USAID US Embassy Jobs – Development Program Specialist

Organisation: United
States Embassy, US Mission in Uganda
Duty Station:  USAID Office of Program and Policy Development
(OPPD), Kampala, Uganda
Salary Grade: FSN-10 (Ugshs 70,716,460 to 102,625,095
p.a. inclusive of allowances).
About US Embassy:
Welcome to the United States
Embassy in Kampala, Uganda.  The United
States has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years.  Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi currently heads
the U.S Mission to Uganda.  The Mission
is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices
of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador.
Among the offices operating
under the U.S Mission to Uganda are:
  • United
    States Agency for International Development (USAID)
  • Centers
    for Disease Control
  • Peace
    Corps
Job Summary: The USAID Development Program Specialist
will serve in the Office of Program and Policy Development (OPPD) of
USAID/Kampala Mission. S/he provides substantive technical guidance in the
formulation and overall management of USAID/Kampala’s development assistance
budget. S/he independently performs a broad range of advisory, analytical,
operational and informational services in connection with USAID/Uganda’s $320
million/year bilateral development assistance program – one of USAID’s largest
and most complex programs in the world. Some of the functions that the
incumbent performs independently include the following: As a senior specialist
professional within the Mission, the Development Program Specialist provides
guidance to all offices on a wide range of USAID programs and development
assistance strategies, policies, and budgeting processes. S/he provides
problem-solving program-management guidance on a wide range of activities. S/he
furnishes official information to the U.S. Embassy, the Government Uganda
(GOU), and other donors on USAID/Uganda programs, policies, development
objectives, programs, and resources.
Key Duties and
Responsibilities: 
  • The
    incumbent provides expert advice to all levels of USAID Mission staff
    regarding how USG foreign-assistance legislation and Agency policy
    priorities impact the Mission’s strategy and program-budget planning. S/he
    advises Mission on the latest legislation and policy directives regarding
    multiple funding sources, including all USAID/State Department fund
    accounts and donations from third-party development actors affect annual
    funding allocations and financial accountability. S/he advises mission
    staff on the correct preparation of program documents, and interprets how
    the USAID Automated Directives System (ADS) series 200 and 300 affect
    planning, design and implementation of programs.
  • The
    incumbent prepares the Mission’s annual planning documents such as the
    Operational Plan (OP), Performance Plan and Report (PPR) and Congressional
    Budget Justification (CBJ), various budget planning documents, such as the
    Embassy-wide Integrated Strategic Plan and the related Mission Resource
    Requests, and the Mission’s inputs for the AFR Bureau Budget Submission
    (BBS) for submission to USAID/W. S/he assures that these major program
    budget documents contain the correct financial data, and that these
    comprehensive annual budget requests are consistent with the USAID
    programming policies, and guidelines, and with the Mission’s Country
    Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). S/he assures, to the best of
    his/her ability, that the allocation of budget allowances are timely and
    sufficient to minimize disruptions to activity management, and consistent
    with the corresponding appropriations legislation, Agency policy, and
    Mission Management decisions. The incumbent interprets guidance for
    Congressional Notifications (CN), and reviews planned obligation amounts
    justified to the Congress in the CBJ to determine if any additional CN is
    required to be submitted before obligation of program funds in a fiscal
    year. S/he prepares texts and financial information for the required
    notifications for processing by USAID/W for submission to Congress.
  • The
    incumbent independently prepares the annual Operating Year Budget (OYB)
    based on Agency/Bureau guidance and Mission resource needs. S/he regularly
    reviews these budgets and their obligation/sub-obligation timelines
    periodically with the PPD Office Director as needed, and particularly in
    response to changes in USAID/W policy and Mission project
    development/design schedules. S/he assures that the budget allocations are
    adjusted to meet funding requirements of bilateral and Global Field
    Support projects, and also with the assigned Congressional earmarks and
    directives targets. S/he manages the Mission OYB obligation process,
    including the preparation of, and amendments to, bilateral grant
    agreements with the GOU.
  • The
    incumbent, in consultation with the Mission technical offices, identifies
    any Mission need for program funds early in the fiscal year, and ensures
    the timely preparation and submission of the corresponding requests for
    those funds to USAID/ Washington, and reconciles the program funds budget
    allowances for each appropriation with AFR/DP.
  • The
    incumbent updates the Mission program-funding pipeline and mortgage
    analyses reports, and, in conjunction with the Mission Office of Financial
    Management (OFM), prepares and reviews analyses and puts into action plans
    for de-obligation and/or re-programming of older funding balances, making
    recommendations regarding possible reallocation or re-obligation of these
    funds to meet Mission portfolio needs, and then recommends necessary
    measures to accomplish obligation targets of current year funds, for
    presentation to the Mission management.
  • The
    incumbent takes a leading role in various Mission Quarterly Financial
    Review and portfolio review meetings. She also participates in many other
    USAID Mission meetings to keep abreast of project implementation and
    performance progress, including pipeline. S/he reviews bilateral
    agreements to be negotiated and executed with the GOU for consistency with
    program plans and budgetary allocations and accuracy. S/he recommends
    measures for accomplishing timely obligations. S/he provides substantive
    advice to the Mission’s technical offices in terms of resource
    allocations, budget allowances, Congressional Notification requirements,
    obligation targets, and earmark/directive target attributions which may
    influence USAD program operations. While incumbent will work with all
    technical teams, may be assigned additional specific “backstopping”
    responsibilities for one team in particular as circumstances require.
  • The
    incumbent furnishes official information in response to requests from GOU
    officials related to USAID assistance programs, Development Objectives and
    various activities, including financial details and budgetary levels for
    Uganda, across the USG. S/he acts as a key USAID contact with senior GOU
    officials on USAID programming, budgeting and on ad hoc issues of
    important to the USAID Mission. S/he the incumbent prepares responses to
    requests from Ugandan, U.S. public and other donor agencies for
    information regarding U.S. Government (USG) financial assistance in
    Uganda. The incumbent prepares ad-hoc, factual, analytical reports,
    program summaries, and other periodic reports based on a variety of
    published unpublished data, as required, for USAID/Washington, Mission
    Director, technical offices, other USG agencies and the GOU. In keeping
    with increased whole-of-government planning and reporting processes,
    incumbent will serve as principal point of contact across USG to collect
    budget data regarding several interagency efforts, including Northern
    Uganda, USAID-implemented PEPFAR funding, and data related to the United
    States as a donor.
  • The
    incumbent serves as overall manager of the OPS Master budget planning
    system. This role includes data entry and verification, report-making,
    reconciliation with the Phoenix financial management system, database
    management, and creation of queries. Included in this role is managing the
    Quarterly Financial Review process, to include preparation of OPS Master
    budget reports prior to the meeting, recording budget re-allocation
    decisions during the meeting, and entry of budget decisions into the
    system after the meeting. This role will include serving as supervisor to
    another FSN (Development Program Specialist) who will support use of the
    OPS Master system as well as support on all nature of budget taskers from
    USAID/W.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
NOTE:  All
applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific
and comprehensive information supporting each item.
  • The
    USAID Development Program Specialist should hold a university degree in
    accounting, finance, business administration or related field is required.
    A graduate degree is preferred.
  • A
    minimum of five or more years of progressively responsible work
    experience, which preferably includes program management work in a social
    science field, business administration, communications or information
    management.
  • Past
    experience in program planning and budgeting, or in an administrative area
    where emphasis is placed on solid analysis, critical thinking, excellent
    judgment, writing, and expository abilities within a team framework.
    Limited experience in information systems is required.
  • Training
    and orientation in USAID budgeting and accounting, as well as strategy and
    activity development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, as
    available.
  • Good
    working knowledge of USAID program management and budgeting systems and
    general procedures is preferred, along with a general knowledge of the
    general development context of Uganda.
  • Possess
    knowledge of the principles of effective teamwork.
  • The
    incumbent must demonstrate strong on-the-job initiative, plus good time
    management and communication skills.
  • S/he
    must possess the ability to work effectively on operational and policy
    matters with senior and mid-levels professionals within and outside of
    USAID, including the Ugandan government, the private sector and the
    donor/client communities, while maintaining the flexibility to deal
    simultaneously with a wide variety of problems.
  • The
    incumbent should have the ability to analyze complex programs, budget
    data, and relationships, and to prepare and critique analytical reports.
  • Proven
    ability to render advice with objectivity; to operate efficiently and
    effectively in a multi-cultural, multi-racial organization; and to work
    under pressure within a team environment to meet tight deadlines for high
    quality products.
  • S/he
    must possess the ability to ensure that key USAID goals, priorities,
    values, and other issues are considered in providing advice on program
    decisions and to ensure that USAID/Uganda’s strategic visions are
    reflected in the management of its programs, customers, and partners.
  • Excellent
    skill in team participation, and excellent writing and communication
    skills are essential and required
Language Proficiency:
(List both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by
level (II, III) and specialization (sp/read): Level IV (fluent) in English is
required. Excellent English language speaking and writing skills required.
How to Apply:
All those interested in working with the US mission in Kampala should
send their applications and strictly adhere to the following:
  • Universal Application for Employment
    as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) Download
    it Here
    .
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • 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.
  • Any other documentation (e.g. essays,
    transcripts/certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification
    requirements of the position as listed above.
Submit Application To:
Human Resources Office
By email at KampalaHR@state.gov
NB: Only electronic submissions will be
accepted and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Please clearly indicate the position applied for in the subject area of
the email submission.
Please use standard file types such as Microsoft Word (.doc) and Adobe
Acrobat (.pdf) and please send all documents in one file attachment.
Telephone:  0414-306001/259-791/5
Deadline: 26th March 2015
The US Mission in Kampala provides equal opportunity and fair and
equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital
status, or sexual orientation.  The Department of State also strives to
achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through
continuing diversity enhancement programs.

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