PROGRAM OFFICER

I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72066318B00003 2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 10, 2018 3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 9, 2018, before and/or on 5:00 PM (Ethiopian local time) 4. POSITION TITLE: Program Officer 5. MARKET VALUE: GS-14 ($89,370 - $116,181 per annum). The final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value based on the successful candidate's salary history, work experience, and educational background. Salaries over and above the top of the pay range will not be entertained or negotiated. 6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One year, with options to extend for one additional year. Extensions will be contingent on satisfactory performance, continued need for the services and availability of funds. 7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. 8. WHO MAY APPLY: United States Citizens, and United States Permanent Residents 9. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: The final selected candidates must obtain both the appropriate security and medical clearances within a reasonable period of time (USAID will provide details regarding these clearances to the selected candidate). The requirements of the position will require the candidate to obtain a Facility access authorization. If such clearances are not obtained within a reasonable time or negative suitability issues are involved, any offer made may be rescinded. 10. STATEMENT OF DUTIES 1. GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE CONTRACT A. Background Over the past decade, Ethiopia has maintained one of the fastest rates of economic growth in the world, and its poverty rate has decreased from 44 percent in 2000 to 23.5 percent in 2016. The Government of Ethiopia (GOE) is a strong regional security partner in combating terrorist threats, contributing peacekeeping troops, and hosting the continent's second largest refugee population. However, Ethiopia, one of the most populous landlocked countries in the world, with an estimated 102 million people, remains beset by severe challenges that threaten its development gains. Chronic malnutrition, extreme poverty, a restless, youth bulge, rapidly expanding urban centers, increasingly limited space for political expression and association, civil and political conflict and intensifying droughts all strain the GOE's ability to provide for its citizens. Recently, the government appointed a new prime minister and several new ministers and is sending strong signals in response to citizen concerns for a more transparent and responsive system. With a portfolio worth approximately $2 billion and more than 100 on-going activities, USAID/Ethiopia implements one of the US Government's (USG) largest and most complex development and humanitarian assistance programs. USAID/Ethiopia's interventions work to save lives, build resilient systems, and maintain a focus on supporting Ethiopia's long-term goal of a more self-reliant, prosperous and democratic society. Ethiopia's FY 2017 budget is $892 million, including $584 million in humanitarian assistance, and contributes to five Presidential initiatives - Feed the Future, Power Africa, the Global Health Initiative, the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief, and the Presidential Malaria Initiative. As a high profile country USAID supports the embassy with numerous official visitors, including delegations in 2017 headed by the USAID Administrator and numerous members of Congress. USAID Ethiopia's staff includes 217 positions: 43 U.S. Direct Hires (USDH), 24 U.S. Personal Service Contractors (USPSC), 2 Third Country National PSCs and 148 Foreign Service Nationals (FSN). The Mission also provides comprehensive regional support to USAID's office in Djibouti, which has a program portfolio worth $33 million and 2 USDH, 1 USPSC, and 12 FSN staff members. USAID/Ethiopia is a pilot Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) country for the Agency with the intent of providing lessons learned on how to develop a strategy that places a country on a path toward self-reliance. Preliminary thinking on the draft CDCS identifies a goal whereby Ethiopia will become more prosperous, inclusive and self-reliant, with empowered citizens driving effective and accountable governance, poverty reduction, and improved crises management. This would be targeted by achieving development objectives that seek to: (1) reduce risk and impact of disasters; (2) increase resilience of vulnerable populations to key shocks; (3) improve broad-based, inclusive economic growth; and, (4) advance health and education outcomes through effective and gender equitable systems. B. ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION OF POSITION: Based in USAID/Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, the Program Officer (PO) serves in the Program Office for USAID/Ethiopia, and reports to the Supervisory Program Officer. The Program Office has a staff of 3 USDHs, 10 FSNs and a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Fellow. The PO may supervise up to five FSNs, including program budget and monitoring, evaluation and learning staff, but would be expected to flexibly provide leadership and assistance across other Program Office and mission teams as needed. The Program Office also provides support to the USAID Office in Djibouti for all program office functions; and manages a 4-year, $15 million monitoring, evaluation and learning contract that provides services to the Ethiopia mission. The PO has a very good understanding of USAID business practices and procedures, and leads the mission ensuring effective implementation of the Program Cycle--USAID's policy for planning, delivering, assessing, and adapting development programming--across the Mission's $2 billion program portfolio. This includes facilitating cross-team collaboration to ensure that multiple perspectives are brought to planning and design processes, and that all relevant actors fulfill their implementation, management, and reporting responsibilities. As outlined more generally in the USAID Automated Directive System 201 series, the PO is expected to take a prominent role ensuring the following principles which serve as the foundation for the successful implementation of the Program Cycle are effectively applied: A. Analytic Rigor to Support Evidence-based Decision-Making B. Manage Adaptively through Continuous Learning C. Promote Sustainability through Local Ownership D. Utilize a Range of Approaches to Achieve Results. This high-level professional position requires advanced, hands-on state-of-the-art knowledge, well developed interpersonal and managerial skills, and sound judgment. The PO exercises a high degree of personal initiative, and must set and meet deadlines in a complex organizational structure. The PO advises the Supervisory Program Officer on strategic and management issues, and helps formulate mission policy. The PO maintains and cultivates effective external relations with officials in the Government of Ethiopia (GOE), especially with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation (MOFEC), other international donors, and key Washington and Embassy interagency stakeholders. The PO also helps lead the Mission in building the organizational capacity of mission staff to enhance teamwork and create a "Mission of Leaders". The PO advises the Supervisory Program Officer on the strategic and management direction for the USAID/Ethiopia and Djibouti country programs. More specifically, the PO advises on Mission policy related to implementing Program Cycle processes; and provides leadership for development of the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), budget planning and implementation, program reporting, public information, donor coordination, and monitoring and evaluation. The PO may be responsible for a host of program office-related functions such as collaborating with technical offices to coordinate the review of concept papers, Project Appraisal and Project Authorization Documents, new activity designs, amendments, related statements of work, and other functions as needed. The PO takes a leading role in drafting and/or revising components of USAID/Ethiopia's CDCS and other programmatic documents, as necessary. The PO must have demonstrated the ability to exercise significant, independent professional judgment to anticipate and address both systemic and ad hoc challenges related to program and activity design, budgeting, and Program Office operations. The position requires an entrepreneurial, results-oriented approach to delivering development assistance; a customer service-oriented approach to serving broad Mission needs; and the ability to diplomatically and tactfully confront and resolve bureaucratic institutional and interagency challenges, while maintaining collaborative relations. Strong interpersonal skills are required in order to establish and maintain these collaborative relations with counterparts, both inside and outside of USAID. The Mission is seeking a self-starter who will be responsive to client needs, has the ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure, and can be easily integrated into the existing management team. 2. Statement of Duties to be performed Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following: ● Foster a mission-wide environment that promotes learning and adapting and champions leadership behaviors. ● Apply strong knowledge of U.S. Government and USAID policies, regulations and procedures to the development and management of USAID/Ethiopia programs based on a comprehensive understanding of U.S., national and regional development needs and objectives. ● Cultivate and maintain strong collaborative relations with key external stakeholders within the interagency, other donors and the GOE, especially with MOFEC. ● Help lead program planning -- including the design, development, documentation, and amending (as needed) of the Mission's CDCS, Performance Management Plan, and new projects, and coordinate related approval processes. Coordinate and recommend to the Supervisory Program Officer and Mission Management on program budget resource requests and ensure alignment with strategic priorities. ● Direct the development and preparation of Mission reports, budgets and Congressional presentation material for submission to, and approval by, USAID/Washington, including the annual Operational Plan (OP), Congressional Budget Justification, Performance Plan and Report (PPR), and Congressional Notifications (CN). ● Monitor, analyze and evaluate the implementation, results, and accomplishments of projects and activities to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, and significance. Provide leadership for the design and development of the Mission's knowledge management and performance monitoring systems. Ensure lessons learned are used to adapt programming in a timely manner. ● Lead the Mission in enterprise risk management to help staff make informed decisions on how best to deliver foreign assistance. ● Mentor and coach junior officers. Provide direct feedback (both positive and negative) to staff on a regular basis to improve individual and team performance. ● Make site visits as necessary to observe program results and to interface with project implementation partners. ● Flexibly support the Program Office and Mission through a variety of other assigned tasks. Responds to urgent, complex information requests and action items as needed. 3. Supervisory Relationship: The PO reports directly to the Supervisory Program Officer. The PO is expected to show strong, independent initiative and work with minimal supervision. 4. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent may supervise up to five FSNs. 11. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: United States Citizens, and United States Permanent Residents. For USPSC: • Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident ("green card holder"); • Submit a complete application as outlined in the solicitation section titled APPLYING; • Be able to obtain facility access authorization; • Be able to obtain a Department of State medical clearance; • Be willing to travel to work sites and other offices as/when requested; • Employment is subject to funds availability and all the required approvals obtained. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. 13. POINT OF CONTACT: Shelby Hunt, S/EXO, and/or Fekadu Tamirate, HR Specialist, email at [email protected] and [email protected]. Note: No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained unless you are seeking more information about this solicitation. II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION To be considered for the position, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications. For those who do, further consideration and selection will be based on panel assessment of the selection criteria, as listed below. Applicants are required to address each of the selection criteria describing specifically and accurately the relevant experience, training, education, and/or awards or recognition. Be sure to include your name and the selection and the solicitation number at the top of each page. This position requires a combination of high-level technical, analytical, communication and managerial skills combined with senior-level public diplomacy skills. The following specific qualifications are necessary: EDUCATION: REQUIRED: A minimum of a Master's Degree in international development, management, economics, business, or a related field is required. Federal Executive Institute (FEI) leadership training or equivalent strongly preferred. Training in the areas of program management, project design, risk management and/or USAID policies and procedures is a plus. WORK EXPERIENCE: REQUIRED: A minimum of at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in strategy development, and managing international development programs with large international organizations. KNOWLEDGE: Familiarity with USAID Program Office processes and procedures, and mastery of program budget planning and oversight. Advanced understanding of the Program Cycle as elaborated in USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) 201 -- including a sophisticated understanding of Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) and the Program Cycle principle of local ownership -- is strongly preferred. Understanding of risk management processes is a plus. ABILITIES AND OTHER SKILLS: Demonstrated ability to work independently within agreed-upon parameters with minimal supervision or guidance, while exercising sound judgment. Advanced facilitation, interpersonal, consensus building and problem solving skills. Ability to work in a cross-cultural context and within team settings, and maintain a customer service-orientation. LANGUAGE: REQUIRED: Fluent English speaking, reading and writing. A test of written English may be administered. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Strong communications skills are critical to the position. Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including ability to prepare technical reports, presentations and briefings. Demonstrated ability to produce professional-quality analytical pieces, and to deliver authoritative, persuasive oral presentations to senior USG officials from multiple agencies, other donors, the Government of Ethiopia. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS 1. SELECTION PROCESS AND INSTRUCTIONS After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. Applications from candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be interviewed. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. References must be 360 degree in nature (supervisors, peers, direct reports) and include Foreign Service Nationals, as appropriate, and must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities. Additional references may be requested, as needed. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant's cover letter; USAID will delay such reference checks pending the applicant's concurrence. 2. EVALUATION FACTORS Those applicants who meet the minimum education and experience qualifications will be evaluated based on the content of their application as well as on the applicant's writing, presentation, and communication skills. To be considered for this position, applicants are required to address each of the Selection Criteria on a separate sheet, describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards or recognition they have received relevant to each criteria described below, citing specific, illustrative examples to address each factor. Responses are limited to 300 words per factor, Times New Roman font, 12-font size, and 1" margins. Be sure to include your name and the solicitation number at the top of each additional page. The interview will also include a timed, written exercise in which applicants will be asked to answer questions related to the position. Failure to specifically address the Evaluation Factors will result in the applicant not receiving full credit. FACTOR #1: EDUCATION (5 points) A minimum of a Master's Degree in international development, management, economics, business, or a related field is required. Federal Executive Institute (FEI) leadership training or equivalent strongly preferred. Training in the areas of program management, project design, risk management and/or USAID policies and procedures is a plus. FACTOR #2: WORK EXPERIENCE (15 points) A minimum of at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in strategy development, and managing international development programs with large international organizations. FACTOR #3: KNOWLEDGE (15 points) Familiarity with USAID Program Office processes and procedures, and mastery of program budget planning and oversight. Advanced understanding of the Program Cycle as elaborated in USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) 201 -- including a sophisticated understanding of Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) and the Program Cycle principle of local ownership -- is strongly preferred. Understanding of risk management processes is a plus. FACTOR #4: ABILITIES AND OTHER SKILLS (15 points) Demonstrated ability to work independently within agreed-upon parameters with minimal supervision or guidance, while exercising sound judgment. Advanced facilitation, interpersonal, consensus building and problem-solving skills. Ability to work in a cross-cultural context and within team settings, and maintain a customer service-orientation. Fluent English reading, writing and speaking. Proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, including ability to prepare technical reports, presentations and briefings. Demonstrated ability to produce professional-quality analytical pieces, and to deliver authoritative, persuasive oral presentations to senior USG officials from multiple agencies, other donors, the Government of Ethiopia. The Evaluation Factors listed will be the basis for evaluating and ranking applicants for the position. Applicants will be scored based on the documentation submitted within the application. Applicants must submit a supplemental document outlining their responses to the evaluation factors in order to be considered. Only the highest-ranked applicants will be interviewed. 3. BASIS OF RATING Applicants who clearly meet the Education/Experience requirements and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of their Evaluation Factor responses. Those applicants determined to be competitively ranked will also be evaluated on their interview performance and satisfactory professional reference checks. The Applicant Rating System is as follows: (1) Meet education/experience requirements -- yes/no (2) Evaluation Factors: 50 points (a) Factor #1: 5 points (b) Factor #2: 15 points (c) Factor #3: 15 points (d) Factor #4: 15 points (3) Interview Performance: 50 points (4) 360 Professional Reference checks -- Pass/Fail (no points assigned)