Vacancies at the USAID for Project Management Specialists - Basic Education
The United States Government, represented by the
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers
from qualified persons to provide personal services in the vacant
position below:
Job Title: Project Management Specialist - Basic Education
Solicitation Number: AID-620-S-00-17-00011-00
Location: Abuja
Issuance Date: April 19, 2017
Security Level: SBU
Period of Performance: Five years renewable
Area of Consideration: Nigerians Only
Basic Function of the Position
- The candidate will serve as a COR/AOR or Activity Manager for
select education components of USAID/Nigeria’s Country Development
Cooperation Strategy which are implemented through cooperative
agreements and contracts with U.S. and local Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions.
- The candidate will provide expertise in mitigating conflict in
the education sector and combating school-based violence. Once the
candidate completes required USAID training, s/he will be given COR/AOR
responsibilities. This may include management of the new “Education in
Crisis & Conflict” activities intended to provide education
opportunities for children living in Northeastern Nigeria.
Major Duties ans Responsibilities
Program/Project Leadership and Management 40%:
- Perform the full range of program management functions
including, inter alia, ensuring grantees/contractors meet the full
objectives of their project descriptions or scopes of work, advising and
participating in evaluations, ensuring program compliance with USAID
policies and t at the content and objectives are consistent with the
strategic priorities of the USAID Mission and the Nigerian Government.
- As part of her/his A/COR responsibilities, s/he conducts site
visits as an official USAID/Nigeria representative to monitor
implementation and progress, to identify delays or difficulties
requiring resolution, and proposes solutions for the resolution of such
problems, which might include compliance with requirements for the
approval of site selection or require solutions for specific 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: analysis of annual
funding requirements, preparation and analysis of budgets, authorizing
and monitoring disbursements, coordinates and provides technical
leadership during in-briefs and out-briefs for Short Term Technical
Assistance on activities, close-outs and property/inventory disposition
etc. The incumbent may also serve as an Activity Manager for new
education activities, as necessary.
Program Policy and Analsis and Reporting 20%:
- The incumbent provides direction and support in the planning,
development, design, management, and evaluation of activities and will
be responsible for participating in management of the education
component of the Mission’s portfolio.
- S/he will be involved in the review of proposals submitted to
the Mission; selection of awardees; assist in the start-up of the new
activities with the awardee; and, provide liaison roles for USAID with
Universal Basic Education Commission, National Commission for Colleges
of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, State Ministries of
Education and States Primary Education Boards, and works with other
Donors like the World Bank, DFID, UNICEF, UNESCO on on-going management,
monitoring and of evaluation USAID projects.
- 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 Team Leader and other Program
Managers to ensure thoroughness and consistency of data submitted on
activities for the annual report, Implementation Reviews, etc. Tracks
policy developments, legislative changes, technical developments in the
field, etc., that affect USAID’s activities and/or objectives regarding
primary education, and advises the Education Team Leader, other Program
Managers and other team members of these and of the appropriate
- USAID position regarding them. 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%:
- Initiates and describes project ideas and initiatives in
accordance with the education sector strategy, the current environment
in Nigeria, the institutional capabilities and purposes of potential
USAID recipients, resource availability and funding source.
- Contributes technical expertise and creative ideas to other
Teams in the Mission developing new interventions to support the social
and economic development of Nigeria. Explores ways and strategies for
integration, identifying synergies and resource leveraging with other
Mission
- Teams specifically with regard to education for maximum impact and results.
- Conducts research, as necessary, on social and economic factors pertaining to education in Nigeria for input to these documents.
- Contributes to the development of conceptual frameworks and formulates plans for required implementation documentation.
General USAID Administration 10%:
- Coordinates various actions related to assigned activities with a
host of Nigerian senior government (GON) officials, 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 & 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.
- Coordinates the participation of these officials in special
meetings and events, especially with high-level visitors or Embassy
representatives. 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/committees meetings,
FSN committee meetings, Donor Project Design and briefing meetings and
other relevant meetings. Develops necessary documentation for
presentations by the Education Team Leader and other Program Managers,
as well as other USAID/Nigeria senior staff as assigned.
5. General Education Team Administration Work 10%:
- S/he is responsible for management of assigned technical and
administrative aspects of USAID/Nigeria’s Education Program. Drafts
reports, correspondences, cables, GLAAS/scopes of work, Implementation
Letters, A & A plans and accruals in collaboration with the Program
Office and the Office of Financial Management, and any other necessary
documents for the implementation of assigned activities.
- Negotiates the clearance and approval of documents necessary for
proper implementation of activities. S/he is also responsible for
contributing ideas/strategies and participating in the Education Team
Meetings.
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 Management is required.
Prior Work Experience:
- Minimum of Five to seven years of progressively responsible
experience in program management or related work required, including
experience in the collection, analysis and presentation of information.
At least five years in fields or areas related to education in Nigeria.
Language Proficiency:
- (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency
requirements by level and specialization) Level IV (fluency) in both
English and Hausa is required. Oral Level III (working ability) in
Fulfulde or Kanuri is required.
Job Knowledge:
- 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 as conflict mitigation & countering violence in
schools, girls’ access to education, religious institutions,
school-based management committees and parent-teacher associations, and
education policy and curriculum implementation; and,
- Familiarity with topics related to education reform, use of
language of the environment and mother-tongue instruction, financing,
and systems strengthening.
Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrable skills in decision-making and managing &
overseeing implementation of education activities in Nigeria. Excellent
oral & written communication skills, interpersonal & teamwork
skills, especially in multi-cultural settings.
Benefit/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:
- N11,581,095.00 equivalent to FSN-11 In accordance with AIDAR
Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of United States Mission,
Nigeria (Effective September 04, 2016). Final compensation will be
negotiated within the listed market value
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.
Evaluation and Selection Factors
- Applications will be required to have the minimum qualifications expressed above.
- Qualified applicants possessing skills above the minimum requirements will be assessed based on the following factors:
- Education (10 points)
- Work Experience (20 points)
- Knowledge (30 points)
- Language Proficiency (10 points)
- Skills and abilities (30 points)
- Per this scoring rubric, Work Experience, Knowledge, Skills and
Abilities are the most important factors. Applications will initially
be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a short list
of applicants developed.
- USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked
applicants in person or by phone OR not to interview any candidate.
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. Applications from candidates which do not
meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. Only
shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to
unsuccessful applicants.
- As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be
interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion.
Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as
finalists. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current
employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s
cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending
communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be contacted by
USAID with respect to their applications.
List of Required Forms for PSC Hires:
- Once the CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected
for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror
instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.
- Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
- RSO Security Questionnaire
- BI Guide Questionnaire
- THOR Enrollment Intake Form
Note
- Only short-listed candidates will be notified
- Mailed (paper/hard copies) applications will NOT be accepted.
- 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.
- To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position,
Offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer
submission.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications which must include all required documents stated below to:
[email protected]
Required Documents
Application Deadline: 3rd May, 2017.