Announcement Number: Sarajevo-2024-21-
Hiring Agency: Embassy Sarajevo
Position Title: Solicitation #72016824 R10002 – USAID Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Political Advisor)
Open Period:09/16/2024 – 09/27/2024
Vacancy Time Zone: GMT+1
Series/Grade:LE – 4005 11
Salary:BAM KM 81,335 – BAM KM 113,867 /Per Year
Work Schedule:Full-time – 40 hours/week
Promotion Potential: LE-11Duty Location(s):1 Vacancy in
Sarajevo, BK Telework
Eligible: NoFor More Info: HR Section 000-000-0000
sarajevojobvacancy@state.gov
Overview
Hiring Path:• Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:*
Open to: All Interested Applicants / All Sources
Security Clearance Required: Public Trust – Background Investigation
Details: One-year base period, estimated to start o/a 01/13/2025 (pending obtaining all required clearances), with an option for a four-year extension.
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.govSummary:
The Project Management Specialist (Political Processes and Elections Specialist) is the technical expert of the Mission’s political processes and elections programming under the Democracy Office. He/she serves as the technical and political advisor to USAID Mission Management on all matters pertaining to programs, projects or activities in the bilateral and regional political processes and elections sector and to other team leaders, and USG Senior Management.Supervisory Position:NoRelocation Expenses Reimbursed:NoTravel Required:Occasional Travel
The job holder is required to perform work-related travel.
Duties
YOU CAN OBTAIN THE FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION BY CONTACTING USAID HR OFFICE.
Advisory Role (40%)
As a recognized expert on political processes and elections programming, the incumbent also serves as the technical and political advisor to the Democracy Office Director and Deputy Director, USAID Mission Director, other office directors and team leaders, the Communication and Outreach Officer, the Embassy’s Political and Economic Offices, and the Ambassador, as appropriate in relation to elections and political processes that affect the USG in BiH. The incumbent is also expected to develop a wide range of political contacts and use them effectively, and to prepare and present regular political briefings for Senior Mission Management to keep them abreast of political developments in BiH and the region.
The incumbent may advise on the following areas as well as others not listed below:
- Development and issues related to elections and political processes/parties programming.
- GoBiH, NGO, political parties, and civil society institutional capacity to contribute to the areas of elections implementation and political party development.
- Current USAID and USG policy, strategy and regulations.
- Evolution, trends, crises and possible mitigating measures in and around broad political dynamics, political processes and elections in BiH.
Negotiation/Coordination/Liaison:
- Coordinate with the USAID Europe and Eurasia Bureau, technical teams within USAID/Washington, other relevant USG entities, and US Embassy BiH offices and sections as appropriate.
- Coordinate and maintain contact with the top-level GoBiH policy-makers (ministers, advisors, special assistants, secretaries and heads of boards) for relevant GoBiH institutions, political parties, and donors for successful implementation of related USAID programs.
- Maintain contact with political leaders, political parties, and civil society regarding political processes and elections in BiH.
- Keep stakeholders and other interested parties informed of USAID activities, policies and interests related to political processes and elections.
- Serve as a technical expert on relevant donor coordination groups.
Program and Project Activities (40%)
Policy Implementation and Program Planning:
The incumbent is responsible for USAID/BiH policy formulation and program activities related, but not limited to elections and political processes development.
Specifically, s/he will be expected to:
- Formulate policy and strategic options for USAID Mission Management; develop, elaborate and periodically update strategy documents, and bilateral program agreements to achieve development results.
- Coordinate strategic planning and implementation of agreements, memoranda of understanding, and government relationships with regard to elections and political processes programming.
Program Design:
- Chair and lead activity design teams involving USAID, GoBiH, NGOs, political actors, and contractors in developing and designing programs aimed at electoral integrity and political party assistance.
Program Evaluation:
- Prepare scopes of work and manage implementation of sector assessments to inform development and implementation of USAID political processes and elections programs.
- Design and monitor evaluations of USAID political processes and elections programs.
- Lead in the preparation and periodic updating of performance monitoring plans and ensure data quality assessments are done on a regular basis.
Program Management:
- Manage multiple USAID contracts, cooperative agreements, grants and/or field support mechanisms to improve elections and political processes programs.
- Use findings from evaluations of elections and political processes programming in BiH and development programs to adaptively manage USAID activities for success.
Technical Analysis and Review (20%)
Analysis:
- Lead the political processes and elections programs component of DEMO mission reviews, operational plan preparation, and project performance review preparation and completion.
- Review USAID partner performance on political processes and elections programming for technical soundness and conformity with GoBiH and USG policy and regulations.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:
Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
Post Entry Training:
Familiarization training in USAID-specific procedures, regulations, and methods, and orientation to working from a donor-Agency perspective, etc., will be provided. Successful completion of comprehensive COTR/AOTR training is mandatory and the subject training will be provided. Formal courses offered for professional USAID staff, as appropriate; and courses, seminars, conferences, and other activities in fields related to the function and needed to maintain and update professional and expert qualifications may be provided subject to course offerings and availability of funds.Education Requirements:
Education: A Minimum of university degree, or the local equivalent, in a field directly relevant to political processes, governance, rule of law, or a related field such as political science, international affairs, public administration, business or economics is required.Evaluations:
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 five years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in relevant areas, including at least three years of this experience in democracy and governance or in related work for USAID, other donor agencies, host government organizations, or private-sector institutions. This experience should include analysis and interpretation of data, and the presentation of findings in both written and oral form.
Job Knowledge: The Specialist must have an in-depth and professional-level knowledge of development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to political processes and elections in BiH. Knowledge of the political, social, and economic structure of BiH is required in order to strategically link the major goals and objectives of the sector to the economic, political, and policy constraints of the Mission development strategy. Knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective roles of the different branches in the GoBiH is required, in order to enhance effective communication and develop consensus on program/project/activity strategy and implementation plans. A thorough knowledge of GoBiH institutions, policy directions, objectives, and priorities relating to USAID activities in the field, etc.; and a sound knowledge of BiH political, economic, social, and cultural characteristics and developments are required. The work requires knowledge of activities in the sector that are funded by other international, and other, donors, and a theoretical and practical knowledge of legislative, political, and judicial processes in BiH and the Balkans. The incumbent must have knowledge of cross-cutting development issues, including environment impacts, principles of gender in development, and must have demonstrated experience in their application.
Skills: The Specialist must have excellent interpersonal skills combined with sound judgment on a number of issues in which there may be competing interests and political sensitivity; a demonstrated ability to maintain effective USG counterpart contacts and dialogue, at both the policy and the implementation level; and, demonstrated ability to independently develop and maintain effective mid- to high-level contacts in the Government of BiH and in political parties. The Specialist must have excellent communication and program management skills; the ability to work independently, with a minimum of supervision, in order to obtain and analyze data and information, manage USAID activities, draft accurate factual and analytical reports; and, the ability to relate to and assist other organizations and individuals, and to stimulate their participation and collaboration in USAID development programs in BiH. The Specialist must be computer literate, with experience in Word, and other Microsoft Office programs.
Language: Fluent oral and written English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian capability is required in order to conduct briefings, prepare program/project/activity analysis, document achievement (or lack of achievement) of results, etc.
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits:Agency Benefits:
Benefits and Allowances: Allowable costs, compensation, and all terms and benefits of employment will be in accordance with the Mission’s Local Compensation Plan. The Mission does not participate in the Bosnia-Herzegovina Local Social Security System (LSSS), as authorized by the Department in 00 State 243435 dated 12/28/2000.Other Information:
- 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
- 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
How to Apply
How to Apply:
Eligible applicants are required to complete this on-line application process and submit any applicable required documents by [e.g., 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)] on the closing date of this announcement.
If applying on-line poses an extreme hardship, you must contact the human resources office no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this vacancy announcement. An alternative application method will be provided upon approval of the hardship notification. After this time, requests to apply via alternative methods will not be granted.
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:
- Cover letter in English
- Current Resume (limited to two pages)
- List of Three References (do not send reference letters)
- Degree or Transcripts
Next Steps:
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.
Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs):
- Education: 10 points
- Work Experience: 30 points
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 30 points
- Interview Performance including Language Proficiency (to be tested) and reference checks: 30
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: 100 points
After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria (QRFs). The successful candidate will be selected based on a review of his/her qualifications, work experience, skills, and abilities, an interview, and the results of reference checks.
Applications from candidates which do not meet the required qualifications will not be scored. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants. As a part of the selection process, finalist candidates will be requested to complete writing sample and will be interviewed in-person or via Google Meet at USAID’s discretion.
The hiring official may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed.
