USAID/Moldova Job Opportunity Announcement # 5 - Project Management Specialist - Social Sector

DATE:        December 2, 2016 

TO:             All Interested Candidates

FROM:        United States Agency for International Development, Regional Mission for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova (USAID)

SUBJECT: Job Opportunity Announcement # 5, USAID/Moldova

POSITION TITLE:  PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST- SOCIAL SECTOR

POSITION TYPE: FSNPSC – 40 hours per week

POSITION GRADE LEVEL: FSN-11

ENTRY GRADE LEVEL: FSN-10 (Until the incumbent will successfully complete all mandatory USAID trainings and reach the full performance level of the position)

OFFICE LOCATION: USAID/Moldova, Chisinau

OPENING DATE:  December 2, 2016 

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: December 16, 2016 at 6:00 PM Chisinau time

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS: Interested applicants should e-mail their current résumé and letter of interest in English to the USAID Human Resources Unit at KyivVacancies@usaid.gov.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Regional Mission to Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Cyprus is an equal opportunity employer. 

Note:     Only those applications that are received in the Human Resources Unit before the closing date will be eligible for consideration.  Applications and letters that are inadequate or incomplete will not be considered. Only those applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Initial screening will be based on the curriculum vitae or résumé and letter of interest. Best qualified applicants who meet minimum requirement will be invited for an interview and test. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

This position is located in the USAID/Moldova Mission and reports to the U.S. Direct Hire, FS-01, Office Director. The incumbent is primarily responsible for managing activities in the social sector, but may work on activities throughout the entire portfolio and will serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for one or more USAID/Moldova programs implemented through contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants.

The work focuses on USAID program approach that comprehensively addresses local government, civil society, health, anti-corruption and social sector under the DO1: More Effective and Accountable Democratic Governance. This involves collaboration between all of USAID’s technical sectors, greater involvement of the Government of Moldova and the Moldovan civil society. The social sector assistance may include projects that target critical social problems, e.g. social services, child abuse, child care protection and reform, child deinstitutionalization reform, addressing women and children in adversity problems, social and economic integration of the disabled, workforce development, and gender-based violence. Reforms in priority sectors are urgently needed in Moldova. Achieving critical legal, regulatory and policy reforms and greater involvement and engagement of government and civil society will provide opportunities that result in well-being and prosperity in communities and vulnerable populations. Research indicates that improved social policies can foster economic growth and poverty reduction. Better social services will strengthen citizens’ trust in government.

The Social Sector Project Management Specialist is expected to operate and carry out duties with a high degree of independence.  The incumbent will serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for social programs as assigned within the office, totaling approximately $4.5-10 million. As Project Management Specialist in the Social Sector she/he will regularly collaborate with other Mission projects/programs/offices to advance social sector reforms, e.g. local governance assistance program, civil society strengthening program, media program, and local capacity development assistance. The work as Project Management Specialist for Social Sector and AOR/COR requires research, observation and a wide assortment of contacts to truly understand and develop sustainable solutions to concerns identified inside the Mission and outside of USAID/Moldova. The Specialist will seek advice and offer advice to the U.S. Embassy, the relevant institutions in the Government of Moldova, and implementing partners (IPs). AOR/COR work includes participating in the design of programs/projects/activities, the evaluation of ongoing programs, advising on best social sector practices, participating in technical working groups, and helping to integrate social sector support for reforms.

The work includes research, and the development of sustainable solutions identified inside the Mission, and outside of USAID/Moldova. In addition, the Project Management Specialist addresses “targets of opportunity” that personal research may uncover, and opportunities suggested by the U.S. Embassy, USAID/Washington, implementing partners, unsolicited proposals, etc.

The Social Sector Project Management Specialist will also be responsible for ensuring that Mission social assistance activities in his/her areas of responsibility are coordinated with, complementary to, and supportive of the social sector assistance activities of other international organizations and donors active in these areas, such as the World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, EU Delegation, UNWOMEN, SIDA, Oak Foundation, Childhood Foundation, etc.

Key contacts among the Government of Moldova institutions include: Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, the Parliamentary Commission responsible for child welfare and social protection, and the National Council for Protection of Children.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A.Social Sector Reform Project Management                                                          60%

• Serves as a COR/AOR and/or Activity Manager for agreements relevant to social sector reform and child welfare and alternate COR/AOR for any other activities programs in the Democracy and Governance portfolio.
• Manages USAID technical assistance to strengthen social assistance sector by determining work priorities, making decisions on activity implementation matters, identifying and resolving program issues, assuring that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner; and assuring that activities are carried out in accordance with all applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements. 
• Facilitates high-impact programming while guiding appropriate systemic reforms made by the host government; identifies/develops innovative and technically feasible approaches to programming.
• Ensures that the programming reflects best practices and supports USG policy objectives and is responsive to the Government of Moldova’s needs.
• Plans, implements, participates in, comments upon, or prepares Mission reviews and evaluations, assessments or audits of Mission governance activities in relevant areas of responsibility.
• Provides technical guidance to its institutional contractors, grantees, Moldovan Government officials and other stakeholders as warranted with regards to the design and implementation of these activities to meet the intended results.
• Monitors and evaluates programs/activities through site visits, reporting, and trends analysis, as well as facilitates the development of work plans and PMPs, and reviews performance reporting.
• Prepares all necessary internal USAID program implementation documentation for smooth program implementation, including GLAAS actions and other required reporting.
• Continuously identifies and prioritizes challenges and opportunities, mitigating program/activity implementation challenges and acting on program opportunities in a timely manner.
• Cultivates successful relationships and ensures programmatic integration in a cross-cutting manner that leads to synergy between various USAID activities and accomplishment of development objectives outlined in the Mission CDCS.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

B.Technical Advice and Advocacy                                                              40%

The Social Sector Project Management Specialist:

• The incumbent places special emphasis on advancing the social reforms that serve the needs and aspirations of vulnerable groups and locations. The Specialist develops appropriate opportunities to integrate awareness of recognized best practices in social sector advocacy program implementation across all Mission technical and support offices.
• The incumbent will also serve as a primary resource in solving program issues related to his/her portfolio and is a principal advisor in bilateral and multilateral meetings where program issues are negotiated.
• Provides advice and feedback on program directions and effective solutions to politically sensitive and technically complex matters.
• Provides analysis, advice and recommendations to Mission management and staff regarding the management and implementation of social assistance and child welfare activities in Moldova.
• Contributes, as required, in the development of Mission strategic plans, updates to the Operational Plan and other reporting documentation.
• Coordinates and manages social sector assessments and other baseline data collection conducted by USAID or in conjunction with other USG agencies, international organizations, or other donors.
• Develops and maintains close collaborative, professional relationships with senior government and parliament officials, key local leaders, local governments associations, think tanks, other major donors and international organizations, such as the World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, EU Delegation, UNWOMEN, Oak Foundation, and SIDA. The incumbent also participates in government-led partners meetings; keeps abreast of trends, policies, GoM needs, and other donor programs in the social sector.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

a. Education: Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree, or the local equivalent formal education, in a field relevant to the social sector, such as public administration, social assistance, public health, law, political science, or other closely related fields relevant to the position, is required. An advanced Degree in a similar field is strongly desired.

b. Prior Work Experience:  Five to seven years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in program/project design, planning and implementation of social reform work is required. At least two years of this experience should be in development-related work, or related fields for USAID, other donor agencies, Government of Moldova organizations, or private-sector institutions which included project design, performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of a large amount of data. 

c. Post Entry Training:  Participation in job-related seminars, workshops and development studies programs organized by USAID, e.g. COR courses, USAID's e-Learning University Courses, etc. Appropriate modules of the Leadership and Program Operations Training Initiative such as Managing for Results, Organization and Operations, Team Skills, training in agency database systems and in other special areas related to duties when available, including third-country leadership training, as appropriate and available.

Language Proficiency (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by level (II, III) and specialization (sp/read):  Level IV (fluent) English written and spoken is required.  This includes the ability to deal effectively with terminology in which fine nuances of meaning may at times assume major importance in negotiations/meetings with host country government officials. (Level IV) Native-level Romanian written and spoken is required. (Level IV) Fluency in Russian is required.

e. Job Knowledge:  The Specialist must have in-depth professional-level knowledge of the social sector, legislative processes, legal and /or policy reform, development principles, concepts, and practices, especially as they relate to the overarching problems of managing social sector activities in Moldova. The incumbent must have knowledge and understanding of the economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics of Moldova; and, the development problems related to the social sector and child welfare, the resources and resource constraints, and the overall development prospects and priorities for Moldova and the region. The incumbent shall have an adequate knowledge, or the potential to quickly acquire such knowledge of legislation, policy, and practice relating to development assistance, of USAID programming policies and of the objectives, methodology and status of assigned activities. The Specialist must have adequate knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective roles of the different levels of the Government of Moldova in order to enhance effective communication, and to develop consensus on program implementation.

f. Skills and Abilities:  Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government institutions, donor organizations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, private sectors, and civil society organizations is required. The incumbent must have excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, including the ability to articulate USAID policies and strategies and to respond to queries concerning USAIDs’ viewpoint on various issues. The ability to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and prepare precise, accurate and complete reports is required. Proven, demonstrated ability to work independently under tight deadlines and heavy workload within agreed upon parameters with minimal supervision or guidance and while exercising sound judgement is required. Skills in conceptualizing project programming, policies, and plans and developing strategies for their implementation is required. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and proactively work to achieve consensus on policy, project and administrative matters is required. The position requires an ability to diplomatically and tactfully confront and resolve institutional and interagency bureaucratic challenges while maintaining collaborative relations. The incumbent must have computer skills including ease and skill in using work processing and power point programs, email.

POSITION ELEMENTS:

a. Supervision Received:  The incumbent is under the supervision of the Office Director, FS-01. Assignments are in terms of overall objectives and resources available. Completed work is reviewed in terms of achievement of project goals, effectiveness in meeting host country and USAID objectives and integration with other initiatives in the economic growth objective of the U.S. Foreign Assistance framework.

b. Supervision Exercised:  Supervision over the work of others is not envisioned.

c. Available Guidelines:  The incumbent will abide by all Embassy and USAID administrative procedures, USAID's Automated Directives System, supervisor's oral and written instructions, and USAID/Moldova Mission Orders.

d. Exercise of Judgment:  The incumbent shall demonstrate a professional level of judgment and initiative in order to respond to intra-office, inter-office, inter-agency and inter-governmental activities.  Sound judgment is required to deal effectively with government officials.  Judgment to anticipate and identify office needs related to administrative and program support is important.  S/he is also required to use sound judgment in dealing with implementing partners and other U.S. governmental entities. The incumbent is expected to analyze situations and the requirements to resolve problems. The incumbent must recognize requests for decisions or position papers that require prior USAID review and approval.

e. Authority to Make Commitments:  Commitments are limited to actions within the scope of the position (i.e., advising on when actions will be completed, assuring that required documents will be delivered by a certain time, etc.). No commitments are authorized to GOM officials, international agencies, donor organizations, contractors or grantees.

f. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts:  Continuous contact is maintained with senior levels of the Moldovan Government, senior ranks of the USG, international agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, EU Delegation, SIDA) educational institutions, private sector and NGOs to obtain unpublished and published information concerning the projects and the democracy and governance program. Contact is at all levels in the Mission, the Embassy, and with contractors/grantees to monitor activities, resolve problems, provide guidance, advice, and attend workshops and seminars, and other meetings.

g. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level:  one year

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

Interested candidates in order to apply for this position must submit in English:

• Current résumé or curriculum vitae and a letter of interest;
• Mandatory Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174).

A résumé or curriculum vitae must contain three to five references with current contact information. The Technical evaluation committee shall consider the past performance information obtained from the reference checks in scoring past performance. It is therefore recommended that the applicant alerts the contacts that their names have been submitted and that they are authorized to provide past performance information when requested.

A letter of interest must describe what the applicant understands to be the key responsibilities of the position and highlight the applicant’s qualifications, skills, attributes and past experience to demonstrate suitability for the position and how the applicant meets the requirements of each of the evaluation criteria described above.  The letter of interest may be considered as a writing sample and should not exceed three (3) pages using standard font (12) Times New Roman.