USAID Development Program Specialist Job At US Mission

Strategic Planning, Project and Activity Design and Implementation (55%)

• Supports research and analysis for strategic planning efforts, including the Country Development Cooperation Strategy, Integrated Country Strategy, or the implementation of other USAID strategies and priorities.
• Supports Project Design processes, ensuring compliance with requirements of relevant sections of the ADS and related Mission Orders.
• Supports technical offices with Activity Design, ensuring adherence to project specifications and compliance with requirements of relevant sections of the ADS and related Mission Orders..

Budget Planning and Management (25%)

• Supports preparing or drafting annual budget requests and reports, which may include the Mission Resource Request, Congressional Budget Justification, Operational Plan, and Congressional Notifications. S/he will also support the update of prior years’ Operational Plans as needed.
• Supports the Senior Development Program Specialist with other Mission Financial Management tasks relating to the obligation of funds, tracking of Host Country Contributions, and updating various USAID financial databases and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning’s Development Assistance Database. update of prior year’s Operational Plans as needed.
• Supports the Senior Program Development Specialist in tracking, completing, and managing pre-obligation requirements.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) (20%)

• Supports the Portfolio Review and other processes to monitor and assess activity progress and achievement of development strategic objectives.
• Assists technical offices with the annual Performance Plan and Report.
• Assists in ensuring monitoring and evaluation is occurring and recorded appropriately, including data input into the Mission’s tracking system.
• Participates in site visits to support activity monitoring and management.

Requirements For USAID Development Program Specialist Job

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
• Education: Minimum of bachelor’s degree in social science, economics, statistics, project management, law, health sciences, public administration, political science, business, international development is required.
• Evaluations:

1. 1. Knowledge: 10 points
   2. Skills and Abilities: 10 points
   3. Communication and Language skills: 10 points
   4. Interview Performance: 70 points

• Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed candidates. If the interview is conducted, the interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.
• USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
• Reference checks will be made only for the successful candidate. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the application letter.
• Qualifications: All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
• Prior Work Experience: Minimum three (3) years of progressive responsibilities in project and activity design, implementation, and/or reporting is required.
• Language Proficiency: Level IV English language proficiency, reading, speaking, and writing, is required.
• Proficiency in computer skills and database management is required to effectively operate in this position. The PDS must be able to draft clear reports and briefing documents in English under short deadlines. A high level of analytical skill and sound judgment is required. Must be capable of supervising and training Accounting Technicians. Must be able to maintain effective working relations with American and CCN personnel in USAID and other USG Agencies at post and local business organizations. Must be able to carry out all duties and responsibilities with minimum supervision.
• Skills and Abilities: The PDS must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills in order to: 1) facilitate productive professional relationships within USAID’s culturally diverse team environment; 2) work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure; 3) demonstrate extraordinary flexibility; and 4) effectively manage multiple tasks at the same time. Customer service skills and the ability to explain complex guidance in a manner that empowers others is required, as well as demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with other team members and units. The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is necessary. The ability to obtain, evaluate, and interpret factual data and to prepare precise, accurate, and complete reports is necessary. The ability to recognize significant developments and trends reflected from collected data and bring it to the attention of supervisors is required. 
• Job Knowledge:  The PDS must have a good understanding of USAID or similar project and activity design requirements. Sound knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of development assistance is required. Knowledge of host-country economic, social, cultural, and political characteristics is required. The PDS will be required to be proactive in keeping abreast of evolving USAID guidelines and policies which affect Mission activities within the ADS, Mission Orders, Mission Notices, USG Procurement regulations, Operational Plan, Foreign Assistance guidance, and USAID Program Strategy and Policy Documents.

Benefits and Other Info

Agency Benefits

• As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances

BENEFITS:

1. Health Insurance
2. Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)
3. Annual and Sick leave
4. Annual Bonus

ALLOWANCES (as applicable)

1. Transportation Allowance
2. Meal Allowance
3. Miscellaneous Allowance
4. Housing Allowance

Other Information

• HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:  Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:

1. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

IMPORTANT

Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.

This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.

For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

Other Information

1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms
3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
4. Ethical Conduct.  By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.  See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations 
5. PSC Ombudsman: The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov.

TAXES

The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Nigerian Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations.  Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Nigerian Government. In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

How To Apply For USAID Development Program Specialist In US Embassy

• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust clearance.
• Click the ‘Apply For Job’ button below.
• Follow the displayed link to proceed to the US Mission recruitment portal.
• Create and verify your account.
• Log into the portal and complete your application.

In order to qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested diploma and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this position.

• Current Resume
• Cover Letter
• Relevant Certificates
• NYSC Certificate
• University Degree Certificate
• List of References

Next Steps:

After the closing date for receipt of applications, all applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a shortlist of applicants developed. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be considered.

A committee will be convened to review the shortlisted applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria as stated above.  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.

The application deadline is 04/26/2021