USAID Project Management Specialist, Conflict Mitigation at 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 of:

Job Title: USAID Project Management Specialist, Conflict Mitigation

Announcement Number: Abuja-2021-068
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Hiring Agency: Embassy Abuja
Vacancy Time Zone: GMT+1
Series / Grade: LE - 4005 10
Appointment Type: Permanent
Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week
Promotion Potential: LE- 10
Supervisory Position:  No
Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
Travel Required: The job holder is required to perform work-related travel
Telework Eligible: No

Summary

• The USAID Project Management Specialist (Conflict Mitigation) reports to the Democracy Officer (Conflict) in the Peace and Democratic Governance (PDG) Office. S/he serves as a technical expert and resource on the subject of violent conflict in Nigeria. This includes exploring, analyzing, recommending, designing, and overseeing implementation of conflict-related programs. S/he serves as an AOR/COR on conflict related programs. 

Duties
Program / Project Management and Performance Monitoring - 60%:

• Serve as Contract Officer’s Representative (COR)/Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on PDG implementing mechanisms.
• As COR/AOR, prepare documentation for PDG contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements in accordance with agency and office guidelines.
• Support management of assigned peacebuilding and conflict mitigation activities/project(s), including oversight of implementing partners and collecting and monitoring program performance data.
• Develop, monitor, evaluate, and recommend performance measures for existing activities and projects, including the work of contractors and grantees.
• Ensure completion of project administration for assigned PDG activities, including budgeting and contractual needs and maintaining award files and records.
• Prepare standard Embassy and/or USAID program management documents, correspondence, and procurement documents, and maintain administrative and program files related to conflict.
• Assist PDG staff members in the planning, design, and development of retreats and other meetings as relates to new conflict projects.

Operations and Financial Support - 20%:

• Assist in the development and/or technical review of program budgets and financial tracking documents.
• Track and monitor PDG program statistics and expenditures and make future recommendations.
• Maintain complete and auditable financial records for projects s/he manages and for all applicable procurement documents.
• Review proposals and grant concepts from a variety of organizations.
• Manage extensive program files and documentation in accordance with Agency and office regulations on records management, including proper care, storage, handling, and distribution.
• Collect information and draft/edit regular reporting products, such as analysis of atmospherics, cables, and digest reports.
• Respond to requests for information regarding PDG programs from within and outside of USAID in collaboration with relevant offices on USG conflict programs.
• Schedule meetings with implementing partners, government officials, foreign donor representatives, non-government organizations, media groups, community representatives and/or other stakeholders to discuss conflict issues.
• Facilitate communication and document key meetings with Mission and other U.S. Embassy colleagues and/or external stakeholders.

Data Collection and Sociopolitical Analysis - 20%:

• Monitor, analyze, and report on relevant aspects of Government of Nigeria (GoN) policy, law, regulation, and relevant issues, especially those related to conflict mitigation and peacebuilding.
• Provide insight into the Nigerian political, social, economic, and cultural environment and summarize information and conclusions in written and oral form for presentation to senior USG, other donors, decision makers, and for incorporation into other Mission program documents.
• Develop contacts, including with GoN officials, as needed, and assists PDG and implementing partners in broadening their access to and understanding of relevant civil society organizations.
• Participate in and organize field trips, conferences, and seminars to ensure maximum exposure of stakeholders and decision makers to emerging trends and various points of view, and for monitoring Conflict related activities.
• Prepare reports that document a wide variety of sources and points of view.
• Prepare oral and written briefings for the Mission Director, Embassy staff, other donors, and government, on request.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

• Pysical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as law, political science, economics, journalism, communications, rural / community development, public administration, public policy, conflict management or other related social science field is required.

Evaluations:

• Knowledge: 15 points
• Skills and Abilities: 10 points
• Communication and Language skills: 5 points
• Interview Performance: 70 points

Qualifications
Prior Work Experience:

• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible managerial and / or project management experience. This must include at least three years’ experience working in the area of providing development assistance in two or more of the following areas: legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks; public administration and accountability; civil society strengthening and engagement; multi-stakeholder collective action for improved public service delivery; conflict prevention and peacebuilding, including countering violent extremism approaches; local governance and service delivery; elections and legislative processes; gender and social inclusion and/or youth is required.

Job Knowledge:

•  An in-depth knowledge of the theory and practice of good governance and conflict mitigation programs, tools, and analysis methods for the Nigerian context. S/he must also understand the root causes and various drivers of violent conflict in Nigeria is required. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrable skills in prudent decision-making, project management and implementation oversight of conflict activities in Nigeria. 
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and to transfer technical knowledge about conflict in Nigeria into project designs, reports, and policy papers.
• Ability to communicate PDG recommendations to other sectors for improved programming and to work in a team environment across USAID and other agencies. 
• Ability to manage large, complex development assistance projects and to work effectively under pressure. 
• Ability to develop and maintain high level contacts with GON, civil society, and other donors.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Office applications and the Google suite of office tools are required.

Language Proficiency:

• Level IV fluency in English Language, both written and spoken, is required. Language competency may be tested.

Additional 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,”.
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at Link
• Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at Link
• 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 Link 

Salary
NGN 12,772,559 Annually.

Other Benefits:

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

Allowancies (as applicable):

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

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

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

Required Documents

• Current Resume
• Cover Letter
• 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.

Application Deadline 28th June, 2021.