USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor)

Description

• Solicitation No. 72065619R10015 open to all Mission employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• Issuance Date: May 9, 2019
• Market Value: USD41,748 – USD58,446 per annum, equivalent to FSN-10 (Step1-12)
• In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Mozambique). Final compensation will be negotiated within the market value
• Period of Performance: One year, with option to extend. The contract will be extended/renewed as long as there is a need for this position; funds are available, and subject to satisfactory performance
• Place of Performance: Zambezia and Nampula Provinces, Mozambique
• Security Level Required: Employment Certification (RSO Certification)

Benefits and Allowances

• This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• USAID Regulations, Policies and Contract Clauses pertaining to PSCs:
• 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
• 2Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms
• 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

Duties

• The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor) reports directly to the Program Office Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader
• The incumbent serves as a USAID representative at the Provincial level, representing USAID to multiple stakeholders including: Governor’s office, Permanent Secretary, representatives of various Ministries such as Health, Education and Human Development, Gender and Social Action, Public Works, Agriculture, Land and Rural Development, and Economy and Finance. In addition, the incumbent serves as a USAID liaison to other donors, local non-governmental organizations, and the private sector
• The incumbent provides USAID with provincial-level information on the operating context, challenges specific to the province, and opportunities for linkages with other donors, private sector, and non-traditional partners
• S/he strengthens coordination and collaboration between USAID’s implementing partners by participating in and/or planning regular partners’ meetings and supports partners to identify opportunities for linkages and complementarity of programming
• S/he also supports monitoring and evaluation of USAID-funded activities at the Provincial level and project and activity design across various sectors
• The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor) is permanently based in the Provincial capital, and is expected to travel frequently (up to 20% of time) to Maputo for training, meetings, continuous learning, and consultations with USAID/Maputo-based staff

Provincial Liaison with the Government of Mozambique 30%

• Serves as the primary representative of USAID at the provincial level to the Governor’s Office, Permanent Secretary, and Ministry of Economy and Finance, for one or more provinces
• Corresponds regularly, and meets periodically, with Maputo-based USAID staff to share information on provincial-level planning and reporting processes
• Supports Implementing Partners (IPs) to prepare for and participate in provincial level planning and reporting processes, facilitating coordination between the GRM, USAID, and IPs
• Leads implementation of USAID’s provincial-level coordination and collaboration efforts
• Acts as a Liaison between IPs and the GRM to facilitate coordination at the Provincial and District level, working with representatives of the Health, Education and Human Development, Gender and Social Action,
• Public Works, Agriculture, Land and Rural Development, as needed
• Supports the continued development of Provincial/District government staff’s leadership, management, coordination, and strategic planning skills, and the development of sound systems for program planning and financial management at the Provincial level
• Works directly with the Provincial government to build capacity and expertise of the GRM to support development partner coordination, improved planning, and to strengthen their financial and human resources management systems
• Supports engagement with GRM institutions at the Provincial and District levels to plan, develop, monitor, and report on Government-to-Government agreements, as needed, across a variety of technical sectors
• Provides oversight to USG Government-to-Government direct financing mechanisms, as needed.

Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting at the Provincial Level 30%

• Leads meetings between USAID IPs to support collaboration, learning, and adaptation, both within and across sectors
• Leads the development and documentation of effective tools and approaches for institutional capacity building of local partners, and maintains an inventory of successful strategies and approaches
• Supports IPs to prepare for and participate in USAID- and Government-led Portfolio Reviews and “Balanços de PES.”
• Identifies opportunities to reduce program overlap, create synergies, and promote layering of technical approaches at the Provincial and/or District level, and supports USAID Program and Technical Office staff to engage with partners to adjust programming approaches where needed
• Gathers and shares information on the gender dynamics of ethnic and social groups within the province and supports USAID and partners to integrate approaches designed to increase gender equality and women’s empowerment into program implementation
• Gathers and shares information on cross-cutting areas such as youth challenges, economic and political context, governance challenges, and operational challenges specific to the provincial level

Monitoring and Evaluation Support 20%

• Supports USAID Contracting/Agreement Officer Representatives to monitor USAID-funded activities at the site level
• Performs and coordinates Site Improvement Monitoring (SIMs) visits to PEPFAR-funded activities Individually, with the USAID monitoring and evaluation support mechanism, and with other USAID staff, the
• Specialist oversees and/or participates in the design, development, and implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategies and systems to effectively capture and communicate program/project/activity results
• Documents evidence of success and/or lack of success for interventions, and shares lessons learned by contributing to program/project/activity reports and publications, and facilitating internal and external presentations of USAID-funded results
• Prepares and maintains Provincial indicator profiles that track targets, indicators, and achievements, as reported by USAID IPs, at the Provincial level
• Supports GIS mapping of USAID-funded activities and other relevant data sets at the Provincial level
• Liaison with Donors, Non-government

Organizations, and Private Sector 20%

• Represents USAID to donors, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and private sector entities working in the Province
• Participates and represents USAID at NGO and civil society forums at the Provincial and/or District level
• Conducts market research, surveys, and information gathering related to donor, NGO, civil society, and private sector engagement across sectors at the Provincial and/or District level
• Travel: The job holder will be expected to perform work-related travel
• Supervisory Received: The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor) works under the
• Program Office Monitoring and Evaluation Team Leader. The Specialist receives additional direction from USAID Contract/Agreement Officer Representatives (CORs/AORs) responsible for programs/projects/activities being implemented in the assigned Province(s). The supervisor makes assignments in terms of overall objectives and resources available. The Specialist is expected to exercise considerable autonomy and judgment in discharging the duties of the assignment
• Supervisory Exercised: None

Area of Consideration

• To meet basic eligibility requirements, applicants must be a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country. Applicants must submit a complete application as outlined in Section IV. These positions are open to all US Mission employees and external candidates who meet the stated qualifications
• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands
• Point of Contact: Mission-Maputo-HR@usaid.gov

Requisites

• Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree or the local equivalent, in international development, governance, economics, business management, public administration, or a related field, is required
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project design, program planning, implementation, and/or performance monitoring and data analysis is required. At least two years of this experience must relate to coordination between donor agencies and/or implementing partners with host-country organizations
• Level IV (fluent) in both written and spoken English and Portuguese languages is required (this will be tested). Familiarity in one or more of the local languages spoken in Nampula (for the Nampula Provincial Advisor) or Zambezia (for the Zambezia Provincial Advisor) is required.
• In-depth professional-level knowledge of development principles, concepts and practices, including issues related to GRM Public Financial Management, the Provincial Planning cycle, GRM political dynamics at the national and provincial level. The job holder must have knowledge about Mozambique’s socio-economic development including policy, development priorities, regulatory and institutional environment in which the Mission operates as well as knowledge and understanding of the organization and roles of the different levels of GRM provincial governments and service delivery systems in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on plans for governance, finance, and human resources management systems improvement
• Knowledge, or the potential to acquire such knowledge, of USG legislation, policy, and practice relating to development assistance; USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation; and, of the objectives, methodology, and status of assigned activities
• Demonstrated ability in strategic planning, project/activity design, monitoring, and gender integration.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, superior interpersonal and communication skills, and demonstrated ability to work with diverse actors from many backgrounds, to establish and maintain good contacts with government ministries, other donors, and staff
• Must be a highly effective communicator, resourceful, and have good judgment. The job holder must also be proactive and able to work with a high degree of independence
• Excellent computer skills in the use of computer software application for communication- email/internet use, and word processing are essential, as well as with spreadsheets and PowerPoint

Evaluation and Selection Factors

• Education - 15 points
• Prior Work Experience - 20 points
• Job Knowledge - 25 points
• Language Proficiency - 10 points
• Skills and Abilities - 30 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points

Notes

• 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. Only the short listed candidates will be invited for a language test. Candidates successfully passing the language exam will be invited for an oral interview
• Final selection will be based on the application package, language abilities, and oral interview. This is a local position and compensation will be in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan
• A cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume in English
• Any application received in Portuguese will not be considered. Only English applications will be received and considered
• 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
• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission
• Please note that USAID and the U.S. Government NEVER require payment of any money in connection with a job application