Foreign Service Contracting Officer

Foreign Service Contracting Officer

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), listed as one of the top ten best places to work in the Federal Government, is currently recruiting Foreign Service Contracting Officer.  These positions are located overseas; almost all of which are in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean region, Asia and the Near East, or Eastern Europe and the former Soviet States.

Major Duties of the Foreign Service Contracting Officer include:

1. As a technical resource and advisor, backstops foreign development assistance activities in the area of acquisition and assistance. Supports contracting and procurement activities by reviewing and analyzing data and providing assistance and advice on contracting and procurement issues. Assists in formulating, coordinating, and managing strategy, policies, concepts, procedures, guidelines, and models for establishing and implementing acquisition and assistance programs. Analyzes constraints to development, both sector-wide and country specific, and recommends courses of action. Serves as a technical resource, assisting in the planning for a broad range of acquisition and assistance activities, including participating in the formation of policies and guidelines to further contracting and procurement activities in the geographic area; and coordinating development, implementation and performance monitoring plans. Provides technical assistance and guidance in the negotiation and awarding of contracts and grants. Coordinates assigned activities with other USAID offices, the Department of State, other USG agencies and host country officials. Acts as a liaison with counterparts in other USAID regional and central bureaus on behalf of the organization to develop agency-wide policies, strategies, performance indicators, assessments and evaluations of programs.

2. Designs, implements, monitors and assesses programs that encompass a wide range of contracting and assistance activities such as procurement analysis, contract negotiation, contract cost/price analysis and policy review. Plans, negotiates, awards and administers contracts, grants and other agreements with individuals, firms and institutions to carry out USAID financed projects.

3. Accomplishes work related to the conceptualization, design, documentation, and/or management of centrally administered contracting and procurement programs. Programs may be targeted toward specific countries/situations or may be targeted to a specific development problem. Develops concept papers, project authorizations and project amendments in line with Agency regulations and guidance. Contributes to the development of USAID s contracting strategy and design. Participates and assists in the development of plans and programs for technical assistance, capital assistance and other activities within the contracting sector. 4. Performs a variety of duties related to special projects involving program issues that contain complicated elements. Manages special cross-cutting initiatives and task force groups to accomplish programmatic goals. These groups may review specific programs or develop new initiatives in various program areas.

The Junior Officer (JO) program is USAID's entry-level program into the Foreign Service. The JO program seeks the best-qualified junior professional candidates who are willing to make a long-term career commitment to the Foreign Service and international development. JOs begin their careers in formal training programs that are followed by rotational on-the-job, Washington-based training for up to one year, which may include language training. After completion of Washington training, JOs are assigned to an overseas office and receive broad-based training through rotational assignments. The total JO training plan is approximately three years. Successful candidates will become representatives of USAID and the U.S. Government in the worldwide development arena. New Foreign Service Officers have five years in which to earn tenure in the Foreign Service. Tenure requirements include foreign language proficiency, and successful completion of at least three years with the Agency, of which 18 months have to have been on a permanent overseas assignment in one of USAID's field offices. The three-year JO training program is included in the five-year tenure requirement.

Federal benefits include:

·         10 paid Federal Holidays per year

·         13 days of paid sick leave each year

·         13-26 days of vacation

·         depending on years of employment

·         Nationally recognized health insurance plans that offers choice and flexibility

·         Group Term Life Insurance program

·         Long-term Care Insurance and much more!

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

·         Academic Background.

·         Ability to work in teams to achieve results.

·         Ability to write persuasively and effectively in English.

·         Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

·         Ability to work in a developing country with limited modern conveniences.

·         Knowledge of accounting, auditing, internal control systems, financial analysis and budgeting.

MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have completed at a minimum a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, banking, international affairs, procurement and contracting or finance with an emphasis on commerce, trade and material management.