I. Introduction:
This position is located in the Assistance Coordination Unit (ACOORD) of the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau.
Seeking dynamic candidates who can think strategically, act independently, and lead a small but growing team dedicated to making foreign assistance work for the USG. The incumbent serves as a personal services contractor of Embassy Chisinau’s ACOORD. The position plays a critical role in overseeing the effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of U.S. foreign assistance for Moldova. This spans primarily economic and security assistance. The Assistance Coordinator will report to the DCM, rate one LE Coordinator, one LE Project Management Specialist, and coordinate the mission’s interagency Assistance Working Group. This team is expected to grow with the construction of a U.S.-funded high-voltage transmission line. Excellent interpersonal, coordination, verbal and written communication, and project management skills are required. Experience coordinating or overseeing U.S. foreign assistance and/or working with the Office of the Assistance Coordinator for Europe (EUR/ACE) is strongly preferred.
Duties Include:
Serves as the Mission's principal expert and authoritative source on foreign assistance coordination
Exercising comprehensive oversight and accountability of foreign assistance programs, ensuring the proper use of taxpayer resources through compliance with federal regulations, Department policies, and fiduciary standards.
Bears direct responsibility for identifying and preventing fraud, waste, or mismanagement.
Leads the Assistance Coordination Unit and directs a team of professional staff including one LE Coordinator and one LE Project Management Specialist, with responsibility for expanding team capacity as mission requirements grow. Establishes performance standards, conducts performance evaluations, provides mentorship, and makes recommendations on personnel actions.
Coordinates all USG foreign assistance to Moldova, including energy, health and security cooperation – to include military, border, and cyber security.
Lead Embassy response to mandatory foreign assistance processes, including the Congressional Budget Justification, Performance Plan Review (PPR), Operations Plan, and budget requests.
Manage assigned programs and establish systematic methods of program execution, evaluation or advocacy; liaise with co-donors and EUR/ACE on funding. Serve as a Grant Officer as needed.
Lead special projects that advance office and team initiatives.
Provide technical leadership in drafting written materials and coordinate efforts to inform stakeholders.
Independently formulates comprehensive strategies and policy recommendations to advance Mission objectives and Department priorities using foreign assistance.
Exercises expert judgment in developing innovative approaches to complex, unprecedented assistance challenges where established guidelines may not exist.
Ensure project designs are realistic, achievable, measurable, and accountable, and align with the America First Agenda.
Apply and adapt qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques to address complex program challenges where information may be incomplete or conflicting.
Draft materials to prepare officials for engagements and handle meeting arrangements, notes, challenges, and follow-up.
Independently evaluates and makes authoritative recommendations on viability of options and alternatives to existing foreign assistance.
Anticipate potential policy problems, assess their impact and reaction, and ensure that policy recommendations are consistent with USG and Department objectives.
Ensure that the team meets deadlines for inquiries, correspondence, and reports.
Provide expert advisory services to Embassy leadership, interagency partners, and implementing organizations on complex program design and policy.
Lead and direct regular meetings with USG foreign assistance community and support USG efforts to coordinate with the donor community including foreign missions and donor agencies, such as the EU, UN, World Bank and others.
Serves as the principal representative of the USG at conferences, workshops, and meetings. Exercises expert judgment in capturing key decisions, action items, and policy implications, and ensures timely dissemination and follow-up with relevant stakeholders.
Navigate organizational conflicts and competing priorities to build consensus and secure acceptance of recommendations.
Develops innovative solutions to novel and complex assistance challenges where precedents are limited or non-existent.
Acts as control officer for visits and delegations in areas of responsibility. Assist with various administrative duties and visitor scheduling as necessary.
Other duties as assigned
II. Major Duties and Responsibilities
Position Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree*
U.S. Citizenship
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of State issued Medical Clearance
Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral
Ability to effectively work as a team in the resolution of conflicting views
to promote cooperation and support for national security objectives
Knowledge of the theories and principles of political science, international relations, economics, history, geography, or other related disciplines applied in analyzing and evaluating factors and conditions involved in the administration of U.S. foreign policy programs.
Knowledge of basic U.S. foreign policy objectives and programs to identify and provide analyses of essential issues and developments in the assignment area.
Knowledge of research and analytical methods to validate, evaluate, and interpret information obtained from a variety of sources.
Experience designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating foreign assistance projects.
How to Apply
*BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Have a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in international law, international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; OR
Have completed at least 4 years of appropriate experience in one OR more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.
Note: If you are qualifying based on education, you MUST submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement.
IN ADDITION to the basic requirements, this position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the FS-02 (Equivalent to GS-14 level) in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position:
Experience advising on exchange programs and/or Foreign Policy.
Experience applying program and project management principles and techniques.
Experience serving as a project manager and primary point of contact for a project or program.