Development Program Specialist (Collaborating, Learning and Adapting)

The United States Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam is seeking an eligible and qualified applicant for the Cooperating Country National Personal Services Contractor (CCNPSC) position of Development Program Specialist (Collaborating, Learning and Adapting) in its U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

1.       VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO.:USAID-2021-015

2.       OPENING DATE: September 01, 2021

3.       CLOSING DATE:  September 30, 2021, 17:00 Hanoi time

4.       AREA OF CONSIDERATION:  All Interested candidates/All sources who are Cooperating Country National (CCN)

CCN means an individual who is a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country.

5.       POINT OF CONTACT:  

Quyen Hoang, Supervisory Human Resources Specialist at [email protected]; Tel: +84-24-3850-5000;ext. 2763; Loan Nguyen, Human Resources and Travel Assistant at [email protected]; Tel: +84-24-3850-5000; at ext. 2673. 

6.       POSITION TITLE: Development Program Specialist (Collaborating, Learning and Adapting), 30000857

7.       MARKET VALUE/BASE SALARY (per annum): US$ 43,520.00 – US$ 65,274.00 (FSN-12)

Added by attractive allowances, cash and non-cash benefits and incentives according to U.S. Embassy Vietnam’s Local Compensation Plan (which will be $53,193 - $78,252 as detailed in section 15).

8.       PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/Length of the contract/ WORK SCHEDULE:  Definite term - five years/Monday through Friday (40 hours per week).

USAID expects the services under this contract to be continuing in nature for the contractor to perform under a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of fund.

9.       PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: 

USAID/Vietnam, 15^th floor, Tung Shing Building, No. 2 Ngo Quyen street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, Vietnam

10.    SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED:  Local Security Certification or Public Trust

11.    BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF THE POSITION

The USAID Development Program Specialist (Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting, CLA) is located within the Program Office (PRO) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mission Vietnam in Hanoi. PRO provides strategic, programmatic and activity design, evaluation, and budgeting guidance to multiple technical offices. This support is especially critical for ensuring effective implementation of the U.S. Government and USAID’ strategies and policies. PRO leads the Mission’s support in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL); project and activity design; and coordinating the development and implementation of Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). Along with significant foreign assistance coordination responsibilities for the entire Operating Unit (U.S. Embassy and other agencies with foreign assistance responsibilities), PRO is tasked with providing key support in coordination of complex processes throughout the program cycle.

The job holder will lead and guide USAID/Vietnam’s strategy development and implementation, including developing a Mission-wide learning environment that fosters CLA principles. S/he will be responsible for a variety of standard PRO functions, with a focus on strategic planning, operational planning, facilitating program coordination and support, and coordination of CLA efforts with the Government of Vietnam (GVN). S/he will identify performance gaps in these areas by applying a system approach and advise Mission leadership on i) informing decisions based on evidence and learning; (ii) optimizing processes to improve operation and management’ efficiencies and effectiveness, and iii) strengthening PRO customer service provision and satisfaction, building stronger inter-office relationships.

S/he leads and implements (i) the Mission’s MEL system and strategy and oversees project and design efforts to ensure data and learning to inform decisions; (ii) CLA efforts, including developing and updating Performance Management Plans (PMP); annual Performance Plan and Report development; leading indicator target-setting exercises with USAID staff and implementing partners (IP); developing a master action plan and reporting system with field-monitoring and site visit trips; facilitating portfolio reviews; and serves as the Contracting Officer Representative or alternate for the USAID MEL contract.

The job holder will supervise three (3) CCNPSC staff: Development Program Specialists on MEL (FSN-11), Project Design and Learning Specialist (FSN-11), and Inclusive Development Specialist (FSN-10). S/he will report directly to the PRO Director or his/her designee.

12.    MINIMUM REQUIREMENT

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: Possession of a Master's degree in public or business administration, economics, public health or other science studies is required to perform his/her work at a high level in accordance with the requirements of the position.

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in development assistance, strategy development, program/project/ activity design and implementation or related work for donor agencies, NGOs or private sector. This must include a minimum of 5 year-experience in a similar position at strategic level, with the analysis and interpretation of data, adaptive learning, and management.

Language Proficiency:    Must have:

• Level 4 (fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing English (this will be tested).                         
• Level 4 (fluent) Speaking/Reading/Writing Vietnamese.      

Job Knowledge: The job holder must have in-depth knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of development assistance, MEL, strategy, program and activity design/implementation, CLA, and/or partnering with GVN counterparts and other donors. Must have a thorough knowledge of the principles and accepted practices of governmental policies and reporting. Must have demonstrated potential to acquire knowledge of U.S. Government legislation relating to Development Assistance; USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures, and documentation, and a thorough understanding of the objectives, methodology, and status of the USAID/Vietnam's development objectives. A general knowledge of Vietnamese economic, political, legal social systems and characteristics that relates to the development assistance, GVN’s development priorities, policies and procedures is required. Must be familiar with the Project Approval process for donor assistance and knowledge of the applicable GVN regulations. A knowledge of appropriate government and non-government entities and established relationships with officials in such entities which is critical to the successful performance of the duties assigned to this position is required.

Skills and Abilities: The job holder must possess excellent interpersonal skills (communication, presentation, organization, and teamwork skills, etc.) and the ability to: (i) analyze qualitative and quantitative data and provide succinct written guidance/recommendations that require little editing; (ii) to identify and resolve implementation issues, and advise the PRO Director on overall operational effectiveness and; (iii) work with a range from senior leaders to technical professionals in a collegial and productive manner in order to define priorities, garner consensus on those priorities, and develop the interagency strategy in a way that is fully aligned with USG and the Ambassador’s priorities. Must have strong leadership skills and ability to predict issues of concerns and recommend remedial measures. Must have an ability to smoothly compete priorities, manage a variety of activities and data under tight deadlines including financial information, visualizing data and presenting pertinent information concisely; plan, organize, manage, and evaluate complex projects. Must be a dynamic, creative, flexible and people-oriented individual that is able to build trust-based relationships with staff across the mission and with external audiences, adapt readily to changing work environments. Must have a capability to acquire and apply USAID and USG legislation, programming policies, project design methodology, procedures, and documentation related to strategy development, activity design and implementation. Excellent skills of MS Office, Google applications and agency software are required. Must have self-motivation and strong work ethics, have an ability to travel locally and internationally.

13.    EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA:

A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will be set up to manage the whole evaluation and selection processes. Applications will be initially screened for eligibility in accordance with the required qualifications mentioned above including education, prior work experiences and language. Eligible candidates will be given an English test. Those candidates who meet the English requirement (Level IV) will be invited for the subject matter expertise test (SME test) and the top performers from the SME test will be called for an interview. The SME test and the interview will be structured around the selection criteria above. Professional reference checks will be conducted once the pool is narrowed down to the top candidate(s).

In summary, the steps in the Candidates rating system are as follows:

• Meet education/experience requirements: Pass/fail
• Language requirements: Pass/ Fail
• Subject Matter Expertise (SME) test: Top scoring candidates from SME test will be invited for interview
• Professional Reference Checks: Pass/Fail

At the final selection round, the TEC may consider the performance from all selection round as a whole package to ensure the best matching profile (relevant education, relevant working experience in donor/international development organizations, development assistance at strategic level, coordination/facilitation of the program support, program/project/ activity design and implementation, analysis and interpretation of data, adaptive learning, and management).

HOW TO APPLY:

All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a Local security or Public trust clearance.

1. Offerors/ Candidates are required to complete and submit a Universal Application for Employment (DS-174) which is available on the Website of the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Vietnam below, Curriculum Vitae and scanned copies of degrees to support the position’s educational requirement.

           https://vn.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019-07-Updated-DS174.pdf

2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section 3 and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section 5.
3. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Applicants must prominently reference the Job Announcement number in the submission.

NOTE: 

Due to the high volume of applications received, we will only contact applicants who are qualified and will be invited for further testing and/or interview. Thank you for your understanding.

14.    BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a CCNPSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances in accordance with United States Mission Vietnam ‘s Local Compensation Plan and regulations:

1.           BENEFITS:

• One-month basic salary Tet Bonus
• Contribution to mandatory insurances pursuant to GVN’s law/ regulations including social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance.
• Coverage of additional health insurance 90% for incumbent and each eligible family member
• Annual and sick leave according to local labor law
• Mission cash award (semi-annual/ annual) and On-the-Spot award for high performers
• Training opportunities abroad, in-country, on-the-job and online sources (USAID University and Foreign Services Institute).

2.           ALLOWANCES (as applicable):

• Unique Condition Work allowance: 7% of Annual basic salary (upon annual review for the whole Mission).
• Miscellaneous Benefits Allowance: US$1,000 per annum for FSN-09 and below and US$3,000 per annum for FSN-10 and above.

15.    ADDITIONAL SELECTION AND APPLICATION CRITERIA:

• The Contracting Officer will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, funds availability and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
• Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
• Current employees identified as under Merit-Based Compensation’s Performance Improvement Plan on their most recent Performance Evaluation Report are not eligible to apply.
• All candidates for employment with the US Mission must pass a background/security investigation and a medical certification.  Any employment offer with the US Mission is contingent upon a candidate’s ability to secure the necessary certifications.
• All applicants must be a naturalized citizen of the host country or must have the required work permit or documentation that permits the applicant to work legally in the country in order to be eligible for consideration.
• Please clearly indicate in your application, the title of the position you are applying for.  Any application that does not specify the position applied for will NOT be considered.
• Applications received after the closing date and time of the announcement will NOT be considered.
• The application must contain all information necessary to demonstrate that the candidate possesses the education, experience, skills and language abilities required for this position.
• Applicants who fail to meet requirements for the position will be disqualified. 

The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people regardless of to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status), national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, membership in an employee organization, political affiliation, involvement in protected EEO activity, or other non-merit factor. The Mission 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.