Senior Project Management Specialist - Democracy and Governance

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Embassy is inviting applications from qualified Tanzanians for the position of Senior Project Management Specialist - a Democracy and Governance at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Tanzania. This is a full-time Personal Services Contract position.(This position may be filled at a lower level)

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

This position is located in the USAID/Tanzania Democracy, Human Rights, Governance (DRG) Development Objective team, and includes a broad range of strategic, programmatic, management and coordination responsibilities. The DRG Project Management Specialist is the senior FSN expert managing democracy and governance matters under the supervision of DRG Director. In that capacity, the incumbent participates in the decision-making process regarding program design, all aspects of USAID internal program operations and technical content and management of DRG activities.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) Project Management Specialist for the USAID Mission in Tanzania manages part of the portfolio of USAID programs that support Tanzania’s ongoing democratic transition. The USAID program encompasses a full array of activities in the sector, including strengthening civil society and government accountability, fostering government decentralization and improving the effectiveness of local government, and developing the capacity of legal institutions. The DRG Project Management Specialist faces a challenging environment and exercises a high degree of independence, reporting directly to the DRG Office Director. The Project Management Specialist is a key member of the dynamic USAID staff and an integral part of USAID’s overall assistance program for Tanzania.

The Project Management Specialist is a key member of the Mission’s Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Development Objective (DO) team. The DO includes: increased, better-informed citizens’ participation in political and economic decision making; legal systems that better support democratic processes and market reforms; and more effective, responsible and accountable local government. The Specialist also is the principal expert on Tanzania-specific development aspects of democracy and governance within the U.S. Country Team, and as such, provides counsel and advice on technical and policy matters to the DRG Director and other senior embassy staff. The Specialist works closely with the Political and Economic Section of the U.S. embassy and represents USAID, in the absence of the DRG Office Director, on the inter-agency Governance and Prosperity Working Group. 

Specific duties and responsibilities are outlined below.

1. As DO team Senior FSN Project Management Specialist, incumbent plays a major role in guiding the development and implementation of the DRG strategy and its alignment with broader Mission goals and activities (15% of Time) . 
   Specific tasks and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
   1. Analyze options and advise team leader and other staff in formulation of Mission strategy for assistance for democratic development.
   2. Identify, assess possibilities, and design DRG activities to support USAID’s DRG results framework. This may involve: building the capacity of civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government institutions; strengthening the capabilities of the judiciary; identifying approaches to strengthening the enabling environment; and identifying synergies with other Mission and donor programs. This requires assessing the commitment of the host country leaders and institutions to enhance broad-based participation and identifying those government institutions and NGOs that demonstrate the willingness to reform.
   3. Work with other technical offices to develop activities which will integrate DRG activities across the USAID portfolio.
   4. Review DRG strategy on ongoing basis and suggest changes as needed to accommodate evolving Mission priorities, changing political conditions, and emerging opportunities.
   5. Help in drafting DRG program monitoring plan and in preparing USAID program implementation documentation, reviews and reports including the Operational Plan, Performance Plan and Report, Congressional Budget Justification, Mission Strategic Resource Plan, and portfolio reviews to assess and report on the impact of DRG activities.
   6. Make recommendations as to additional analyses, assessments, or reviews necessary in the development and evaluation of Mission DRG strategy or activities. Support or oversee implementation of such analyses or assessments as necessary.
2. The Project Management Specialist manages USAID DRG Programs, which involves (45% of Time) :
   1. Provide technical and organizational leadership on implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DRG activities. Ensure that activities achieve their intended results.
   2. Determine work priorities; decide on activity implementation matters; identify and resolve program issues; assure that all activities are carried out in a technically sound and cost-effective manner in accordance with applicable Mission and Agency directives and requirements.
   3. Plan and implement assessments or audits of Mission DRG activities. Review evaluations and draft mission responses. Conduct site visits to monitor program progress, contractor and NGO performance in the implementation of activities.
   4. Serve as Program Manager for projects as assigned while providing technical advice to institutional contractors and grants.
   5. Assist Mission in its efforts to build local capacity for carrying out DRG activities.
   6. Assist implementing partners to identify areas for fruitful collaboration and guide subsequent joint efforts.
   7. Coordinate USAID DRG activities with other donor democratic governance programs.
   8. Recommend and develop appropriate new DRG initiatives and propose and recommend changes to existing DRG activities as needed in collaboration with DRG Director and other DRG counterparts.
   9. Report to the DRG Director and Mission Director, as required, on the performance of DRG activities and proposes resolutions.
   10. Provide day-to-day oversight of and mentoring for the less senior FSN DRG officer position.
3. As principle expert on democracy and governance issues, the Specialist’s specific tasks and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following (30% of Time) :
   1. Serve as one of the democracy specialists to the USAID DRG Office Director and other senior staff in the USAID Mission and on the U.S. country team on matters relating to the political and institutional environment necessary to increase the transparency and performance of democratic institutions and processes, identifying synergies with other sectors that the Mission supports.
   2. Develop a clear understanding of the democratic development agenda of the USG and the Government of Tanzania and be able to articulate this to internal and external stakeholders.
   3. Monitor and track democratic developments, pertinent legislation, and local media that may impact DRG activities.
   4. Conduct policy dialogues with Government of Tanzania counterparts regarding Mission DRG activities in order to align with national goals, push forward the policy agenda, formulate strategy, and coordinate activities.
   5. Represent Mission on DRG related committees (e.g. Development Partner Governance Working Group, Local Governance Reform Program DP Group, Conference on Social Accountability Monitoring, etc.)
   6. Participate in, coordinate, or manage USAID inputs into DRG assessments conducted in conjunction with other USG agencies, international organizations, or other donors.
   7. Maintain close contact and engage in policy dialogue as appropriate with senior representatives of international organizations, the legal community, non-governmental organizations, foreign donors, and other U.S. Government agencies providing assistance for democracy building.
   8. Continuously gather information about, and keep current on, developments in democracy and governance matters and report developments to senior Mission management and staff.
4. Carry out other tasks related to the USAID Mission’s Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance program as may be assigned from time-to-time by the DRG Office Director and Mission Director (10% of Time) .

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education:  
   Possession of a Bachelor’s degree on or its equivalent in a field related to democratic governance, such as political science, sociology, law or development management.
2. Prior Work Experience:  
   Minimum ten years of progressively responsible professional experience, preferably with an international development agency, public or private foundation or policy institute, private consulting firm, and/or international NGO with responsibilities for development, implementation and management of a broad range of activities to promote transition to democracy, improved democratic governance, rule of law, and civil society in Tanzania. At least two years of supervisory or contract/grant management experience. Proven analytical, organizational and administrative skills.
3. Language proficiency: 
   Level IV English and written and verbal fluency in Kiswahili are required.
4. Knowledge:  
   Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of democracy and governance issues specific to Tanzania, including: democratic transition and political processes; independent media; civil society building and NGOs; local government; rule of law; legal institution reform; and anti-corruption. Familiarity with key donors and implementing agencies in the DRG sector in Tanzania, as well as knowledge of key governance constraints and the most effective interventions in addressing them. Knowledge of USAID strategy/program development and project implementation procedures.
5. Skills and Abilities: 
   Experience in designing and implementing democracy, human rights, and governance programs in developing countries; demonstrated ability to analyze democracy and governance issues; strong oral and written communication skills; the ability to work as part of a team and work closely with staff in other technical areas, i.e., health, agriculture, education, and natural resources management; proven ability to manage grants/contracts and to provide overall strategic direction to a democracy and governance portfolio.

SELECTION PROCESS

When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application. 

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy. 

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174). A hard copy of the application form (DS-174) is also available at the American Embassy, gate 3; or


2. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or


3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus


4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.


5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE. 

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known) 
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number) 
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No) 
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide 
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type 
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location) 
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference 
P. Education 
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills 
S. Work Experience
T. References

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam

POINT OF CONTACT

Telephone: 229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2294726

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: January 20, 2014.