Foreign Service Limited Position Opportunity: Program Officer (Desk Officer), Bureau for Asia – FSL-03

Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Organization: Bureau for Asia
Duty Station: Washington, DC
Telework/Remote: Telework can be up to four days per pay period (two days per week); the position is not remote eligible.
Open Period: April 16, 2024 – May 10, 2024
Appointment Type: This is an excepted service, time-limited appointment that is not-to-exceed five years, with the potential for two two-year extensions.
Salary: (USD) $107,657 – $158,097 per year
Number of Vacancies: One

Description of Organization:

This position is located in USAID’s Bureau for Asia which provides leadership and guidance to 1) support our Missions in successfully executing Administration policy priorities through implementation of effective development activities; 2) responding to and coordinating requests for information on development activities in the region; and 3) supporting professional development of Bureau for Asia staff at headquarters and overseas. The Bureau also provides support for Mission coverage, non-presence environments and to manage programs that are inherently regional.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This position is for a Program Officer, who will serve as a Country Desk Officer within the Bureau for Asia. The Program Officer serves as USAID’s primary operating contact point between the overseas mission/office in the country(ies) receiving U.S. foreign assistance and the technical and operating divisions of USAID’s Washington headquarters, as well as with all other relevant United States government agencies, national and international development and financing agencies, and the host country embassy(ies). The Program Officer is the principal channel through which the plans, objectives and issues of the field missions are made known to USAID’s headquarters. Specific responsibilities include:

• Developing familiarity with and advising on the overall socio-economic situation and prospects of the country(ies) of responsibility. Analyzing and evaluating national political, economic and social developments to determine their implications for and impact on United States (U.S.)foreign assistance programs.
• Monitoring and alerting Regional Bureau leadership to issues that affect the host country, including U.S. foreign assistance. Developing and maintaining contacts with policymakers, country experts in other U.S. agencies, Congressional staff, international development organizations, think tanks and host country embassies. Advocating for and influencing U.S. government policy toward the host country(ies). Reporting and advising on developments in the host country(ries) with short- and long-term potential to affect U.S. assistance programs.
• Serving as the portfolio representative for the field mission(s) within the regional bureau. Orienting foreign service officers assigned to the host country(ies) on sensitive issues, relationships with the host country government(s), and regional bureau/field mission coordination. Representing USAID regional bureau in intra- and inter-agency working groups related to the host country(ies).
• Representing Bureau interests to counterparts and more senior-level officials in the State Department, as well as representatives of the host country(ies) and of other entities such as counterparts in major non-governmental organizations.
• Representing USAID in country-specific briefings for Congressional staff. Serving as an organizational spokesperson for external meetings, briefings and public events related to assistance programs in the country(ies). Presenting the field mission(s) and regional bureau perspective to counterparts within international donor organizations (such as the World Bank, IMF, and United Nations agencies), other outside bodies (such as NGOs, academics, and think tanks), and the general public.
• Evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of assistance proposals and programs in close contact with leadership and counterparts in USAID’s field missions.
• Providing input into or producing country and program reports, such as country briefing papers and fact sheets, and analyzing program and/or management control techniques.
• Providing guidance and input to mission strategies and planning documents. Securing technical or program support from regional or pillar bureau bureaus to assist field mission program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Identifying technical support mechanisms of potential usefulness for field mission programming. Identifying and arranging surge support and coverage for field missions, to meet additional staffing needs that may arise.
• Preparing briefing papers and memos for senior officials such as USAID front-office or regional Bureau leadership. Analyzing the implications of program proposals for inter-agency deliberations, coordination with other donors and international financing agencies, and public outreach strategies.

Qualifications: To qualify for the position of Program Officer, FSL-03, you must possess the required specialized experience specific to the series and grade you are applying to.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates must indicate whether they are a U.S. citizen. If citizenship is not stated, application will not be considered.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Five to seven years of experience with the U.S. Government;
• Demonstrated knowledge of Agency or organizational policies, procedures, program cycles and program designs; and A Bachelor’s degree.

Required Documents:

• Cover letter: Candidates are required to submit a cover letter expressing interest and clearly addressing the stated requirements for the position;
• Resume/CV: Candidates must include month, year, and the number of hours worked per week for each position listed; and
• References: At least three professional references.

Other Applicable Documents:

Candidates should submit the following documents as applicable:

• Veteran’s Preference: Applicants claiming Veterans Preference must submit all appropriate documentation (DD-214, Service Disability Letter, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, etc.); and
• Political Appointee: Applicants serving as a current/former Political Appointee must submit all appropriate documentation (SF-50s,appointment letter, etc.).

Please submit your application package to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Please use the subject line: “ FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Program Officer, FL-03, ASIA. ” Application submissions are required by 11:59 p.m. EST, May 10, 2024.

Packages not submitted by the deadline with the specified subject line—or incomplete packages—will not receive consideration. This notice may be used to fill additional vacancies, as the workforce needs of the Bureau may change.

USAID Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commitment: USAID envisions a world where all individuals are valued, have equitable access to opportunities, and are included, respected, and safe in their societies. USAID embraces diversity as outlined in USAID’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement. We seek to elevate and include the voices of the USAID workforce, recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of all stakeholders. USAID also strives to improve equity for underrepresented communities that have historically been denied fair and just treatment and improve accessibility in all facets at USAID.

Additional resources include:

EEO Policy Statement (https://help.usajobs.gov/equal-employment-opportunity)
Reasonable Accommodation Policy (https://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation)