Job Description
(Announcement Number: 18-02)
USAID/Nepal invites applications for employment from all interested and qualified candidates for the position of Development Program Specialist (Government Liaison) in the Program and Project Development Office, under a Foreign Service National (FSN) Personal Services Contract (PSC) subject to availability of funds.
OPEN TO: All interested and qualified candidates
POSITION: Development Program Specialist (Government Liaison) – FSNPSC-11
OPENING DATE: January 31, 2018
CLOSING DATE: February 14, 2018 — 5:00 P.M Kathmandu time
WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week
NOTE: ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION: The incumbent will serve as USAID’s key Foreign Service National (FSN) interlocutor with the Government of Nepal (GON), particularly the Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission, responsible for liaising and negotiating with senior ministry officials. As the key interlocutor with the GON. the incumbent will provide expert level advice and guidance to USAID/Nepal’s Senior Leadership Team.
The incumbent will lead the task of coordination with the GON to ensure that USAID’s portfolio is well coordinated with the host government and that all necessary actions are completed to ensure timely and continued funding for USAID activities. A key component of the position is to effectively communicate to the GON how USAID programs align with shared bilateral development priorities. This entails working with USAID staff and Implementing Partners (IPs) to ensure adequate coordination mechanisms are in place with relevant line ministries.
Given the unprecedented shift of the locus of governance from the national to the provincial and local levels through the federalization process, the incumbent will advise and provide expert guidance to USAID/Nepal’s Senior Leadership Team on shifts in policies and practices, particularly on delegation of fiscal authority and its implications for USAID programs. The incumbent will also assist USAID/Nepal’s five technical offices in their engagement with line ministries and sub-national government authorities and will help the Mission respond to issues that arise during the federalization process. Additionally, the incumbent will support USAID technical offices in developing, negotiating, implementing, and monitoring government-to-government assistance programs and ensuring compliance with USAID and Mission policies on government-to-government programming.
The incumbent will also provide expert political and socioeconomic analysis to inform program design and implementation: and will serve as the Mission’s alternate budget specialist, supporting USAID/Nepal’s budget planning and management processes.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
a. Education: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, business administration, or related field.
b. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of full-time employment in a relevant role (e.g., working with the Government of Nepal, donors, development project implementation, political or economic analysis). Demonstrated experience wing political or economic analysis to support development-related programming is required.
c. Post Entry Training: USAID Programming Foreign Assistance, Project Design and Management, Evaluation for Evaluation Specialists.
d. Language Proficiency (List both English and host mushy language(s) proficiency requirements by level (II, III) and specialization (sp/read): Level IV (fluent) in English is required. Level IV (fluent) in Nepali is required.
e. Job Knowledge: Demonstrated ability to conduct economic analysis is required. Knowledge of Government of Nepal procedures related to budget preparation and management is required, as well as prior working experience related to economic development, donor coordination, and development planning.
f. Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to form effective professional relationships
- Oral and written communication skills to deal effectively with mid-and high-level contacts within the U.S. Government. the Nepali Government, USAID implementing partners, and other stakeholders
- Excellent analytical skills and the ability to summarize complex concepts and a large quantity of information in a clear and concise manner
- Excellent research and data collection methodology skills
- Ability to create organizational work plans based on higher-level goals
- Skills in supporting staff with a variety of levels of knowledge and capabilities
- Strong organizational skills in order to balance competing priorities
- Ability to work independently to efficiently meet deadlines
- Ability to apply USAID regulations and procedures to daily work requirements
- Excellent computer skills, including statistical software, word processing, spreadsheet programs and database management.
A detailed job description for the position can be obtained by visiting USAID/Nepal website at http://wv.rwasaid.gov/nepalkareers or by requesting USAID/Nepal Human Resources Office.
How To Apply
Interested and eligible applicants should submit a cover letter and a resume – not to exceed 3 pages – and any other documentation that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed in the full job description. Please provide names of three references and their contact numbers and email addresses as well. Please send your application to the attention of USAID/Nepal, Human Resources Office, U.S Embassy Maharajgunj, G.P.O. Box. 295, Kathmandu, Nepal. Applications may be sent electronically to: USAIDNepaIHR@usaid.gov
Only short listed applicants will be contacted to participate in the hiring process. USAID/Nepal is an equal opportunity employer committed to a staff composition that reflects the social and ethnic diversity of Nepali society. We believe that social inclusion and diversity contribute to excellence. Applicants from disadvantaged castes, under-represented ethnic groups, and women are especially encouraged to apply.
This vacancy announcement was publishes on Kantipur daily January 31, 2018.