US Agency for International Development FOREIGN SERVICE LIMITED (FSL) Education Officer Position Title: Education/Youth Workforce Development Specialist Period of Performance: Five year term, with possibility of renewal Place of Performance: Washington, D.C., Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Security Access: Top Secret Who may apply: Open to all qualified U.S. citizens Salary Range: $82,068.00-$120,521.00 Work Schedule: Full-Time Open Date: September 2, 2014 Application Deadline: October 3, 2014 U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., USAID fosters development around the world. Our work supports economic growth and trade; agriculture and the environment; education and training; democracy and governance; global health; global partnerships and humanitarian assistance. We operate in five regions of the world: Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia, the Middle East; Latin America and the Caribbean; and Europe and Eurasia. Background of Position: The Education/Youth Workforce Development Specialist will play a vital role in supporting USAID LAC Bureau’s mandate to increase the reach and impact of its education programs that deal with at-risk youth, and prevention of youth gangs and violence. Reducing crime and violence in the region is one of four LAC Bureau priorities in its second term agenda under the Obama administration. USAID is focused on addressing the root causes of citizen insecurity, both because of adverse consequences for U.S. national security, and because crime and violence is undermining economic development and democratic progress in affected LAC countries. With several LAC countries having murder rates in the top ten globally, LAC (especially Central America, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean) is among the most violent regions in the world. The LAC region has a unique combination of macro- and micro-level factors that drive insecurity. At a community level, risk factors such as poor education, high unemployment, fragmented family structures, weak governance, and widespread domestic violence drive youth participation in violence. This is taking place in a broader context where drug trafficking is extensive, policing and rule of law is weak, and legitimate economies are stagnant. Given the diversity of risk factors for youth, attacking the root causes of crime and violence demands non-traditional programs that encompass multiple sectors, including education. Numerous studies show a correlation between low levels of education and increased illicit activity, which often offers the best income alternative for youth without marketable skills. Without helping countries in the region to improve access to education and skill-building for youth, the LAC Bureau cannot effectively address crime and violence in the region. Role within USAID: The Foreign Service Limited (FSL) Education/Youth Workforce Development Specialist will be a core member of a four-person Education Team located in the Office of Regional Sustainability of the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC/RSD) at USAID. The FSL will report directly to the Education Team Leader. The Education Team has a broad and complex range of responsibilities. It is the Bureau’s principal source of senior analytical and technical expertise and leadership in the areas of basic education, higher education, and non-formal education issues. The team carries out policy, sectoral, and cross-sectoral analyses in support of education-related programming in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as assists USAID LAC Missions with the development of country-specific strategies, programs, projects, studies, and evaluations. The team also manages the LAC Bureau’s portfolio of regional education projects and programs. Responsibilities: The FSL position will serve as the Education/Youth Workforce Development technical expert. Specific responsibilities include the following: 1. Project Management (35%): The Education /Youth Workforce Development Specialist will be responsible for actively managing a portfolio of regional projects and their related budgets, administration, and reporting, in accordance with USAID policy and regulations. The incumbant will manage the new workforce development/higher education activity that is currently being designed and will serve as activity manager for other regional workforce development activities, as needed. 2. Technical Assistance & Field Support (30%): The Education /Youth Workforce Development Specialist will serve as a technical advisor to Bureau management and USAID Missions on a range of youth/workforce development education issues. His/her portfolio will require knowledge of a mix of education areas, such as vocational training, higher education, non-formal education, safe schools, after school programs, and accelerated learning programs for out-of-school youth, as well as other cross-cutting issues related to citizen security, such as life skills development, psychosocial support and conflict resolution. Support provided to USAID Missions may be both virtual and in-person. The incumbent may travel up to 30% of the year to support USAID Mission programming. 3. Project Design, Procurement & Reporting (25%): The Education/Youth Workforce Development Specialist may lead or participate in the design and procurement of new regional projects and may be asked to assist field Missions to design bilateral projects focused on programming for youth. The Education/Youth Workforce Development Specialist will also take the lead on reporting for the LAC/RSD Education Team, including preparing the education section of LAC/RSD’s yearly Operational Plan (OP) and Performance Plan and Reports (PPR). 4. Other Duties (10%): At the direction of the Team Leader or Bureau leadership, the incumbent will execute other duties related to the education portfolio, or to fulfill the needs of the LAC/RSD Office, the LAC Bureau, or the Agency more broadly. These duties will range from responding to ad-hoc information requests to providing high-level policy guidance. Term & Salary of Position: The Education/Youth Workforce Development Specialist position is an FSL appointment, and will be appointed for an initial period of five (5) years. Extensions could be possible up to four (4) years. The position will be subject to the Foreign Service (FS) pay scale and is graded at an FS-3; exact salary will be commensurate with experience, but ranges from $82,068 - $120,521 in the Washington/DC Metro Area. Selection Criteria: The Education/Youth Workforce Development Specialist must be a U.S. citizen capable of being granted and maintaining a U.S. Government security clearance at the “top secret” level. The successful candidate will be selected based on a review of his/her qualifications, supplementary statements, one or more interviews and related activities, and reference checks. The hiring panel may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed. Qualifications: The candidate selected for this position will show evidence of: • A Masters degree in a relevant major plus at least five (5) years of relevant work experience of which two (2) years are relevant work experience in developing countries. • At least three (3) years of experience overseeing education/workforce development projects or other related programs on behalf of a donor or implementing organization is preferred. • Familiarity with and knowledge of USAID’s operations, procedures, and policies in areas such as project management, procurement, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and education or democratic governance preferred. • Technical expertise and theoretical and practical knowledge of best practices in the field of non-formal education for youth, workforce development or education in conflict environments. • Evidence of productive and positive working relationships with colleagues and peers. • Strong interpersonal skills. • Demonstrates experience meeting deadlines and balancing competing equities, audiences, and priorities in a busy professional environment. • Professional experience working on Latin American and/or Caribbean issues, or a demonstrated ability to quickly grasp and learn a new region. • Ability to speak and write Spanish at a proficient level or better. • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. To Apply: Please send the following by e-mail to Karen Towers ([email protected]) on or before midnight on October 3, 2014. Please label the subject line of the e-mail “Education/Youth Workforce Development Specialist – Your Name Here.” 1. Curriculum Vitae 2. 3 References 3. Please provide a supplementary statement for two out of the three questions/statements below. The applicant is able to choose which two questions/statements he/she would like to answer. The answer for each should be no more than 1 page (single spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1” margins). The question the applicant is answering should be listed at the top of the page and the name of the applicant should be in the header. • Please tell us about an experience that relates to this job description, preferably related to education for youth, workforce development, and/or education in conflict environments. What issues were addressed and/or services provided? What was your role? Tell about how you helped meet a significant challenge. • Working within the LAC Bureau of USAID, one is challenged to work effectively not only with colleagues in the Bureau but also with colleagues from field Missions, other Bureaus, other U.S. Government Agencies (e.g., State), and stakeholders outside the U.S. Government (NGOs, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, Congress, and others). Describe relevant past experience and accomplishments that illustrate your technical knowledge and communication skills to effectively work in a complex environment. • Please describe your international development experience focused around the skills and challenges relevant to this job.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:21:06 +0000
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