Office of the Regional USAID Mission in Minsk

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE:        March 3, 2017

TO:             All Interested Candidates

FROM:        United States Agency for International Development, Regional Mission for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova (USAID/UBM)

SUBJECT: Job Opportunity Announcement # 01-2017, External, USAID/Belarus

POSITION TITLE:  PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

POSITION TYPE: FSNPSC – 40 hours per week

ANNOUNCEMENT: # 01-2017

GRADE LEVEL: FSN-11 (The incumbent will be hired at the Development Level, FSN-10 until all mandatory USAID training is completed and the full performance level of the position is reached)

OFFICE LOCATION: USAID/Belarus, Minsk

OPENING DATE: Immediate

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:  March 17 at 6:00 PM Minsk time

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: Interested applicants should e-mail their current résumé, mandatory Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff (DS-174) and letter of interest in English to the USAID Human Resources Unit at KyivVacancies@usaid.gov.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Regional Mission to Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova is an equal opportunity employer. 

Note:     Only those applications that are received in the Human Resources Unit before the closing date will be eligible for consideration.  Applications and letters that are inadequate or incomplete will not be considered. Only those applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Initial screening will be based on the curriculum vitae or résumé, DS-174 and letter of interest. Best qualified applicants who meet minimum requirement will be invited for an interview. 

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF POSITION:

The Project Management Specialist manages development activities funded by USAID/Belarus, including their planning, budgeting, documentation and evaluation. In collaboration with the Belarus Country Office Director, the Senior Supervisory Program Development Specialist and other technical staff, the incumbent contributes to the strategic direction of the portfolio, develops specific activities, defines objectives and desired results, and prepares resource requests. The Project Management Specialist takes the lead with monitoring and evaluation of activity results against the country strategy. Under the direction of the Country Office Director, the Project Management Specialist provides guidance to USAID’s partners and activities operating in Belarus.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Activity Planning and Management (40%)     

The Project Management Specialist is responsible for operational management of his/her activity portfolio, including budgeting and financial management of activity funds, performance monitoring and reporting. To perform these functions, the Project Management Specialist knows the principles and regulations established by the Agency for program and activity management, including the Automated Directives System on planning, budgeting, performance-based activity design and evaluation.

Under the direction of the Country Office Director, the Project Management Specialist is responsible for developing and managing the Country Program budget for activities he/she manages, including:

• design of activities within the framework of the country program strategy and resource allocations, including cost estimates and procurement plans;
• recommending priorities for budgeted funds given country program performance objectives and current achievements of results;
• drafting documents required for activity approval (scopes of work, government estimate budgets, etc.);
• monitoring financial status of awards by reviewing  current pipelines, accrued expenditures,  and analyzing projected funding requirements, based on estimated costs and on spending rates of committed funds;
• recommending allocations of the Operating Year Budget and coordination with USAID/Kyiv for timely commitment of activity funds;
• providing technical and administrative oversight over USAID-funded activities;
• maintaining official files on the activities s/he is directly responsible for.

B. Performance Management and Evaluation (40%)

Under the direction of the Country Office Director, the Project Management Specialist communicates the USAID country strategy objectives in her/his related areas and gives guidance to implementing partners (grantees, contractors and other partners) as to the place of their activities in the overall country strategy, monitors achievement of activity results, and documents activity progress, or lack thereof, for further management decisions.  In this capacity, the Project Management Specialist will:

• maintain direct communication with the implementing organizations, and serve as a technical resource for the Country Office Director, Senior Supervisory Program Development Specialist, fellow project managers and the Regional Contracting Officer;
• participate in the review and approval of the implementing partners’ work plans and performance monitoring plans to ensure the activities are appropriately focused on USAID priorities and agreed upon results;
• monitor and document program performance by recipients of USAID funds, with a pre-approved Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
• ensure timely submission of the required reporting documentation by the implementing organizations and analyze the reports for accuracy and consistency;
• conduct random site or field visits to ensure the quality of services provided by the implementing organization per an approved activity monitoring plan;
• represent USAID at meetings, training seminars, conferences, and other activity-related events, and analyze and report on them to the Country Office Director and the USAID/Belarus;
• monitor the activity progress towards the specified results and ensure its accurate documentation.

C. Assist Country Office Director with Overall Program Development/Direction (10%)

As a part of the USAID/Belarus team, the Project Management Specialist contributes to the development of the overall country strategy. As a development advisor to the Country Office Director, the Project Management Specialist provides input into program design at the project and country levels, which includes performance management.  As part of the technical team, the Project Management Specialist will actively participate in:

• defining country program and project objectives and desired results;
• developing/refining the strategic results framework and performance management plan, including indicators;
• evaluation of program results against the strategy and objectives;
• articulating the strategy and objectives to the implementing partners;
• estimating resource requirements for future years, based on program plans and results; and
• providing substantial technical input to the Country Office Director and Senior Supervisory Program Development Specialist for the preparation of the annual Operation Plan and Performance Plan and Report, and for drafting other USAID and USG program documents.

As a development adviser to the Country Office Director, the Project Management Specialist monitors current events and developments in the environment, tracks changes in legislation, and brings them to the attention of the Country Office Director and broader team if relevant.  The Project Management Specialist provides the Country Office Director with advice on the effect of key political, economic and social developments.  As directed by the Country Office Director, participates in international donor coordination meetings, presents USAID’s strategy and/or activity details to USG and external audiences, and coordinates, including logistical arrangements, program-related meetings. 

D. Sector Analysis and Evaluation of Select Program Activities (10%)

As directed by the Country Office Director, the Project Management Specialist, in collaboration with appropriate USAID staff, may participate in the development or assessment of activities. The specific areas and responsibilities will depend upon the experience and training of the Project Management Specialist. In general, development of select program activities will involve:

• consultation with national experts in the program area, and involvement of technical experts and resources available through USAID;
• establishing sources of information for activity planning, baseline estimates of current conditions and measures of activity performance;
• development of a new or up-dated activity strategy, based upon analysis of needs and opportunities in the program area, consistent with USAID program priorities;
• maintaining knowledge of the state-of-the-art in the program area, through reading of publications, interaction with other professionals in the field, and participation in workshops and conferences, when possible; and
• involvement in the sector assessments or activity evaluations, as an expert in the respective area.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

a)  Education: An accredited university degree with specialization appropriate for economic and social development is required. A graduate degree from an accredited university in economics, business or social sciences is preferred. In addition, graduate level training in project management, communications, monitoring and evaluation and/or social sciences is helpful.

b)  Work Experience: Four to six years of increasing responsibility in administration of social and economic development programs, preferably in the private sector or with international donor agencies. Demonstrated capacity to effectively manage technical assistance projects. Understanding of the current trends and development needs of the local civil society development, competency in the acute national and regional social and economic issues.

c)  Post-Entry Training: As needed, on-the-job training in USAID policies and procedures will be provided.

d)  Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluency) in written and spoken Russian and English required. Working knowledge of Belarusian desired.

e)  Job knowledge: principles of program planning, program management, financial analysis and budgeting and program monitoring and evaluation is essential.

f)  Skills and abilities: strong written and verbal communication skills; well organized and a keen ability to prioritize tasks; strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team; openness and integrity in human relations; adeptness in managing multiple tasks; and perceptive judgment about the functions of people and institutions. Ability to type is required.  Computer skills:  Microsoft Office and Google products required.

POSITION ELEMENTS

• Supervision Received: Overall supervision provided by the Country Office Director with guidance and input from the Supervisory Program Development Specialist.
• Supervision Exercised: no direct supervision is envisaged.
• Available Guidelines: USAID and DOS policies, USAID Automated Directives (ADS) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Exercise of Judgment: substantial discretion in the operational management of USAID/Belarus programs in determining how best to implement policy and program guidelines, within existing resource constraints.
• Authority to Make Commitments: all financial and program commitments require authorization from USAID/Kyiv or USAID/Washington. The Project Management Specialist makes recommendations to the Country Office Director and USAID/Kyiv or USAID/Washington).
• Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: Contacts with mid to senior level staff of the implementing organizations, international donor organizations and experts in the host country to make reasoned judgments about the effectiveness of USAID programs in Belarus.
• Time required to perform full range of duties: One year.