Development Program Specialist (National)

Job Description

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. SOLICITATION NO.: USAID-2021-01

2. ISSUANCE DATE: 17 November 2020

3. CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 02 December 2020 / 11:59PM

4. POSITION TITLE: USAID Development Program Specialist, FSN-10

5. MARKET VALUE: Php 1,147,082.00 – Php 1,777,972.00 basic salary p.a. equivalent to FSN-10 in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan (LCP) of the U.S. Embassy Manila. The salary offer will be based on a combination of the candidate’s salary history and of the U.S. Embassy Manila’s LCP, and will be within the annual range listed above.

6. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The position is based in Manila, Philippines.

7. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The USAID Development Program Specialist is located in the Office of Education (OEd), USAID/Philippines. The Specialist leads the program and budget operations within OEd and coordinates with other USAID/Philippines offices and stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of portfolio requirements for the USAID education programs in the Philippines. The Specialist performs five basic functions: 1) leads the preparation of program and budget specific documents for program implementation including the OEd procurement plan and formulation of budgets, 2) monitors, analyzes and reports on OEd program compliance with targets under USAID initiatives such as USAID Forward, Partnership for Growth, Philippine Development Plan, and other Presidential initiatives; 3) leads OEd response to USAID/Washington, USAID Program Office and U.S. Embassy taskers and other reporting requirements, 4) advises the OEd Office Director and OEd technical staff on budget and program matters, 5) liaises with USAID/Washington on program and budget issues. S/He serves as the OEd primary point of contact on matters relating to program operations within OEd. Travel within the Philippines is required on a limited basis.

In this role, the Specialist is required to coordinate multiple and competing OEd priorities and should be able to research, analyze and report on a variety of program and budget issues. S/he is expected to use a refined level of professional judgment when asked to provide guidance or approval, and is expected to provide guidance on, and compliance with Automated Directives System rules. In addition, s/he must be familiar with a broad range of technical issues related to USAID education programs in the Philippines and will be called upon to provide technical input into OEd program related documents. The Specialist must exercise superior judgment of a skilled, highly capable, and experienced operations manager.

Major duties and responsibilities include: Portfolio Budget, Procurement Planning and Financial Management (50%), Portfolio Operations and Management (30%) and Other Reporting and Taskers (20%).

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP: The Specialist works under the day-to-day supervision of the Office of Education, Deputy Director. Assignments are made orally and in writing. Most assignments are self-generated and occur in the normal course of work. The Specialist exercises independence in most phases of the assignment but determines those situations that must be coordinated with the supervisor and/or higher-level USAID/Philippines management. The supervisor provides a review of the assignment, the goals and objectives to be achieved, and the results expected; the Specialist is expected to carry out those tasks independently. The Specialist seeks advice and assistance as required. Supervision of other staff is not contemplated. The Specialist does provide work guidance to the OEd Team Leaders and members, verifies work submitted for accuracy, and clears documents for administrative action.

8. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to all interested individuals who are Filipino citizens or non-Filipino citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the Philippines, and who also have the required work permits. USAID/Philippines does not sponsor work permits.

9. POINT OF CONTACT: Human Resources Division via aidmnlhr@usaid.gov

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

• a. Education – Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields: Business Administration, Social Science, Education Science or International Development. Note: Additional education may NOT be substituted for Experience.
• b. Prior Work Experience – Minimum of five (5) years progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial analyses and, budget planning, justification and execution; project design and management, including program planning, program/project budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, or closely related work is required. At least two years of this experience should have been in the field of development assistance. Note: Additional experience may NOT be substituted for Education.
• c. Language Proficiency / Communication Skills – Must have excellent communication skills in English and Tagalog, both in oral and written forms.

With this level of communication skills, the Specialist is expected to: prepare regular and ad hoc reports, project documentation, and briefing papers; develop and deliver professional quality reports and presentations.

• d. Job Knowledge – A thorough knowledge and understanding of budget and accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology, and a thorough knowledge, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge, of United States Government (U.S.G.) appropriation, allotment, accounting, and other budgeting procedures used in maintaining, reconciling, balancing, and closing accounts; USAID accounting policies, regulations, and procedures; disbursements, reimbursements; and, the principles and practices of cost accrual. A good understanding or ability to quickly gain understanding and knowledge of the USAID administrative and functional structure; USAID goals for the region; and, the USAID regional program portfolio; an understanding of the political and economic situation in region, and constraints to development; areas of USAID manageable interest/involvement; and, an awareness of key donor organizations, private organizations, non-government organizations, and other workings in the country is highly desired. The Specialist must have demonstrated knowledge of development in the Philippines, with demonstrated experience in the education sector.
• e. Skills and Abilities – The Specialist must have the ability to plan and analyze program budgets, and have excellent written and oral communication skills; must be able to collect and analyze complex data and prepare precise, accurate, and complete reports; must be able to analyze accounting records and determine the need for various types of entries and adjustments; to record, reconcile, and balance accounts; and, to relate the purpose and objectives of programs/projects to their costs and fiscal requirements. The Specialist must be able to relate funds management to USAID/Philippines and regional needs; and, to understand changes in strategic program priorities and deadlines, their implications for budget management, and to recommend appropriate adjustments to USAID/Philippines financial plans. S/He must have problem-solving skills and the ability to recommend solutions in complicated situations, taking into consideration myriad factors and variables, such as late budget appropriations and delayed availability of funds, uncertain funding levels, and unexpected budget reductions. The Specialist must be knowledgeable in MS Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and other data management skills, such as familiarity with other database management applications.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

1. Education (5%)

2. Prior Work Experience (10%)

3. Language Proficiency / Communication Skills (30%)

4. Job Knowledge (20%)

5. Skills and Abilities (35%)

Additional Notes:

• USAID reserves the right to reject any and all applicants.
• Only short-listed applicants will be notified.
• To be a competitive candidate, the applicant must meet the minimum requirement of each of the Evaluation and Selection Factors.

IV. HOW TO APPLY:

1. Interested applicants are required to submit all of the following documents:

• a. application letter
• b. comprehensive resumé
• c. transcript of records (TOR) reflecting date of graduation

2. Applications must be received by 02 December 2020 / 11:59PM, and submitted via email to aidmnlhr@usaid.gov

3. All applicants are requested to prominently indicate the solicitation number (Solicitation No.: USAID-2021-01) in the subject line of their email submission.

BENEFITS/ALLOWANCES

The compensation package includes mid-year and year-end bonuses, health and life insurance, and a supplementary retirement plan.