Development Assistance Specialist – US Embassy in Tanzania

Development Assistance Specialist – Data Analysis

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: June 10, 2016

Vacancy Announcement Number: 16/097

WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN- 10 (Step 1- TZS 49,443,118 through Step 13- TZS 74,164,666per annum)
Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 5 (steps 5 through 14)*
*Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

The “Open To” category listed above refers to candidates who are eligible to apply for this position. The “Open To” category should notbe confused with a “hiring preference” which is explained later in this vacancy announcement.

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

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Development Assistance Specialist – Data Analysis at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The purpose of the position is to translate data into meaningful information that can inform decisions for improving program performance. The basic functions of the position are: to study datasets used (or that could be used) by the Health Office and the Mission; determine data needs of and produce reports for key users (e.g. Contracting Officer Representatives /Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs/CORs), Technical, Project Management and Development Office (DO) Team Leads, and senior management); coordinate analytical tasks with others; and participate in other monitoring and evaluation activities, as needed. The primary technical areas of focus for the incumbent will be HIV and AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, family planning, nutrition, and maternal and child health. In HIV-related activities, the incumbent will work within the Interagency Strategic Information Team, comprising specialists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Coordinating Office (PCO) and USAID. In addition to playing a consultative role within USAID, the incumbent will also be a key contributor to strengthening the capacity of information systems within the Government of Tanzania by providing technical assistance in key health programs.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Data Analysis 
   35%
   There is a significant amount of data being entered and stored in existing USAID, PEPFAR and other USG data management platforms. However, there is insufficient attention being given to routinely examining this data to identify and interpret patterns and trends, to understand anomalies in the data, and to consider the implications for program performance. The Development Assistance Specialist (Data Analysis)analyzes this existing data but also gather information from additional sources that might help the Health Office and Mission to better understand the situation being examined. During the research, s/he might seek out experts in the Government of Tanzania and donor community to more fully understand what is being examined and to consider other data sources and analytical solutions as needed.
2. Results Reporting 
   25%
   The Development Assistance Specialist (Data Analysis)communicates the results of analysis to decision makers and others affected by the results. S/he designs reports and use tools that can help the various target audiences to easily digest the data, such as statistics, graphs, images and lists. S/he distributes the report via shared software, email, chat, or online or a face-to-face meeting presentations. In the reports, the Development Assistance Specialist (Data Analysis)offers potential solutions to data gaps.
3. Collaboration and Coordination 
   20%
   The Development Assistance Specialist (Data Analysis)works closely with counterparts in USG agencies, in key implementing partners, in the donor community and in GOT agencies to ensure optimal coordination, harmonization, and alignment of data collection activities, databases and reporting. S/he operates as a member of the USAID CCIR team in the pursuit of integrated databases across technical and program support offices.
4. Data Management 
   15%
   While most USAID activities have well-established data management platforms and databases, the Development Assistance Specialist (Data Analysis)may be requested to offer suggested improvements. In addition, there may be need to export data into different formats for local needs and analysis. S/he may be requested to collect additional data using a variety of methods, such as data mining and hardcopy or electronic documentation study. S/he provides advice on methods to collect, analyze and manage data to improve data quality and the efficiency of local data systems. As needed, the Development Assistance Specialist (Data Analysis) supports the M&E Specialist in data cleaning and management of DATIM.
5. Training and Coaching 
   5%
   The incumbent develops relationships with relevant staff to help them interpret data and reach conclusions. The Development Assistance Specialist (Data Analysis) conducts group training and one-on-one coaching of USG colleagues and implementing partners in new data collection procedures, protocols or analyses as needed. As appropriate, this will be extended to implementing partners and GOT counterparts.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

1. Education: 
   A Bachelor’s degree or the host country equivalent in a social science, economics, mathematics, statistics, health science, or similar field relevant to data analysis is required.
2. Experience: 
   A minimum of five years of job-related experience in data management and analysis is required.
3. Language:
   Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili (writing, reading and speaking) is required. (This will be tested)
4. Skills and Abilities: 
   Strong knowledge and ability to use spreadsheets (e.g. Excel), databases (e.g. Access, CSPro), and analysis packages (e.g. SPSS, SAS, R). Experience in GIS is required. (This will be tested).
5. Job Knowledge: 
   The candidate will be knowledgeable about how organizations work and know how to get things done through formal and informal channels. The candidate must have knowledge to successfully communicate with management and users to create systems that meet organizational needs and gain adoption of those systems. Previous experience conducting quantitative data analysis is required.

SELECTION PROCESS: When qualified, applicants who are U.S. Citizen Eligible family Members (USEFMs) and/or preference-eligible U.S. Veterans are given a preference in hiring. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants make themselves known as having a hiring preference and specially address the required applications above in their application.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER: 
1. USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
2. USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
3. FS on LWOP

* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process. Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
4. The candidate must be able to obtain the local security certification.

HOW TO APPLY: applicants must submit the following documents to be considered:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE)(Form Ds-174), which is available on our website or by contacting Human resources, (see “For Further Information” above); and
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Passport, or, National ID, Resident/Work Permit.

WHERE TO APPLY: 

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