Crisis, Stabilization, and Governance Officer, USAID, Afghanistan

Company Profile: Management Systems International (MSI) is a global international development firm based in Washington, D.C. providing specialized short- and long-term technical assistance. MSI is part of Coffey International Development, a global development consulting firm. Together with Coffey ID, MSI now has more than 1,500 development professionals worldwide, a corporate presence in 11 countries and manages more than 200 projects worldwide. It currently manages more than 20 long-term projects in countries, including Iraq, Sudan, Colombia and Russia. Broadly, MSI implements a range of analytical and field projects in its core technical areas, including democracy and governance, strategic management and performance improvement, organizational capacity building, human development and natural resource management. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at .

Project/Proposal Summary:  During the last year, USAID has undertaken a nearly unprecedented staffing increase as they added hundreds of new positions to the mission in Afghanistan and around the world. MSI is proud to partner with USAID on this effort, and has been working closely with AID since 2009 to support this massive recruiting effort.

USAID and MSI are looking for strong development and technical professionals for positions in Afghanistan, both in Kabul and the throughout the regions.    

This exciting staffing increase will directly support USAID’s mission to promote the rapid transition of Afghanistan to a more stable and productive state, and to promote democracy, rule of law, and sustainable economic and social development that is responsive to the Afghan citizens’ needs.  

These positions offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including substantial uplifts for post differential and danger pay. All positions are unaccompanied and require U.S. citizenship. 

Position Summary:

The Crisis, Stabilization and Governance Officer will coordinate program development, implementation, and performance monitoring plans within the democracy, governance, and stabilization sector.  Contracts are one year to start, renewable up to five years.  Salary: $65,-118, USD/year.  Grade and Series: FS-0301-02/03.

Responsibilities:

• Support direct assistance programs with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as well as direct assistance to Afghan civil society organizations;
• Coordinate program development, implementation, and performance monitoring plans with other USAID Offices, with the inter-agency (notably the Departments of State and Defense), other donors, civil society, and the private sector;
• Participate and assist the development of plans and programs for technical assistance, strategic planning, and other activities within the democracy, governance, and stabilization sector. Develop the concept, design, documentation, and/or management of programs/projects;
• Assist in the planning of a broad range of program activities, policies guidelines, and training, including identifying opportunities for integrating development assistance principles; participate in the formation of policies and guidelines, including operationalization of Counter Insurgency (COIN) efforts with a focus on build to transfer;
• Serve as technical expert on governance, rule of law, elections, and/or civil society issues in assigned location for the Mission;
• Lead, undertake, and report on assessments of democracy, governance, and stabilization needs to inform funding decisions or modifications to ongoing programs. Monitor and report on implementation, progress, and problems encountered of ongoing programs;
• Report on democracy, governance, and stabilization issues;
• Approve annual workplans and program modifications.

Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship required. Candidates with dual citizenship would need to renounce secondary citizenship due to security clearance requirements;
• FS-02:

o    Bachelor’s degree plus 8 years of experience of which 6 years are relevant experience in developing countries; OR

o    Master’s degree in a relevant major plus 6 years of relevant experience of which 4 years are relevant experience in developing countries.

• FS-03:

o    Bachelor’s degree plus 6 years of relevant experience of which 4 years are relevant experience in developing countries; OR

o    Master’s degree in a relevant major plus 4 years of relevant experience of which 3 years are relevant experience in developing countries.

• Candidates must be able to obtain security and medical clearances.
• Demonstrated professional expertise in international development/relations, political science, law, public policy/administration, stabilization and/or conflict resolution.

Physical Qualifications:

Due to the rugged nature of these positions, all candidates will need to meet minimal physical requirements in order to perform daily responsibilities in Kabul, and most especially in the field. 

• Civilians working in communities are required to wear 30-40 pounds of body armor/helmet on a daily basis, as well as carry their daypack and water, usually in a backpack weighing an additional 8-10 pounds;
• All personnel working in the field are required to walk over uneven and rocky terrain over long distances. This includes field patrols of 5 miles or more to meet with local community members; these field patrols typically occur 2-3 times per week. Generally, personnel will be on their feet 5-6 hours per day;
• Transportation by armored vehicles will be used.  Personnel working in the field are required to embark and disembark from such vehicles, which have high clearances and limited individual space to sit and maneuver.  Clearances may be up to four feet off the ground, there will be high step rails and/or ladder-type steps, and doorways may be smaller than those of commercial vehicles;
• Living conditions are austere. At many field posts, bedding consists of canvas cots with mosquito netting;
• Field environment is challenging. Desert temperatures often reach 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Personnel will be exposed to intense sunlight for several hours at a time. Also, temperatures at night and can become very cold; field personnel must take precautions against frostbite. At times, field personnel may be required to evacuate quickly from an area under their own power due to security concerns.

*Additional Afghanistan and Pakistan openings are expected throughout the next year. If you would like to be automatically notified of these openings, please .

For full position descriptions and to apply to these openings, please visit our website: .

Only candidates who have been selected as finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.