Program Development Specialist

Solicitation 524-10-026 Program Development Specialist USAID/Nicaragua 1. SOLICITATION No: 524-10-026 2. ISSUANCE DATE: September 29, 2010 3. CLOSING DATE: Tuesday 12 October 2010 4. POSITION TITLE: Program Development Specialist 5. MARKET VALUE: GS-15 ($99,628 - $129,517) 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Two years, with option to extend based on Mission needs 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Nicaragua, in Managua, Nicaragua 8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: U.S. Citizens 9. SECURITY ACCESS: Secret 10. POSITION DESCRIPTION: A. BACKGROUND: USAID/Nicaragua is a sustainable development mission with an active portfolio of $197 million in support of three assistance objectives: Ruling Justly, Economic Freedom and Investing in People. The mission has eight offices (Front Office, Program, Controller, Executive, Acquisition and Assistance, Democracy and Governance, Economic Growth and Health and Education) and 58 positions, including 18 U.S. Direct Hire slots, an FY2009 program budget of $27.5 million and an FY 2010 operating expense budget of $2.5 million. During 2010, staff will increase to 62, including eight new first tour officers hired under the Development Leadership Initiative (DLI) program. The mission is a client of USAID/El Salvador regional mission for some financial, contracting and executive office services. B. BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: The Personal Services Contractor shall serve as the Program Development Specialist for USAID/Nicaragua, undertaking the review, analysis and implementation of best practices and systems for program development and oversight of programmatic and administrative operations of USAID/Nicaragua to ensure optimal utilization of human and material resources. The Program Development Specialist will identify performance gaps in these areas, and recommend interventions to close those gaps and will look at three levels of program performance at USAID/Nicaragua: organizational systems (the workplace), operational systems (the work) and performance systems (the worker). The incumbent will advise senior management on organizational re-engineering to improve operational control and management efficiency. The Specialist will serve as a high level decision-maker and provide guidance and recommendations to the Front Office. Demonstrated expertise in analysis of program and operational systems, with several years of experience in assessment and technical assistance for streamlining human resources, procurement and program management systems highly desired. Also preferred is an extensive knowledge of USAID/State regulations governing all areas of program development and procurement. C. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1) Conduct management assessment of each office and cross-cutting activities at the Mission with the assistance of Mission employees and Mission office Directors. 2) Determine Mission needs, goals, and objectives; identify performance levels against optimal performance levels ("performance gaps"); and identify solutions to address the root causes of the gaps. 3) Review procurement, programming, budgeting and operational processes and make recommendations on streamlining design and approvals. 4) Oversee implementation of recommendations for improvements. 5) Evaluate, train and coach employees including Foreign Service Nationals and U.S. direct hires, on improved management techniques. Serve as ombudsperson to U.S. direct hires 6) Serve as a resource for strategy development for Mission. 7) Provide advice to Mission management on human resource planning to include the DLI Program, preparation of DLI agreements, budgets and NSDD-38 requests. Serve as mentor to Junior Officers in the DLI Program. 8) Serve as adjunct Mission Disaster Relief Officer. 9) Other related duties, as assigned. D. POSITION ELEMENTS: 1) Supervision Received: The Program Development Specialist is supervised by the Mission Director and/or Mission Deputy Director. However, the majority of assignments accrue from normal flow of office functions. Operations and results are reviewed for adequacy, the degree to which desired outcomes are achieved, and through review of written work products. 2) Available Guidelines: USAID Regulation (ADS) on Overseas Support, Procurement, Personnel, the Foreign Affairs Manuals, and Bilateral Agreements. Guidelines may not specifically apply to many situations and will have to be interpreted, requiring considerable judgment. 3) Exercise of Judgment: USAID relies heavily upon the Program Development Specialist for exercise of judgment and advice on program and operations management. The Incumbent must be innovative and resourceful to be effective and achieve results while at the same time assuring compliance with local and U.S.G. regulations and statutory provisions. The Program Development Specialist's key responsibility of work is leading and directing a substantial number of other professional and technical staff for these activities. 4) Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent will establish and maintain solid working relationships with all levels of Mission personnel. S/he will have frequent high-level working contact with Mission senior managers, embassy officers, host government officials, implementing partners and private sector entities, including contractors, vendors and suppliers, to fulfill the major duties and responsibilities of this position. 5) Supervision Exercised: No supervisory role at Mission. E. EVALUATION CRITERIA: 1) Education (15 Points): Minimum qualifications: A graduate level degree in a relevant development-related field. 2) Prior Work Experience (35 Points): At least ten to twelve years of progressively responsible experience in performing and supervising management operations. This person is considered an expert in management and operations of USAID and systems. Experience in USAID in a variety of organizational arrangements and procurement, contracting and other operational systems highly desirable. 3) Knowledge Skills and Abilities (30 Points): Requires managerial experience, ability to lead, train and supervise ability to analyze, conceptualize, negotiate, exercise sound judgment, originate ideas and creative solutions, and handle requests and complaints with patience and diplomacy. A 4) Language Proficiency (20 Points): Fluent spoken English and the ability to compose administrative correspondence and contractual language are required. Ability to conduct business in Spanish language also required. Professionally fluent. F. APPLYING: Qualified individuals are requested to submit a U.S. Government Optional Form 612 in addition to a detailed CV and a cover letter of application. All applications should be submitted electronically to HRManagua@usaid.gov . To ensure consideration of applications for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your application and as the subject line of cover letter. The highest ranking applications may be selected for interview. Applications must be received before the closing date in item number three of this solicitation. Applications received after that date may not be considered. G. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES: As a matter of policy and, as appropriate, an individual meeting the requirements of an offshore hire PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances. Benefits: 1) Employee's FICA Contribution. 2) Contribution toward Health & Life Insurance 3) Pay Comparability Adjustment 4) Annual Salary Increase 5) Eligibility for Worker's Compensation 6) Vacation & Sick Leave 7) Shipment and storage of household effects 8) Access to Embassy medical facilities and pouch mail service Allowances* (If Applicable): 1) Post Differential (Section 500) 2) Living Quarters Allowance (Section 130) 3) Temporary Lodging Allowance (Section 120) 4) Post Allowance (COLA) (Section 220) 5) Supplemental Post Allowance (Section 230) 6) Payments during Evacuation (Section 600) 7) Education Allowance (Section 270) 8) Separate Maintenance Allowance (Section 260) 9) Danger Pay (Section 650) 10) Educational Travel (Section 280) Dept. of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians Foreign Areas). For more information, please see: http://aoprals.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=231&menu_id=92 Other Benefits: Additional benefits are available for individuals hired from outside Nicaragua in accord with the AIDAR, Federal Travel Regulations and Standardized Regulations, e.g., international airfare from place of residence, R&R, international shipment of personal effects, unaccompanied baggage allowance, consumables allowance, POV Shipment, Repatriation Travel, furnished housing and educational allowances for dependent children. Federal Taxes: USPSCs are not exempt from payment of Federal Income taxes under the foreign earned income exclusion. H. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS FOR PSCs The list of required PSC forms below can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/forms/ 1) Optional Form 612 Upon advice by the Contracting Officer that the applicant is the successful candidate: 2) Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet (AID 1420-17) 3) Contractor Physical Examination (AID Form 1420-62). 4) Questionnaire for Sensitive Positions (for National Security) (SF-86) 5) Finger Print Card (FD-258). ** (Available from the law enforcement offices or in USAID/Washington). I. CONTRACT INFORMATION BULLETINS (CIBs) or ACQUISITION AND ASSISTANCE POLICY DIRECTIVES (AAPDs) PERTAINING TO PSCs CIBs/AAPDs contain changes to USAID policy and General Provision in USAID regulations and contracts. Please refer to this website to determine with CIBs/AAPDs apply to this contract: http://www.usaid.gov/business/business_opportunities/cib/subject.html#psc J. POINT OF CONTACT Alexander Olivares, Human Resources USAID/Nicaragua Phone: +505-2252-7138 ext.7326 Fax: +505-2252-7270 Email: aolivares@usaid.gov Sharon Carter, Deputy Mission Director USAID/Nicaragua Phone: +505-2252-7142 Fax: +505-2252-7269 Email: scarter@usaid.gov