Statement of Duties to be Performed.
Project Management– 70%
The Project Management Specialist for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries serves as the COR/AOR and/or alternate for large grants and contracts and coordinates projects/activities to promote economic growth, employment, and resilience in Somalia. These grants and contracts are implemented by external parties selected through USAID and the Project Management Specialist is responsible for managing their performance to meet USAID requirements.
The incumbent monitors and evaluates managed projects/activities, including project expenditures, through site visits and working through third-party monitors. The incumbent will review project reporting and analyze trends with an eye towards collaboration, learning and adaptation. The incumbent works in close collaboration with the other Specialists in the Mission and with other international donors to avoid overlap and to seek synergy with other projects/activities. The incumbent facilitates the development of work plans and monitoring plans, reviewing and proposing modifications to activity approaches when necessary to better achieve results. The incumbent leads or participates in the review of annual and quarterly project reports and weekly updates, requesting or participating in the preparation of other reports as needed, and coordinates preparations for portfolio reviews. The incumbent prepares or contributes to high quality internal and external reporting and communications related agriculture, livestock, and fisheries activities, such as weekly reports, success stories, and USAID and inter-agency planning and programming documents.
As AOR/COR, the Project Management Specialist is responsible for budget allocation, obligation, and expenditure. The incumbent will be responsible for planning and implementing evaluations and audits. Outreach communications for internal USAID audiences and external stakeholders will be developed in collaboration with communications staff. The incumbent will also manage the project close process. The incumbent is responsible for drafting narratives and providing other inputs into mission planning (Operational Plan) and reporting (Performance Plan and Report; Mission Resource Request, Congressional Budget Justification, etc.).
Technical Specialist and Representational Duties – 30%
The Project Management Specialist actively leads the strategic planning and all facets of project design, including drafting and amending documents and ensuring necessary clearances are in place. The Specialist gathers information, analyzes data, prepares concept papers, scopes of work and other project documents, prepares independent government cost estimates, and evaluates proposals for all agriculture, livestock and fisheries related economic growth activities. As a member of the Economic Growth Office, the incumbent will collaborate with other Offices to strengthen USAID strategic and programmatic directions, and ability to address managed projects/activities, with special emphasis on implementing best practices related to agriculture, livestock, fisheries and broader issues related to resilience in Somalia. The Specialist assists senior USG, Mission, and Office staff in representing USAID to implementing partners, NGOs, Somali government counterparts, donors, and other national and international groups and bodies, in order to develop effective and sustainable strategies for implementing economic growth programs, and the scaling up of activities to meet national and international standards and to achieve national and USAID goals. The Specialist collaborates with other Office members and inter-agency processes in the preparation and presentation of deliverables and assists in monitoring progress toward meeting overall Mission and broader USG objectives.
The Specialist plays a leading role in fostering and managing relationships with cabinet level Somali government counterparts, private sector, donor partners, and other stakeholders, leading or supporting coordination and negotiation efforts in economic growth activities, and for providing technical guidance and leadership as appropriate, participating in partners and coordination meetings. The Specialist represents USAID at official meetings and events and provides written reporting as appropriate. The Specialist coordinates VIP and other short-term technical engagements related to personally managed and Office-wide activities. The Specialist participates in budgeting and financial analysis with other Office staff, and with other Offices in areas related to economic growth activities. The Specialist mentors Project Management Assistants and other administrative personnel, and backstops other Office members
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.
a) Education: Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business Administration, Economics, Finance or related field is required.
b) Prior Work Experience: Five years of relevant work experience is required, in areas relevant to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries that demonstrate ability to have significant influence in value chain development. Out of the five years, at least two must have been in Somalia or a similar conflict context.
c) Language Proficiency: Complete Level IV fluency (written/spoken/reading) in English.
DEADLINE: AUGUST 11, 2024
