Program Specialist

Job Description

Summary

You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package. Your application may not receive full consideration if you do not follow the instructions as outlined.

This vacancy is for an Program Specialist with a focus on Policy located in the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), 500 D Street, SW., Washington, DC., with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Duties

• Collaborate with senior managers to address and resolve difficult issues, specific situations or problems. Review, analyze and interpret contracting policy to identify alternative courses of action.
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates briefings and information exchange opportunities for the small business community. Researches and writes policy or other working documents on small business issues providing expert guidance or analysis
• Maintains knowledge of current and pending regulatory guidance related to small business to advise USAID in its mandate to ensure that small business receives a maximum practical opportunity to compete for Government contracts
• Collaborate with senior managers to address and resolve difficult issues, specific situations or problems. Propose solutions to complex and/or far-reaching issues that may have an impact on the Agency?s small business program
• Analyze procurement plans to identify opportunities for U.S. based small business concerns; and to ensure proper application of U.S. small business programs.
• Serves as the primary small business liaison with the USAID Missions. Serves as an organizational spokesperson at public meetings, formal, and informal briefings and workshops.

Requirements Conditions of Employment

• United States Citizenship is required.
• Relevant experience (see Qualifications below).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Security clearance.
• Time in grade must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer is required

Qualifications Specialized Experience:
GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. One year of specialized experience refers to full-time work; we consider a part-time job on a prorated basis. Examples of qualifying specialized experience at the next lower level for this position includes:(a) Designing and implementing a system for monitoring and tracking; (b) Reviewing new and proposed policy changes and providing written interpretations of the potential impact on the Agency small business programs; (c) Researching, analyzing, and providing written interpretations of the potential impact on the Agency small business programs; (d) Researching, analyzing, and providing expert technical advice and assistance on complex program issues, and preparing written documents and presentations for briefing senior management, and on behalf of senior management; and (e) Developing detailed plans, goals, and objectives for the long-range implementation and administration of programs, and/or develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience relevant to the position’s duties to be filled, including volunteer experience.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates will be referred to the selecting official if they are found well qualified. Well-qualified means an eligible employee who possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly exceed the position’s minimum requirements. A well-qualified employee must meet the qualification and eligibility requirements of the position, including any medical qualifications, suitability, and minimum education and experience requirements, meet all selective factors (where applicable); meet quality ranking factors and are assigned a score of 85 or higher; be physically qualified with reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position; meet any special qualifying U.S. OPM-approved conditions; AND be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry without additional training.

A well-qualified candidate will not necessarily meet the definition of highly or best qualified when evaluated against other candidates who apply for a particular position. Selecting officials will document the job-related reason(s) for qualification determinations in the absence of selective and quality ranking factors. Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. Therefore, no transcripts are required.

13 April 2023