Program Advisor

ATTACHMENT 1: Solicitation 1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 669-10-020 2. ISSUANCE DATE: May 18, 2010 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME: June 1, 2010 / 4PM Local time 4. POSITION TITLE: Program Advisor, USAID/Liberia. 5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION (Base Pay): GS-15. ($99,628.00 - $129,517.00) Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. If the selected candidate qualifies as an off-shore hire under USAID regulations, the employee will additionally receive post differential approved for Monrovia, Liberia (currently set at 30%), post allowance, housing, international travel, UAB, HHE, consumables and POV shipment benefits. - 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, to start on or about July, 2010 with the option of extensions. Extensions will depend on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Based in Monrovia, Liberia 8. JOB DESCRIPTION: - A. Background Liberia has now enjoyed seven years of comparative peace and stability. The democratically elected government under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf presents Liberia with an historic opportunity for sustained peace and recovery from conflict that was rooted in political and social exclusion and competition over the nation's resources. The USG is supporting programs to help address sources of conflict, rebuild Liberia, and move the nation towards sustainable development. The primary U.S. Mission goal in Liberia is to firmly establish peace and stability. The new Country Development Cooperation Strategy, developed in close cooperation with the Government of Liberia and is build on five development objectives addressing peace and security; good governance; educational opportunity; health care service delivery; and sustainable and equitable economic growth. The USAID/Liberia Program Office (PROG) oversees strategic planning, policy development, operational and program management, coordination, and performance reporting for USAID/Liberia's $200 million annual development program and budget. PROG is responsible for advising the Mission Director, GOL officials and senior policy makers in Washington on all aspects of strategic planning, operational year budgeting, and donor coordination. PROG ensures the conceptual and procedural soundness of programs and plays the lead role in the design, analysis, budgeting, assessment, implementation, monitoring, coordination and evaluation of all USG-funded activities in the education, health, economic growth and democracy/governance sectors. For these reasons, the USAID Program Office serves as the nexus for all USAID activities across sectors and its functions are in direct support of the Mission Strategic Resource Plan (MSRP) goals. B. Summary of Duties Reporting to the Supervisory Program Officer, the Program Advisor (PA) is the principal mission advisor for the analysis, planning, budgeting, design, approval, justification, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of USAID/Liberia development programs. Duties include: study and analysis of Liberia's development status and potential; evaluation and of the interrelated roles of the various program sector components in Liberia's development process; application of a broad knowledge of USG and USAID regulations and procedures; and program and sector planning and design based on a comprehensive understanding of U.S. and Liberia development needs and objectives. The PA serves as a principal coordinator with host country counterparts as well as with other major donors. The PA is knowledgeable of and has experience with USAID procedures and processes; leads the strategic planning process; provides support to the technical offices to ensure compliance with USAID policies, rules and regulations and thereby facilitates program implementation. Additionally, the PA provides expert guidance on performance reporting, programming, and performance-based budgeting, and program/policy coordination with other donors and USG agencies. These responsibilities frequently require access to sensitive or close-hold information as part of normal Program Office operational responsibilities. - B. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Program Advisor performs the following duties: 1. Strategy Development and Program Planning: (45%) Advises senior USAID and Embassy management in Liberia on all matters pertaining to program direction and strategy, providing analytical and conceptualization leadership for the Liberia country program. Works with donors, the private sector, senior government officials and all USG agencies to deepen understanding of national development constraints, policies and practices, and conceptualize an integrated portfolio of activities which reflects country needs. Is responsive to USAID/Washington policy guidance and its mandate for sustainable development. Drafts USAID points of view and briefs host government officials, bilateral and multilateral donors, private individuals and others as needed on USG economic assistance programs, policies, objectives and development priorities, ensuring coordination and achievement of maximum development impact with USAID resources. Ensures availability of technical and program resources based on availability of funds to accomplish USAID objectives. Manages and coordinates activities related to the planning, budgeting and strategy development process for the Liberia program, including preparation and revision of Congressional Presentations, strategic plans, annual Operational Plans, program impact assessments, evaluations, and other documents as required. 2. Program and Activity Design: (20%) Establishes annual plans for design and approval of activities. Identifies and schedules actions required to develop, design, and authorize new and modify on-going activities, ensuring Mission-wide participation in the process and the timely completion of designs and sub-obligation of funds Provide substantive input to activity design teams 3. Program Monitoring and Evaluation: (20%) Leads and coordinates the preparation of the annual Performance Report to Washington. Develops and manages monitoring, information and evaluation systems to track and report on impact of USAID activities in Liberia. Participates in mid-term and final activity evaluations; Reports on gender issues and tracks gender-based information. 4. Special Projects: (15%) Performs a variety of duties related to special projects involving program issues that contain complex elements. Manages special cross-cutting initiatives and task force groups to accomplish programmatic goals. These groups may review specific programs or develop new initiatives in various program areas, e.g.: Advises Mission Management and the GOL on Liberia's eligibility and participation in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) as a Threshold Country. Advises Mission Management and Technical Teams on Cross-cutting issues and develops plans for integrating such cross cutting issues as gender, youth, land, poverty, ICT, anti-corruption and capacity building across the Mission portfolio. F. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 1) An advanced university degree in a development-related field with course work in research/evaluation methodology, (e.g. Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology or relevant Social Science field, etc. A minimum of a MA, MBA, MS or MPH). 2) A minimum of eight years of experience in the design, management, implementation, and evaluation of international development activities, including strategic planning and performance-based management and budgeting, and project design and feasibility. A combination of activity design and management skills is desirable. Familiarity with technical issues in public health, democracy, education, environment or economic growth is a plus. 3) At least 5 years of experience working in a developing country. 4) At least 3 years of experience working on strategic management, results frameworks and performance monitoring and measurement. Familiarity with acquisition and assistance is also desirable. 5) Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. 6) Ability to produce well-written documents under tight deadlines. 7) Demonstrated interpersonal, teamwork, and organizational skills. 8) Demonstrated experience supervising and mentoring employees in a cross cultural context.