Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the position below in the Office of Acquisition and Assistance:

Job Title: Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

Solicitation is open to: AID-620-S-17-00007
Location: Abuja
Work hours: 40 hours (Full time)
Position Grade: FSN 9 (Career Ladder (Target Grade - FSN-11)
Period of Performance: Five years renewable.
Who May Apply: Nigerians Only (Resident in Nigeria).

Basic Functions of the Position

• The Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Trainee) is located in the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA), USAID/Nigeria. The function of the Office is to provide Acquisition and Assistance (procurement) support to Mission Technical Offices and Assistance Objective Teams in the Mission.
• The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of acquisition and assistance duties including writing grants,cooperative agreements, contracts, and other procurement instruments and preparing amendments in support of the Mission.
• The Specialist (Trainee) reviews and recommends approval or revision of requisitions in the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS); reviews and recommends scopes of work (SOW); drafts requests for proposal or quote; performs cost and price analysis; analyzes proposals or quotes received; draft contracts and contract modifications; analyzes contractor’s proposed budgets; recommends revisions to various contract provisions; writes memoranda of negotiation; and, prepares other required documentation.
• The Specialist (Trainee) maintains contract files and records up to date, prepares Contractor’s Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs), and supports award closeouts.
• The Specialist (Trainee) provides guidance related to administrative award modifications. The Specialist (Trainee) is responsible for carrying out day-to-day activities under the mentorship of more senior OAA employees.
• This position is a part of an established career ladder, which provides for the potential to progress to the FSN-10 and, subsequently, to the FSN-11 grade level. There is no potential for the incumbent to become a permanent FSN-09 in this work assignment. Attainment of the higher grade levels is contingent upon the Specialist (Trainee) successfully completing required training, meeting agreed-upon objectives and milestones, and performing at the Fully Successful (or equivalent) level. Promotion to the FSN-10 and to the target FSN-11 grade levels is not mandatory, and failure to achieve that high level of performance may be the basis for reassignment, change to lower grade, or dismissal.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• The Specialist (Trainee) is responsible for providing basic project acquisition and assistance support to USAID/Nigeria Technical Offices and Assistance Objective (AO) Teams. USAID programs are diverse and multi sectoral.
• The Specialist (Trainee) is required to provide basic and limited acquisition assistance to designated Technical Offices and/or AO Teams, and to support a variety of programs/projects/activities. These programs/projects/activities are implemented through complex Government contracting and grant mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, competitively negotiated technical assistance agreements, contracts, cooperative agreements, Participating Agency Service Agreements (PASA), and sole source contracts, requiring the Specialist (Trainee) to become familiar with the full range of USAID procurement instruments.
• The Specialist (Trainee) is assigned work in such a manner as to provide the basis for independent selection of appropriate procurement instrument types for the situation at hand, and to accurately apply USG procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing each type of instrument. The developmental nature of the assignment provides exposure to the acquisition of goods and various types of services.
• The Specialist (Trainee) will become equally familiar with the procedures for acquisition of goods, and for managing personal service and nonpersonal service contracting actions.
• The Specialist (Trainee) is expected to work with higher-level Specialists/Officers, and with technical specialists/activity managers in AO Teams throughout the Mission, assisting in the preparation of annual procurement plans, clear and concise statements of work, and supporting documentation.
• The Specialist (Trainee) will develop the ability to provide authoritative technical guidance to technical specialists/activity managers pertaining to their procurement-related responsibilities and procedures. Specific developmental duties include:

Pre-Award Duties:

• The Specialist (Trainee) participates in meetings on procurement planning; collates data, and prepares and updates tracking tools in order to monitor pending procurements; works with clients to assist in the preparation of justifications, waivers, and other necessary approvals, as needed; and, reviews GLAAS Requisitions (REQs) for completeness and clarity before endorsing them to higher-level Specialists/Officers. Prepare solicitation documents in GLAAS, and the electronic posting of Simplified Acquisitions and Personal Services Contracts; works with higher level Specialists/Officers to ensure compliance with FAR and AIDAR advertisement requirements, including publication of synopses and solicitations, as prescribed. Work with higher-level Specialists/Officers to prepare Requests for Proposal and Requests for Application.
• The Specialist (Trainee) assists higher-level Specialists/Officers in preaward activities for competitive solicitations, and with pre-award assessments and/or pre-award surveys of potential contractors or recipients, in order to ensure eligibility prior to an award being made.

Post-Award Duties:

• The Specialist (Trainee) assists higher-level Specialists/Officers in monitoring performance as required by the terms and conditions of the award, through reviews of performance and reviews of financial reports. The Specialist (Trainee) manages the assigned developmental portfolio, assuring that funding is available when  required, and under the guidance of higher-level Specialists/Officers works with AO Teams/CORs/AORs to assure targets/milestones are set and being met (or that remedial action is taken), and that the overall goals of the program/project/activity are met. As assigned, the Specialist (Trainee) conducts site visits and attends meetings.
• Provides guidance to technical personnel and assists in programmatic duties as required to avoid contractual/legal improprieties, seeking guidance from higher-level Specialists/Officers as required. The Specialist (Trainee) assists in researching and resolving issues that may arise during contract performance, including changes, work stoppages, work suspensions, disputes, implementation problems, defaults, cost overruns, unacceptable performance, and payment problems.
• The Specialist (Trainee) assists in the conduct of closeouts of contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements after completion. These include ensuring contract audits are conducted in a timely manner, preparing performance documentation, and resolving outstanding issues noted in audits.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications/Evaluation Criteria
All applicants MUST address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each criterion or the application will NOT be considered.

Education:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree or the host-country equivalent formal education in a relevant field, such as business administration, economics, finance, marketing, commerce, accounting, international trade, industrial management, law, or other related field is required. NB: Additional education may NOT be substituted for experience.

Prior Work Experience:

• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a closely related field is required.

Language Proficiency:

• (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by level (II, III) and specialization (speak/read): Level IV (Fluent) English proficiency, both oral and written, is required.

Job Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of public and/or private-sector business processes, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge, is required. An understanding of US Federal and USAID Acquisition Regulations, or knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex acquisition portfolio, is desired, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, small purchase procedures, and that result in standard and established contract types. A basic understanding of markets pertaining to program/project/activity requirements for services and commodities, and a good knowledge and understanding of US market and pricing methods is desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• The potential to acquire the ability to plan and administer acquisition activities, and provide acquisition assistance and support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The potential to gain the ability to apply contracting regulations, procedures, and policies to individual acquisition and assistance programs is required. And, an ability to deal effectively with high-level representatives of the US and Nigerian business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments at all levels throughout Nigeria is required. Skill in the use of most elements (WORD, EXCEL, PowerPoint) of the Microsoft Business suite is required; skill in the use of other elements (ACCESS, PUBLISHER) desired.
• Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY AND HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS throughout all phases of OAA acquisition and assistance procurement.

Application Closing Date
7th March, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a complete application package which must include all required documents to: [email protected]

Required Documents

• Application for US Federal Employment (DS-174); or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as a DS-174.
• Any documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, NYSC certificate/exemption etc.).
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position, and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and announcement number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures.
• E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Click here to download the Position Descriptions (PDF)

Click here to download Application Form for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) (PDF 1.78 MB)

Click here to download the Instructions for Completing DS-174 (PDF 2.40 MB)

Note

• Only Mailed applications is required, (paper/hard copies) applications will NOT be accepted.
• Only short-listed candidates will be notified
• This solicitation is open only to Nigerian Nationals.
• Applications with insufficient information to make a determination will not be considered.
• Any/All application submissions after the closing date will not be considered.
• No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• USAID is an equal Opportunity Employer all ethnic groups and gender are urged to apply