Basic Function of Position:
The primary responsibility of the Food Assistance Specialist is to monitor and oversee WFP, UNICEF, and NGO-managed emergency programs, and report on their implementation to the Food for Peace Officer (FFPO). He/she will also provide accurate and timely information on developments in eastern DRC that can affect FFP programs and on food and nutrition needs assessments and response required in the target regions. The Food Assistance Specialist may also be called upon to monitor FFP non-emergency programs.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Monitor and evaluate the WFP implementation of the emergency food assistance activities in North Kivu, South Kivu, Province Orientale and Katanga provinces in close collaboration with implementing partners, and report back to the Food for Peace Officer (FFPO). The incumbent will help ensure that food is efficiently and effectively reaching the vulnerable people targeted for assistance, and that it is not being misappropriated, misallocated or misused.
- Monitor and review WFP and PVOs food storage, transport and distribution networks at the local and regional levels and report findings and recommendations to the FFPO; and follow up on subsequent corrective measures.
- Maintain relations and interact with WFP and UNICEF staff members throughout the region, mid-level Ministry Officials, key disaster response donors and NGOs in Eastern DRC to ensure the consistency and harmonization of information on potential emergency needs and response. Follow up on any problems that are reported and provide advice and recommendations to the FFPO, EA/FFP and FFP/Washington.
- Review, compile, synthesize and provide a brief analysis of all documentation/reports submitted by partners pertaining to emergency food and nutrition assessments and response. Assist FFP Kinshasa, EA/FFP and FFP/Washington to assess further need for food and nutrition response in emergencies.
- In close collaboration with the FFPO, conduct regular meetings with implementing partners to discuss operational issues, distribution arrangements, food rations and other relevant issues.
- Keep abreast of general and specific developments in eastern DRC that can and will impact FFP’s programs and report accordingly to USAID Kinshasa regarding the status of the food security and/or emergency assistance in the east DRC as required.
- Ensure linkages between emergency food assistance and other programs to maximize overall efficiency of the USG program.
Required Qualifications at the Full Performance Level:
Education:
A university degree is required in a field relevant to food security and food assistance program management such as agriculture, public health, nutrition, international development or logistics.
Prior Work Experience:
Minimum of three years progressively responsible work experience in humanitarian/development assistance, administration, funding allocation, budget management and one to two years of experience in program management and demonstrated ability to work with donors or international non-government organizations are required.
Language Proficiency:
Level IV English and French (written and spoken) and Swahili required.
Knowledge:
Knowledge of food assistance programs, international relief and development; technical expertise in food assistance related fields; analytical skills and understanding of collection and qualitative and quantitative analysis of social statistics.
Evaluation Criteria and Weights:
- Education/Weighted 20% based on initial application review;
- English Language Skills/Weighted 15% based on application review, written assessment and interview;
- Prior Work Experience/Weighted 20% based on application review and interview;
- Knowledge/Weighted 25% based on written assessment and interview; and
- Skills and Abilities/Weighted 20% based on written assessment and interview.
How the selection will be made:
The successful candidate will be selected based upon
- A preliminary review of the applicant's submitted package to establish that minimum educational and English writing fluency requirements are met.
- Tests to include an English writing skills test, a Microsoft Office proficiency test that might include any of the following: Word, Excel, PowerPoint; and any technical skill test that might be deemed appropriate.
- A personal or telephone interview.
- Reference checks.
USAID/DRC’s Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and Human Resources Section will perform the preliminary review (Step 1 above) to eliminate those applications that do not meet the minimum educational and written English language requirements.
The TEC will review each of the applications which meet the minimum qualifications against the established evaluation criteria to develop a shortlist of applicants to be tested and possibly interviewed. Applicants will be contacted for testing (Step 2) and interviews. Based on the results of the tests, however, an applicant otherwise identified for interview could be dropped from the interview list.
Following the interview (Step 3) during which the applicant will be evaluated against the established criteria, the TEC will make a preliminary determination of candidates to be considered for employment and forward that list to HR. HR will conduct and document the reference checks (Step 4) prior to advising the TEC of the results of these checks. Please note that references may be solicited from current as well as former supervisors in addition to the references you provide in your application package.
References will only be solicited for those interviewed applicants who are being considered for ranking.
Based on this final input, the TEC will make its final decision on which candidates to rank order, prepare a Selection Memo for review and approval by the Contracting Officer, after which an offer of employment will be made to the successful candidate, and unsuccessful candidates who were interviewed will be contacted and advised of their non-selection.
As positive medical and security clearances are a condition of employment, the selected candidate will undergo stringent investigation prior to employment with USAID/DRC.
USAID/DRC reserves the right to hire an applicant who does not meet the required experience level at a trainee level. However, an applicant who does not meet the minimum educational requirements cannot be hired at either a trainee or full performance level.
Compensation:
The position will be compensated in accordance with the U.S. Embassy’s Local Compensation Plan (LCP). The successful candidate’s salary level will be based on prior job-related experience and salary history.
HOW TO APPLY:
To Apply:
ONLY applicants who meet the minimum educational and good working knowledge of English requirements as stated in the solicitation document will be considered. Interested applicants who do not meet these requirements are encouraged NOT to apply since these applications will not be considered.
A complete applicationpackageconsists of the following:
- Application for U.S. Federal Employment, DS-174 - Job Application Form. The form can be found in the US embassy website (http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov/opportunities/jobs.html)
- A cover letter demonstrating how prior experience and/or training address the minimum qualifications and selection criteria,
- A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV), and
- Names and contact numbers of three professional references.
Ensure that all communications (including your Cover Letter) include the Announcement Reference Number (AID-15-07) and the Title of the Position(s) for which you areapplying (Food Assistance Specialist-ECTO office).
Submit the complete application package via email, to usaidhrkinshasa@usaid.gov
Failure to comply with these instructions may result in your application being considered “non responsive” and eliminated from further consideration.
Point of Contact:
Sandra Kiyanga: skiyanga@usaid.gov
Only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged.
DEFINITION:
Foreign Service National (FSN): A host country national employed at a U.S. Mission abroad, who is not a U.S. citizen, nor a family member of a direct-hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service member under Chief of Mission authority.
Closing date for this position: April 22, 2015.
The U.S. Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo provides 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. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also strives to ensure equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations. Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.
