USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor)

USAID is recruiting a USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor) – Cabo Delgado, FSN-11 Equivalent, to be based in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique.

Description

• The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor) reports directly to the Program Office Director or someone designated on his/her behalf. The incumbent serves as a USAID representative at the Provincial level, representing USAID to multiple stakeholders including Governor’s office, Secretary of State, 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, international and 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 sector s, including the implementation of the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS). This may include responsibilities as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)/Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for activities supporting the SPCPS
• 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
• SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCNPSC- Local Compensation Plan) – USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor) – Cabo Delgado, FSN-11 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.: 72065623R10025 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 59,111 – USD 82,761 per annum, equivalent to FSN11 (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 March 2024. Based on Agency need, the Contracting Officer may exercise an additional option period for the dates estimated as follows:
• Base Period: March 2024 – March 2025
• Option Period 1: March 2025 – March 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
• Eligible Offerors are required to submit electronically to the following email address a cover letter in English with CV/Applicant Resume in English as well as academic transcripts/diplomas: www.emprego.co.mz
• 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, 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 https://www.acquisition.gov/aidar/aidar-appendix-j-direct-usaid-contractscooperating-country-national-and-third-country-national-personal-services-abroadand 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 1 LOT $ _TBD_ _ $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_ CCNPSC Development Assistance Specialist- Provincial Advisor SOL#72065623R00025- 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 2and 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
• The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: PSCOmbudsman@usaid.gov
• Please note that USAID and the U.S. Government NEVER require payment of any money in connection with a job application

Duties

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, including humanitarian assistance
• 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 Plano Economico e Social (PES)” - the annual GRM planning process
• 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 and inclusive development 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 and inclusive development principles 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
• Support Pause and Reflect processes to allow for stocktaking related to progress towards USAID Mozambique’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) and SPCPS objectives and facilitates programmatic adaptation in response to natural and/or man-made disasters

Monitoring and Evaluation Support - 20%

• Supports USAID Contracting/Agreement Officer Representatives to monitor USAID-funded activities at the site level
• Performs and supports Data Quality Assessments in coordination with COR/AORs
• 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 datasets at the Provincial level
• Supports data entry and review of publicly available information related to USAID’s programs in Cabo Delgado into the Government of Mozambique (GRM) Management Information System (MIS) as needed

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 GRM, 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

Position Elements

• Supervision Received: The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Provincial Advisor) works under the Program Office Director or someone designated by him/her. The Specialist receives additional direction from USAID Contract/Agreement Officer Representatives (CORs/AORs) responsible for programs/projects/activities being implemented in the assigned Province. 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
• Supervision Exercised: The supervision of other USAID staff is not contemplated at this time but does include coordinating the activities of and supervising interns and fellows. Further, the incumbent may be asked to perform as an acting supervisor at times
• Available Guidelines: Available guidelines include USG program/project/activity guidance, rules, and requirements; USAID Mission Orders, Mission strategy, and other relevant reports; the Automated Directives System (ADS); USAID Mandatory and Standard Provisions, and the FAR and AIDAR; and, Emergency Plan guidelines and other published and unpublished guidelines. The Specialist must understand planning and budgeting processes at the GRM Provincial and District levels. The Specialist must be aware of protocol requirements for engaging with all levels of GRM Provincial and District governments. Guidelines are often general in nature and not specific to the situation at hand, requiring considerable interpretation
• Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent must be able to function independently and to exercise sound judgment in applying technical expertise both within and externally to the Mission. The Specialist applies independent judgment in working GRM professionals in the province and at District levels; in monitoring USAID program/project/activity implementation: and, in devising approaches to resolving technical, administrative, managerial, and/or policy problems. Sound judgment must be exercised in setting priorities, in determining when support from USAID in Maputo is necessary, and in making recommendations. Sound judgment is required to meet changing work schedules to accommodate frequent shifts in priorities and assignments, while still meeting required deadlines. Within the scope of authority delegated, the Specialist will manage a work plan and set deadlines with various collaborating partners/grantees and contractors implementing USAID-funded activities or projects, as well as host government officials and keep superiors informed of activity status. The Specialist acts and establishes priorities based on available guidelines and professional judgment. Supervisory guidance is sought when needed, and the supervisor is informed of activity and project status
• The Specialist has considerable latitude to carry out work and is expected to exercise judgment to carry out his/her duties
• Authority to Make Commitments: As prescribed by USAID regulations and Mission policy, the specialist has no authority to individually commit the USD funds. Within the scope of the assignment, the Specialist advises public and private-sector representatives and USAID officials on courses of action and anticipated outcomes. Within the scope of authority delegated, the Specialist may make strong recommendations to USAID Maputo staff, including to CORs/AORs, or others, on specific recommended courses of action regarding the program/project/activity, issue, or problem. The specialist may serve as a COR/AOR for SPCPS related activities, for which they will have the authority to guide the implementer, under the oversight of the contracting office
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are maintained in person, by phone, or by written communication with USAID staff, and a wide variety of stakeholders at the Provincial and District levels. Frequent and substantive contacts are with high-level officials including the Provincial Governor and Permanent Secretary. Frequent and substantive contacts with senior and mid-level GRM Provincial Government officials, USAID implementing partners, NGO representatives, private sector representatives and other donor organizations. Contacts will include routine administrative functions, as well as important issues regarding coordination activities, such as collecting, obtaining, and verifying information relative to program/project/activity planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Frequent contact with mid and high-level officials to explain and negotiate USAID’s programmatic plans and objectives, secure GRM cooperation, resolve problems, obtain or furnish information, facilitate collaboration, learning and adaptation among USAID partners, and/or to persuade USAID Maputo-based staff and counterparts to take recommended actions and to accept recommendations
• Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: 12 months
• Support Items: The incumbent will be provided with office space, equipment, and supplies
• Post Entry Training: Training on USAID operational policies and procedures, Collaborating, Learning and Adapting, Programming Foreign Assistance, Project Design, and Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative certification training will be provided. The incumbent will be expected to travel to Maputo for an initial induction and training period of approximately 1 month to become familiar with the policies, systems, and office structure of USAID

Requisites

• Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (or local equivalent) in international development, public policy, public administration, political science, law, or other social sciences is required
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project design, planning, implementation, or performance monitoring is required. At least two years of this experience must relate to coordination between donor agencies and/or implementing partners with host-country organizations. Experience working in Cabo Delgado is required
• Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent proficiency), in reading, speaking and writing in English and Portuguese is required
• Job Knowledge: 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
• Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability in activity management and monitoring is required. 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 an 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 Microsoft office and/or google office applications

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: 10 points
• Prior Work Experience: 30 points
• Job Knowledge: 25 points
• Skills and Abilities: 30 points
• Language Proficiency: 05 points
• Maximum Points: 100 points

Notes

• The job holder will be expected to drive USAID’s armored vehicle whenever deemed necessary, as well as to accompany the Mission Director and other USAID members, during their visits to Cabo Delgado Province
• Travel: The job holder will be expected to perform work-related travel
• 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
• 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