Project Management Specialist (Education) at USAID

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the position below:

Job Title: Project Management Specialist (Education)
Solicitation No.:  72062020R10010
Location: Abuja, Nigeria with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties
Period of Performance: Five (5) years renewable, estimated to start o/a November 2020.
Security Level Required: CCNPSC Clearance

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

• The incumbent will serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) and/or Activity Manager, upon USAID certification, for selected instruments within the education portfolio that align to components of USAID/Nigeria’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy.
• The incumbent will provide expertise across a broad range of technical functions including mitigating conflict in the education sector, education policy, curriculum implementation, combating school-based violence, basic literacy and numeracy acquisition, school-based management, education in emergencies, special needs education, and youth development.
• Adaptability and flexibility toward changing responsibilities is required with the emergence of new USAID strategies and evolving priorities. Travel is required.

Statement of Duties to be Performed
Program /Project Leadership and Management (40%):

• Perform the full range of program management functions from activity startup to closure including but not limited to ensuring grantees/contractors meet the full objectives of their project descriptions or scopes of work, advising and participating in ongoing evaluations of performance and ensuring program compliance with all USAID policies.
• The incumbent must ensure technical content and activity objectives are consistent with the strategic priorities of the USAID Mission and the Government of Nigeria (GON), with an unwavering commitment to continuous learning and adaptability.
• As part of her/his A/COR responsibilities, s/he conducts site visits as an official representative of USAID/Nigeria to monitor implementation and progress, identifies delays or difficulties requiring resolution, engages counterparts internally and externally to identify executable resolutions and ensures follow through on requisite actions for seamless program delivery.
• Examples of common intervention points include ensuring activity compliance with Office of Acquisition and Assistance requirements, adherence to protocols of engagement with government actors, and responsive management solutions for nuanced social, political or cultural concerns that impact program implementation.
• S/he also ensures that all official approvals are obtained from GON partners as required, as well as provides financial oversight of assigned implementation activities, including assessment of monthly liquidation reports, authorizing and monitoring disbursements, quarterly pipeline reviews, analysis of annual funding requirements, preparation and analysis of budgets, etc.
• The incumbent provides technical leadership during in-briefs and out-briefs for short-term technical assistance on activities as well as actively liaises with donor counterparts and non-USAID activity leads, where needed, to leverage resources and lessons learned, facilitate synergies and avoid duplication.
• S/he may also serve as an Activity Manager for education activities, as necessary.

Program Policy and Analysis and Reporting (20%):

• The incumbent provides direction and support in the planning, development, and evaluation of policies contributing toward the education component of the Mission’s portfolio. S/he will be involved in annual Mission portfolio reviews as well as ad-hoc proposal reviews submitted to the Mission or Washington for field concurrence.
• The incumbent ensures that the indicators for measuring the impact of education activities are accurately tracked and are used to revise strategy as necessary. Coordinates with the Education Office Director, the Deputy Office Director, and other Program Managers to ensure thoroughness and consistency of data submitted on activities for the annual report, portfolio reviews, etc. Tracks political and policy developments, legislative changes, and technical developments in the field that affect USAID’s activities and/or objectives regarding primary education, advises the Education Office Director and other Program Managers, and makes recommendations on appropriate USAID positions.
• Briefs local and visiting senior USAID officials and US Embassy staff, as required, on the implementation of assigned activities in relation to host-country programs and priorities.

Activity Development and Design (20%):

• Conceptualizes and articulates evidence-based activity design or delivery components in accordance with the education sector strategy, the Nigerian political economy, the institutional capabilities of potential USAID recipients, resource availability and funding sources. Conducts research, as necessary, on the social and economic factors affecting the education system in Nigeria
• for input into design development. S/he contributes to the development of conceptual frameworks and formulates plans for required implementation documentation.
• Contributes technical expertise and creative ideas to other technical teams in the Mission developing new interventions to support the social and economic development of Nigeria. Explores ways and strategies for integrating education into those interventions, identifying synergies and leveraging resources among those teams for maximum impact and results.

Education Team Administrative Work and External Engagement (20%):

• S/he is responsible for the management of assigned technical and administrative aspects of USAID/Nigeria’s education program. Drafts reports, correspondence, cables, GLAAS actions, scopes of work, implementation letters, acquisition and assistance plan and accruals in collaboration with the Program Office and the Office of Financial Management, and any other documents necessary for the implementation of assigned activities. Negotiates the clearance and approval of documents required for proper implementation of activities.
• S/he is also responsible for contributing ideas/strategies and participating in the Education team meetings.
• S/he will also serve in liaison roles for USAID with Nigerian officials at the Universal Basic Education Commission, National Commission for Colleges of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, State Ministries of Education and State Universal Basic Education Boards.
• Collaborates with other development partners including the World Bank, DFID, United Nations agencies, the African Development Bank, and other bilateral donors.
• Coordinates various actions related to engagement with senior GON officials, local and international organizations, donor community partners and civil society groups. S/he explains USAID procedures, responsibilities, objectives and restrictions.
• These may include various federal and state officials, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Deputy Directors in the Federal and State level Ministry of Education, Universal Basic Education Commission and State Universal Basic Education Boards, State Agency for Mass Education and related education parastatals, colleagues in other donor organizations, NGO and civil society groups, etc.
• The incumbent organizes the participation of these officials in special meetings and events, especially with high-level visitors or Embassy representatives.
• S/he acts as liaison with senior leaders in Nigerian NGOs and the civil society community to cultivate and maintain support for the USAID education sector program.
• Represents the Education team in conferences, workshops, donor coordination subgroup/committee meetings, local staff committee meetings, project design and briefing meetings and other meetings deemed appropriate. Develops necessary materials for presentations by the Education Office Director and other Program Managers, as well as other USAID/Nigeria senior staff.
• The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Supervisory Relationship:

• The incumbent will be supervised by the Officer Director but liaises daily with other Education Program Managers and members of the team to ensure synergies.

Supervisory Controls:

• None

Physical Demands:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position

• Education: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Education, Education Management, or related field is required.
• Prior Work Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in program implementation of large donor-funded activities within the education sector in Nigeria, including in-depth experience in the collection, analysis, dissemination and presentation of information related to progress in achieving sector objectives and recommend actions and detailed understanding of the structure and procedures inherent to the Nigerian government is required.
• Post Entry Training: Introduction to the Program Cycle; Project Design and Management; Contracting Officers Representative/ Agreement Officers Representative (COR/AOR) training; Education sector related training. Timing of courses is subject to availability of funds.
• Language Proficiency: Excellent Level IV (fluency) speaking, writing and editing skills in English are required. Oral Level III (working ability) in a local Nigerian language (e.g., Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba) is required.

Job Knowledge:

• In depth knowledge of the major issues affecting education in all geographic regions in Nigeria, including technical, social and cultural aspects;
• Knowledge of specific issues facing education in Northern Nigeria, such mitigating conflict in the education sector, education policy, curriculum implementation, combating school-based violence, basic literacy and numeracy acquisition, school based management, education in emergencies, special needs education, and youth development; and,
• Familiarity with topics related to education reform, religious institutions, girls’ access to education, use of language of the environment and mother-tongue instruction, education financing, and systems strengthening.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrable skills in prudent decision-making, project management and implementation oversight of education activities in Nigeria. Ability to process and critically analyze information quickly from a wide variety of sources is expected.
• Advanced ability to adapt in a fast paced and evolving environment as well as sound competencies in problem-solving and organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills, especially in multi-cultural settings. Proficiency in MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.

Evaluation and Selection Factors:

• The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c).
• In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.
  • Education (10 points)
  • Prior Work Experience (20 points)
  • Job Knowledge (30 points)
  • Language Proficiency (10 points)
  • Skills and abilities (30 points)
• After the closing date for receipt of applications, all applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a shortlist of applicants developed. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be considered.
• A committee will be convened to review the shortlisted applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria. 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.
• Reference checks will be made only for the successful candidate. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the application letter.

Submitting an Offer:

• Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2. (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals); or a current resume that provides the same information as AID 309-2 form.
• Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.
• Offeror submission must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
• All documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. certificates of education (degree), NYSC certificate/exemption etc.) MUST be attached to the application.
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and solicitation number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures. E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Benefits/Allowances
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

Market Value

• N15,052,605 – N22,670,299 equivalent to FSN-11; 40 Hours per week in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of United States Mission, Nigeria (Effective October 27, 2019). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

How to Apply
Interested applicants for this position Must submit the following, or the application will not be considered:

• Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2. (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals); or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as AID 309-2.
• All documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, NYSC certificate/exemption etc.) MUST be attached to the application.
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and solicitation number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures. E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified.

Submit Applications package to: abujahr@usaid.gov
Click here to download Job Description (PDF)
Click here to download the AID 309-2 Form (Ms Word)
List of Required Forms Prior to Award
The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award:

• Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
• RSO Security Questionnaire
• BI Guide Questionnaire
• THOR Enrollment Intake Form.

Taxes

• The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Nigerian Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations.
• Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Nigerian Government. In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

USAID Regulations, Policies and Contract Clauses Pertaining to PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCNPSC awards are available at these sources:

• 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
• 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 , Incentive Awards (Dec 2019):
• CCN and TCN personal services contractors of the Foreign Affairs Community are eligible for an interagency Mission incentive awards program. The program is administered by each post’s (Embassy) Joint Country Awards Committee.
• CCN and TCN personal services contractors are also eligible to receive certain monetary and non-monetary USAID incentive awards in accordance with the AIDAR and USAID internal policy.
• Meritorious Step Increases. CCNs and TCN personal services contractors paid under the local compensation plan are eligible to receive meritorious step increases provided the granting of such increases is the general practice locally.
• 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

Application Deadline  24th April, 2020.