USAID Tanzania Management Jobs; Project Management Assistant

Job Title: Project Management Assistant
Job Location: USAID/Tanzania’s Economic Growth Office
Employer: USAID Tanzania

Job Description:
The US Embassy is seeking an individual for the position of Project Management Assistant at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This is a full-time Personal Services Contract position

Job Overview
The position is located in USAID/Tanzania’s Economic Growth Office and will include a range of programmatic, project management, coordination, monitoring and administrative responsibilities. The primary duties of the Project Management Assistant – Program Analytics will include management and coordination of both internal and external aspects of the EG portfolio of projects and activities. The incumbent will track procurement and budget actions across the Economic Growth portfolio; initiate requisitions in GLAAS and assure that all supporting documentation for GLAAS actions is on file; manage small support projects and/or serve as activity manager for modest technical activities in the EG office; support the Performance Management, Evaluation and Learning Specialist in documenting and tracking monitoring and evaluation of program results; oversee travel planning and administration for the Economic Growth team members; and help to organize partner meetings and special events. The Project Management Assistant should have mid-level professional experience with a wide range of administrative, organizational and computer skills. The incumbent will engage with USAID staff; USAID’s contractors and grantees; Government of Tanzania counterparts; representatives of the private sector; and Tanzanian civil society. The Project Management Assistant – Program Analytics reports to the Unit Lead for the Program Analytics unit, and will also take direction from the Deputy Office Director, Economic Growth.

Job Duties:
A) Administration and Program Monitoring (70%)
    Oversee and track all pre-award documentation and procurement plans for the Economic Growth portfolio, including providing organizational support for annual operational planning and performance reporting. Compile background information and help to organize semi-annual portfolio reviews and partner meetings for the Economic Growth Office within the USAID/Tanzania Mission.
    In collaboration with the Contracting Officer’s/Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) and the Performance Management, Evaluation and Learning Specialist, track results from quarterly and annual progress reports submitted by Implementing Partners and M&E contractors to ensure that development results are being measured and tracked; prepare status reports for the Deputy Office Director to share activity progress achieved, noting specific issues requiring immediate action.
    Administration: Responsibility for the operation and monitoring of the following illustrative activities: (a) financial and budget tracking (e.g., maintenance of procurement and budget spreadsheets, including under OPs Master; tracking of project pipeline issues); (b) program monitoring (e.g., assisting Performance Management, Evaluation and Learning specialist in tracking program results, and assistance in preparation of semi-annual portfolio reviews and Operational and Performance Plans); (c) review and conduct quality control on pre-award documentation for all procurement actions, according to the program office guidelines; (d) undertake all office travel planning and organization for the Economic Growth team; (e) organization and administration of public events, including partner and government meetings, workshops, and public events.
    Undertake monitoring and site visits and identify ways to improve program performance from those visits for selected activities in the Economic Growth portfolio.

B) Technical Program/Project Management (25%)
Upon completion of requisite training, the incumbent will serve as COR/AOR, activity manager or alternate for Economic Growth activities focused on such areas as women in agriculture, horticulture, and/or institutional capacity building.
    Prepare pre-award documentation including but not limited to requisite project design and implementation documentation and activity checklists.

    Initiate requisitions in GLAAS and maintain supporting documentation;

C) Perform other duties as required. (5%)

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

    Education:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required in Public/Business Administration, Agriculture, Natural Resources or international development or related field.

    Prior Work Experience:
At least 3 years of work experience on administrative and project management support functions with international development organizations is required.

    Language proficiency:
Level IV (Fluent) English and Kiswahili fluency are required.

    Knowledge:
Sophisticated understanding of administrative and operational procedures in the implementation of international development programming, as well as knowledge and experience with programs that deliver economic development, agriculture or business administration will be required.

    Skills and Abilities: 
The Project Management Assistant should have the ability to establish and maintain professional relationships at all ministerial and government levels (local, regional and national), business associations, private sector companies, NGOs, and Economic Growth stakeholders and implementing partners in Tanzania and Zanzibar. Demonstrates skill at establishing and maintaining working relationships at counterpart levels (mid-level) of all entities described previously. Capably articulates program administration procedures and results monitoring with administrative and mid-level counterparts. S/he should have junior to mid-level administrative and organizational experience, relevant education, and a familiarity with Tanzania’s Economic Growth, Agriculture and NRM sectors. S/he should also have standard knowledge of Tanzania’s governmental and administrative organization. The Project Management Assistant must also have proven skills and acumen to effectively operate within the USAID culture, with effective written and oral communication skills, including highly developed computer skills.

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

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

    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

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

    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, 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

Deadline Date: 26/05/2014

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

Telephone: 229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2294726 or 2294970

The US Mission in Tanzania 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.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. All ordinarily resident (or) applicants must have the required work and/or residency permits to be eligible for consideration.