Acquisition and Assistance Specialist –FSN - 11
Vacancy Announcement : No. 2015-11
Opening Date : Immediately
Closing Date : September 04, 2015 at 12:00
Work Hours : Full-time ; 40 hours/week
BASIC FUNCTIONS
The incumbent is a professional Acquisition & Assistance (A&A) Specialist and has responsibility for managing the procurement portfolio for USAID/Burundi. The USAID/Burundi Acquisition and Assistance unit provides support to the USAID/Burundi technical staff.
The incumbent shall be required to perform independently in a program requiring complicated and sensitive contracting operations. In this portfolio, most of the acquisition and assistance processes involve complex, multi-million dollar contracts, grants and cooperative agreements, many of which are structured with a prime contractor/grantee having two or more subcontractors/sub-grantees and requiring substantial contract administration. The Acquisition and Assistance Specialist shall be required to apply a broad range of highly specialized acquisition and assistance functions including review and approve or revise Scopes of Work (SOW)/Program Descriptions (PD) ; perform complex cost and price analysis ; analyze proposals and/or quotes received ; review contracts and contract modifications ; analyze proposed contractor budgets ; recommend revision to various contract provisions ; write Memoranda of Negotiation ; and, prepare other required documentation. The Specialist maintains up-to-date contract files, assists in the preparation of Contractor Performance Appraisal Reports (CPARs), and supports award closeouts. The Specialist provides guidance to USAID/Burundi on related administrative award modifications. It is understood that an individual hired for this position may require training to meet the required qualifications and performance level.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS :
Education : A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Political Science, international relations, international procurement, supply chain management, social science, or a related field, is required. Specialized training in USG acquisition is desirable, but can occur after employment. Prior Work Experience : Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible, professional experience. At least 2, preferably 3, years of them must be in procurement in a professional capacity with USG or similar international organization. Language Proficiency : Level IV fluency – speaking/reading/writing in English is required. Level IV fluency – speaking/reading/writing in French is required. Level III fluency – speaking/reading/writing in either Kirundi or Kiswahili. Job Knowledge : A very good knowledge of Federal and Agency procurement regulations and procedures and highly specialized knowledge of :
i) Analyzing and organizing large amounts of detailed information, such as cost factors and contract types, as relates to requirements ;
ii) Results-based assistance instruments (grants and cooperative agreements) and how these documents can help fulfill mission objectives. Good knowledge of market conditions, the political context and social conditions impacting USG procurement actions. Knowledge of the organization’s interested in, and capable of performing USG contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, etc. Knowledge of the concerns from public voluntary organizations (PVOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 8(a) firms, small businesses, and large businesses ;All phases of the procurement processes leading to award, particularly soliciting, reviewing of applications or proposals and contract award and administration procedures, providing technical advice in complex contractual arrangements to USAID Burundi Office and host country officials. Knowledge of program, project, or other commodity requirements. Knowledge of local market conditions and costs. Knowledge of U.S Federal and Agency acquisitions a plus. Skills and abilities : Excellent negotiation skills to negotiate multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts and other instruments. Excellent analytical skills and sound judgment to select appropriate acquisition or assistance instrument types ; to evaluate bids or offers ; conduct cost and price analysis ; determine the responsibility of contractors on the basis of competition, historical costs, reports, etc. Excellent writing skills to draft various procurement-related documents and to develop sound solicitation and instrument documents. Excellent interpersonal skills to deal effectively with various officials, usually with highly divergent points of view, diplomatic and tactful in setting forth ideas, constraints, or courses of action. Ability to work with minimum or no supervision.
TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION
A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities and the application form are available at http://burundi.usembassy.gov/employment-opportunities.html. Interested applicants for this position should submit the DS-174 application form and a current résumé or a curriculum vitae that provides additional information.
