About

Overview

Hiring Path:

• Open to the public

Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency:

For definitions use URL www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/glossary

Open to Cooperating Country Nationals (Nigerians Only).

Security Clearance Required:

Public Trust - Background Investigation

Appointment Type

Permanent

Appointment Type Details:

Five (5) years renewable, estimated to start on or after May 2021

Marketing Statement:

USAID is an independent Federal Government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., USAID fosters transformational development around the world. Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in the following regions of the world: Afghanistan and Pakistan, Africa (all of Africa), Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East.

For more information about USAID, visit http://www.usaid.gov

Summary:

The USAID Project Management Specialist (Agribusiness and Enterprise Development) position is in USAID/Nigeria, Economic Growth and Environment (EGE) Office.  The Specialist perform duties related to Agribusiness and Enterprise Development issues, which includes work with the relevant ministries and municipalities, other Government of Nigeria (GoN) entities, the private sector, and others.  The Specialist will also work in other Mission areas related to private sector engagement. 

Supervisory Position:

No

Relocation Expenses Reimbursed:

No

Travel Required:

Occasional Travel

Incumbent is required to perform work-related regional travels as necessary.

Duties

Program/Project Development, Management, and Oversight – 40% 

The Specialist participates with EGE Team members, USAID/Washington experts, and others in the design of appropriate programs/projects and other interventions in Nigeria, with consideration of in-country political, legal, regulatory, and economic environmental factors.  Prepares and justify program/project recommendations, Scopes of Work, GLAAS requisitions, and other required documentation, and shepherds’ recommendations through to approval.

Serves as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for one or more proposed major EGE programs/projects (through contracts), managing an annual combined program budget of over US$3.5M annually.  Develops and maintains an extensive range of high-level contacts with agricultural and private-sector development partners, influential GON officials, international donors, cooperating agencies, contractors, Implementing Partners (IPs) and their local partners, and other key program stakeholders.

Provide guidance to Implementing Partners (IPs).  Reviews and approves contractor work plans and approves hiring of key personnel.  Provides technical direction to IPs concerning complex issues and provides administrative approval for payments and advances.  Works with IPs to establish benchmarks, goals, and objectives, and receives and reviews periodic and ad hoc reports to ensure that benchmarks, goals, and objectives are being met.  Conducts scheduled and non-scheduled IP site visits to monitor activities, identify and assist in resolving problems, provide guidance on USAID policies and procedures, and to answer questions.  Prepare trip reports on site visits, listing findings and recommendations, and supplementing written reports with oral briefings to the Office Director, Private Sector Team Lead, the Feed-The-Future Team Lead, and to the Mission Director, as required.  Maintains program/project oversight through to final closeout and IP evaluation.

Coordinate EGE programs within USAID and the USG, and with other donors.  Serve as a member of USAID Strategic Objective Teams and, as appropriate, participates in and/or leads Technical Evaluation Committees.

Private Sector Engagement and Trade Specialist – 40%

Lead the development of public-private partnership initiatives and activities by exploring, implementing, and advocating for opportunities to engage the private sector, and creating and improving economic opportunities across the health, power, education, agriculture, and water, sanitation and hygiene sectors in Nigeria. The Specialist will work with the Private Sector Team Lead to form USAID Global Development Alliances when appropriate.

Provide technical expertise on public-private partnership issues, such as the development of strategies for outreach to the private sector. The Specialist will also maintain and strengthen private sector relationships (including Nigerian diaspora) across the health, power, education, agriculture, and water, sanitation, and hygiene sectors.

The Specialist will work with the Private Sector Team Lead to oversee and develop loan guarantees and other financial mechanisms to unlock access to finance in Nigeria across the health, power, education, agriculture, and water, sanitation and hygiene sectors. The Specialist will strength relationships with Nigerian financial institutions to support access to finance for SMEs.

Serve as a Mission resource for trade and investment in support of the agriculture sector. The Specialist will work with the Private Sector Team Lead, and the USAID West Africa Mission to respond to AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) inquiries from the Government of Nigeria, private sector, and U.S. Government interagency. The Specialist will work with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the USAID Feed-the-Future West Africa Trade and Investment Hub Activity.

Program/Project Administration – 20%

Drafts statements of work (SOWs) for carrying out studies, including program evaluations and needs assessments.  Personally, participates in selected program evaluations and needs assessments, often contributing as author or co-author.

Monitors components of EGE assistance activities in order to provide recommendations to activity managers; serves as team member on selected Mission Teams impacting the EGE sector; drafts and/or finalizes activity‑related correspondence for signature by superiors; contributes to annual and semiannual performance reviews; drafts technical papers for new activities, or for changes to on-going programs/projects/activities; etc.

Prepares input for annual Operational Plans (OPs), and tracks performance against indicators.  Evaluates fully implemented activities, focusing on impact, lessons learned, and problem areas and how these problems have been or may have been overcome.  Assist in preparing annual assessments of host-country progress toward achievement of agriculture and enterprise development goals.  

Qualifications and Evaluations

Requirements:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. 

 

Education Requirements:

University Degree in Agriculture, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Business Administration, or International Development is required.

Evaluations:

1. Education: 10 points


2. Prior Work Experience: 20 points


3. Job Knowledge: 30 points


4. Language Proficiency: 10 points


5. Skills and abilities: 30 points

Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed candidates. If the interview is conducted, the interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.

Reference checks will be made only for the successful candidate. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the application letter.

USAID IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.

Qualifications:

Prior Work Experience: Minimum of Five years of progressively responsible experience related to agriculture, enterprise development, and financial industry in Nigeria, or in a closely related area and prior direct project management and technical knowledge in the fields of agriculture and enterprise development is required.

Job Knowledge:  A thorough knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of agriculture and enterprise development and agricultural reform is required.  The Specialist must have a thorough knowledge of the economic status of, and current events in, Nigeria and in the region, and of political and developmental realities, prospects, and priorities for agriculture and enterprise development in Nigeria.

Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated capacity for perceptive analysis and ability to write logically and speak effectively are required. Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the GoN, local government, other public and private institutions and firms, PVOs/NGOs, and the donor community.  Ability to explain and defend USAID project management policies, objectives, and procedures.  Must possess the ability to plan, develop, manage, and evaluate important programs/projects.

Language Proficiency: Level IV English language (high proficiency in verbal and written expression) is required. 

How to Apply

How to Apply:

Eligible applicants are required to complete this on-line application process and submit any applicable required documents by 11:59 p.m. GMT on the closing date of this announcement. 

Please note that all required documents must be received by the closing date online, and that we will determine your eligibility and qualifications based solely on the material received by the closing date. 

Required Documents:

• Current Resume


• Relevant Certificates


• NYSC Certificate


• University Degree Certificate


• List of References

Next Steps:

After the closing date for receipt of applications, all applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a shortlist of applicants developed. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be considered.

A committee will be convened to review the shortlisted applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria as stated above.  Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.