Current Vacancies at the U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria comprises of the Embassy in Abuja, FCT, and the Consulate General in Lagos. U.S. Consulate General Lagos is the Mission’s representative to the Nigerian people in the southern region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Political – Military Assistant – U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs)

Announcement Number: Abuja-2021-028
Location: Abuja, NI
Work Schedule: Full-time – 40 hour per week
Telework Eligible: No

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification: For USEFM – FP is 06.  Actual FP salary determined by Washington D.C.
• From the Agency:U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) – All Agencies
• Security Clearance Required: Top Secret
• Appointment Type:  Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Definite not to Exceed (5 years)

Summary

• The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 per week)
• Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (6 weeks) of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required: Not Required

Duties

•  Incumbent is the Mission’s Political-Military Affairs Assistant. The position is one of nine in the Political section and is supervised by the Political-Military Affairs Officer.  Incumbent is responsible for coordinating Leahy Vetting at Post.
• S/he is responsible for backup reporting on the region’s multinational organization , ECOWAS, has some action and reporting on Nigeria’s Political-Military developments, and for maintaining Post’s biography database.
• This position works in close coordination with Consular Section, the Defense Attache Office and the Office of Security Cooperation at Post, as well as with the various offices responsible for Leahy vetting in Washington DC.

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

• Experience:  Minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience in an office environment with a strong focus on writing and analytical skills development is required
• Job Knowledge: Must be familiar with the work of U.S Embassies abroad, as well as the work of the Political Section of U.S Embassies. Must be able to acquire a solid grasp of U.S. and Nigeria military structures and bilateral cooperative programs through on-the-job training and self-guided study; as well as learn how Leahy Vetting impacts security assistance and cooperation between the U.S and Nigeria.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations or other Liberal Arts.

Evaluations:

• Please specify your level of proficiency in the language listed.
• Language:  Fluent speaking/reading/writing in English is required.
• Skills And Abilities: Good Computer skills including the use of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel to perform basic writing and office communication tasks. Must be able to maintain, manage and work in databases.

Qualifications:

• All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

Other Information:

• Hiring Preference Selection Process:  Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.

Hiring Preference Order:

• AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
• AEFM / USEFM
• FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **

Important

• Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification.  A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.  Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
• ** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
• For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.?) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO):

• The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Marketing Statement:

• We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply.

Salary
USD $42,570

Benefits and Other Info
Agency Benefits:

• Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.
• For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.
• The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: USAID Voucher Examiner

Announcement Number: Abuja-2021-030
Location: Abuja
Series / Grade: LE – 4005 8
Work Schedule: Full-time – Work Schedule is 40hrs per week
Promotion Potential: LE-8

Overview

• Hiring Path: Open to the public
• Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency: Current Mission Nigeria Employees only
• Security Clearance Required: Public Trust – Background Investigation
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Appointment Type Details: Five (5) years renewable, estimated to start on or after August 2021

Marketing Statement

• 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 transformational 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 the following regions of the world: Afghanistan and Pakistan, Africa (all of Africa), Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East.

Summary

• The Voucher Examiner serves in the Office of Financial Management (OFM) of USAID/Nigeria, which has a program budget of approximately $800 million and Operating Expense (OE) budget of $10 million per year.
• S/he examines a full range of complex multi-funded contracts and grant invoices for payment of goods and services relating to USAID project activities, administrative, employee allowances, and entitlement travel vouchers.
• Supervisory Position: No
• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
• Travel Required: Occasional Travel. The job may be expected to perform work-related travel.

Duties
Examination of both simple to more complex administrative invoices/vouchers and complex program vouchers – 50%:

• Examination of various types of simple to more complex administrative invoices and/or vouchers, which include but is not limited to purchase orders, contracts, leases, utilities, telephone, carrier transportation vouchers for air-tickets, baggage vouchers, medical expenses, allowances, reimbursement vouchers, and other miscellaneous vouchers including vouchers for cancelled payments.
• Examines and analyzes complex program vouchers against contract/grant provisions, terms and conditions, U.S. and host country laws, and USAID rules and regulations, which may vary against instruments utilized (contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, participating agency service agreements, interagency agreements, implementation letters, host country contracting, etc.). Vouchers reviewed include a variety of activity types (such as construction, technical assistance, commodities, etc.), and may represent different payment provisions, including fixed price, cost reimbursement, fixed fee plus cost reimbursement, progress payments, and advance liquidations.
• Communicates with vendors and employees (both orally and in writing) to provide guidance or interpretation of payment requirements, which includes technical procedures related to financial terms or conditions of implementing mechanisms. Drafts or reviews communications concerning disallowance of payments and requests for additional documentation and replies to inquiries on these and other payment related matters. As may be required, requests additional information needed to make payment.
• Responsible for timely creation of Mission Invoicing (MI) in Phoenix. When vendors submit invoices/payment requests, electronically time stamps ‘received’, verifies completeness and legibility documentation, and creates invoice and payment documents in Phoenix. Creates voucher folders in ASIST and scans the invoice/payment requests with any supporting documents. Forwards the invoice/payment request for administrative approval to the Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR)/Contracting Officers Representative (COR)/Executive Officer/Obligation Manager. Ensures administrative approval is completed in accordance with the USAID regulations.

Analysis and Review, Accruals and Advance Monitoring – 15%

• As a member of a financial review/assessment team, examines samples of supporting documents to determine accuracy of submissions; determines if claims are in alignment with contractual terms and budget line items; ascertains compliance with USG requirements related to items including taxes, interest on USG advances, etc.; ensures the return/remittance of excess cash or/and advances and/or interest on US Government funds to USAID.
• Provides written input to the financial review/assessment reports and conducts follow-up and support in ensuring that issues that arise because of such reviews/assessments are resolved/addressed expeditiously.
• Performs reconciliations between partner (contractor/grantee) records to USAID records in Phoenix.
• Participates in post-award meetings with the Office of Acquisition and Assistance and technical team members and partners to provide guidance on billing and payment requirements and related USAID policies and regulations.
• Also conducts financial management training as needed for partners and Mission staff.
• Monitors advance requests, balances, and liquidations of implementing partners. Keeps the Controller and AORs/CORs apprised of advances outstanding for more than 90 days. Follows up with AORs/CORs on advances that require liquidation.

Funds verification – 15%:

• Verifies payment vouchers in Phoenix for Funds Availability to ensure the right data is entered such as: Disbursement Office Codes, fiscal data, amounts, payee names and bank details for EFT requests, mailing address for check requests, and mailing codes.

Entitlement travel – 10%:
Reviews entitlement travel claims or vouchers:

• Verifies that they conform with the travel authorizations and regulations regarding routings, per diem, use of proper commercial facilities, etc.
• Prepares or verifies hypothetical travel itinerary when traveler deviates from authorized routing. Prepares voucher examiner’s statement giving detailed explanation of any suspended amounts or rejected vouchers with references to pertinent regulations.
• Determines if travel advance was issued and computes amount due to the traveler or U.S. Government, after applying the outstanding advance to the travel. Notifies traveler promptly, with request to refund any amount due U.S. Government.
• Assists employees/travelers in corrections/documentation requirements of travel claims/vouchers.

Performs other duties as directed – 10%

Qualifications and Evaluations
Requirements:

Physical Demands:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Education Requirements:

• Minimum of a College or University Studies in Accounting, Business Management or related field is required.

Evaluations:

• Applicants who clearly meet the minimum Education, Experience and basic eligibility requirements will be further evaluated based on scoring of the Evaluation Factors listed below. The highest-ranking applicants may be selected for an interview.
  • Knowledge: 10 points
  • Skills and abilities: 10 points
  • Communication and Language skills: 10 points
  • Interview Performance: 70 points
• Applications that do not meet the required minimum qualifications will not be scored. Candidates meeting the required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application. USAID reserves the right to conduct interviews with the top ranked short-listed candidates. If the interview is conducted, the interview will be one of the determining factors in the final selection.
• 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.

USAID is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

• All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.

Qualifications
Prior Work Experience:

• A minimum of three years of experience in accounting or a closely related field.
• Practical knowledge of basic accounting concepts and the flow of accounting transactions are required.

Job Knowledge:

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of professional accounting principles, theories, practices, and terminology (private sector, governmental, and non-profit) is required.
• A good knowledge and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is highly desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to identify, interpret, and apply applicable law, rules, regulations, and grant/contract provisions and apply these regulations to a variety of vouchers for examination to determine eligibility for payment.
• Ability to articulate complex issues orally and in writing to explain disallowance of claims, and to describe alternative or hypothetical conditions.
• Advanced numeric and analytical skills to complete, on own initiative, complex computations, and analyses to recommend and support approvals or disallowances.
• Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to communicate clearly to internal and external customers and be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a team environment.
• Must have strong word processing and spreadsheet skills and be proficient in the use and application of technology, Microsoft Word, and Excel.

Language Proficiency:

• Level IV English language proficiency, speaking and writing, is required.

Benefits
Agency Benefits:

• As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC 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

Other Information:

• USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms
• Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs
• Ethical Conduct.  By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.  See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

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.

Salary

• N8,664,538 annually.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Notice

• All candidates must be able to obtain and hold Top Secret clearance.
• To apply for this position click the “Submit Application” button.  For more information on how to apply visit the Mission internet site.

Required Documents
In order to qualify based on education, you MUST submit the requested diploma and / or transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you will not be considered for this position.

• Copy of Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Residency and/or Work Permit
• Degree with transcript
• DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

Next Steps:

• Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
• For further information – the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Office.
• Thank you for your application and your interest in working at the U.S. Mission in Abuja, Nigeria.