1. Solicitation Number: 611-04-092. Issuance Date: July 7, 2004 3. Closing Date: August 6,2004 4. Position Title: Program Development Specialist 5. Market Value: Ranging from US$74,335 -US$96,637 (Equivalent of GS-14). Final compensation will be based on individual’s salary history, working experience and educational background. 6. Period of Performance: Two years with possible option year extensions. This position is Program Funded and could be under the Foreign Service limited 5 years appointment framework. 7. Place of Performance: Lusaka, Zambia 8. Position Description: Under the direct supervision of the Supervisory Program Officer, the Contractor shall serve as a Deputy Office Chief to the Supervisory Program Officer with responsibilities and duties that include, but not limited to the following functions: A.1. Technical and Program Support (85%) The Program/Project Development Specialist position is an integral part of the eight-person Program Office staff, which, in addition to this Program/Project Development Specialist position, includes: the Supervisory Program Officer (USDH Office Chief); a senior level Program Specialist/Economist; a mid-level Program Specialist/Budget; a mid-level Project Development Specialist; a Training Specialist; a Leland Initiative Coordinator; and an Administrative Assistant. The Program/Project Development Specialist serves as Deputy Office Chief to the Supervisory Program Officer. Significant responsibilities include a training function for Program Office staff. In additional Technical and Program Support responsibilities delineated further in this section, reference is made to the Program/Project Development Specialist performing tasks “both directly and with other Program Office staff.” This refers to the training function and relationship between the Program/Project Development Specialist and Program Office staff being trained. There will be times when the Program/Project Development Specialist will initially take the lead or perform the task alongside the other Program Office staff, and there will be increasingly more times when other Program Office staff will perform the task, with guidance from the Program/Project Development Specialist. In close coordination with the Mission’s Strategic Objective Teams (SOTs), the Program/Project Development Specialist supports, both directly and with the Project Development Specialist, the conceptualization, drafting, and finalization of all Activity and SO design functions in the required ADS formats, including developing SO/SPO statements, causal relationships in development hypotheses, results frameworks and results packages, performance indicators, drafting SO agreements (SOAGs), designing performance monitoring plans and systems, and assisting SO Teams in managing for results. Assists in planning for the development of the next Country Strategic Plan (CSP), directly and with other Program Office staff, including preparing scopes of work for needed analytical studies and assisting in drafting assigned sections of the CSP. Supports the coordination and preparation of the Annual Report (formerly the annual R4 document) and its timely submission to USAID/Washington, directly and with other Program Office staff. Supports Activity/SO/program planning, directly and with other Program Office staff, in conjunction with the SOTs, PVOs/NGOs, host Government, other donors, and other groups. Organizes and coordinates, as required, directly and with other Program Office staff, all activities in the design/redesign, monitoring, and evaluation spheres, including arranging for special studies, financial and economic analyses, packaging information and findings, negotiations, obtaining clearances from regional support offices such as RCSA, REDSO/ESA as well as USAID/W, and final design documentation. In close coordination with SOTs, supports periodic activity reviews and coordinates with any follow-up requirements resulting from these reviews, directly and with other Program Office staff. Supervises the preparation and updating of Mission program briefing materials and briefing books. Coordinates and advises on the principal aspects of Activity/SO implementation and supports linkages with the Mission’s monitoring, evaluation, and reporting system, directly and with other Program Office staff. Participates in the evaluation and approval of proposals, grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, field inspection, periodic reporting, and fulfillment of compliance requests. At the Mission level, advises management on Agency reengineering concepts and experiences. Advises on and participates in the provision of Program Office support to SO Teams in a way that optimally integrates such services in the SO Team context. Supports the timely and accurate obligations under the operating year budget (OYB), directly and with the Program Budget Specialist. A.2. Administrative Support (10%) Assesses capacity of Program Office staff in key aspects of program and project development responsibilities and, based on capacity analysis, develops on-the-job and other appropriate training programs and timetable for their implementation, with particular emphasis on program budgeting and financial management, results achievement and reporting, program monitoring and evaluation, and strategy development preparation. Implements appropriate training programs designed for Program Office staff. Assesses capacity of support functions for each of the SO Teams and makes recommendations for appropriate interventions to strengthen provision of support services in an optimally integrated team context. This will also involve collaboration with appropriate support office staff and Office Chiefs for the Executive Office and Controller’s Office. Implements appropriate training or other activities to ensure optimal integration of support services in the SO Teams. Assists the EXO and Controller’s Offices, directly and with other Program Office staff, in the allocation of operating expense (OE) funds as these pertain to overall program operations. Assists the Mission, directly or with other Program Office staff, in its workload planning and scheduling; monitors the Mission’s Annual Work Plan. Together with the Supervisory Program Officer, directly or with other Program Office staff, coordinates and schedules periodic specialized assistance to the Mission from the regional support offices (REDSO/ESA and RCSA), as well as from USAID/W and other Missions. A.3. Other (5%) Takes an active part in formulating Mission policy with regard to Zambia’s development objectives. Informs, directly or with other Program Office Staff, the Mission about other donor activities. Relationship and Responsibilities The Contractor will report to the Supervisory Program Officer of USAID/Zambia, or designee, who will be responsible for reviewing and approving the Contractor’s work plan. V. Qualifications: A. Education: The incumbent must possess a university degree in social/political sciences, economics, business administration, finance or other relevant field. B. Work Experience: The incumbent must possess 5-8 years of progressively responsible experience with USAID program operations. C. Language Skills: Level IV (fluent) English is required D. Knowledge: The incumbent must have a thorough and expert level knowledge and understanding of USAID programming principles, strategy development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, budgeting, reporting and USAID’s approach to teamwork. E. Abilities: The incumbent must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, possess demonstrated analytical skills, and exhibit sound and professional judgment. The incumbent must display an ability to work collaboratively in teams, build consensus, and serve as a trainer and mentor in the Program Office and within SOTs. I. Position/Title/Grade of Direct Supervisor: The Supervisory Program Officer will supervise the incumbent. The Supervisory Program Officer is an FS-01 position and a member of the senior staff. The incumbent will serve as the Deputy Program Officer and act as Program Officer in the Supervisory Program Officer’s absence. II. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent will have a broad development background and USAID experience and will carry out the functions of this position, based on general procedural guidelines and strategic/policy direction from the immediate supervisor. III. Introduction: Zambia is a large, land-locked country in southern Africa with a population of 10 million people. While surrounded by several countries in various stages of serious conflict, Zambia itself is stable and hosts a number of refugees from neighboring states. Along with most other countries in southern Africa, Zambia has a serious HI V/AIDS problem, with a seropositive prevalence rate of around 20 percent. USAID/Zambia is a sustainable development Mission. There are five Strategic Objective (SOs) supporting the bilateral FY 2004-2010 Country Strategic Plan. They address issues of increasing private Sector Competitiveness in Agriculture and Natural Resources (SO5); Improved Quality of basic Education for More School Aged Children Education (SO6); Improved Health Status in Zambia (PHN) (S07); Government Held More responsible (S08); and Reduced Impact of HIV/AIDS Through MultiSectoral Response (SO9). The FY 2004 OYB is $50 million, supporting strategic objectives with a life of program value of about $345 million. USAID/Zarnbia has an annual operating expense (OE) budget of approximately $2, 245,000 million. The Mission is organized into five Strategic Objective Teams (SOTs) and offices of the Mission Director, Program, Controller, and Executive Office. There are 7 U.S. Direct Hire (USDH) officers, 4 U.S./Third Country National Personal Services Contractors (US/TCN PSCs), and 79 Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs). Late applications will not be accepted unless there was mishandling once received in USAID Zambia. Applicants are requested to provide their full mailing address, including fax, telephone and/or e-mail if applicable. Application forms OF 612 can be located at the USAID website: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/ USAID/Zambia anticipates awarding one (1) PSC contract as a result of this solicitation. USAID/Zambia reserves the right not to award any contract as a result of this solicitation. Any questions may be directed to R. Christopher Gomes, Executive Officer, who may be reached at fax 260-1-254532 or
[email protected] Applicants should retain for their record copies of all enclosures that accompany their proposals. Please reference the number of the solicitation when sending your application. BENEFITS Benefits are provided in accordance with AIDAR Appendix D which can be found at: http://www.usaid.gov/policy/ads/300/aidar.pdf