Description
A. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION: This position calls for an experienced program officer and development professional with the presence, knowledge and the leadership skills to serve on an intermittent basis in USAID/Peru’s Regional Program Office (RPO). Sometimes with short notice, the PSC will fulfill management gaps, provide surge support for complex technical projects, and assist with a range of coordination, reporting, liaison and communications functions central to a USAID program office. The incumbent should be a seasoned resource on USAID’s Program Cycle and Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) implementation. S/he may be responsible for liaising with senior management of USAID/Peru, Embassy-Lima Country Team, USAID missions in the Latin America region, international organizations, international donors, and non-governmental organizations. The incumbent will provide internal expert advice and technical and management guidance to resolve issues, design and implement programs, and interpret and implement policy, including new policies on Private Sector Engagement (PSE), USAID Procurement Reform, Environment and Natural Resource Management (ENRM), among others. She/he will advise the Mission about the effectiveness of Mission programs and necessary adjustments to meet evolving Mission, Agency and Country Team objectives, including but not limited to the changing context of the COVID-19 pandemic. B. MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: As the position is intermittent and not full time, while each deployment will have a different scope and focus, the Program Officer will generally be responsible for: (1) providing general Program Office support on a range of USAID Program Cycle and reporting functions, as well as RPO team management support, when requested, to ensure the smooth and efficient operations of the RPO team; (2) supporting technical offices to implement sector specific strategies, design programs and activities, recommend and support needed portfolio adjustments, and implement monitoring and evaluation plans; and (3) providing guidance to RPO and senior management, as requested, on interpretation and implementation of USAID internal policy. The incumbent will help USAID/Peru advance its new CDCS (2020-2025) and the integration of Journey to Self-Reliance priorities (especially private sector engagement and strategic transition), as well as support Mission efforts to redefine our development relationships, manage risk, attract new partners, and improve award management. In light of the COVID-19 crisis and USAID’s evolving response, the incumbent will likley also assist in launching new or adjusting existing activities to respond to both health needs and economic recovery. She/he will be expected to assume leadership and management functions, ensure oversight and accountability, fulfill reporting and administrative duties, and provide advice on technical portfolios, as needed. S/he may also be required to provide collaborative, constructive hands on mentoring and learning opportunities for staff. Specifi c tasks and duties may include : Support new project and activity designs, revisions/adjustments to designs, preparation or review of approval/authorization documentation, and revision of Project Appraisal Documents (PADs) for alignment with the new CDCS, among other such planning and writing tasks. Advise and support the MEL team in implementing the Mission Learning Agenda, including support for the oversight of the RPO-managed contract, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning for Sustainability (MELS), revision and implementation of the Mission Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) and other M&E functions. Support the development and drafting of the annual Program Performance Review (PPR), Operational Plan (OP), and other mandated annual planning and reporting documents, to include preparing, editing or improving mission input to regular reports Washington, information requests, and original documentation about USAID/Peru programs for a range of audiences. Advise and prepare analysis or documentation to support RPO and senior management on project-related or operational matters, such as portfolio reviews, project pipeline reviews, program evaluation reviews, finalization of a new Assistance Agreement, as well as analysis of external issues affecting project implementation. Support the Development Outreach Communications (DOC) team in preparing original outreach materials, guiding partners in implementing their communications plans, responding to inquiries, and among other tasks. Evaluate selected processes or operations to make improvements to USAID/Peru internal systems, such as the revision of Mission Orders and other policies, and propose solutions to emergent problems in meeting established objectives. Serve as interim Office Chief or Deputy, as needed, to support team management, administration, and staff coaching and supervision. Liaise with senior management officials within USAID/Peru and the Country Team, including the U.S. Ambassador, as well as other USG agencies and local and international organizations. Complete special reports, documents, projects, memos, briefing background or other materials.