Acquisition and Assistance Specialist at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience.

Applications are invited for the position below:

Job Title: Acquisition and Assistance Specialist

Solicitation No.: 72062020R10022
Location: Abuja, Nigeria with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
Period Of Performance (Inclusive Of Options): Five (5) years renewable,
estimated to start o/a March 2021.
Eligible Offerors: Open to Cooperating Country National (Nigerians only).
Security Level Required: CCNPSC Clearance

Statement of Duties

• This position is established as Acquisition and Assistance Specialist “Ladder” position, which includes positions at the FSN-9 Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Entry Level), FSN-10 Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Intermediate Level), and the full performance level of FSN-11 Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Full Performance Level).

At the full performance level, the CCN PSC will perform the following general duties:

• The Specialist (Full Performance Level/FPL) is responsible for providing professional level acquisition and assistance (A&A) support to Mission Technical Offices, DO Teams, and any designated regional clients. USAID programs are diverse and multi-sectoral. The Specialist is required to guide designated Technical Offices, and/or DO Teams, through acquisition and assistance processes to support a variety of activities. These activities are implemented through complex A&A mechanisms, including but not limited to purchase orders, competitively negotiated contracts, task orders, cooperative agreements, Interagency Agreements (IAA), and sole source or limited competition awards, requiring the Specialist to be expert with regard to the full range of USAID instruments.
• The Specialist coordinates the development of A&A objectives for assigned portfolios, taking primary responsibility for all phases of the A&A process for complex actions. The Specialist performs complete A&A transactions for complex activities. The Specialist provides guidance and mentoring to junior-level staff, trainees, procurement technicians, and assistants on basic principles of USG and USAID acquisition, assistance, general A&A management, A&A policy direction, new/changed procurement policies, etc., as required. The Specialist is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the US, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.
• The Specialist (FPL) must fully understand the USG laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing each type of A&A mechanism, and to apply these requirements to make recommendations to the supervisor regarding the appropriate instrument type for the situation at hand.
• The Specialist works independently in the selection of the appropriate A&A instrument types to meet the Mission’s needs, and accurately applies United States Government (USG) A&A laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing each type of instrument.
• The Specialist has advanced knowledge of the procedures for acquisition of goods, for managing personal services and non-personal services contracting actions and managing and awarding assistance agreements.
• The Specialist (FPL) performs his/her assignments independently, seeking the guidance of the Contracting/Agreement Officer (CO/AO) for the most complex activities. The Specialist works directly with technical specialists/activity managers in DO Teams throughout the Mission and/or the Region, assisting in the preparation of annual A&A plans, clear and concise statements of work/statements of objectives/program Specialists/Officers. The Specialist documentation. The Specialist provides well supported guidance to technical specialists/activity managers pertaining to their A&Arelated responsibilities and procedures.

Specific duties include:

• Pre-Award Duties: The Specialist assists the Technical/DO Teams with A&A planning and advises on the selection of the appropriate A&A mechanisms to achieve program objectives. The Specialist collects and analyzes data, and prepares and updates tracking tools in order to monitor pending actions; works with clients to assist in the preparation of justifications, waivers, deviations, and other necessary approvals, as needed; and, reviews GLAAS Requisitions (REQs) for completeness and clarity before endorsing them to the CO/AO.
• The Specialist conducts pre-award activities for highly complex competitive solicitations, assisting technical personnel in the preparation of required descriptions of proposed activities, including SOWs, specifications, and program descriptions.
• The Specialist applies a high degree of judgment and analysis when deciding among and between competing and often conflicting regulations and objectives, where the activities involved include multi-million-dollar issues, often with significant political and/or legal implications. The Specialist works with the requiring office to develop evaluation criteria and determine the extent of advertising required.
• The Specialist prepares Requests for Proposal and Notices of Funding Opportunities for review by the CO/AO. The Specialist ensures compliance with FAR and AIDAR advertisement requirements, including publication of synopses and solicitations.
• The Specialist responds to offeror/applicant questions during the proposal submission phase; and, determines the need for, and prepares, clarifying amendments as required for solicitation documents. As necessary, the Specialist holds pre-bid or consultative meetings with potential partners to fully explain the Agency’s needs and discusses solicitation documents.
• The Specialist evaluates applications and offers for responsiveness to particular solicitations, guides DO Teams in the review of the applications or proposals, and obtains reports and references, ensuring that any past performance of the offeror is relevant and of a high quality.
• The Specialist develops pre-negotiation cost objectives for approval by the CO/AO. The Specialist performs analysis of cost issues, considering economic conditions and factors of material, labor, and transportation costs; examines cost and pricing data submitted by offerors, to substantiate direct and indirect costs and profit; determines reasonableness of costs submitted; ensures data provided is consistent with USAID requirements on eligible geographic sources, and that salary structures are consistent with Agency policy; and, identifies circumstances that may require a waiver/deviation. The Specialist analyzes cost proposals and technical scores from technical evaluation committees; and, based on the analysis, makes a recommendation to the Contracting Officer/Regional Contracting Officer to establish the competitive range.
• The Specialist negotiates with potential awardees; documents negotiations in writing; recommends the selected contractor/recipient; and, prepares contract files to include making required certifications and determinations necessary for each A&A action.
• The Specialist leads pre-award assessment surveys of potential contractors or recipients, ensuring that offerors have adequate management, accounting, personnel, and procurement systems, and appropriate corporate leadership, resources, and quality control systems to satisfactorily carry out contracts, in order to ensure eligibility prior to an award being made.
• Post-Award Duties: The Specialist monitors performance as required by the terms and conditions of the award, through reviews of performance and reviews of financial reports. The Specialist administers the awards in his/her assigned developmental portfolio, monitoring funding levels and preparing incremental funding modifications; works with CO/AO and CORs/AORs to assure targets/milestones are set and being met (or that remedial action is taken), and that the overall goals of the activity are met.
• The Specialist prepares award documents that accurately reflect all discussions and provisions relevant to the type of award mechanism to be implemented. The Specialist organizes and conducts orientation meetings with selected contractors, to ensure that mobilization efforts will be conducted efficiently, and that all terms and conditions of A&A instruments are clear and well understood by all parties. The Specialist provides support in debriefings to unsuccessful offerors.
• The Specialist ensures timely submission of technical progress reports, and works with the COR to develop Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs) that are consistent with implementation progress and performance; makes periodic visits to contractor work sites, and represents the Office at performance-related meetings; assists any client Missions to develop appropriate indicators for work plans and contract documents; ensures contractors are fully compliant with performance standards contained in the Contract, and seeks corrective action in cases of non-compliance; expedites Change Orders or revisions when circumstances require it; and, issues ‘show cause’ or ‘cure notices,’ and/or recommends termination of contracts for default or for convenience, and negotiates termination settlements.
• The Specialist analyzes and takes action to resolve procurement system review and audit findings, such as cost items questioned or unresolved; supports recommendations with detailed analysis of each cost, category, or element as necessary; prepares necessary documents to resolve all aspects of audits, questioned or ineligible costs, and accounting issues; and, presents documentation to the CO/AO for signature.
• Award Closeout: The Specialist reviews completed (after physical completion) contract files to determine that all contractual actions are satisfied, and that there are no pending administrative actions to be resolved; ensures that all file documents are signed, that there are no litigation actions pending, and that the contract is complete in every respect and ready to be closed; and, ensures that contracts nearing anniversaries or completion have a completed performance report from the COR/AOR, and submits reports to the Contractor for comment.
• The Specialist conducts closeout of acquisition and assistance awards (i.e., contracts, task orders, grants, cooperative agreements) after completion. This includes ensuring contract audits are conducted in a timely manner, preparing performance documentation, and resolving outstanding issues noted in audits.

Physical Demands:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Minimum Qualifications Required For This Position
Full Performance Level (FSN-11):

• Education: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree is required. Note: Additional education will NOT be substituted for Experience.
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization. Note: Additional experience will NOT be substituted for Education.
• Language Proficiency: ADS 438 and Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 4 (advanced professional proficiency, speaking and reading; English and local language proficiency (if appropriate), both oral and written, is required.
• Job Knowledge: Knowledge of public and/or private-sector business processes is required. Professional level knowledge of USG A&A regulations and policies, and/or knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex acquisition and assistance portfolio is required, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, simplified acquisition procedures, and that result in standard and established contract types. A professional level of knowledge of host-country and regional markets pertaining to program/project/activity requirements for services and commodities, and a good knowledge and understanding of US/local market and pricing methods is required.
• Skills and Abilities: The ability to independently plan and administer complex A&A activities and provide A&A support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The ability to apply contracting and assistance regulations, procedures, and policies to complex acquisition and assistance programs, is required. Ability to manage the competition phase of new agreements and contracts and to perform cost or price analysis in both a competitive and non-competitive environment is required. Skill in solving practical problems relating to A&A is required. An ability to deal effectively with mid- to high-level representatives of the US, local, and Regional business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments throughout the Region, is required. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Business suite is required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY, and meet all STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/ETHICS STANDARDS in accordance with US law throughout all phases of the A&A process, is required.

Intermediate Performance Level (FSN- 10):

• Education: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree is required. Note: Additional education will NOT be substituted for Experience.
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working at a Fully Successful level in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization. Note: Additional experience will NOT be substituted for Education.
• Language Proficiency: ADS 438 and Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 4 (advanced professional proficiency, speaking and reading; English and local language proficiency (if appropriate), both oral and written, is required.
• Job Knowledge: Knowledge of public and/or private-sector business processes is required. An understanding of USG A&A regulations and policies, and/or knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a moderately complex acquisition and assistance portfolio, is required, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, simplified acquisition procedures, and that result in standard and established contract types. A good knowledge of host-country and regional markets pertaining to activity requirements for services and commodities, and a good knowledge and understanding of US/local market and pricing methods, is required.
• Skills and Abilities: The ability to semi-independently plan and administer A&A activities and provide A&A support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The ability to apply contracting and assistance regulations, procedures, and policies to acquisition and assistance programs involving moderate complexities, is required. The ability to manage the competition phase of new agreements and contracts of moderate complexity, and to perform cost or price analysis in both a competitive and non-competitive environment, is required. Skill in solving practical problems relating to A&A is required. An ability to deal effectively with mid- to high-level representatives of the US, local, and Regional business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments throughout the Region, is required. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Business suite is required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY, and meet all STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/ETHICS STANDARDS in accordance with US law throughout all phases of the A&A process, is required.

Entry Level (FSN- 9):

• Education: Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree is required. Note: Additional education will NOT be substituted for Experience.
• Prior Work Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization. Note: Additional experience will NOT be substituted for Education.
• Language Proficiency: ADS 438 and Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 4 (advanced professional proficiency, speaking and reading; English and local language proficiency (if appropriate), both oral and written, is required.
• Job Knowledge: Knowledge of public and/or private-sector business processes, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge, is required. An understanding of USG A&A regulations and policies, and/or knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex acquisition and assistance portfolio, and/or the ability to quickly gain such understanding, is required, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, simplified acquisition procedures, and that result in standard and established contract types.
• Skills and Abilities: The ability to plan and administer simple A&A activities and provide A&A support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The ability to apply contracting and assistance regulations, procedures, and policies to acquisition and assistance programs involving few complexities, is required. Skill in solving practical problems relating to A&A is required. An ability to deal effectively with mid-to high-level representatives of the US, local, and regional business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments throughout the region, is required. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Office suite is required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY, and meet all STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/ETHICS STANDARDS in accordance with US law throughout all phases of the A&A process, is required

Evaluation and Selection Factors

• Offerors seeking consideration for the full performance level will be considered in isolation first, and only if no acceptable offeror is found at that level, the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will proceed to review offerors at the lower levels.
• The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far:
  • Education (as stated above) 10 points
  • Prior Work Experience (as stated above) 20 points
  • Job Knowledge (as stated above) 30 points
  • Language Proficiency (as stated above) 10 points
  • Skills and abilities (as stated above) 30 points
• After the closing date for receipt of applications, all applications will initially be screened for conformity with minimum requirements and a shortlist of applicants developed. Applications from candidates which do not meet the required selection criteria will not be considered.
• A committee will be convened to review the shortlisted applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation criteria as stated above. The TEC will consider all offerors below the full performance level on an equal basis for their demonstrated potential to rise to the full performance level. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.
• USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest-ranked applicants in person or by phone OR not to interview any candidate.
• Reference checks will be made only for the successful candidate. If a candidate does not wish USAID to contact a current employer for a reference check, this should be stated in the application letter.

List of Required Forms Prior to Award
Once the CO) informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

• Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
• RSO Security Questionnaire
• BI Guide Questionnaire
• THOR Enrollment Intake Form

Market Value

• The full performance level of this position is equivalent to FSN-11, which is between N15,890,203 to N23,931,775 [Nigerian Naira]. However, if USAID’s evaluation does not result in an award at the full performance level, USAID may make an award to a CCN at a lower level with contract options to place the contractor at each progressive level until the full performance level is reached.
• The entry level of this position is equivalent to FSN-9 which is between N10,908.677 to N16,245,071 [Nigerian Naira] and the intermediate level of this position is equivalent to FSN-10, which is between N12,772,559 to 19,256,113 [Nigerian Naira]
• In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of [USAID/Nigeria] final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value of the performance level for which the CCNPSC is selected.

Benefits And Allowances
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a CCNPSC is normally authorized the following
benefits and allowances:

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)
• Annual and Sick leave
• Annual Bonus

Allowances (as applicable):

• Transportation Allowance
• Meal Allowance
• Miscellaneous Allowance
• Housing Allowance

Taxes:

• The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Nigerian Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations. Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Nigerian Government. In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

Deadline: 6th October, 2020 at 4.30pm Nigerian time.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates are required to complete and submit the offer Form AID 309-2 . (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals); or a current Resume that provides the same information as “AID 309-2 Form” to:
abujahr@usaid.gov

Click Here to download Offer Form AID 309-2 – MS Word (Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals).

Click here for more Information (PDF)

Note

• Application must be received by the closing date and time specified above
• Candidates submission must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
• All documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. certificates of education (degree), NYSC certificate/exemption etc.) MUST be attached to the application.
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry / email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures. E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.