Development Assistant Technical Specialist

Job Description

Solicitation for U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Development Assistance Technical Specialist, Office of General Development, USAID/Timor-Leste

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72047221R00006 
2. ISSUANCE DATE: 06-10-2021 
3. CLOSING DATE/TIME SPECIFIED FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 07-08-2021 at 5:00 p.m. Timor-Leste time. 
4. POSITION TITLE: U.S. Personal Service Contractor (USPSC) – Development Assistance Technical Specialist 
5. MARKET VALUE OF POSITION (Base Pay): GS-13 equivalent ($79,468 - $103,309).Salary to be paid within this grade will depend on experience, qualifications, and salary history. The standard compensation package also includes a contribution for life and health insurance and a contribution to FICA. 
6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Subject to HCTM and NSDD-38 approvals to start as soon as possible for a period of 12 months from the date of award with the possibility of extensions depending on the need for continuation of such services, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance and the needs of the USAID Mission. 
7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Dili, Timor-Leste 
8. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED/ACCESS: Confidential 9. WORK HOURS: 40 hours/week

MAJOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Development Assistance Technical Specialist is located within the Office of General Development (OGD) of the USAID/Timor-Leste Mission. The OGD includes five Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs), and a portfolio of about $60 million (life-of-project) activities advancing health governance and democratic governance. The Advisor promotes an inclusive, prosperous, and healthy Timor-Leste that is more self-reliant, and supports USAID/Timor-Leste’s Development Objective 2: Democratic Governance Strengthened, supporting Intermediate Result (IR) 2.1 Government Accountability Improved and IR 2.2 Institutional Effectiveness Strengthened.

The Development Assistance Technical Specialist reports to the Office Director and provides guidance for various aspects of activity design, planning, monitoring, evaluation, budgeting, and reporting. The Development Assistance Technical Specialist will frequently represent OGD to expand outreach and communication, and coordinate with and support USAID/Timor-Leste staff regarding issues affecting assistance design and implementation while managing for results.

a) Activity Monitoring, Analysis, and Communication (30%)

• Assist OGD staff to monitor and evaluate activities. Summarize and present monitoring policies and guidance to OGD staff. Coordinate with the Program Office to support the Performance Management Plan and the Mission’s monitoring and learning agenda. 
• Assist Agreement Officer Representatives/Contracting Officer Representatives (AOR/COR) to assess and report monitoring and evaluating of assistance. Ensure A/CORs are aware of Agency compliance issues related to the monitoring of activities and projects. 
• Assist the Mission’s Data Quality Assessment processes to collect performance data from implementing partners and analyze it to confirm that it meets Agency quality standards of validity, integrity precision, reliability, and timeliness. Advise A/CORs on determining data use and reporting to better manage activities and report on successes, as well as understand and assess limitations. 
• Coordinate with the Program Office to ensure overall quality and coherence of communications and outreach products and initiatives for activities in the OGD portfolio. Support the CORs and AORs with guidance from the Program Office to adhere to branding and marking guidelines. Assist the ODG to coordinate with other USG agencies, and OGD implementers to achieve maximum exposure and understanding of U.S. development efforts and initiatives. 
• Coordinate with USAID staff and OGD implementers on developing public information initiatives, and their communications and media strategy and relations. 
• Assist with drafting timely and accurate information, fact sheets, press releases, responses to requests for information, and other public information materials relating to OGD activities.

 b) Supervision, Mentoring, and Staff Development (30%) 

• Supervise FSN staff while developing a capable and results oriented OGD team. Provide regular feedback to managers and staff to ensure performance reviews are carried out throughout the year and annually. Proactively address performance issues through regular, constructive, and honest feedback and coaching.
• Maintain staff management systems which reflect principles of fairness, transparency, and efficiency, and ensure that health, safety, and security of staff are prioritized.
• Promote professional growth of FSN staff through strategic, deliberate capacity building, by identifying professional improvement needs, and recommending training and development opportunities

 c) Program and Activity Design (20%) 

• Serve as OGD’s primary point of contact with USAID/Timor-Leste’s Program Office regarding OGD activity designs and approval documents to help ensure all technical design, evaluation, and other criteria for activity approval are complied with and activity design documents readied for approval by legal, technical, and acquisition/assistance experts.
  

d) Activity Documentation and Reporting (20%)

• In partnership with the Program Office’s Development Outreach and Communication team, review all OGD drafted internal and external communications and outreach material to ensure USAID standards of quality are assured before being distributed to the U.S. Embassy or publicly.
• Coordinate OGD technical input to the Mission’s Annual Performance Plan and Report PPR, Operational Plan, Country Development Cooperation Strategy, and other documents. Compile and edit narratives, data tables, and reports to ensure quality and compliance with Agency guidance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SELECTION CRITERIA:
The applicants must address each Evaluation Factors listed below. When addressing the Evaluation Factors below, demonstrate how your experience relates to the duties and responsibilities. Candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the following evaluation criteria:

1. Education: (pass/fail): Bachelor’s Degree in a health-related field, international development/relations, business administration, economics, social, medical science, public administration, or equivalent 
2. Experience: Five (5) years of professional experience demonstrating progressively increasing levels of responsibility is required in public health governance or related areas such as governance of health systems, primary health care, maternal and child health, family planning, and/or experience promoting democratic governance, human rights, civil society, or relevant sectors. International experience working with experts from different countries is required.
3. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Demonstrated ability to analyze program and project development issues and work with teams to resolve them. The Development Assistance Technical Specialist reports to the Office Director and provides guidance for various aspects of activity design, planning, monitoring, evaluation, budgeting, and reporting. Excellent computer skills to use Microsoft Office and Google Share.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
Interested individuals are requested to submit following:

1. Fully completed and hand-signed or e-sign copy of an Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals (AID 309-2) at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Applicants should note that the salary history for the purposes of the AID-302-3 is the base salary paid, excluding benefits and allowances such as housing, travel, educational support, vehicle use, etc. 

2. A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV). 

3. Personal Information: full name, mailing address, email address, day and evening phone numbers, and country of citizenship. 

4. Written statement that responds to the requirements of the position (Section III.Evaluation and Selection Factors). 

5. A minimum of three and a maximum of five references, including two references which must be from direct supervisors who can provide information regarding the applicant’s knowledge. 

6. Information on current or prior U.S. Government security or employment authorization clearance and current or prior U.S. Government/employment medical clearances.

NOTE: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in this section. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your not being considered for employment.

This office must receive your application prior to the closing date and time specified in this solicitation. Late applications will not be considered. Please note all applications must be hand-signed or e-signed. Applications can be scanned and sent as an email attachment.
Unsigned applications shall NOT be considered. Please reference the solicitation number on your application, and as the subject line in any cover letter.

 

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