Ad Hoc Request Coordinator, FEWS NET

Job Description

Chemonics seeks an Ad Hoc Request Coordinator for the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) – Early Warning Team (EWT) to work with the Washington DC-based FEWS NET Technical Team. FEWS NET food security analysis, early warning, and decision support for emergency food assistance rely on the monitoring and analysis of markets and prices associated with staple foods, cash crops, livestock, and labor. The FEWS NET EWT maintains field offices in Africa, Central America, Asia, and the Caribbean. The Ad Hoc Request Coordinator will oversee the implementation and management of a transparent system for receiving, tracking, and prioritizing ad hoc reporting requests from USAID. The coordinator will develop a set of protocols and guidance associated with ad hoc reports, including the categorization of ad hoc requests according to type, and associated deliverables and communications mechanisms. The Ad Hoc Request Coordinator will communicate with the USAID management team and act as the central point of contact for all ad hoc requests. With upwards of 12 USAID FEWS NET management team staff submitting requests to the EWT, this system is essential for ensuring USAID’s needs are met while ensuring clear expectations for the engagement and required LOE of the EWT. The Ad Hoc Request Coordinator will also help to develop and implement a system for overseeing LOE tracking among key staff responsible for delivering ad hoc responses. The Ad Hoc Request Coordinator will also provide additional operational support to the EWT Technical Team. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is an integrated set of activities funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is intended to provide timely, accurate, evidence-based, and transparent food security early warning information and analysis. Created in 1985 in response to famines in East and West Africa, FEWS NET provides global coverage through a mix of presence and remote monitoring. FEWS NET’s work is implemented across several pillars by a team of partners that includes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Geological Survey, the University of California-Santa Barbara’s Climate Hazards Center, Kimetrica, and Chemonics International (Chemonics). Chemonics houses FEWS NET’s Early Warning Team (EWT), a team charged with integrated emergency food insecurity analysis through a Washington-based technical office and more than 20 field offices.

FEWS NET 7’s Early Warning Team Task Order has a base period of two years (October 2019 – October 2021) with three, one-year option periods, to conclude by October 2024.

The main responsibilities of the Ad Hoc Request Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

• Working with the Senior Management Team and Technical Operations Director, to establish a streamlined system to receive, track, and manage ad hoc reporting requests from USAID
• Develop clear procedures and guidelines for categorizing and handling different types of requests, including information gathering, analysis, and reporting
• Maintain an LOE tracker for key staff involved in responding to ad hoc requests and communicate resourcing availability to USAID
• Supporting day-to-day operations on tasks including personnel management, procurement, travel support, meeting and workshop support, contractual deliverable preparation, MOU management, client communications, and other tasks
• Proactively identifying areas for improvement, including in recruitment processes, office management and operational support, and other areas. Developing strategies and solutions to address those opportunities in collaboration with the technical operations director and/or Senior Management Team;
• Collaborating with FEWS NET PMUs and Chemonics U.S. support units to efficiently resolve challenges and address project needs.

• Bachelor’s degree in international development or relevant field
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or one year of related experience with a Master’s degree
• Demonstrated organizational skills to meet multiple, overlapping deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Planner, and PowerBI or other data visualization tools
• Professional demeanor and capacity to work with a range of technical and administrative professionals.
• Proactive in delivering on professional responsibilities and organizational commitments on time and at a high quality.
• Detail-oriented and well-organized to meet multiple, sometimes overlapping deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility and integrity
• Fluency in English is required, French or Spanish language skills desirable.

Location and Reporting   

The Ad Hoc Request Coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the FEWS NET Technical Operations Director or his/her designee. D.C. based and US-based remote applicants will be considered.

Application Instructions:

Apply by 11:59PM (EST) on January 2nd, 2023. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Chemonics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
Chemonics will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by Chemonics, or (c) consistent with Chemonics legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

The Salary Range for this position is expected to be: $64,100 - $80,100.

An employee’s pay position will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs.

Overtime exemption status may change due to state regulatory requirements.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, ESOP, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible to US based employees. Please visit https://chemonics.com/life-at-chemonics/our-benefits/ to find out more about the benefits this position is eligible for.

About the Organization

Founded in 1975, Chemonics is an international development consulting firm. In more than 70 countries around the globe, our network of 5,000 specialists share a simple belief: that the challenges we face today are best solved through the right partnerships — sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience to deliver results. As part of our culture and values, Chemonics is proud to be named a “Best Place to Work” in the Human Rights campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index. Where Chemonics works, development works. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit us at www.chemonics.com.