Stephen Otieno

STEPHEN O. OTIENO

P.O. Box 13988 - 00400

NAIROBI - KENYA

CELL PHONE: +254 721 231219

E-mail: Smakotieno@yahoo.com

7TH MARCH 2016

TO

The HUMAN RESOURCES UNIT

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS, INC.

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR ACTIVITY MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN SPECIALIST/CONSULTANCY

Following your request for proposals, I wish to express my interest for the position of Activity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan consultancy for the USAID-funded Somali Program Support Services (SPSS). I am a highly motivated Kenyan interested in working and sharing experience in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of various programs focusing on health and HIV/AIDS, food security and drought resilience, natural resource management, peace building and conflict transformation, gender and women empowerment, institutional strengthening and other development interventions.

I am a holder of Master of Science in Development Management from the Open University – United Kingdom, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi, Executive Master of Science in Organizational Development from United States International University, Advanced Health Management Programme offered by the Foundation for Professional Development in collaboration with Yale School of Public Health and Professional Development Course in Multi-Method Research offered by Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) in collaboration with Institute of Development Studies (IDS). Currently I am pursuing PhD in Development Studies at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), at research stage.

I have at least thirteen years hands-on international experience in the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning as well as advocacy/policy influence of various development interventions. I have worked with African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) International as a Research Intern, and as Liaison and Research Officer with Women in the Fishing Industry Programme (WIFIP) Education and Development. I’ve also worked with Mildmay International -Kenya as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and with HelpAge International – Africa Regional Development Centre (ARDC) as Regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator. I have worked with Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD) as Monitoring & Evaluation and Knowledge Management Coordinator, recently I worked with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH as Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager. Additionally, I have been engaged as part-time lecturer of Development Economics, International Relations & Development and Monitoring & Evaluation in Strategic Planning and Management for Masters Classes at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Furthermore, I have provided various consultancy services to a number of agencies in the region focusing on various development issues.

I have experience in Organizational Development and Systems Strengthening (ODSS), development and implementation of M&E systems, financial management, Results Based Management, Strategic Information, budget tracking, proposal and grants development, Scientific Communication and Publishing, Counselling, Team Building, Leadership and management, Resource Mapping through GIS, and training community members and organizations for institutional capacity building. My work experience in design and management of development projects is augmented with various seminars, workshops and conferences that I have attended. Additionally, I have hands-on experience working with multi-donor funded programmes as well as working in partnership with government ministries within the region.

I have key skills and knowledge in program design and management; process monitoring, evaluation and documentation; social science research; Population, Health and Environment; Management Information System (MIS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS); grants management; data quality assessment, data analysis and reporting (MS Excel, MS Access, MS Project, SPSS/PASW); evaluations and impact assessments; program performance measurement; development management; donor reporting; partnership and networking building; facilitation, communication, leadership and interpersonal relations. Additionally, I have strong organizational skills and I give attention to details.

I believe in hard work, patience and respect for others. I demand the very best of me in whatever I undertake. I am a team player and meet set targets within time limits with very minimum (if any) supervision. I am culturally sensitive and can work with multi ethnic team. Considering my knowledge, skills and experience, I feel I am able to serve the organization successfully in the said position. If considered, I’ll be able to undertake my responsibilities effectively so as to achieve the organization’s goals.

Attached herewith, please find my CV for your review and possible consideration. I look forward to appearing before you to verify my ability and myself.

Your consideration to this plea will be highly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance.

Yours faithfully,

Stephen O. Otieno