Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

The US Embassy is seeking an individual for the position of Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This is a full-time Personal Services Contract position. USAID anticipates hiring up to five new staff as Acquisition & Assistance (A&A), depending on the qualifications of the applicant. Under the A&A position, USAID is willing to accept applicants with fewer than the required minimum number of years of experience but meeting the minimum educational requirements. These employees will be considered trainees and begin at one grade lower. Attainment of the higher grade level is contingent upon the Specialist successfully completing all required training, years of experience to reach the fully qualified level, in addition to meeting agreed-upon objectives and milestones, and performing in a fully successful manner. Failure to obtain the minimum qualification of the next grade level may be grounds for termination. The candidates for this position will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the closing date or until all positions are filled. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES a. The Specialist (Trainee) is responsible for program/project/activity acquisition and assistance support for USAID/Tanzania Technical Offices, Development Objective (DO) and Assistance Objective (AO) Teams, and any designated clients. USAID programs are diverse and multi-sectorial. The Specialist is required to provide acquisition assistance to designated Technical Offices and/or DO/AO Teams, and to support a variety of programs/projects/activities. These programs/projects/activities are implemented through complex Government contracting and grant mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, competitively negotiated technical assistance agreements, contracts, cooperative agreements, Participating Agency Service Agreements (PASA), and sole source contracts. b. The Specialist (Trainee) is expected and required to select the appropriate procurement instrument type for the situation at hand, and to accurately apply USG procurement laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing each type of instrument. The advanced developmental nature of the assignment includes the acquisition of goods and various types of services. The Specialist (Trainee) must be equally familiar with the procedures for acquisition of goods, and for managing personal service and non-personal service contracting actions. c. The Specialist (Trainee) is expected to work with technical specialists/activity managers in Technical Offices and DO/AO Teams throughout the Mission and the Region, assisting in the preparation of annual procurement plans, the development of clear and concise statements of work, and full supporting documentation. The Specialist (Trainee) must be able to provide authoritative technical guidance to technical specialists/activity managers, pertaining to their procurement-related responsibilities and procedures. Specific duties include: Pre-Award Duties – the Specialist (Trainee) assists technical DO/AO Team personnel in the analysis of annual program plans, and advises on the selection of appropriate acquisition and assistance mechanisms to help achieve program objectives; assists technical personnel in the preparation of required descriptions of proposed activities, including statements of work, specifications, and activity descriptions; prepares pre-solicitation documents and clearances, including determinations, justifications, synopses, and solicitations and, reviews GLAAS Requisitions (REQs) for completeness and clarity. The Specialist (Trainee) advises on the adequacy of evaluation criteria, proposed contracting mechanisms, the extent of advertising required, and any other required terms and conditions. In coordination with Technical Offices and/or representatives of host-country governments, the Specialist (Trainee) evaluates and analyzes bids and proposals, ensuring compliance with evaluation criteria. The Specialist (Trainee) assists in the development of pre-negotiation costs or programmatic objectives, in conjunction with the Contracting/Regional Contracting Officer and/or his/her designee, technical personnel, and others; recommends the competitive range, and negotiates with potential awardees; documents negotiations in writing; assists in technical and cost evaluations; recommends the selected contractor and prepares contract files, to include making required certifications and determinations necessary for each procurement action: and, prepares award documents that accurately reflect all discussions and provisions relevant to the type of award mechanism to be implemented. The Acquisition and Assistance Specialist is located in the Office of Acquisition and Assistance, USAID/TANZANIA. The function of the Office is to provide Acquisition and Assistance (procurement) support to Mission Technical Offices and Development Objective (DO) Teams in the Mission, and in any other Offices that may be supported by the Mission. The primary purpose of this position is to perform a variety of acquisition and assistance duties including writing grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other procurement instruments and preparing amendments in support of the Mission. The Specialist reviews and recommends for approval or revision of requisitions in the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS); scopes of work (SOW); drafts requests for proposal or quote; performs cost and price analysis; analyzes proposals or quotes received; drafts contracts and contract modifications; analyzes contractor-proposed budgets; recommends revisions to various contract provisions; writes Memoranda of Negotiation; and, prepares other required documentation. The Specialist maintains contract files and records up to date, prepares Contractor Performance Reports (CPRs), and supports award closeouts. The Specialist provides guidance related to administrative award modifications, and is responsible for carrying out day-to-day activities under the mentorship of more senior A&A specialists. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS As this is a Career Ladder position, the elements of the Required Qualifications differ from one level to another, EXCEPT for Education and Language requirements which are the same at all three levels of Junior, Mid-Level, and Specialist (Fully Successful) Level. a. Education (ALL LEVELS): Possession of a Baccalaureate (Bachelor’s) Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree in accounting, law, business, finance, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, and/or organization and management is required. NB: Additional education may NOT be substituted for Experience. b. Language Proficiency (ALL LEVELS): Level IV (Fluent) English language proficiency, both oral and written, is required. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AT EACH LEVEL: JUNIOR LEVEL c. Prior Work Experience: Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, business, law or another closely related field is required. d. Knowledge: Knowledge of public and/or private-sector business processes, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge, is required. The knowledge or the ability to quickly gain an understanding of US Federal Acquisition Regulations, and/or knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex acquisition or assistance (grant) portfolio, is required, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, small purchase procedures, and that result in standard and established contract types. e. Skills and Abilities: The potential to acquire the ability to plan and administer acquisition activities, and provide acquisition assistance and support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The potential to gain the ability to apply contracting regulations, procedures, and policies to individual acquisition and assistance programs is required. And, an ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers and stakeholders is required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. 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 1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy. TO APPLY 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 SUBMIT APPLICATION TO American Embassy Human Resources Office P.O. Box 9123 Dar es Salaam

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