Project Management Specialist (Trade and Competitiveness)

Огляд

The USAID Mission to Ukraine is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of USAID-funded programs operating throughout Ukraine. USAID development assistance promotes Ukraine’s transition to a democratic, prosperous, stable, healthy country united in its European aspirations. The vacancy involves work at The USAID/Ukraine Office of Economic Growth (OEG). OEG manages a large, dynamic portfolio of contracts and cooperative agreements focused on infrastructure development, trade and competitiveness, financial sector reform, agriculture, energy, state-owned enterprises, and digital development.

Working under the overall supervision of the Trade and Competitiveness Team Lead, Project Management Specialist is responsible for a full range of project management responsibilities in the areas of international trade and private sector competitiveness. The incumbent will serve as an alternate Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and/or alternate Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) for one or more Economic Growth (EG) programs in the areas of trade and competitiveness. The incumbent will be required to support and coordinate with AORs/CORs in OEG and the Mission to ensure optimal programming and management of economic development activities. As a secondary function, the incumbent serves as a main point of contact for OEG Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tasks.

Обов'язки

1. Project Design, Support, and Management: 50%

Advises and supports one or more economic activity, including detailed information gathering, project design, and management:

• manages projects from inception to completion and is responsible for all facets of project design and development, including information gathering, needs assessments, feasibility studies, drafting of concept papers and scopes of work, project budget formulation, and evaluation of bids for major projects and programs
• upon completion of required USAID training, serves as Alternate Agreement Officer Representative (AOR)/Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for one or more major activities (typically with budgets exceeding $10 million), and/or primary AOR/COR for projects of lesser magnitude
• manages contractor staff and coordinates assigned 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, determines their suitability for project financing
• performs all functions related to new project design/development in order to orient project focus in priority areas and areas of emerging needs
• conducts directly, as a member of a team and with/without staff support, technical analysis. Develops cost estimates, institutional capacity assessments, equipment requirement projections, and training needs assessment
• manages the schedules of projects as a representative of USAID/Ukraine
• drafts necessary documentation and leads reviews related to project amendments, project contracting, standard USAID reports, and project outreach and communication
• reviews contracts/agreements in consultation with the Regional Contracting Office (RCO) and provides guidance to and oversight of contractor actions concerning project procurement and the use of project funded assets

2. Project Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting: 30%

• leads efforts to coordinate M&E activities for Economic Growth (EG) projects
• prepares scopes of work for projects and evaluation teams
• reviews project reports, conducts site visits, and engages in written and oral communications with project participants and contractors
• interacts and provides necessary guidance and assistance to visiting evaluators/consultants
• prepares annual performance report for Economic Growth (EG) projects, which summarizes the achievements and results of the activities and their impact on achieving Mission objectives
• provides project and activity status and achievement updates as necessary to serve as a means to enhance outreach and communication on Economic Growth (EG) activities
• manages performance of financial review and analysis of the financial parameters of the project and prepares project-related financial projections
• provides support to the Mission and US Embassy in tracking implementation, and the identification and resolution of a variety of challenges and institutional issues that impact implementation efforts, both negatively and positively

3. Program Strategy Representation: 20%

• works with general Agency policy guidance and exercises a high degree of personal initiative
• participates as designated representative for OEG in meetings. Provides technical input on various issues concerned
• maintains an up-to-date understanding of Government of Ukraine priorities and objectives in the areas of economic governance, trade, and private sector development
• directly, and with the assistance of colleagues, collects and analyzes data to determine those areas in which USAID/Ukraine assistance would have the greatest impact. In this regard must be able to reconcile sometimes differing U.S. and Ukrainian Government objectives
• develops and supports the dissemination and discussion of information concerning the Mission’s Economic Growth programs through participations in seminars, workshops, and conferences

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Вимоги

• education: minimum of bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economics or other relevant field is required
• work experience: minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible, relevant work experience, which demonstrates increasing responsibility for managing, analyzing, coordinating, and designing economic development projects is required
• language proficiency: fluent in English and fluent in Ukrainian is required
• exercising well-developed interpersonal and managerial skills, sound judgment, and the ability to develop credible relationships within USAID/Ukraine and with Ukrainian government counterparts
• initiative and the exercise of independent judgment in activity planning and the identification of problems and required follow-up actions
• be able to set and meet deadlines in a complex organizational structure
• be able to demonstrate knowledge of program management, particularly in the Ukrainian context
• clear understanding of the policy, regulatory and organizational issues that are involved in various sectors related to economic growth
• ability to organize, analyze, interpret and evaluate data relevant to economic growth projects and programs
• ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively with all levels of personnel, both within USAID/Ukraine and outside
• ability to prepare informative written reports and presentations for various purposes
• ability to function as part of a team and proficiency in using MS Office Suite
• vacancy is open to Ukrainian Nationals (residency/Ukrainian work permit Required)

Умови

• full time (40 hours)
• work in Kyiv, Ukraine
• five-year period of performance with possibility to renew
• market value: Basic Annual Rate (in U.S. Dollars): $32,180 - $41,841
• benefits:
  • health and life insurance coverage: provided under the Compensation Plan
  • Defined Contribution Plan: upon separation, a lump sum benefit equal to 12% of the basic salary earned for the duration worked under the appointment
• allowances (as applicable):
  • meal allowances: annual amount is $853 for employees working on a full-time basis
  • family allowances: the mission provides a child allowance. Grants amounts are subject to change as determined by the Ukrainian State Budget Law
  • unique conditions of work allowances/benefits: 10% of Basic Rate. Additional information may be provided to the selected offeror at the time of the salary offer
• taxes: apply and are deductible as per the Ukrainian government regulations