Agency: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Organization: Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance, Governance Office (DRG/GOV)
Location of Position: Washington, DC
Telework Eligibility: The position is telework eligible.
Open Period: July 10, 2024 – July 31, 2024
Appointment Type: This is an excepted service, time-limited appointment that is not to exceed five years; may be considered for two two-year extensions depending on the needs of the service.
Salary: (USD) $163,964 – $191,900 per year
Number of Vacancies: One

Description of Organization: The DRG Bureau leads USAID’s efforts to invigorate democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development. The DRG Bureau shapes policy and development agendas, generates knowledge and evidence that drives innovation, catalyzes partnerships and coalitions, and mobilizes cutting-edge programs and technical assistance to enable USAID’s Missions and partners to accelerate democratic development globally.

GOV leads USAID efforts to help countries ensure that public institutions are resilient, transparent, and accountable to citizens. GOV supports integrated and evidence-based USAID governance designs and strategies around the world and provides technical expertise, support, and leadership to USAID Operating Units, interagency and intra-agency teams, and bilateral and multilateral partners. GOV supports USAID programs that enhance the capacity of executive and legislative institutions at national and subnational levels of government to perform core functions, ensure effective intergovernmental coordination, provide adequate checks and balances, and deliver effective, inclusive, and citizen-responsive services. GOV-supported programs also improve public financial management, helping countries to efficiently and transparently mobilize, spend, and account for public resources to meet development and economic growth objectives. GOV serves as the urban focal point at USAID, supporting and coordinating programming and strategic thinking among Pillar and Regional Bureaus to leverage urbanization in support of economic development and improved service delivery. More information on the functions of the Bureau and Offices are described in ADS 101.3.1.17, Agency Programs and Functions.

For more information about the position, please see Attachment 1 below.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a U.S. citizen. Candidates must indicate whether they are a U.S. citizen. If citizenship is not stated, the application will not be considered; and
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.

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 the months, years, and the number of hours worked per week for each position listed;
• Transcripts: Official or unofficial transcripts; and
• References: At least three professional references.

Other Applicable Documents:

• Veteran’s Preference: Applicants claiming Veteran’s 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 DRG Foreign Service Limited (FSL) Jobs at [email protected] with the subject line: “FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Supervisory Democracy Officer (Senior Local Governance Specialist/Local and Urban Governance Team Lead) – FL-0301-01, DRG/GOV.” Application submissions are required by 11:59 p.m. EDT, July 31, 2024. Incomplete packages or packages not submitted by the deadline with the specified subject line 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
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy
• Foreign Service Salaries – Careers (state.gov)
• Healthcare & Insurance – OPM.gov

Any questions concerning this notice may be directed to:

— DRG FSL Staffing, DRG, [email protected]

Notice 0789

INTRODUCTION

USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) leads USAID’s efforts to invigorate democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development. The DRG Bureau shapes policy and development agendas, generates knowledge and evidence that drives innovation, catalyzes partnerships and coalitions, and mobilizes cutting-edge programs and technical assistance to enable USAID’s Missions and partners to accelerate democratic development globally.

The Governance Office (GOV) in the DRG Bureau leads USAID efforts to help countries ensure that public institutions are resilient, transparent, and accountable to citizens. GOV supports integrated and evidence-based USAID governance designs and strategies around the world and provides technical expertise, support, and leadership to USAID operating units, interagency and intra-agency teams, and bilateral and multilateral partners. GOV supports USAID programs that enhance the capacity of executive and legislative institutions at national and subnational levels of government to perform core functions, ensure effective intergovernmental coordination, provide adequate checks and balances, and deliver effective, inclusive and citizen-responsive services. GOV-supported programs also improve public financial management, helping countries to efficiently and transparently mobilize, spend, and account for public resources to meet development and economic growth objectives. GOV serves as the urban focal point at USAID, supporting and coordinating programming and strategic thinking among pillar and regional bureaus to leverage urbanization in support of economic development and improved service delivery. More information on the functions of the Bureau and Offices are described in ADS 101.3.1.17.

This position serves as Team Lead and Senior Technical Specialist for the four person Local and Urban Governance Team (LUG) within GOV. GOV/LUG’s work supports the development of democratic local governance to create more citizen-responsive and accountable local institutions; increase democratic governance at the subnational level; provide for the responsible use of public funds; and improve public administration, public financial management, constituent services and public service delivery at the local level. These efforts include focusing on: systems strengthening; improving financial, project, and human resources management; procurement reform; policy/strategic planning; enhancing government budget formulation and execution processes; and bolstering transparency and public participation systems and mechanisms. GOV’s decentralization work focuses on strengthening the inter-governmental coordination framework, enhancing inter-governmental revenue collection and transfers, improving decentralization and devolution processes, and achieving whole-of-government approaches to local and national policy priorities. Together, GOV’s local governance and decentralization efforts improve and strengthen democratic governance and support economic growth, consistent with country contexts and USG policy objectives.

This FS-01 Supervisory Local Governance Specialist will guide the LUG Team on program/project management tasks. The incumbent will be an Agency technical resource for Decentralization, Local Governance, and Urban development and related issues. This position will report to the Governance Office Director or Governance Office Deputy Director.

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree at minimum, but a Master’s degree is preferred. The degree must be in relevant subject matter areas, including Public Policy, Public Administration, Urban Studies, International Development, and Political Science. For those with a Master’s degree, a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant, recent experience, that includes technical experience in developing countries is required. For those with a relevant Bachelor’s degree a minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant, recent experience, that includes technical experience in developing countries is required. This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC. The Supervisory Local Governance Specialist must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to pass a background check and obtain and maintain the necessary facility and employee security clearance at the Secret level.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leader Responsibilities 25%

The LUG Team Leader works with a group of employees performing work at the GS-14 and Foreign Service equivalent level, and is responsible to their supervisor for assuring that the work of their assigned team is carried out by performing a range of coordinating and supportive duties and responsibilities. Provides the technical guidance and leadership skills to team members to achieve specific tasks, produce work products and services, and meet program goals. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance in accordance with the employee evaluation guidance associated with the employee’s hiring mechanism. Provides advice and counsel to team members related to work planning, and administrative matters. The Team Leader will liaise with the supervisor (Office Director or Deputy Office Director) to obtain resources and direction.

Program/Project Development and Management Work 40%

Serves as a technical authority on complex and precedent-setting issues and develops USAID designs, plans, and strategies related to decentralization, subnational and local governance, and urbanization. Maintains expertise in decentralization, subnational and local governance, and urbanization indicators and impact evaluations to effectively influence the implementation and learning of USAID DRG programming. Responsible for drafting guidance documents, toolkits, training modules, and other products that disseminate best practices in institutional strengthening, planning, design, and monitoring.

Responds to USAID Missions’ requests for GOV programming, including decentralization, subnational and local governance, and urbanization-related technical assistance in all phases of the USAID Program Cycle. This includes assisting Missions with appropriate assessments during various planning phases to determine needs, opportunities, and entry points for assistance efforts, incorporating Agency guidance on Political Economy Analysis (PEA), Thinking and Working Politically (TWP), Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA), Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), Localization and Locally-led Development. It also entails providing technical input and guidance to Missions on the design of related programs and activities and helping Missions identify and apply state-of-the-art and evidence-based approaches, such as digital and e-governance. Technical assistance may also involve helping Missions with the monitoring and evaluation of field programs, for various purposes, but primarily to help Missions adapt their programs and activities to changing circumstances and to further expand the DRG sector’s evidence base and learning.

The Supervisory Local Governance Specialist will take the required training to achieve and maintain certification as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and/or Activity Manager for DRG projects, performing the full range of project management functions including: planning, authorization and implementation documents (e.g., their timely clearance and execution); monitors grantee and contractor performance and project progress to identify substantive or administrative problems, taking corrective action with respect to modifications in projects, initiates and reviews interim and final evaluations. As needed/assigned the position may serve as COR for a Personal Service Contractor (PSC) including the necessary contract personnel supervision duties. Provides information, communications, and liaison services.

Agency-Wide Technical Resource for DRG Development Issues 35%

Provides policy recommendations and technical advice to high level (Deputy Assistant Administrator and above) officials within USAID, on technical, country, regional, and Agency-wide policy priorities related to decentralization, local governance, and urbanization. Coordinates stated DRG activities with the Bureau for Planning, Learning, and Resource Management (PLR); the Office of General Counsel (GC); relevant cross-Agency Policy Task Teams; and other Bureaus as appropriate. Comments on relevant sections of proposed legislation and prepares or reviews position papers, reports, and other documents when requested. Participates in and serves as a subject matter expert in intra- and inter-agency meetings on decentralization, local governance, and urbanization.

Expands, maintains, and disseminates technical expertise on the effective use of assistance programs to strengthen local governance, and ensure that decentralization processes advance democratic development. Increases the Bureau’s institutional capacity to apply state-of-the-art approaches for building the capacity of local governments to adequately fund and efficiently provide needed public services and engage citizens in public policy-making. Engages with the broader DRG community of practice (including implementing partners and other practitioners) to advance dialogue and coordinate efforts to advance practice related to local governance, decentralization and urbanization and works with DRG’s E&L Team to expand USAID’s evidence base through original research and literature reviews.

Translates state-of-the-art technical expertise into tools and guidance that can be easily shared and absorbed by USAID field officers, including developing or improving resources that help field officers assess the local governance context, identify entry points for programming, examine circumstances under which various approaches are appropriate or not, assess levels of risk, or apply key evidence that DRG’s Learning Agenda has identified, among other purposes. This may include offline or online toolkits, the development and delivery of in-person training or distance learning training modules, and technical contributions to public platforms such as USAID’s Learning Lab, among others.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Significant Factors:

FLSA: Exempt

Security Clearance: Secret

Travel: Occasional (25%) Travel is required.