USAID Project Management Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja

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 of:

Job Title: USAID Project Management Specialist, Supply Chain

Announcement Number: Abuja-2020-062
Location: Abuja
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Series / Grade: LE - 4005 11
Work Schedule: Full-time - Work Schedule is 40hrs per week
Promotion Potential: LE-11
Telework Eligible: No

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Five (5) years renewable, estimated to start on or after May 2021
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No, Occasional Travel
• Travel Required: Incumbent is required to perform work-related travels.

Summary

• The USAID Project Mgmt. Specialist PMI Supply Chain Systems & Commodity is a member of the PMI interagency team and provides technical leadership, management, and coordination of the procurement, warehousing, and distribution of malaria commodities, and other health products in support of PMI and USAID Implementing Partners. S/he works with counterparts at the Federal Ministry of Health and the private sector, advocating for mobilization of domestic resources to manage malaria programs.

Duties

• Program/Project/Activity Management – 35%. The PMS PMI SCSC will serve as a Contracting/Agreement Officer Representative (C/AOR) and/or Activity Manager for projects with estimated annual expenditure rate in the range of US$5-10M or US$10-50M respectively; with full responsibility for management, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of assigned aspects of the malaria prevention, control, and elimination portfolio. She monitors and reports on developments in the PMI and other health sectors, especially as they relate to successful implementation of National Health Logistic Management Information System (NHLMIS) activities; and, monitors, analyzes, and reports on relevant aspects of host government policies, regulation, and programming, and on malaria-related and other health and development issues, based on an in-depth understanding of USAID and USG policy and program objectives and priorities.
• Technical Leadership and Advisory Function – 35 %. The PMS PMI SCSC coordinates with other USG agencies to ensure the delivery of systematic and consistent technical assistance to the host government and to Non-Governmental Organizations partners and implementing partners in the areas of supply chain management including the ordering, delivery, clearance and distribution processes for the malaria commodities that they procure directly. In addition, s/he provides strategic input on all PMI programs or other malaria-related components; use diplomatic skills and technical acumen to influence the FMoH and State Ministry of Health (SMoH) in their strategic decisions and policy formulation to strengthen supply chain management, including transparency and accountability, and encourage the (Host Government) to take concrete steps in the overall journey to self-reliance; influence other donors, and the private sector to leverage resources for health systems strengthening to achieve mutual goals such as those related to PMI; recommend and implement mechanisms that will ensure transparent and accountable management of health commodities at all levels of the system.
• Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting – 15% The PMS PMI SCSC ensures that performance monitoring systems are in place, and that periodic, reliable measures and indicators of portfolio impact are established; and, collects and monitors performance data on an ongoing basis and prepares reports of program/project/activity progress for use within the Office, the Mission, the USG at Post, and for USAID/Washington and others. S/he assesses progress in achieving results for malaria-related activities, evaluates and assesses activities as needed; and, continually strives to enhance the achievement of results by periodically reviewing the development context, results indicators, and activity implementation progress, identifying problem areas and suggesting solutions. S/he prepares technical and policy analyses, evaluates sectoral issues, and provides input to mission activities with respect to malaria and related sectors; summarizes information and conclusions in written and oral form for presentation to senior USG, and other decision makers, and for incorporating into other activity documents as appropriate; organizes field trips, conferences, and seminars to ensure maximum exposure to emerging trends and various points of view, and for monitoring assigned malaria-related activities, providing translation as needed; and, prepares written reports that reflect a sound understanding of assigned areas of responsibility, and that clearly document that a wide variety of sources and points of view have been consulted in undertaking analyses, and in drawing conclusions.
• Representation and Coordination – 15%. The PMS PMI SCSC serves as a key liaison for strategic PMI issues; identifies short-, mid-, and long-range achievable and sustainable strategies for improving malaria supply chain activities within the Nigerian health sector, with a focus on decentralized areas; and, represents USAID, the USG, and the broader USAID health program at high-level meetings, and at seminars and conferences on malaria-related topics; serves as the USG point of contact to liaise with FMoH and SOMS in relation to coordinating supply chain systems support, supply planning, forecasting, quantification and programming; and participates in key technical for a related to supply chain and commodity management at the FMoH, SOMS, Ministry of [Finance, Economic Development], and among key donors involved in supply chain.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

• Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
• Education Requirements: Minimum of Master's degree, or the local equivalent, in Pharmaceutical Studies, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Business Administration, International Health, Health Planning or Public Health is required.

Evaluations:

• Education: 10 points
• Prior Work Experience: 20 points
• Job Knowledge: 30 points
• Language Proficiency: 10 points
• Skills and abilities: 30 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.

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.

Qualifications

• Prior Work Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of substantive and progressively responsible professional experience working in pharmaceutical supply chain, malaria commodity, and logistics management is required.  This work experience should include at least seven years of project design, management, and implementation in relation to supply chain and/or health commodities management.
• Supply chain experience working with Government of Nigeria at the national, state, and/or facility level is required. Experience in measurement methods required for monitoring & evaluation of international health programs, including quantitative and qualitative research is required. Prior experience collaborating with and/or working for key donors, major supply chain organizations, development partners, or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) is required.  Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, as well as working in close collaboration with donor groups, government agencies, NGOs and implementing partners on malaria and/or other health programs is required. Must be a member of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.

Job Knowledge:

• Knowledge of national supply chain management systems and health service delivery in the public and private sector in Nigeria including but not limited to procurement, warehousing and distribution, receipt and ordering of commodities, supply planning, quantification, and use of supply chain management information and management systems is required.
• Specialized knowledge of the public health aspects of managing specialized pharmaceuticals, logistics programs, and evidence-based practices and policies (for pharmacological management in particular) is required. Knowledge of the principles, concepts, techniques and best practices in project management, evaluation, reporting and budgeting is required. Good understanding of health systems specifically related to development challenges and opportunities in Nigeria is required. Extensive knowledge in malaria, maternal and child health programs in Nigeria is required. Solid understanding of donor engagement in supporting health systems strengthening efforts and health commodities is required.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills to ensure effective team relations. Strong communication and negotiation skills to interpret organizational policies and best practices in supply chain systems and commodities. Management and organizational skills to work with numerous teams, identifying priority actions and taking initiative for follow through. Advanced computer skills in Excel, word processing, database management, and statistical packages.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and writing, with government technical officers, donors and counterparts. Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks and competing priorities. Ability to present information, analyses, and recommendations in clear written and oral formats. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.
• Ability to work in a team and interagency environment and with a broad range of collaborators.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to test and define data requirements and use cases is a must. Proven ability to work in a dynamic and agile environment with changing requirements and priorities. Demonstrated ability to take direction to iteratively define and implement solutions as requirements are being identified and finalized.
• Demonstrated ability to support policy development, interpretation and implementation in relation to health supply chain and health-related programs. Ability to work independently to manage several activities at once and work under pressure to meet deadlines. Management and organizational skills to work with numerous teams, identifying priority actions and taking initiative if follow-through is needed.
• Ability to navigate and manage politically sensitive issues. Excellent computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Skills related to logistics management software (e.g. Pipeline, Quantimed, FAST Tool) are desirable. Certification in supply chain management desirable but not required.

Language Proficiency:

• Level IV (fluent) English oral and writing ability is required.

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   

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

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

• Open to Cooperating Country National (Nigerians only). For definitions use URL www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/glossary

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

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.

Salary

• NGN15,890,203
• USD $58,186

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

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

Allowances (as applicable):

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

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

Important Notice

• 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 online, and that we will determine your eligibility and qualifications based solely on the material received by the closing date.

Required Documents:

• Current Resume
• Relevant Certificates
• NYSC Certificate
• University Degree Certificate
• List of References

Next Steps:

• 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 as stated above.  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.
• For More Info: HR Section 000-000-0000 [email protected]

Application Deadline  12th January, 2021.