USAID Project Management Specialist - Education at the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria comprises of the Embassy in Abuja, FCT, and the Consulate General in Lagos. U.S. Consulate General Lagos is the Mission’s representative to the Nigerian people in the southern region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: USAID Project Management Specialist - Education - All Interested Candidates (72062021R10004)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2020-059
Location: Abuja
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Series / Grade:  LE - 4005 11
Promotion Potential: LE-11
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hour per week
Telework Eligible: No

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply / Clarification From the Agency: For definitions use URL www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/glossary. Open to Cooperating Country Nationals (Nigerians Only)
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details:  Five (5) years renewable, estimated to start on or after May 2021.

Marketing Statement

• USAID is an independent Federal Government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., USAID fosters transformational development around the world. Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in the following regions of the world: Afghanistan and Pakistan, Africa (all of Africa), Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East.

Summary

• The incumbent will serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) and / or Activity Manager, upon USAID certification, for selected instruments within the education portfolio that align to components of USAID / Nigeria’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy.  
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required: 25% or less
• The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Duties
Program / Project Leadership and Management (40%):

• Perform the full range of program management functions from activity startup to closure including but not limited to ensuring grantees / contractors meet the full objectives of their project descriptions or scopes of work, advising and participating in ongoing evaluations of performance and ensuring program compliance with all USAID policies.
• The incumbent must ensure technical content and activity objectives are consistent with the strategic priorities of the USAID Mission and the Government of Nigeria (GON), with an unwavering commitment to continuous learning and adaptability.
• As part of her / his A / COR responsibilities, s / he conducts site visits as an official representative of USAID / Nigeria to monitor implementation and progress, identifies delays or difficulties requiring resolution, engages counterparts internally and externally to identify executable resolutions and ensures follow through on requisite actions for seamless program delivery.
• S / he also ensures that all official approvals are obtained from GON partners as required, as well as provides financial oversight of assigned implementation activities. - The incumbent provides technical leadership during in-briefs and out-briefs for short-term technical assistance on activities as well as actively liaises with donor counterparts and non-USAID activity leads, where needed.

Program Policy and Analysis and Reporting (20%):

• The incumbent provides direction and support in the planning, development, and evaluation of policies contributing toward the education component of the Mission’s portfolio.
• S / he will be involved in annual Mission portfolio reviews as well as ad-hoc proposal reviews submitted to the Mission or Washington for field concurrence.
• The incumbent ensures that the indicators for measuring the impact of education activities are accurately tracked and are used to revise strategy, as necessary.
• Coordinates with the Education Office Director, the Deputy Office Director, and other Program Managers to ensure thoroughness and consistency of data submitted on activities.
• Tracks political and policy developments, legislative changes, and technical developments in the field that affect USAID’s activities and / or objectives regarding primary education, provides advice and recommendations on appropriate USAID positions and provides briefing as needed.

Activity Development and Design (20%):

• Conceptualizes and articulates evidence-based activity design or delivery components in accordance with the education sector strategy, the Nigerian political economy, the institutional capabilities of potential USAID recipients, resource availability and funding sources.
• Researches the social and economic factors affecting the education system in Nigeria for input into design development.
• S / he contributes to the development of conceptual frameworks and formulates plans for required implementation documentation.
• Contributes technical expertise and creative ideas to other technical teams in the Mission developing new interventions to support the social and economic development of Nigeria.
• Explores ways and strategies for integrating education into those interventions, identifying synergies, and leveraging resources among those teams for maximum impact and results.

Education Team Administrative Work and External Engagement (20%):

• S / he is responsible for the management of assigned technical and administrative aspects of USAID / Nigeria’s education program.
• Drafts reports, correspondence, cables, GLAAS actions, scopes of work, implementation letters, acquisition and assistance plan and accruals in collaboration with the Program Office and the Office of Financial Management, and any other documents necessary for the implementation of assigned activities.
• Negotiates the clearance and approval of documents required for proper implementation of activities.
• Collaborates and coordinates various actions with senior GON officials, development partners, local and international organizations, donor community partners and civil society groups.
• The incumbent organizes the participation of these officials in special meetings and events, especially with high-level visitors or Embassy representatives.
• S / he acts as liaison with senior leaders in Nigerian NGOs and the civil society community to cultivate and maintain support for the USAID education sector program.
• Represents the Education team in conferences, workshops, donor coordination subgroup / committee meetings, local staff committee meetings, project design and briefing meetings and other meetings deemed appropriate.
• Develops necessary materials for presentations by the Education Office Director and other Program Managers, as well as other USAID / Nigeria senior staff.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
• Post Entry Training: Introduction to the Program Cycle; Project Design and Management; Contracting Officers Representative /  Agreement Officers Representative (COR/AOR) training; Education sector related training. Timing of courses is subject to availability of funds.

Education Requirements:

• Education: Minimum of a bachelor's Degree in Education, Education Management, or related field is required.

Evaluations:

• Education (as stated above) 10 points
• Prior Work Experience (as stated above) 20 points
• Job Knowledge (as stated above) 30 points
• Language Proficiency (as stated above) 10 points
• Skills and abilities (as stated above) 30 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.

Reference checks will be made only for the successful candidate. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for reference check, this should be stated in the application letter.

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 factors. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.

Qualifications

• Prior Work Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in program implementation of large donor-funded activities within the education sector in Nigeria, including in-depth experience in the collection, analysis, dissemination and presentation of information related to progress in achieving sector objectives and recommend actions and detailed understanding of the structure and procedures inherent to the Nigerian government is required.

Job Knowledge:

• In depth knowledge of the major issues affecting education in all geographic regions in Nigeria, including technical, social and cultural aspects;
• Knowledge of specific issues facing education in Northern Nigeria, such mitigating conflict in the education sector, education policy, curriculum implementation, combating school-based violence, basic literacy and numeracy acquisition, school based management, education in emergencies, special needs education, and youth development; and,
• Familiarity with topics related to education reform, religious institutions, girls’ access to education, use of language of the environment and mother-tongue instruction, education financing, and systems strengthening.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrable skills in prudent decision-making, project management and implementation oversight of education activities in Nigeria.
• Ability to process and critically analyze information quickly from a wide variety of sources is expected.
• Advanced ability to adapt in a fast paced and evolving environment as well as sound competencies in problem-solving and organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills, especially in multi-cultural settings.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are required.

Language Proficiency:

• Excellent Level IV (fluency) speaking, writing, and editing skills in English are required. Oral Level III (working ability) in a local Nigerian language (e.g., Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba) is required.

Other Information:

• 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
• Contract 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

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.

Salary
NGN15,890,203 / USD $58,186 annually

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

• Benefits:
  • Health Insurance
  • Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)
  • Annual and Sick leave
  • Annual Bonus
• Allowances: [as applicable]
  • Transportation Allowance
  • Meal Allowance
  • Miscellaneous Allowance
  • Housing Allowance

Application Closing Date
10th December, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. GMT

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Required Documents

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

Important Information

• Eligible applicants are required to complete this on-line application process and submit any applicable required documents by 11:59 p.m. GMT on the closing date of this announcement.
• Please note that all required documents must be received by the closing date online, and that we will determine your eligibility and qualifications based solely on the material received by the closing date.

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.
• For More Info: HR Section 09-461-4000 Email: [email protected]