USAID Job in Nigeria for an Acquisition and Assistance Specialist
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria
is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the
position below in the Office of Acquisition and Assistance:
Job Title: Acquisition and Assistance Specialist
Solicitation is open to: AID-620-S-17-00007
Location: Abuja
Work hours: 40 hours (Full time)
Position Grade: FSN 9 (Career Ladder (Target Grade - FSN-11)
Period of Performance: Five years renewable.
Who May Apply: Nigerians Only (Resident in Nigeria).
Basic Functions of the Position
- The Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Trainee) is located
in the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA), USAID/Nigeria. The
function of the Office is to provide Acquisition and Assistance
(procurement) support to Mission Technical Offices and Assistance
Objective Teams in the Mission.
- The Specialist (Trainee) maintains contract files and records up
to date, prepares Contractor’s Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs),
and supports award closeouts.
- The Specialist (Trainee) provides guidance related to
administrative award modifications. The Specialist (Trainee) is
responsible for carrying out day-to-day activities under the mentorship
of more senior OAA employees.
- This position is a part of an established career ladder, which
provides for the potential to progress to the FSN-10 and, subsequently,
to the FSN-11 grade level. There is no potential for the incumbent to
become a permanent FSN-09 in this work assignment. Attainment of the
higher grade levels is contingent upon the Specialist (Trainee)
successfully completing required training, meeting agreed-upon
objectives and milestones, and performing at the Fully Successful (or
equivalent) level. Promotion to the FSN-10 and to the target FSN-11
grade levels is not mandatory, and failure to achieve that high level of
performance may be the basis for reassignment, change to lower grade,
or dismissal.
- The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of
acquisition and assistance duties including writing grants,cooperative
agreements, contracts, and other procurement instruments and preparing
amendments in support of the Mission.
- The Specialist (Trainee) reviews and recommends approval or
revision of requisitions in the Global Acquisition and Assistance System
(GLAAS); reviews and recommends scopes of work (SOW); drafts requests
for proposal or quote; performs cost and price analysis; analyzes
proposals or quotes received; draft contracts and contract
modifications; analyzes contractor’s proposed budgets; recommends
revisions to various contract provisions; writes memoranda of
negotiation; and, prepares other required documentation.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
- The Specialist (Trainee) is responsible for providing basic
project acquisition and assistance support to USAID/Nigeria Technical
Offices and Assistance Objective (AO) Teams. USAID programs are diverse
and multi sectoral.
- The Specialist (Trainee) is required to provide basic and
limited acquisition assistance to designated Technical Offices and/or AO
Teams, and to support a variety of programs/projects/activities. These
programs/projects/activities are implemented through complex Government
contracting and grant mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase
orders, competitively negotiated technical assistance agreements,
contracts, cooperative agreements, Participating Agency Service
Agreements (PASA), and sole source contracts, requiring the Specialist
(Trainee) to become familiar with the full range of USAID procurement
instruments.
- The Specialist (Trainee) is assigned work in such a manner as to
provide the basis for independent selection of appropriate procurement
instrument types for the situation at hand, and to accurately apply USG
procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing each
type of instrument. The developmental nature of the assignment provides
exposure to the acquisition of goods and various types of services.
- The Specialist (Trainee) will become equally familiar with the
procedures for acquisition of goods, and for managing personal service
and nonpersonal service contracting actions.
- The Specialist (Trainee) is expected to work with higher-level
Specialists/Officers, and with technical specialists/activity managers
in AO Teams throughout the Mission, assisting in the preparation of
annual procurement plans, clear and concise statements of work, and
supporting documentation.
- The Specialist (Trainee) will develop the ability to provide
authoritative technical guidance to technical specialists/activity
managers pertaining to their procurement-related responsibilities and
procedures. Specific developmental duties include:
Pre-Award Duties:
- The Specialist (Trainee) participates in meetings on procurement
planning; collates data, and prepares and updates tracking tools in
order to monitor pending procurements; works with clients to assist in
the preparation of justifications, waivers, and other necessary
approvals, as needed; and, reviews GLAAS Requisitions (REQs) for
completeness and clarity before endorsing them to higher-level
Specialists/Officers. Prepare solicitation documents in GLAAS, and the
electronic posting of Simplified Acquisitions and Personal Services
Contracts; works with higher level Specialists/Officers to ensure
compliance with FAR and AIDAR advertisement requirements, including
publication of synopses and solicitations, as prescribed. Work with
higher-level Specialists/Officers to prepare Requests for Proposal and
Requests for Application.
- The Specialist (Trainee) assists higher-level
Specialists/Officers in preaward activities for competitive
solicitations, and with pre-award assessments and/or pre-award surveys
of potential contractors or recipients, in order to ensure eligibility
prior to an award being made.
Post-Award Duties:
- The Specialist (Trainee) assists higher-level
Specialists/Officers in monitoring performance as required by the terms
and conditions of the award, through reviews of performance and reviews
of financial reports. The Specialist (Trainee) manages the assigned
developmental portfolio, assuring that funding is available when
required, and under the guidance of higher-level Specialists/Officers
works with AO Teams/CORs/AORs to assure targets/milestones are set and
being met (or that remedial action is taken), and that the overall goals
of the program/project/activity are met. As assigned, the Specialist
(Trainee) conducts site visits and attends meetings.
- The Specialist (Trainee) assists in the conduct of closeouts of
contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements after completion. These
include ensuring contract audits are conducted in a timely manner,
preparing performance documentation, and resolving outstanding issues
noted in audits.
- Provides guidance to technical personnel and assists in
programmatic duties as required to avoid contractual/legal
improprieties, seeking guidance from higher-level Specialists/Officers
as required. The Specialist (Trainee) assists in researching and
resolving issues that may arise during contract performance, including
changes, work stoppages, work suspensions, disputes, implementation
problems, defaults, cost overruns, unacceptable performance, and payment
problems.
- Perform other duties as assigned or required.
Qualifications/Evaluation Criteria
All applicants MUST address each selection criterion detailed
below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each
criterion or the application will NOT be considered.
Education:
- Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree or the host-country equivalent
formal education in a relevant field, such as business administration,
economics, finance, marketing, commerce, accounting, international
trade, industrial management, law, or other related field is required.
NB: Additional education may NOT be substituted for experience.
Prior Work Experience:
- Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in
acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a closely related
field is required.
Language Proficiency:
- (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency
requirements by level (II, III) and specialization (speak/read): Level
IV (Fluent) English proficiency, both oral and written, is required.
Job Knowledge:
- Good knowledge of public and/or private-sector business
processes, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge, is required.
An understanding of US Federal and USAID Acquisition Regulations, or
knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex
acquisition portfolio, is desired, particularly as it relates to
acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, small
purchase procedures, and that result in standard and established
contract types. A basic understanding of markets pertaining to
program/project/activity requirements for services and commodities, and a
good knowledge and understanding of US market and pricing methods is
desirable.
Skills and Abilities:
- The potential to acquire the ability to plan and administer
acquisition activities, and provide acquisition assistance and support
for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The
potential to gain the ability to apply contracting regulations,
procedures, and policies to individual acquisition and assistance
programs is required. And, an ability to deal effectively with
high-level representatives of the US and Nigerian business community,
and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments at all
levels throughout Nigeria is required. Skill in the use of most elements
(WORD, EXCEL, PowerPoint) of the Microsoft Business suite is required;
skill in the use of other elements (ACCESS, PUBLISHER) desired.
- Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along
with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required.
The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is
essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY
AND HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS throughout all phases of OAA acquisition and
assistance procurement.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a complete application package which must include all required documents to:
[email protected]
Required Documents
- Application for US Federal Employment (DS-174); or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as a DS-174.
- Any documentation that supports or addresses the requirements
listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, NYSC certificate/exemption
etc.).
- 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 announcement 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.
Click here to download Application Form for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) (PDF 1.78 MB)
Click here to download the Instructions for Completing DS-174 (PDF 2.40 MB)
Note
- Only Mailed applications is required, (paper/hard copies) applications will NOT be accepted.
- Only short-listed candidates will be notified
- This solicitation is open only to Nigerian Nationals.
- Applications with insufficient information to make a determination will not be considered.
- Any/All application submissions after the closing date will not be considered.
- No in-person appointments or telephone calls will be entertained.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- USAID is an equal Opportunity Employer all ethnic groups and gender are urged to apply
Application Deadline 7th March, 2017.