USAID Project Management Specialist (Policy Analyst)

Description

• The Project Management Specialist (Policy Analyst) will provide support to policy-related activities, research, activity management, and advisory work for the Policy Team under the Resilient Economic Growth Office (REGO). This work will focus on advancing inclusive economic development, and policy reform in the areas of agriculture, climate, biodiversity, energy, water management, and economic governance / public financial management
• S/he will serve as an Activity Manager for policy related activities; will contribute to new policy activity designs, conduct research, and liaise with communities of practice to drive policy reforms to strengthen the business enabling environment that can lead to job creation, private sector investment and competitiveness
• S/he will work closely with the Senior Policy Analyst and/or Policy Team Lead on policy issues and reforms necessary to diversify the economy by expanding agriculture, address economic governance and natural resource management challenges
• S/he will maintain close contact and working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including host government counterparts, private sector, and civil society organizations, and other donor organizations to coordinate and improve implementation of USAID activities as they relate to:
• Improving agriculture competitiveness
• Advancing private sector development through improving the regulatory and legal environment
• Issues surrounding economic governance, especially for the extractive industry and public financial management
• Improving public-private sector dialogue and private sector engagement; and
• Improving the policy environment for the protection of biodiversity and the mitigation of adverse climate impacts
• The job holder is required to perform work-related travel
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC- Local Compensation Plan) – USAID Project Management Specialist (Policy Analyst), FSN-10 Equivalent
• Dear Prospective Offerors:
• The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mozambique is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation
• Offers must be in accordance with Attachment 1. Incomplete offers will not be considered. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records
• This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers
• SOLICITATION NO.: 72065624R10004 opened to all Mission current employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• POINT OF CONTACT: Human Resources Section, email at Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov
• MARKET VALUE: USD 48,098 – USD 67,337 per annum, equivalent to FSN10 (Step1-12). In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Mozambique. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value
• PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The base period will be one year, estimated to start on or about June 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: June 2024 – June 2025
• Option Period 1: June 2025 – June 2029
• ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: To meet basic eligibility requirements, the applicant must be a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country
• Professional references will be conducted for the top ranked candidate and will be utilized to supplement the TEC’s recommendation to the Contracting Officer to offer the position to the top ranked candidate
• USAID/Mozambique reserves the right to solicit references from other sources as deemed appropriate
• Final selection will be based on the application package, language abilities, oral interview and reference checks. This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• Once the Contracting Officer (CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the required forms
• Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - Please be advised that, upon award, the contractor will be required to follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements
• This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan

• USAID regulations and policies governing CCN/TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:
• 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
• https://www.acquisition.gov/aidar/aidar-appendix-j-direct-usaid-contractscooperating-country-national-and-third-country-national-personal-services-abroad and revised AIDAR Appendix J, General Provision contract clauses (GPs) titled “Leave and Holidays” (AAPD 20-08)
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms
• Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below:
• LINE ITEMS
• Item
• No
• (A)SERVICES (DESCRIPTION)
• (B) QUANTITY
• (C)UNIT
• (D) UNIT PRICE
• (E) AMOUNT
• (F) 0001 Base Period - Compensation, Fringe
• Benefits and Other Direct
• Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: PSC - Product Service Code: R497 - Accounting Info:
• 1001 Option Period 1 – Compensation, Fringe
• Benefits and Other Direct
• Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: PSC - Product Service Code: R497 - Accounting Info: 1 LOT $ _TBD__ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor
• 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
• 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
• 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

Duties

• As part of his or her duties, the Project Management Specialist (Policy Analyst) is expected to perform with allocated time/effort under two key areas of responsibilities and corresponding duties under each area:

Program Management (70%)

• Technical Guidance and Program Planning
• Provide technical inputs and guidance in the design and implementation of USAID-funded REGO Policy Team activities, in close coordination with the REGO, the Mission, the cooperating country government, private sector associations, civil society organizations and other development partners
• Provide technical guidance to policy-related activities ensuring that activities are appropriately integrated within the larger Mission activities; in collaboration with technical counterparts from different offices and other national stakeholders to advance the Mission’s Development Objective related to Diversified and Inclusive Economic Growth
• Identify potential synergies and linkages between USAID program activities, relevant cooperating country government and other donor programs, and private sector activities, providing ongoing technical assistance to implementing partners, ensuring an interdisciplinary approach across USAID REGO activities
• Assist the Mission in the review of policies, laws and procedures that are critical to enabling a productive environment for private sector and civil society organizations
• Provide technical guidance that could lead to good quality policy outcomes by working with key stakeholders and implementing partners that would entail applying evidence-based guidelines, best practices/approaches, and tools
• Provide technical guidance in the implementation and monitoring of the USG policies under the Feed the Future Initiative and other Presidential initiatives - especially those led by REGO
• Monitor regularly evolving socio-economic and environmental issues in Mozambique in support of Mission programming, including:
• Keeping the Mission apprised of developments in areas that are important to the achievement of USAID's strategic plan; and
• Working closely with the other technical teams to ensure that mission staff are aware of changes to the economic-political environment that may affect the achievement of program results

Project Management

• Contribute to the design and management of new USAID programs in the REGO Policy Team, prepare relevant activity procurement documents, including Requests for Application (RFAs), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and/or scopes of work for multi-year programs
• Participate in the evaluation of proposals/applications and activity start-up including preparation of analyses and documentation required to obligate funds, initiate, and/or continue strategic activities
• Serve as an Alternate Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (ACOR/AOR) and/or Activity Manager (AM) for the REGO Policy Team activities, including:
• Reviewing and approving annual IP work plans, budgets, reports, vouchers, and other program/project tools and facilitating IP relationships and coordinating with local stakeholders (e.g. other IPs, cooperating-country government counterparts, non-governmental organizations, other donors, etc.)
• Maintaining a schedule for and conducting regular site visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries; ensuring compliance with USAID requirements and policies and meet with beneficiaries
• Overseeing IP compliance with bilateral government agreements and performance expectation
• Ensuring IPs are in compliance with all relevant USAID regulations, procedures and Directive requirements, communicating regularly with IPs regarding USAID rules and regulations as well as meeting their obligations to USAID, and
• Participate in the preparation of the strategic and operational planning processes such as the USAID CDCS and OPs

Project Monitoring and Evaluation

• Participate and collaborate with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning staff, in the development of innovative monitoring and evaluation approaches and tools to measure the outcome and impact of the Policy Team related activities
• Contribute to data quality assessments to ensure the quality and reliability of program data
• Monitor project activities and reports; and provide recommendations to resolve implementation obstacles to ensure judicious and correct use of USG funds
• Contribute to and participate in REGO policy-related activity evaluations by documenting and providing recommendations that can scale up proven best practices
• Collect and analyze data needed for management, administration, and evaluation of REGO’s Policy Team activities

Representation and Reporting (30%)

• Contribute to key mid-term and annual planning and reporting documents, such as the Operational Plans, Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports, among others
• Contribute to reviewing reports and a wide range of requirements including responding to requests for information from USAID/Washington
• Promote information sharing by ensuring that USAID successes, best practices and approaches are shared widely with implementing partners, government officials, private sector, civil society and other donors
• Represent USAID as needed at designated national, regional, and international meetings that relate to USAID/ REGO interventions and strategies
• Prepare briefing papers, presentations and assist with site visit preparations for high-level USG delegations/visitors
• Support the preparation and dissemination of related technical, advocacy, conference/workshop/outreach materials
• Establish strategic working relationships with cooperating country partners, development partners, private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, think-tanks and professional associations to enhance regular and timely sharing of information on inclusive and-related issues, including changes in key policies, and legal and regulatory environments that could affect the implementation of USAID programs

Requisites

• Minimum qualifications required for this Position:
• Education: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in the field of Economics, Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Development or related field is required
• Prior Work Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in designing, managing, implementing and/or evaluating programs related to economic policy development, legal, or policy reform on advancing diversified and inclusive economic growth, preferably by working with private sector, host country governments, civil society organizations and other donors. At least one (1) year of experience with development organization(s) such as the USG, other multilateral or bilateral organizations, and/or NGOs is preferred. Specific experience related to public-private dialogue, political economy analysis, business and trade-enabling environment, and policy reform programming in the Mozambican context is required
• Language Proficiency: Level IV English and Portuguese language proficiency, speaking, reading, and writing, is required (Language proficiency will be tested)
• Job Knowledge: Good Knowledge in program management, policy development, legal and economic reform or, agriculture expert, journalism. Good knowledge of Mozambique’s economic, political, social and cultural characteristics, the history of development assistance to Mozambique, government’s policy trend and regulatory environment in relation to private sector development and economic governance is required. Good knowledge or ability to gain knowledge of USG legislations, policies, and regulations related to development assistance, including programming, implementation, and management of projects. Familiarity of development objectives in Mozambique
• kills and Abilities: Communication and inter-personal skills to implement programs with a strong policy reform element and engagement with key stakeholders. This will require advanced quantitative and/or qualitative analytical skills using primary and secondary data analysis, financial and administrative skills sufficient to track the performance of IPs and project activities. Proficiency in computer and software skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, statistical programs and web-based database systems necessary to manage large amounts of data in Excel, or other analytical databases to develop technical documents and dashboards using analytical spreadsheets, presentations, databases for analyses, briefers, and reports. Demonstrated ability to write/ type professional, quality analytical and project management documents. Demonstrated ability to make effective oral presentations to senior GRM officials, development partners, private sector, civil society and media. The incumbent must be able to interact effectively with a broad range of internal and external partners. Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team environment. Leadership skills to promote public-private dialogue and advance policy reforms with counterparts in the government, private sector, civil society organization, and development partners

Position Elements

• Supervision Received: The incumbent is directly supervised by the REGO Senior Policy Analyst, who evaluates his or her performance. The incumbent is expected to perform tasks and carry out responsibilities with a considerable degree of independence and supervision
• Supervision Exercised: None
• Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USAID and USG program/project/activity guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; USAID and host government environmental regulations and guidelines; the Automated Directives System (ADS); and USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, the FAR and AIDAR, and other published and unpublished guidelines. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation. The incumbent will have wide discretion in interpreting the nature and scope of his/her activities
• Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent will be expected to exercise a considerable degree of independent judgment in dealing with government counterparts and the private sector in areas of responsibility, though under the supervision and guidance of the Senior Policy Advisor and/or the Policy Team Leader.
• Authority to Make Commitments: The job holder has no authority to commit funds on behalf of the USG. S/he has the authority and responsibility to make technical recommendations to senior management. The Specialist exercises the delegated authorities granted in USAID/Mozambique Mission Orders given to Activity Managers and CORs/AORs, and may make administrative arrangements consistent with ADS guidance and Mission policy. Within the scope of the authority delegated, the Specialist may indicate to ranking counterpart and IP officials that they will make a recommendation to USAID on a specific activity, issue, or problem
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The Specialist has a full range of contacts within the Mission, at all levels, and maintains contact with Ips implementing USAID-funded programs/projects/activities in the sector. Within the Embassy, contacts are with counterpart staff, and with senior staff as needed Host-government, local, and other contacts vary widely with the type of activity being implemented, and may be at any level – including Ministerial, Deputy Minister, etc. Frequent and substantive personal contacts with senior-level officials of the GRM, international donors, mid-level leadership, provincial directorates and with the private sector, are for the purpose of explaining and defending USAID policies, objectives, and procedures, and to transmit and interpret GRM and private-sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials. In addition, the Specialist provides technical assistance and guidance on REGO activities to counterparts and other program stakeholders. The specialist will develop and maintain contact with local organizations implementing partners, donor peers, government officials, and other stakeholders. The purpose of the contacts includes implementation of activities and consultations on issues or new designs

Evaluation and Selection Factors

• The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1.. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c) . In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers
• The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

The following evaluation factors are established

• Education: 5 points
• Prior Work Experience: 25 points
• Job Knowledge : 30 points
• Skills and Abilities: 30 points
• Language Proficiency: 10 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points

Notes

• A cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume as well as academic transcripts/diplomas
• Names, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses of three professional references from individuals who are not family members or relatives. Reference checks will be conducted for the final selected candidate for the Contracting Officer to make a responsibility determination. USAID/Mozambique reserves the right to solicit references from other sources as deemed appropriate
• Any application received in Portuguese will not be considered. Only English applications will be considered
• 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
• Per this scoring Skills and Abilities and Job Knowledge are the most important factors, followed by Prior Work Experience, Language Proficiency and Education. Applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements. Only applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position will be considered. Candidates will be evaluated based on relevant education, prior work experience, knowledge, language proficiency, skills and abilities demonstrated in their application packages. A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates who do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and will be invited for a language test. Candidates successfully passing the language exam will be invited for an oral interview and may also be required to pass a written test. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants
• Professional references will be conducted for the top ranked candidate and will be utilized to supplement the TEC’s recommendation to the Contracting Officer to offer the position to the top ranked candidate. USAID/Mozambique reserves the right to solicit references from other sources as deemed appropriate Final selection will be based on the application package, language abilities, oral interview and reference checks. This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• Please note that USAID and the U.S. Government NEVER require payment of any money in connection with a job application
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands
• Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov