Project Management Specialist, OEG, USAID/Afghanistan

Job Description

Dexis is a professional services firm that solves the most pressing social challenges in complex environments, paving the way for a more secure and prosperous world.

Dexis embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to build and maintain a safe environment where we celebrate diverse backgrounds, treat everyone with respect, and value the unique lived experiences each person brings based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, age, marital status or family status and related conditions.

At Dexis, you will experience a corporate culture of inclusiveness, fairness, and trust. You will be given the means and mentorship needed to succeed, and your creativity will be rewarded.

Dexis is seeking a Project Management Specialist to provide support to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Afghanistan Mission. The incumbent serves as a Project Management Specialist supporting the Office of Economic Growth (OEG), one of six technical offices in USAID/Afghanistan. The incumbent is responsible for a full range of project management responsibilities in the area of economic governance, trade, and/or private sector development. In this capacity, the incumbent performs a variety of complex functions related to research, planning, programming, reporting, activity monitoring, analytical and management duties to support the implementation of the office portfolio.

The incumbent serves as an advisor to OEG staff on all projects. As such, the candidate must be effective in facilitating the agreement, cooperation and support of counterparts. Counterparts include U.S., and foreign government officials, representatives of other donor organizations such as the World Bank, the European Commission, and the United Nations, other bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, USAID/Afghanistan’s implementing organizations, and representatives within the trade, financial, and private sectors.

As the Project Management Specialist, the incumbent will support and provide technical assistance to the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for one or more EG programs in the areas of economic and/or private sector development. The incumbent will be required to support and coordinate with other technical specialists in the Mission to ensure optimal programming and management of economic development activities. As a secondary function, the incumbent serves as a point of contact for EG Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tasks. This position is thus responsible for planning, coordinating evaluating, monitoring, and reporting on major economic development assistance projects and programs as needed. The position is 100% remote. The start date is immediate.

Responsibilities

Project Design, Support and Management (45%)

• Advises and supports one or more economic activities/projects, including detailed information gathering, project design, and management. The position requires initiative and the exercise of independent judgment in activity planning and the identification of problems and required follow up actions.
• Manages activities from inception to completion and is responsible for all facets of activity/project design and development, including information gathering, needs assessments, feasibility studies, drafting of concept papers and scopes of work, activity budget formulation, and evaluation of bids for major activities and projects.
• Coordinates with contracting and contracted personnel to drive projects to completion. Reviews proposals/requests for approval in association with host country counterparts and determines their suitability for funding.
• Performs all functions related to new activity/project design/development in order to ensure a focus on priority areas and areas of emerging needs. Conducts technical analysis as a team member.
• Develops cost estimates, institutional capacity assessments, equipment requirement projections, and training needs assessments.
• Drafts necessary documentation and leads reviews related to activity/project amendments, contracting, and outreach and communication, as well as standard USAID reports.
• Reviews contracts/agreements in consultation with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) and A/COR. Provides technical guidance and assistance to the A/COR.

Project and Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (45%)

The incumbent’s responsibilities for activity and project monitoring and evaluation include:

• Develops and refines systems, processes, tools, and criteria for the MEL components of project and activity design and management.
• Plans, designs, and implements evaluations in coordination with the C/AORs and the Mission M&E Specialist and assists the C/AORs and OEG leadership to integrate evaluation findings into decision making about OEG strategies, program priorities, and project design.
• Manages the OEG Performance Monitoring Plan by working closely with C/AOR’s to ensure accurate monitoring and reporting.
• Works with OEG C/AORs to ensure activity work plans and monitoring plans include relevant and effective performance measures that provide an accurate measurement of impact and results.
• Reviews project reports and engages in written and verbal communications with project participants and implementing partners.
• Prepares scopes of work for activities/projects and evaluations teams.
• Prepares evaluation documentation.
• Participates in preparation of the annual performance report which summarizes the achievements and results of the activities, and the operational plan that provides a summary of planned activities.
• Provides project and activity status and achievement updates as necessary for outreach and communication purposes.
• Assists Contracting/Agreements Officer Representatives (C/AORs) in learning from monitoring and evaluation efforts.

Administrative Management (10%)

• The incumbent will perform on an as-needed basis the following tasks as required by the OEG management: preparing agendas and materials for high-level visitors and providing input to various requests from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). S/he may also be requested to provide professional advice and guidance to other USAID/Afghanistan Development Objective Teams on issues related to USAID-funded projects under these Development Objectives. The incumbent may be requested to participate in a personnel selection process for different offices of USAID/Afghanistan, as well in development of Requests for Proposals, and the evaluation of proposals received for projects funded under other USAID/Afghanistan Assistance Objectives.

Minimum Requirements:

• Ability to obtain facility access
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (international development, international relations, economics, business administration, finance, trade or other related development area) and six (6) years of professional work experience OR Master’s degree in a relevant field plus four (4) years of professional work experience OR High School Diploma plus ten (10) years of relevant professional work experience.
  • Prior Work Experience: Progressively responsible experience in the design and implementation of development activities and/or projects, activity- and project-related analysis, monitoring, evaluation, and learning; strategic and policy design; performance reporting; and knowledge management with bi- or multi-lateral international development organizations, government institutions, donor organizations, or diplomatic missions is required. Must have extensive knowledge and understanding of the Afghanistan economy, private sector, and general political context.
• Have experience in project administration and management procedures.
• Be proficient in the use of Windows, Google, Internet search engines, and e- mail applications.
• Post Entry Training: Incumbent will take training in USAID Monitoring and Evaluation, Program/Project Development, and related courses through USAID University, other courses/workshops offered by USAID, or other qualifying entities. Additional training will be provided on an as-needed basis depending on the availability of funds.
• Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading of English language and Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading of Dari and/or Pashto is required.
• Job Knowledge: The incumbent must be able to demonstrate knowledge of program management, particularly in the Afghanistan context, and a clear understanding of the policy, regulatory and organizational issues that are involved in various sectors related to economic growth. Exceptional communication and inter-personal skills are critical, and the incumbent must be able to interact with a broad range of internal and external partners. Incumbent must be able to communicate effectively with USAID staff at all levels, technical representatives of beneficiary institutions, and the general public. Incumbent must also be able to communicate effectively and accurately with varying levels within the U.S. Government structure including representatives of other agencies at Post.
• Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must be able to establish, maintain and broaden an extensive range of contacts with USAID technical offices, USAID leadership, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, and other donor agencies. The incumbent must also have a demonstrated ability to exercise his/her responsibilities, plan and execute work assignments independently, communicate effectively, work under pressure and produce high-quality results quickly, and predict issues of concern. Successful performance in this position requires skills in teamwork, adaptability, and attention to detail, the ability to follow guidance and procedures, and clear communication skills. Work requires flexibility, the ability to react to changing systems with sound judgment, and the ability to work under pressure. The incumbent must be a self-starter. The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced and sometimes-difficult or dangerous environment and have a strong sense of teamwork and strong interpersonal skills.

Additional Details:

• Supervision Received: The USAID Project Management Specialist works as a full member of USAID/Afghanistan’s Office of Economic Growth, under the overall supervision of the Economic Growth Office Director. The Director may assign his/her Deputy or a Team Leader to serve as the incumbent’s direct supervisor.
• Supervision Exercised: Supervision of other Mission staff is not contemplated.
• Available Guidelines: Available administrative guidelines establish a broad pattern of operation that requires frequent need to exercise judgment and interpretation, and provides an opportunity for initiative and innovation. Relevant guidelines include the USAID Automated Directives System (ADS), USAID Monitoring Evaluation Policies, the USAID/Afghanistan Gender Strategy, Mission Orders, and other directives.
• Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent exercises a high level of independence. The incumbent must be able to react to changing priorities in U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan and exercise professional judgment regarding their effects on program priorities for the region. The incumbent plays a key role in providing expert advice to the Office of Economic Growth and the wider Mission for team decision-making on activity/project design, and implementation of economic growth projects.
• Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent does not have authority to commit USG or funding.
• Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent develops and maintains professional contacts, including members of other technical offices and senior management of USAID/Afghanistan; the U.S. Embassy and other U.S. Government agencies; and Government of Afghanistan counterparts. The incumbent’s regular contacts within USAID are middle-level professionals, who provide technical advisory, mentoring and follow-up of agency activity/project design, as well as budgeting and reporting for OEG management. The incumbent will keep in contact and work closely with the Office of Program and Project Development (OPPD), the Office of Financial Management (OFM), and the Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA).

About the Organization

Dexis is on a mission to help solve today’s most pressing global political, social, and economic challenges and create a world where all people are safe and prosperous. As a Dexis employee, you will be challenged, empowered, and mentored. Our motto is “find a way or make a way” — that’s how Dexis goes “all in.” How will you?

If you are passionate about this opportunity, apply now!

Only those applicants who meet the above criteria will be contacted for interview.

Dexis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, military service, veteran status, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, childbirth and related medical conditions, including lactation, or any other protected class under applicable law.