humanitarian assistance efforts in Sudan while based in Kenya, this could be your opportunity to make a difference.
About the Role:
- Position Title: Project Management Specialist (HA – Programming)
- Vacancy Announcement Number: Nairobi-2025-016
- Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya (with frequent travel within the region, including remote and challenging locations)
- Number of Positions: 3
- Appointment Type: Permanent (subject to successful completion of a probationary period)
- Salary Range: KES 5,676,423 – KES 9,649,886 annually
- Work Schedule: Full-time; 40 hours per week
- Promotion Potential: LE-11
- Security Clearance Required: Public Trust – Background Investigation
- Open to: All Interested Applicants (Kenyan nationals and residents who can obtain a valid work permit)
Please note that these positions support U.S. foreign assistance programs focused on Sudan, although they are based in Kenya.
Detailed Job Description: Project Management Specialist (HA – Programming)
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Project/Program Management (50%)
- Oversee the implementation of U.S. Government (USG)-funded humanitarian assistance projects, ensuring strategic alignment with broader U.S. foreign policy goals.
- Act as the technical liaison between U.S. Government officials and implementing partners, serving in designated oversight roles such as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), or Activity Manager (AM).
- Ensure implementing partners comply with award terms and U.S. Government regulations.
- Provide specialized knowledge and expertise on programmatic and technical matters across humanitarian sectors including food assistance, water, sanitation, emergency healthcare, and shelter.
- Support program development through strategic planning, operational plans, performance reports, and integration of cross-sectoral learning.
2. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (15%)
- Develop performance monitoring plans (PMPs) and lead implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities.
- Conduct data-driven site visits, assess project progress, and report findings to inform decision-making.
- Analyze implementing partner performance, ensuring that data is accurate and consistent with project objectives.
- Prepare technical and administrative documents including memoranda, spreadsheets, checklists, and reports aligned with Mission standards.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Inter-Agency Coordination (15%)
- Represent the Department of State in engagements with key stakeholders such as host governments, donor agencies, non-governmental organizations, and multilateral bodies.
- Manage communication channels and relay critical information to support coordinated action in humanitarian programming.
- Facilitate knowledge exchange through working groups, technical panels, and inter-agency platforms.
4. Financial Management and Oversight (10%)
- Monitor program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure compliance with U.S. Government financial regulations.
- Prepare quarterly accruals, manage incremental funding, and ensure that financial records are accurate and well-documented.
5. Information Management and Documentation (10%)
- Maintain program documentation in accordance with U.S. Government file management standards.
- Archive critical documents such as monitoring reports, correspondence, site visit notes, and financial records in approved electronic storage systems.
Work Environment and Travel
This role involves extensive travel—up to 50% of the time—to field sites, including remote or challenging environments. The position may also require occasional work after normal office hours, including weekends and public holidays, especially during emergencies.
Qualifications and Evaluation Criteria
Education:
A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Agriculture, International Relations, Project Management, or Social Sciences is required.
Experience:
Applicants must have at least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in humanitarian assistance, ideally working with large governmental or donor organizations. This includes a minimum of one (1) year of experience in implementing U.S. Government-funded projects.
Language Proficiency:
- English: Level 4 (Fluent) – ability to read, write, speak fluently, and translate technical documents.
- Arabic: Level 3 (Good working knowledge) – ability to read, write, and speak effectively in professional settings.
Job Knowledge Requirements:
- In-depth understanding of humanitarian assistance strategies including emergency food distribution, shelter, healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation, and recovery processes.
- Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. Government project management processes, grants and contracts management, and foreign assistance regulations.
- Awareness of host country institutional structures, including governmental policies and laws relevant to foreign assistance.
- Familiarity with international humanitarian architecture, especially the United Nations’ frameworks and coordination mechanisms.
- Knowledge of Sudan’s socio-political landscape and history, especially the dynamics of warring parties and conflict zones.
Skills and Abilities:
- Strong analytical skills for evaluating project design, implementation, financial health, and performance outcomes.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex humanitarian issues to non-experts.
- Ability to build partnerships and effectively negotiate with government, donor, and NGO stakeholders.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, Gmail, and Google Suite.
- Ability to navigate multicultural and bilingual environments and represent the Department of State professionally.
Additional Requirements
- Selected candidates must pass a background investigation and obtain a Police Clearance Certificate.
- Applicants should be available to begin work within four (4) weeks after receiving authorization.
- Must have or be able to obtain a valid work permit for employment in Kenya.
Benefits
The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to all employees. For U.S. citizen eligible family members (USEFMs), the benefits and pay scale will be discussed directly by the Human Resources Office and may be governed by U.S. federal employment standards.
Hiring Preferences
Priority consideration will be given in the following order:
- U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFM) who are veterans or have re-employment rights.
- Appointment Eligible Family Members (AEFM) or USEFMs without veteran status.
- Foreign Service employees on leave without pay (LWOP) and Civil Service employees with re-employment rights.
Please ensure your application reflects your correct hiring preference status and includes all necessary documentation to support your claim, such as a DD-214 for veterans or SF-50 for former federal employees.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their application online by clicking the “Apply to This Vacancy” button on the job portal. Ensure that your application is complete and all required documentation is uploaded.
Required Documents:
- Valid Work Permit (if applicable)
- University Degree
- Professional License (if applicable)
- Resume/CV
Additional Documents for EFM/USEFM Applicants:
- Sponsor’s Travel Orders or Assignment Notification
- Copy of Passport
- DD-214 or Veterans Affairs documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
You may revise or update your application at any point before the vacancy closes on July 6, 2025.
About the Embassy and the Foreign Assistance Office
The Foreign Assistance Office at U.S. Embassy Nairobi supports regional humanitarian and development initiatives, often in complex and rapidly evolving contexts. These three new roles will focus on managing U.S. humanitarian assistance programs targeting Sudan but will be based in Kenya, operating in close coordination with stakeholders throughout the region. The Embassy is committed to delivering results through robust monitoring, strong partnerships, and impactful programming that meets urgent humanitarian needs.
This is your chance to be part of a global mission supporting communities affected by conflict and crises.
