Recruitment for Chemonics International

Kosovo e-Governance Activity (KeG)

Position Title: IT Core Competencies Development vs Outsourcing Analysis Expert (Short-Term CCN)

Position Type:  Cooperating Country National-CCN (Kosovo citizen or lawfully admitted permanent resident) 

Period of Assignment:  (June – September 30, 2024) (up to 65 days of LOE)

Reports to: Objective Two Lead 

Location:  Pristina, Kosovo

BACKGROUND

The USAID Kosovo e-Governance Activity (USAID KeG) aims to improve the Government of Kosovo’s (GoK) digital service delivery and management of digital government systems by clarifying institutional roles and processes, strengthening institutional capacity to deliver services, and engaging civil society and the private sector. The activity will accelerate transformation into an agile digital government, which ensures that Kosovans receive high quality, efficient and accessible government services. The Activity focuses on the following three program objectives: 

Objective 1: Institutional roles and governance processes are clear, actionable, and implemented. 

Objective 2: Key institutions have the technical expertise and program management skills to develop, manage, and deliver digital government platforms and services. 

Objective 3: External feedback and oversight mechanisms on digital priorities and service delivery are established and used. 

The Agency for Information Society (AIS) currently lacks staff and competencies among its existing workforce to carry out the mission it has been entrusted by the Kosovo eGovernment Strategy 2023-2027. This deficiency encompasses both core competencies and the skills required to manage outsourced projects or contractors effectively. 

Historically, outsourcing of skills at AIS has been integrated into project packages, such as combining outsourcing skills with system development procurement, leading to subsequent outsourcing of skills for system maintenance to contractors. Consequently, AIS’s approach to outsourcing has been more reactive, driven by necessity rather than a strategic decision-making process. Towards this effort, in addition to the current tasks, USAID KeG has commissioned separate work (Activity 2.1.3) to determine the “Feasibility of Developing In-House vs. Outsourcing” of core IT capacities for two specific case studies with two institutions and to develop an evaluation procedure that should guide AIS in choosing the most suitable execution from the cost perspective. These studies look into the problem from the cost efficiency perspective, analyzing precise cost data related to IT spending. The data and the results of these studies will be made available to the current activities. The two current activities, Activity 2.2.1 and 1.3.5, look at the same question from the systems and human capacity building perspectives. Activity 2.2.1 takes a comprehensive approach to core capacity development, while Activity 1.3.5 focuses on identifying systems and services that can be outsourced to local private sector companies with the necessary technical capacity.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The USAID KeG is seeking a short-term expert to work on analyzing the development of core IT competencies vs outsourcing skills and support AIS to determine a documented rationale on this as well as draft a training plan for developing core areas for in-house staff.

Tasks and responsibilities: The expert will work to complete the following activity and tasks:

DELIVERABLES and DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

The STTA shall submit the deliverables described above in accordance with the following Deliverables Schedule:

The full SoW can be found on the attachment below!

DOWNLOAD

QUALIFICATIONS

       1.  Education –  

• A graduate degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, HR Management, Education Management, or a related field.

     2.  Experience –  

• At least five years of experience in IT or Project Management, HR, organizational development, consulting, or a similar role involving organizational restructuring, strategic planning and staffing.
• Experience in designing or conducting skills gap analyses, in business or public sector; workforce planning, recruitment, skills development, outsourcing human capacities or related.
• Experience in designing and implementing effective training plans for business or public sector, preferably for IT staff.
• Experience in IT Systems development or an understanding of IT Project Management, Systems Development, or Systems Integration.
• Experience in Risk Management with the ability to identify, analyze, and mitigate risks in IT operations, particularly in the context of outsourcing versus in-house development.

      3.  Functional Skills – 

• Strong understanding of areas such as project management, project life-cycle management, IT systems development, systems management, infrastructure management, data management, security or related areas.
• Strong understanding of training methodologies and techniques, learning and motivation theories, with a focus on working with adults and on the job skills development. 
• Ability to analyze and interpret organizational structures, competencies, competency frameworks, and related processes.
• Strong consultancy, communication, and influencing skills to engage with AIS management and key staff effectively.
• Analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills to assess the current state of human capacities in AIS and propose adequate recommendations.
• Ability to develop decision matrices such as SWOT analysis effectively and be able to utilize them.

     4.  Language Skills – English and Albanian fluency, with excellent writing and presentation skills required. Serbian language skills desirable.

     5.  Interpersonal Skills – Proven ability to work professionally, constructively, and collaboratively, meet deadlines, communicate effectively, and deal with diverse partners (including high-level government officials, training sector providers, and international donors) in a challenging environment. Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

     6.  Self-Motivation and Guidance – Strong individual initiative and ability to manage daily activities and achieve expected results with or without direct oversight.

LEVEL OF EFFORT AND TIMING

This assignment is estimated to require altogether up to 65 days of LOE within Kosovo. This work is planned to occur during (June – September 30, 2024), based on a time schedule mutually agreed with the Objective 2 Lead at the start of the assignment, subject to further modification as mutually agreed.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please send an email with ONLY a Cover Letter and CV attached. To [email protected],  no later than June 21, 2024. Please indicate the position for which you are applying in the subject line: IT Core Competencies Development vs Outsourcing Analysis Expert.  

Cover letter of no more than three (3) pages should include a methodology on how you will undertake the tasks (develop deliverables) and proposed timelines.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Note: Failure to submit the application as requested with instructions described above may lead to disqualification of an application from consideration.

Chemonics is an employer that does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.