POSITION : Project Management Specialist - Basic Education

DESCRIPTION 

• The candidate will serve as a COR/AOR or Activity Manager for select education components of USAID/Nigeria’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy which are implemented through cooperative agreements and contracts with U.S. and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions.
• The candidate will provide expertise in mitigating conflict in the education sector and combating school-based violence. Once the candidate completes required USAID training, s/he will be given COR/AOR responsibilities. This may include management of the new “Education in Crisis & Conflict” activities intended to provide education opportunities for children living in Northeastern Nigeria.

Responsibilities
Program/Project Leadership and Management 40%:

• Perform the full range of program management functions including, inter alia, ensuring grantees/contractors meet the full objectives of their project descriptions or scopes of work, advising and participating in evaluations, ensuring program compliance with USAID policies and t at the content and objectives are consistent with the strategic priorities of the USAID Mission and the Nigerian Government.
• As part of her/his A/COR responsibilities, s/he conducts site visits as an official USAID/Nigeria representative to monitor implementation and progress, to identify delays or difficulties requiring resolution, and proposes solutions for the resolution of such problems, which might include compliance with requirements for the approval of site selection or require solutions for specific social, political or cultural concerns that impact program implementation. S/he also ensures that all official approvals are obtained from GON
• partners as required, as well as provides financial oversight of assigned implementation activities, including: analysis of annual funding requirements, preparation and analysis of budgets, authorizing and monitoring disbursements, coordinates and provides technical leadership during in-briefs and out-briefs for Short Term Technical Assistance on activities, close-outs and property/inventory disposition etc. The incumbent may also serve as an Activity Manager for new education activities, as necessary.

Program Policy and Analsis and Reporting 20%:

• The incumbent provides direction and support in the planning, development, design, management, and evaluation of activities and will be responsible for participating in management of the education component of the Mission’s portfolio.
• S/he will be involved in the review of proposals submitted to the Mission; selection of awardees; assist in the start-up of the new activities with the awardee; and, provide liaison roles for USAID with Universal Basic Education Commission, National Commission for Colleges of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, State Ministries of Education and States Primary Education Boards, and works with other Donors like the World Bank, DFID, UNICEF, UNESCO on on-going management, monitoring and of evaluation USAID projects.
• The incumbent ensures that the indicators for measuring the impact of education activities are accurately tracked and are used to revise strategy as necessary.
• Coordinates with the Education Team Leader and other Program Managers to ensure thoroughness and consistency of data submitted on activities for the annual report, Implementation Reviews, etc. Tracks policy developments, legislative changes, technical developments in the field, etc., that affect USAID’s activities and/or objectives regarding primary education, and advises the Education Team Leader, other Program Managers and other team members of these and of the appropriate
• USAID position regarding them. Briefs local and visiting senior USAID officials and US Embassy staff, as required, on the implementation of assigned activities in relation to host-country programs and priorities.

Activity Development and Design 20%:

• Initiates and describes project ideas and initiatives in accordance with the education sector strategy, the current environment in Nigeria, the institutional capabilities and purposes of potential USAID recipients, resource availability and funding source.
• Conducts research, as necessary, on social and economic factors pertaining to education in Nigeria for input to these documents.
• Contributes to the development of conceptual frameworks and formulates plans for required implementation documentation.
• Contributes technical expertise and creative ideas to other Teams in the Mission developing new interventions to support the social and economic development of Nigeria. Explores ways and strategies for integration, identifying synergies and resource leveraging with other Mission
• Teams specifically with regard to education for maximum impact and results.

General USAID Administration 10%:

• Coordinates various actions related to assigned activities with a host of Nigerian senior government (GON) officials, donor community partners and civil society groups.
• S/he explains USAID procedures, responsibilities, objectives and restrictions. These may include various federal and state officials, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Deputy Directors in the Federal and State level Ministry of Education, Universal Basic Education Commission & State Universal Basic Education Boards, State Agency for Mass Education and related education parastatals, colleagues in other donor organizations, NGO and civil society groups, etc.
• Coordinates the participation of these officials in special meetings and events, especially with high-level visitors or Embassy representatives. Acts as liaison with senior leaders in Nigerian NGOs and the civil society community to cultivate and maintain support for the USAID
• education sector program. Represents the Education Team in conferences, workshops, donor coordination subgroup/committees meetings, FSN committee meetings, Donor Project Design and briefing meetings and other relevant meetings. Develops necessary documentation for presentations by the Education Team Leader and other Program Managers, as well as other USAID/Nigeria senior staff as assigned.

5. General Education Team Administration Work 10%:

• S/he is responsible for management of assigned technical and administrative aspects of USAID/Nigeria’s Education Program. Drafts reports, correspondences, cables, GLAAS/scopes of work, Implementation Letters, A & A plans and accruals in collaboration with the Program Office and the Office of Financial Management, and any other necessary documents for the implementation of assigned activities.
• Negotiates the clearance and approval of documents necessary for proper implementation of activities. S/he is also responsible for contributing ideas/strategies and participating in the Education Team Meetings.

Minimum Qualifications 
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education Management is required.

Prior Work Experience:

• Minimum of Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in program management or related work required, including experience in the collection, analysis and presentation of information. At least five years in fields or areas related to education in Nigeria.

Language Proficiency:

• (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by level and specialization) Level IV (fluency) in both English and Hausa is required. Oral Level III (working ability) in Fulfulde or Kanuri is required.

Job Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the major issues affecting education in all geographic regions in Nigeria, including technical, social and cultural aspects;
• knowledge of specific issues facing education in Northern Nigeria, such as conflict mitigation & countering violence in schools, girls’ access to education, religious institutions, school-based management committees and parent-teacher associations, and education policy and curriculum implementation; and,
• Familiarity with topics related to education reform, use of language of the environment and mother-tongue instruction, financing, and systems strengthening.

Skills  :

• Skills in decision-making and managing & overseeing implementation of education activities in Nigeria. Excellent oral & written communication skills, interpersonal & teamwork skills, especially in multi-cultural settings.

Benefit
 PSC normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:  
Benefits:

• Health Insurance 
• Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)
• Annual and Sick leave
• Annual Bonus 

Allowances (as applicable):

• Transportation Allowance
• Meal Allowance
• Miscellaneous Allowance
• Housing Allowance

Market Value:

• N11,581,095.00 equivalent to FSN-11 In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of United States Mission, Nigeria (Effective September 04, 2016). Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value

Taxes

• The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Nigerian Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations. Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Nigerian Government. In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

Selection Factors 

• Applications will be required to have the minimum qualifications expressed above.
• Qualified applicants possessing skills above the minimum requirements will be assessed based on the following factors:  
  • Education (10 points)
  • Work Experience (20 points)
  • Knowledge (30 points)
  • Language Proficiency (10 points)
  • Skills and abilities (30 points) 
• Per this scoring rubric, Work Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the most important factors. Applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a short list of applicants developed.   
• USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person or by phone OR not to interview any candidate. After the closing date for receipt of applications, a committee will be convened to review applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria.  Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be scored. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.
• As part of the selection process, finalist candidates may be interviewed either in person or by telephone at USAID’s discretion. Reference checks will be made only for applicants considered as finalists. If an applicant does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the applicant’s cover letter, and USAID will delay such reference check pending communication with the applicant. Only finalists will be  contacted by USAID with respect to their applications.

List of Required Forms for PSC Hires:

• Once the CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms.
• Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
• RSO Security Questionnaire
• BI Guide Questionnaire
• THOR Enrollment Intake Form

How To Apply
Candidates should download, fill and submit their applications with all required documents below to: AbujaHRAID@state.gov

Required Documents 

• Application for US Federal Employment (DS-174) - pdf; or a current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as a DS-174.
•  Instructions for Completing DS-174 (PDF 2.40 MB)
• Any documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, Degrees, NYSC Certificate/Exemption etc.).
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position, and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Please reference the job title and announcement number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures.
• E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.