EFM Acquisition and Assistance Specialist 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: EFM Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

Announcement Number: Abuja-2024-071
Location: Abuja
Work Schedule: Full Time - 40 hour per week

Duties

• The Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Entry Level/EL) is located ln the Regional/Mission Office of Acquisition and Assistance.
• The function of the Office is to provide Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) support to Technical Offices and Development Objective (DO) Teams in the Mission, and in any Offices that may be supported by the Mission.
• The primary purpose of this position is to support the cognizant Mission Contracting/Agreement Officer, by performing a variety of A&A duties including, writing grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other procurement instruments, and preparing amendments/modifications to such instruments in support of the Mission.
• The Specialist reviews and recommends approval or revision of requisitions in the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS); reviews and recommends approval or revision of statements of work (SOW); drafts A&A solicitation documents; performs cost and price analysis; analyzes A&A offers or applications received; drafts A&A award instruments and modifications; analyzes budgets; recommends special A&A award requirements; writes memoranda of negotiation; and, prepares other required documentation.
• The Specialist maintains up-to-date A&A files and records, manages Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs), and supports award closeout. The Specialist provides guidance to supported Teams related to A&A award modifications.
• The Specialist is responsible for carrying out day-to-day activities under the mentorship of more senior Office employees. 

Qualifications and Evaluations
Education Requirements:

• A Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university degree is required.

Requirements:

• All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Public Trust security clearance.
• All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and, may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
• Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (6 weeks) upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
• Note: Additional education will NOT be substituted for experience. The USAID HCTM's Substitution of Experience for Education policy flexibilities can be considered. 
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to responsibilities in this job description or an occupation that requires similar skills.
• At least two (2) years of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to responsibilities in this job description or an occupation that requires similar skills within an international/local organization, U.S. Government department or agencies or other international development organizations.
• Note: The USAID HCTM's Substitution of Experience for Education policy flexibilities can be considered.

Language:

• Level 4 (Advanced Professional Proficiency) in speaking, reading and writing English is required. (This may be tested)
• Please address this language requirement in your ERA application. 

Job Knowledge:

• Knowledge of public and/or private-sector business processes, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge, is required. An understanding of USG A&A regulations and policies, and/or knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex acquisition and assistance portfolio, and/or the ability to quickly gain such understanding, is required, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, simplified acquisition procedures, and that result in standard and established contract types. 
• General knowledge of office management procedures and specialized knowledge of administrative work is required. Working knowledge of standard software packages utilized by USAID, including Microsoft Word, Excel. 
• Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.

Skills And Abilities:

• The ability to plan and administer simple A&A activities and provide A&A support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required.
• The ability to apply contracting and assistance regulations, procedures, and policies to acquisition and assistance programs involving few complexities, is required. Skill in solving practical problems relating to A&A is required.
• An ability to deal effectively with mid- to high-level representatives of the US, local, and regional business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments throughout the region, is required. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Office suite is required.
• 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 meet all STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/ETHICS STANDARDS in accordance with US Jaw throughout all phases of the A&A process, is required.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage A&A actions and filing systems effectively; ability to deal effectively with mid and high-level officials of agency/host government/private sector is required.
• Must have analytical skills in order to determine applicability of USAID regulations pertaining to filing and closeout of A&A actions.
• Must have the ability to learn federal acquisition regulation and code of federal regulation with respect to procurement rules and regulations.  Ability to do research on the internet is required.

Evaluations:

• You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement. 
• You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
• You must complete the application form and provide the required documents.  Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed.
• If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.

Salary
USD $53,043 / Per Year.

Application Closing Date
27th August, 2024.