Job Opportunities at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Solicitation No: AID-620-S-00-17-00010-00
Period of Performance: Five years renewable.
Who May Apply: Nigerians Only (Resident in Nigeria)

Job Summary

• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria is Solicitating for a Cooperating Country National Personal Service Contractor (CCN PSC) Program Assistant (Local Compensation Plan)
• The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide personal services under contract as described in this solicitation. 
• This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers.  
• Any questions must be directed in writing to the Point of Contact specified in the attached information.

Basic Function of the Position

• The Program Assistant serves as an Assistant to the Strategic Information Advisor in the HIV/AIDS-TB Team, USAID/Nigeria. 
• Specific assignments may vary, but the Assistant position is established to provide assistance to professional staff in handling the myriad administrative tasks involved in the management of Work Group program/project activities, including but not limited to managing the quarterly accrual process, preparing brief notes, assuring that vital records are maintained, and assisting to monitor activity budgets.
• In the absence of any AOR from the Work Group, the Program Assistant may assume AOR backstopping responsibility, up to the limits of their training and skill level, and as authorized by the Mission Contracting Officer.  The assistant is a full member of the Work Group, and of the HIV/AIDS-TB Team. 
• Work includes a variety of research, reporting, contact, monitoring, analytical duties and coordinating the work with AORs, other Work Group Leaders, the HIV/AIDS-TB Team Leader and deputy Team Leader, Mission Office Directors, senior Mission Management GoN officials and Implementing Partner (IP) counterparts. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities
Program Assistance:

• The Program Assistant is responsible for providing support to Strategic Information Work Group AORs in the administration and oversight of Work Group programs/projects and activities, to identify problems that may be encountered in the implementation of Work
• Group programs/projects by monitoring the financial status and correspondence of assigned IPs, to provide written activity status to AORs and the Work Group Leader, and to recommend limited corrective actions. 
• The Assistant drafts documents related to program planning, implementation, management, including memoranda, letters, MAARDs, performance reports, trip reports, analysis, etc.; manage electronic and hard-copy filing systems for the Work Group; and, provides input when coordinating the administrative aspects of Work Group and Team strategy development, specifically support related to program monitoring and tracking. 
• The Assistant assists AORs and the Work Group to prepare routine and extraordinary reports, including all Work Group-specific contributions to PEFPAR reporting, the Country Operational Plan and the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports budget and program analyses, quarterly accrual reports, briefings, presentations, and other reporting requirements. 
• The Assistant provides support to AORs (and steps in to backstop AORs, as assigned) in the day-to-day management, monitoring and evaluation of programs/project implementation; takes minutes at meetings and conferences, and assures that obligations and commitments are upheld and that deadlines are met. 
• The Assistant prepares oral and written reports and briefings for the Work Groups or Team Leader, on request. 
• The Assistant participates fully with AORs in maintaining project records and status reports, including quarterly technical and financial reports, accruals, and budget tracking tables; preparing and updating project documentation; and tracking contractor expenditure and budgets. 
• In addition, the Assistant collects, analyses, and interprets information from other sources (IPs, donor, GoN Ministries, etc.) as needed to identify opportunities to strengthen Work Groups programs/projects. 

Data Collection and Analysis:

• The Program Assistant plays a substantive support role in monitoring and reporting on developments in the HIV/AIDS-TB Tuberculosis sector. 
• Monitors, reports and prepares written summaries, evaluates pertinent non-technical issues, and provides information to Work Group, team and other Mission staff as requested; written summaries are for use by supervisors, as appropriate. 
• The Assistant organizes field trips, conferences and seminars and ensures maximum participation by target audiences; and prepares written and oral briefings for Work Group staff, and others, on request. 

Performance Monitoring:

• The Program Assistant supports AORs in ensuring that performance-monitoring systems are in place, and that measures and indicators of portfolio impact are established.  
• The Assistant contacts IPs to collect and monitor performance data, and prepares status reports and program/project reports for use within the Work Group and the Team, and provides information on IP progress in achieving outputs and results for selected activities, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position
Education:

• A University Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Health Sciences or Sociology is required.  

Prior Work Experience:

• 1 to 3 years progressive experience in program monitoring is required.  Prior experience in the collection analysis and presentation of information is required.

Language Proficiency:

• Level IV (fluent) English Language proficiency, verbal and written is required.  

Job Knowledge:

• A good knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of HIV/AIDS-TB and familiarity with the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and good knowledge of Nigeria’s economic, social, cultural and political characteristics is required. 

Skills and Abilities: 

• Applicants must possess the ability to obtain, organize, analyze, evaluate and present information and draft clear and concise reports.  Ability to work in a collaboratively environment with other support staff is required. 
• Excellent skills in the operation of word processors, graphics, office information systems and database management are required.  Strong numerical skills are required.

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.

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Solicitation Number: AID-620-S-00-17-00009-00
Period of Performance: Five (5) years renewable
Security Level Required: SBU
Area of Consideration: Nigerians Only

Basic Function of the Position

• Serves as a Financial Analysts in the Office of Financial Management (OFM) supporting the Education Team and advises on:
• The complex aspects of developing, implementing and evaluating USAID/Nigeria projects, a substantial numbers of which are large and complicated, especially awards to local indigenous Nigeria partners under the New Partners Initiative Program;
• The various aspects of the internal operations of USAID/Nigeria. Advises on the steps to be taken to implement a close-out audit findings and recommendations and provide liaison for audit activities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyses and makes recommendations on the general financial feasibility of projects, adequacy of project dollar and local currency budgets, financial planning and project life costing, pipeline reporting and analysis, as well as other project financial reporting requirements.
• Maintains contact on relevant projects and issues with key institutional contractors and grantees, private sector actors, other bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as other national and state government officials.
• For income producing projects, provides revenue return analysis and establishes financial rates of return.
• Conduct statutorily required Section 1311 reviews and coordinates the development and reporting of accrual expenditures for program accounts.
• Drafts financial analysis portions of project papers, agreements, implementation letters, and other project documents.
• Reviews and comments on financial information submitted by awardees in fulfillment of conditions precedent to disbursement of project funds or in compliance with periodic reporting requirements.
• Monitors financial progress during the life of the project to identify any deficiencies, to determine if earlier deficiencies have been corrected, and to resolve any financial difficulties revealed by project evaluation teams.
• Prepare quarterly program pipeline reports and advise on pipeline management.
• Provides financial advice on the development, implementation, and evaluation of USAID/Nigeria projects and various aspects of internal operations relating to USAID/Nigeria technical programs.
• Assists in the mission’s program for review of management controls as directed by OMB Circular A-123 in compliance with the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA); including conducting periodic international control reviews and following up on identified control weaknesses.
• Conducts financial reviews (pre-award surveys) of perspective and existing USAID contractors and grantees to determine the adequacy of their accounting systems and internal controls, financial status, and ultimately the financial and managerial capacity to successfully implement USAID/Nigeria awards.
• The Financial Analyst explains financial aspects of projects to contractors and grantees, advises them, and assists them in taking measures to meet the financial requirements necessary to successfully implement USAID awards.
• Formal and informal training's and mentoring programs are conducted for USAID contractors and grantees on an as-needed basis.
• Makes field trips with project technical staff to examine projects accounts for accuracy and integrity.
• Serves as a member of project evaluation teams (technical evaluations, portfolio reviews, data quality assessments, etc.) to determine if expenditure of project funds is coherent with the technical results achieved.
• Recommends changes to correct deficiencies or to improve implementation.
• Improve he financial management capabilities of program team members and Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTR) through formal/informal training on required financial management concepts and issues.
• Develops cost factors and long range expenditure projections for inclusion in the Mission’s Annual Budget submission.
• Prepares projected obligations and project implementation plans for submission to AID/Washington.
• Assists in clearing audit recommendations and developing the Mission’s Audit Inventory for the Regional Inspector General.

Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position

• Education: A University Degree in Accounting, Auditing, Finance, or Business Administration is required.
• A Masters Degree in a relevant field and CPA/Chartered Accountant designations are all considered highly desirable qualifications.
• Prior Work Experience: Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, or financial business management.
• At least three years of audit experience at a reputable firm is highly desirable.
• Language Proficiency: Level 4 English ability is required. Good writing skills are critical to success in this position.

Job Knowledge:

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices and terminology (private sector, governmental, and non-profit) is required.
• The incumbent will be expected to gain a thorough knowledge of laws, regulations, and procedures associated with USAID financial management project design, management project design, management and evaluation.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to identify items which require correction or modification.
• Must be able to make sound independent judgment, communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with accounting and non-accounting individuals.
• She or he must establish and maintain cordial working relationships with technical office colleagues, implementing partners, and other mission staff.
• They must be highly proficient (an advanced to expert user) in using spreadsheet and word processing software.
• Knowledge of various commercially available accounting software programs is highly desirable.

Physical Demands:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

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.

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.