USAID Development Assistance Specialist at the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria comprises of the Embassy in Abuja, FCT, and the Consulate General in Lagos. U.S. Consulate General Lagos is the Mission’s representative to the Nigerian people in the southern region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Current Mission Employees Only) (7206202210022)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2022-063
Location: Abuja
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Series/Grade: LE - 0435 12
Promotion Potential: LE-12
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply / Clarification From the Agency: For definitions use URL www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/glossary Employee of Mission - Nigeria  Citizens and Permanent Residents only.
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Five (5) years renewable, estimated to start on or after December 2022

Marketing Statement:

• USAID is an independent Federal Government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., USAID fosters transformational development around the world. Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in the following regions of the world: Afghanistan and Pakistan, Africa (all of Africa), Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East.
• For more information about USAID, visit http://www.usaid.gov

Summary

• The incumbent serves as the Mission’s Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist and subject matter expert on performance management, evaluation, and institutional learning, and supervises the MEL assistant.
• Supervisory Position: Yes
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required: Occasional Travel
• Job holder will travel occasionally

Duties
Performance Management 25%:

• The Senior MEL Specialist serves as the Mission’s subject matter expert on all aspects of USAID's performance management efforts. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing the Mission’s performance monitoring, evaluation and assessment approach to measure and demonstrate the impact of USAID’s development program in Nigeria. 
• The incumbent will mentor and guide technical teams to ensure compliance with all Agency required performance monitoring and management procedures and policies. 
• The Senior MEL Specialist provides expert guidance to technical teams to implement monitoring across the Program Cycle to assess and document achievement of actual versus planned results. 
• S/he will also provide expert guidance to implementing partners to develop, refine, and implement results monitoring systems to measure the performance of their activities. 
• In this capacity, the incumbent reviews and advises on all implementing partner Activity MEL Plans, ensures that data quality assessments are conducted in accordance with ADS 201, and ensures that the Mission’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) is up to date and being used to track performance measurements relevant to the Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). 
• S/he is responsible for drafting a new PMP following the implementation of a new CDCS. The Senior MEL Specialist leads the preparation of the annual Performance Plan and Report.

Contract Management 20%:

• The Senior MEL Specialist oversees all contracting for MEL services or products managed in the Program Office. 
• S/he serves as the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the Mission-wide MEL contract and other procured MEL services. In this capacity, the incumbent provides technical guidance and oversight to ensure the MEL Contractor meets the terms of the contract. 
• S/he performs all COR duties as articulated in the COR designation letter issued by the Contracting Officer. 
• The incumbent also takes a primary role in the design of any successor MEL activities.

Evaluations 20%:

• The Senior MEL Specialist provides technical expertise and leadership to technical teams and partners in the design and implementation of evaluations of USAID-supported activities. 
• As the Mission designated Evaluation Point of Contact (POC), the Senior MEL Specialist will be responsible for ensuring all evaluations are in compliance with the Agency’s evaluation policy. 
• S/he will help in the development of evaluation Scopes of Works to ensure analytical rigor and actionable results. 
• S/he will ensure that all evaluations required under the ADS are timely conducted and with the requisite independence and rigor. 
• S/he will also ensure all evaluations are uploaded to the Development Evaluation Clearinghouse (DEC).

Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) 20%

• The Senior MEL Specialist leads the Mission’s CLA efforts across the Program Cycle. 
• S/he will guide the analytical process for helping the Mission assess whether course corrections are needed at the mechanism, project, Development Objective (DO) or strategy levels. 
• S/he designs approaches to gather evidence and conduct analyses to help guide the Mission through a dialogue and build consensus on how to adapt the strategy and/or activities to better achieve results. 
• S/he coordinates or helps coordinate the Mission’s portfolio reviews including the Mid-course stock taking. CLA managing includes designing and managing the events and process building to those events, drafting scopes of work and ensuring all necessary analyses are completed, guiding technical teams to prepare for these reviews, managing any external contracts related to this process, coordinating the review sessions, and memorializing the learning derived from these meetings, decisions made, and next steps. 
• S/he leads a continuous learning effort for the Mission’s MEL points of contact from each technical team and coordinates quarterly learning events that include all implementing partners’ MEL specialists. 
• The incumbent also develops additional training and other learning events to advance the Mission’s ability to drive development results. S/he will also update Mission Orders pertaining to MEL.

Supervisory duties 15%:

• The Senior MEL Specialist supervises one MEL assistant who supports the Mission’s MEL efforts. 
• The Senior MEL Specialist is responsible for managing the performance of the MEL assistant by coaching and mentoring to facilitate the growth and development of the employee. 
• S/he sets performance expectations, develops annual work and training plans in support of those expectations, and provides job-specific guidance, performance feedback, and recognition as appropriate to ensure the MEL assistant meets the expectations of their role in support of the Mission’s needs and Agency policies.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Education Requirements:

• Education: Minimum of Master's Degree in the field of organizational learning or development assistance such as Public, Business or Development Administration, Knowledge Management, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies or closely related, inter-disciplinary fields and comparable educational credentials is required.

Evaluations:
Evaluation Factors:

• Knowledge - 15 points
• Skills and Abilities - 10 points
• Language Skills - 5 points
• Interview Performance – 70 points
• Total Possible Points: 100 points

Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed candidates. If the interview is conducted, the interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

USAID is an Equal Opportunity Employer: 

• All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Minimum seven (7) years conducting monitoring, evaluations and learning for a government, an international development donor, or international development organization, and experience leading cross-sectoral teams to achieve results is required.

Job Knowledge: 

• Must have a thorough knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and learning best practices. 
• Must understand principles of performance management requirements and appropriate quality standards. 
• Must understand principles, advantages and disadvantages of various quantitative and qualitative data. collection methods. 
• The incumbent must have an understanding and experience in developing and leading knowledge management programs, facilitating communities of practice and social networking. 
• Must have a basic understanding of the political economy situation in Nigeria and the region; problem areas in general (the state of the economy, social conditions, enabling environment for development, governance, and territorial integrity). 
• S/he must be familiar with key donor organizations, non-government organizations, civil society, and other non-governmental actors working in the country

Skills and Abilities: 

• Must have demonstrated skills in leading monitoring and evaluation efforts, coordinating research, and overseeing analyses. 
• Must have effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to raise concerns, recommend solutions to challenges, and present ideas to colleagues, supervisors, and other leaders. 
• Must be able to take initiative; work efficiently under pressure; lead teams; and take ideas from others and build them into effective Mission learning opportunities. 
• Must be an effective mentor, coach, team lead. 
• Must have the ability to effectively supervise others. 
• Must have the ability to effectively facilitate large meetings (75 - 200 persons) in person and virtually with audiences internal and external to the Mission. 
• The MEL Specialist must have good analytical skills with the ability to analyze information, evaluate data, and prepare reports. 
• This position requires skills in facilitating and creating organizational learning and change. 
• S/he should demonstrate conversation and presentation skills that can influence decision makers. 
• The ability to serve as an effective USG representative with a wide array of individuals and institutions is essential. 
• The MEL Specialist must have strong writing skills and be able to prepare clear, substantive reports and briefing papers in English in a timely manner. 
• This position requires the ability to quickly acquire a thorough understanding of USG’s programming objectives, results expected, and planning and reporting systems.

Language: 

• Level IV (fluent) in both written and spoken English language is required.

Other Information:

1.) USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf

2.) PART 52 - SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES Subpart 52.2—Text of Provisions and Clauses

• 52.223-99 Ensuring Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Alternate 70.
• ENSURING ADEQUATE COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS (OCT 2021)-Alternate 70 (OCT 2021) (M/OAA-DEV-FAR-22-01c)
• Definition. As used in this clause -
• United States or its outlying areas means
  • The fifty States.
  • The District of Columbia.

3.) The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.

4.) The territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands; and

5.) The minor outlying islands of Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Palmyra Atoll, and Wake Atoll.

•  Authority. This clause implements Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, dated September 9, 2021 (published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2021, 86 FR 50985).
• Personal Services Contracts with individuals.  As a matter of policy, the contractor must comply with the USAID’s guidance applicable to direct-hire federal employees.

Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042:

• USAID will take no action to enforce the clause (FAR 52.223-99) implementing the requirements of Executive Order 14042, absent further written notice from USAID, where the place of performance identified in the contract is in a U.S. state or outlying area subject to a court order prohibiting the application of requirements pursuant to the Executive Order (hereinafter, “Excluded State or Outlying Area”). 
• In all other circumstances, USAID will enforce the clause, except for contractor employees who perform substantial work on or in connection with a covered contract in an Excluded State or Outlying Area, or in a covered contractor workplace located in an Excluded State or Outlying Area. A current list of such Excluded States and Outlying Areas is maintained at: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/contractors/.   
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. 
• Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
• Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations
• PSC Ombudsman:
• The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the Agency  Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman. 

Salary
NGN 17,733,456 - NGN 26,496,574 / Annum

Benefits and Other Info

Benefits
Agency Benefits:

• As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)
• Annual and Sick leave
• Annual Bonus

Allowances (as applicable):

• Transportation Allowance
• Meal Allowance
• Miscellaneous Allowance
• Housing Allowance

Application Closing Date
17th June, 2022.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information

• Eligible applicants are required to complete this on-line application process and submit any applicable required documents by 11:59 p.m. GMT on the closing date of this announcement. 
• Please note that all required documents must be received by the closing date, via online or alternative methods, and that we will determine your eligibility and qualifications based solely on the material received by the closing date. 

Required Documents

• Current Resume
• Certificates
• Degree 
• List of References
• NYSC Certificates

Next Steps:
Selection Process:

• After the closing date for the receipt of applications, applications will initially be screened for conformity with the minimum requirements and a short list of applicants developed. 
• Following this initial review and short listing, a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will convene to review applications that meet the minimum requirements and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation factors.  Applications from candidates which do not meet the minimum requirements will not be evaluated.  As part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be interviewed.  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.  No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.
• USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person or by phone OR not to interview any candidate. 
• Applicants are required to provide three (3) reference persons who are not family members or relatives, with working telephones and email contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about applicant’s past performance and abilities. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists.  If an applicant does not wish for the current employer to be contacted as a reference check, this should be stated in the resume.