Senior and Mid-level Project Advisors - Southern Africa

Job Description

The Pragma Corporation seeks Senior and Mid-level Program Advisors for an anticipated USAID Southern African Mission Support activity. The Program Advisor will be an expert with broad-based development experience; provide support services to USAID in strategy development, program and project planning, design and management, and managing design and evaluation teams.

Background

USAID’s programs in the Southern Africa (SA) region aim to increase and integrate trade, fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic, mitigate food insecurity, support democratic processes, protect human rights, fight climate change, and address cross-border issues. USAID/SA implements programs that aim to complement country-specific programs by addressing cross-border issues and common development needs, and provides support services to USAID/s Missions in the region. USAID/SA, one of the Agency’s largest Missions, also houses and provides support to two other operating units in South Africa: the Regional Inspector General and Power Africa. USAID/SA provides technical, programmatic, legal, financial, and administrative services to USAID’s offices in 11 Southern African countries, and it serves as a regional center for conferences and training for the African continent. USAID/SA also oversees bilateral health programs for South Africa.

Objective

The objective of Southern Africa Mission Support (SAMS) is to provide services to USAID’s Missions and offices in the Southern African region, including the Power Africa office to successfully implement its development assistance activities in the region. Program support services include the full range of program office functions, including: strategic planning, project and activity life cycle, monitoring and evaluation, learning and adaptation, program budgeting, performance reporting, program office backstopping of technical offices and country office programs, development outreach and communication support, mentoring staff in all employment categories, and providing program office support services to offices in limited and non-presence countries. The Program advisor will serve as an expert with broad-based development experience fully capable of performing these functional areas.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in one or more of the following specific areas: strategic planning; program/activity design and implementation; program/project management; and project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting;
• Professional experience in a USAID Mission or on a USAID-funded project;
• Demonstrated knowledge of broad, multi-sectoral development issues, including trends in U.S. Government development planning;
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, or other related field for the mid-level Program Advisor; Master’s degree or higher for the senior-level Program Advisor;
• Experience with training in one or more of the following areas: strategic planning, operational planning, project management, project development.
• Excellent communication skills (excellent writing and editing skills; the ability to make cogent arguments clearly and succinctly in written and oral presentations; and the ability to effectively facilitate discussions and meetings);
• Evidence of effective team leadership skills and the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team; and
• 5 years of relevant experience (mid-level) or 12 years of relevant experience (senior level);

Application

Interested candidates should be based in Pretoria or be willing to relocate there at their own expense. South African citizens are encouraged to apply. Please send a CV and cover letter to: Recruitment@pragmacorp.com with the subject, “SAMS Project Advisor”.

About the Organization

The Pragma Corporation is an international development firm headquartered in the Washington DC area. With more than a quarter century of development experience in 75 countries, involving more than 600 projects, the company provides expert technical and management consulting services to such donor organizations as the United States Agency for International Development, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. To learn more about The Pragma Corporation, please visit: www.pragmacorp.com.