The U.S. Mission in Accra, Ghana is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Project Management Specialist (PMS) - Environmental Policy in the Regional Economic Growth (REGO) of USAID West Africa. This position in located in Accra, and the incumbent is responsible for collaborating closely with USAID bi-lateral Missions, host-country governments, regional institutions (such as CILSS, AGHRYMET, the African Water Association, ECOWAS, and others) as well as other donors in order to ensure that programs align with the needs identified by local institutions. USAID’s environment programs in West Africa build capacity for biodiversity conservation, reduce deforestation and improve natural resource management, strengthened environmental governance, adaptation to climate change, and water and sanitation. The program operates in 21 presence and non-presence countries in West Africa and coordinates closely with the Mission bilateral programs and non-presence country staff, as well as with other USAID-funded programs. The program portfolio includes the Presidential Initiative for Climate

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

•   This FSN (Foreign Service National) position is located in the Regional Economic Growth Office (REGO) in Accra, Environment Team for West Africa. It is under the supervision of the Environment Team Leader. The incumbent is responsible for collaborating closely with USAID bi-lateral Missions, host-country governments, regional institutions (such as CILSS, AGHRYMET, the African Water Association, ECOWAS, and others) as well as other donors in order to ensure that programs align with the needs identified by local institutions. USAID’s environment programs in West Africa build capacity for biodiversity conservation, reduce deforestation, and improve natural resource management, strengthened environmental governance, adaptation to climate change, and water and
sanitation. The program operates in 21 presence and non-presence countries in West Africa and coordinates closely with the Mission bilateral programs and non-presence country staff, as well as with other USAID-funded programs. The program portfolio includes the Presidential Initiative for Climate Change and funding to help West African countries meet their targets for Water and Sanitation.

•   The Regional Organizations that bring together government actors are very weak and require a lot of close engagement in order to make the successful transition to leadership roles. The incumbent is fundamentally responsible for maintaining long-term relationships with High Level Government Officials from Regional and National Government entities. S/He must use diplomacy when necessary to address difficult situations which could affect US Government interests. For example, highly connected entities or institutions may attempt to use their connections to circumvent USAID regulations, or progress may be blocked on harmonization of environmental regulations, requiring delicate negotiations with all parties involved. Current Regional Environment Team (RET) partners include a range of NGOs, research agencies, universities, private sector, local and regional governments and other USG agencies. It is anticipated that this position would require working closely with a similar range of organizations and agencies, as well as host county government agencies throughout the region. This position thus requires both regional vision and engagement on key issues, as well as the ability to effectively manage multiple and complex institutional relationships across sectors.

•   The incumbent takes the lead in preparing, managing and reporting the results and impacts of projects in the RET portfolio with respect to the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) of the Office, Portfolio Implementation Reviews and the Annual Performance Plan Report.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: % OF TIME

1. Program Management: (45%)

Function as Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and/or Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) and/or Activity Manager of grant(s), cooperative agreement(s) and contract(s), as assigned. This includes:

•   Designing and procuring activities in a team-based approach with the Regional
Environment Team and other Missions,
•   Approving key personnel, annual work plans, travel and budgets/expenditures as
appropriate,
•   Overseeing activity performance, including reviewing/accepting reports and site visits, and
•   Operating effectively as a Regional Environment team member, sharing information and
Coordinating closely with PMU team members and Mission technical staff in the region to
ensure complementarities and value-added of USAID programs.

2. Environment Team Monitoring and Reporting: (35%)

Leadership and coordinator role in:

•   Negotiating and managing office wide tasks such as data quality, financial management, reporting, communications, networking, participation in program-wide training and other events, and joint site visits by:
• Guiding the REGO Program Assistant to provide RET budgetary and/or performance monitoring plan data management functions,
• Specifically, preparing Annual Reports to Congress, Operational Plans, briefing papers and talking points for mission leadership, and others to be determined.
•   Coordinating activities among members of the team, including ensuring complementarities and value-added with other REGO components, USAID bilateral activities managed by other Missions, other USAID programs, other donors and partners, and
•   Proactively communicating, sharing information and collaborating within the RET team, with other Missions in West Africa and with other cross-sectoral USAID colleagues to ensure maximum program impact.

3. Technical Leadership: (20%)

•   Serve as technical advisor for RET. Advise on the conceptualization and evaluation of regional water and sanitation, integrated watershed management, environmental governance, and other related issues and activities in West Africa. Serve as a liaison with national and regional environmental authorities such as the Mano River Union and ECOWAS, other Missions, environmental organizations, industry, the academic sector, and other donors on environmental issues. Identify and assess environment problems in West Africa their potential solutions and
identify priority sectors for activity implementation, including creative cross-sectoral and private sector opportunities. Promote USAID Forward and share lessons learned within the broader environment and development community, including public presentations and professional development opportunities related to the West African Region. Represent USAID/West Africa before other donors, USAID Missions and USG agencies and officials, including coordinating RET site visits with other USG officials. Act as contact point for USAID Mano River country programs in West Africa.

Qualification Required & Experience

Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

•   Education: Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Policy, Development Studies, or similar field is required.
•   Prior Work Experience: Minimum of seven years’ experience working with USG and/or the environment sector in West Africa, environmental governance, and other environmental issues required.
•   Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English language (Speaking, reading and writing is required.
•   Job Knowledge: Must have competence, experience, and maturity in dealing with regional government officials and international organizations. Possess ability to identify significant economic, political, and social trends in the region and assess their importance and potential impacts on USAID development assistance objectives and projects; ability to function effectively in team-based settings, both in daily program implementation and in inter-agency working groups. Proven skills in working on transnational and trans-boundary issues. Proven skills to work effectively in cross-cultural situations and in highly charged political environments. Ability to obtain, analyze, and evaluate data and present it in meaningful terms. Strong communications skills both orally and in writing. Ability to follow through on USAID project management issues and serve as point of contact for West African as well as U.S. counterparts. Familiarity with USAID regulations and contracting procedures.
•   Skills and Abilities: Must have sound knowledge of the region’s environmental problems and development priorities is required.

Salary range (FSN-11) = GH¢ 94, 257.00 – GH¢ 141, 381.00 p.a. (depending on qualification and experience)

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested individuals should submit a signed cover letter, relevant certificates and CV with references to:

Regional Executive Office
USAID/West Africa
P.O. Box 1630, Accra

Or by Email to:

acpersonnel@usaid.gov

Closing Date: 25 April, 2017

Note: When submitting your application via email, start the subject line with the position title. Failure to state this and submit signed letter with relevant documents will result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

ALL U.S. AND NON-GHANAIAN CITIZENS, WHO ARE NOT FAMILY MEMBERS OF USG EMPLOYEES OFFICIALLY ASSIGNED TO POST AND UNDER CHIEF OF MISSION AUTHORITY, MUST ATTACH COPIES OF THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO THEIR APPLICATIONS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. NO RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE PROVIDED TO THE JOB LOCATION: ACCRA, GHANA. IF TRANSPORTATION TO ACCRA IS REQUIRED, IT WILL BE THE EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSIBILITY.