USAID JOB OPPORTUNITY
ANNOUNCEMENT #007
DATE:July 27, 2016
TO: ALL INTERESTED CANDIDATES
FROM: UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (USAID), REGIONAL MISSION TO UKRAINE, BELARUS AND MOLDOVA
SUBJECT: PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT (ENERGY)
READVERTISEMENT – Employees are invited to apply for this position or refer qualified and eligible candidates to the Embassy Human Resources Office. Application procedure is outlined at the end of this notice.

POSITION TITLE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT (ENERGY)

OPEN TO: ALL INTERESTED LOCAL CANDIDATES

GRADE LEVEL*: FSN-9(Full Performance Level)

FSN-08(Training Level)*

WORK HOURS: Full Time, 40 hours per week

POSITION TYPE: Permanent

OFFICE LOCATION:USAID/Ukraine, Office ofEconomic Growth

OPENING DATE:Immediate

DEADLINE:August, 5, 2016 at 6 P.M. Kyiv Time

*The successful incumbent will be hired at the Training Level, FSN-8 until all mandatory USAID training is completed and the full performance level of the position is reached.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The primary responsibilities of the Project Management Assistant (Energy) will include performing a variety of research, reporting, liaison, monitoring, and analytical duties in support of the specialized technical work of the OEG energy specialists responsible for design and implementation of activities in the aforementioned areas. In particular, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

  • Ensuring that the procurement, budgeting, monitoring and reporting processes are completed in a timely and accurate manner;
  • Undertaking necessary research in support of the OEG energy program;
  • Developing, organizing and maintaining activity databases, files and other information repositories; and
  • Providing overall technical and administrative support in the development of reports, documentation, and other tasks as they arise.

In addition, the incumbent may be asked to help manage specific components of complex Team’s activities or specific components of broader programs in consultation with the supervisor and OEG Director.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In general terms, the incumbent will assist the EG Office and the Energy Team with planning, management, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of USAID's energy portfolio, which is currently focused on the areas of EU integration, energy strategy and competitive electricity and gas markets, energy efficiency, clean energy development, municipal heating, other communal services, energy efficiency, and energy infrastructure. The incumbent keeps Mission management informed of the progress of activities that s/he is managing, routinely assessing their continued viability, and participates fully in Mission planning and strategy development activities such as the annual budgeting and reporting process.

QUALIFICATION REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE

  1. Education:This position requires at least a university degree (B.A. or B.S.) in business or public administration, economics, business, finance, engineering, education, or a related field. A higher educational level will be considered a plus, and points will be awarded accordingly. (15 points maximum)
  1. Prior Work Experience:This position requires three to five years of progressively responsible professional project andbudget management experience in one or more of the following fields: economic development, public finance, energy infrastructure, energy reform and policy, privatization, and/or energy efficiency and conservation. Previous experience is desirable with leading international development institutions, government, international NGOs, or private-sector entities. Other experience related to USAID assistance is highly desirable. (15 points maximum).
  1. Language Proficiency:Level IV (fluent) English ability – for reading, speaking, writing – is required; proficiency in Ukrainian and Russian is also required at a Level IV (fluent) for reading, speaking, and writing. To address this required qualification, the applicant must list both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by proficiency level (I trhough V), and skill specialization (speak/read/write)in the pertinent section of the applicationdocuments.(25 points maximum).
  1. Job Knowledge: Knowledge of project and budget management principles is required. A current knowledge of the structure, concepts, principles, issues, techniques, and practices of the energy sectors in Ukraine is desirable, as is a good knowledge of Ukraine’s economic, political, social, and cultural characteristics. A good knowledge of U.S. government legislation, programs and policies, project management methodology, and reporting procedures and documentation related to development assistance, will also be positive factors. (20 points maximum).
  1. Technical Skills and Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain contact with USAID and Ukrainian officials from mid to senior level. Ability to plan, manage, prioritize and complete tasks from various sources is required, including the ability to design and prepare user-friendly and informative reports, mostly of financial and technical content. Also important is an ability to evaluate and interpret data, prepare written reports, and present conclusions, along with the ability to recognize significant developments and trends and to identify the impact on project design and implementation. Good written and oral communication skills are required, as is a willingness and ability work effectively and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team-based environment. (25 points maximum).

POSITION ELEMENTS

  1. Supervision Received: Plans and carries out the work assignmentas directed by and under the supervision of the Office Director and other senior team members. Reports to senior members as agreed among them, and through them to the OEG Director, the Deputy Mission Director, and Mission Director.
  1. Supervision Exercised: This is not a supervisory position. However, the incumbent may be required to monitor and guide the work of contractors and/or grantees, within guidelines set by supervisors.
  1. Available Guidelines: In addition to oral or written instructions from supervisors and other senior staff, guidelines consist of project management guidelines, relevant USAID manuals, and generally accepted budget and reporting guidelines.
  1. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent is expected to exercise wise and independent judgment. Keen judgment is required in interpreting and enforcing USAID policies and regulations, in analyzing issues, and in solving highly complex problems related to program activity formation and implementation. Judgment is required in reviewing technical documents and progress reports and in evaluating contractor/grantee performance, analyzing the implications of events, and in making recommendations to the supervisor, Office Director, and senior Mission Management as to areas where their attention is needed.
  1. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent will have the authority to advise counterparts and others on the status of projects, the likely result of specific actions, and when certain events will take place. He or she will not, however, have the authority to commit or expend U.S. Government funds.
  1. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts:The incumbent will be in frequent contact and communications with host government officials at all levels, local and U.S. vendors, as well as Mission and USAID/Washington employees at all levels. Examples of these contacts include – but are not limited to – OEG implementing partners, the Kyiv office of the World Bank, EBRD, EU, IFC, NEFCO, Parliament members, staff of the Ministries of Energy, Economy and Finance, the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC), Ukrenergo, municipal commissions and other government agencies. The incumbent may represent USAID in meetings up to the deputy minister level.
  1. Post Entry Training: The incumbent will receive on-the-job training in USAID-specific programs and procedures. Additional professional courses will be offered by USAID or others as available, warranted, or required, and subject to the availability of funds.
  1. Time Expected to Reach Full Performance Level: One Year

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Interested candidates in order to apply for this position must submit in English:

  1. Current résumé or curriculum vitae.
  1. A letter of interest – The letter of interest can be built as the main body of an email, and does not necessarily have to be attached – or signed – as a separate document; and
  1. Completed and signed, mandatory Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174). The form could be obtained from the Embassy website (PDF format): or from the USAID website (Word format):

A résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) must contain three to five references with current contact information. References can be either professional or personal. The Technical Evaluation Committee shall consider the past performance information obtained from the reference checks in scoring past performance. It is therefore recommended that the applicant alerts the contacts that their names have been submitted and that they are authorized to provide past performance information when requested.

A letter of interest must describe what the applicant understands to be the key responsibilities of the position and highlight the applicant’s qualifications, skills, attributes and past experience to demonstrate suitability for the position and how the applicant meets the requirements of each of the evaluation criteria described above.The letter of interest may be considered as an additional writing sample and should not exceed three (3) pages at single space using standard font size 12, such as Times New Roman, Calibri, or Verdana.

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:

Human Resources Office

, fax: +38-044-521-5155

Include vacancy number and position title in the subject line of your email/fax cover sheet and on your application.

Note: Only those applications that are received in the Human Resources Office before the closing date (August 5, 2016 before 6 P.M. Kyiv Time) will be eligible for consideration.Applications and letters that are inadequate or incomplete will not be considered.Only those applicants who are selected for the written test and interviews will be contacted.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Current Mission employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply for this position.
  • This position is open to Ordinary Residents. Ordinarily Resident (OR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:
  • A citizen of the host country or a non-citizen of the host country who is locally resident, has legal and permanent residency status within the host country is a holder of a non-diplomatic visa, and has a work permit;
  • Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.

A non-citizen of the host country must provide a copy of proof of residence and employment eligibility.

  • Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible to apply.
  • A written test will be given to assess the candidate’s English writing skills, proficiency with Microsoft applications and general computer skills.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT

The U.S. Mission in Kyiv 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 US Government 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.

Cleared: USAID/EXO

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