The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has a long history of extending a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the United States around the world - and shows the world our true character as a nation.

General Development Officer (Backstop 12)

Multiple Immediate vacancies – Afghanistan
Salary Information-
FS02: $79,535.00-$116,800.00
FS03: $64,447.00-$94,643.00

MAJOR DUTIES:

The General Development Officer (GDO) FPOs will be based in a province in Afghanistan and assigned to one of approximately 26 NATO/ISAF PRTs. The FPOs will live and work with other members of the PRT often in rustic and challenging conditions. The FPO s responsibilities are twofold. First, the FPOs will serve as the head of a USAID field office co-located with the PRT. In this capacity, the FPOs are responsible for USAID strategy and operations within the PRT s AOR to include representation to local government and communities, enabling the success of nationally-run USAID programs, and supervision up to two local national staff. Over time, FPOs are expected to develop a productive relationship with one or more USAID programs (i.e. health, education, infrastructure, governance etc.) and may be asked to perform specific duties including monitoring and evaluation and occasionally as technical consultants to these programs. The second role of FPOs is to support the PRT itself, primarily by helping to set the strategy and guide the activities of the PRT. In US-led PRTs, FPOs are the lead US Government (USG) agency on reconstruction and development issues. This includes advising and interacting with other agencies within the PRT as well as the local government and communities. The FPOs will be involved in security, political and other matters, working in concert with Department of Defense, Agriculture, and State personnel. This interagency approach has been one of the most successful aspects of the PRTs. The specific duties and responsibilities of the incumbent are:

1. Execute specific duties/responsibilities in relation to each of the USAID national programs taking place in AOR (Area Of Responsibility). Responsibilities will include mapping, reporting, monitoring, and/or advising. The FPO is expected to work with USAID management and technical offices to modify current programs or design new projects (to be nested within national program or funded through the Local Governance and Community Development Program -- LGCD). The FPO will also provide information, guidance, analysis, and reports, and also make recommendations to USAID management and technical offices as needed.

2. Serve as USAID s primary representative in province(s) by establishing and maintaining contacts with representatives of local government and local communities as well as ISAF military units, UN offices, NGOs, USAID institutional contractors and grantees, and other USG agencies. Ensure USAID is appropriately represented at functions and meetings. Ensure each stakeholder has the appropriate level of understanding, appreciation, ownership, and participation in USAID programs. Advise and mentor local government officials on technical and sectoral issues.

3. Serve as one of three co-equal agencies present at the PRT (USAID, DOD, DOS). Work with ISAF military commands, and Department of State and Department of Agriculture colleagues to develop common interagency PRT strategy. Participate in operational planning and resource allocation decisions. Create and manage a USG development plan for AOR that includes a description of the development challenge, ongoing USAID and other USG programs, and a prescription for further interventions. Serve as technical expert within PRT ensuring all PRT interventions are sustainable and otherwise technically sound - provide advice on military funded reconstruction and development projects.

4. FPOs will work closely with military and other civilian elements of the PRT and the LGCD implementing partner in her/his AOR to identify, nominate, provide day-to-day management of and monitor and evaluate LGCD projects.

5. Responsible for all administrative and accountability requirements related to USAID office operations and ensure that these are handled in accordance with established policies and procedures provided by the Executive and Financial Management Offices in Kabul. Handle logistics, prepare materials and deliver briefings for visitors as needed. The position entails supervision of FSN staff (a Program Officer and an Administrative Officer).

6. The FPO will perform other similar and related duties as required and assigned by the Deputy Director PRT Office and Mission management.

USAID/Afghanistan may utilize one GDO hired under this solicitation to staff a position in the PRT Office located in Kabul. The GDO hired for this position would be responsible for assisting the Director and Deputy Director, PRT Kabul Office, in general management and oversight of PRT operations.

These responsibilities could include the following:

1. Supervision of approximately 50 field staff, who live and work in PRTs located around Afghanistan, and another four staff based in Kabul. S/he manages and directs the development, implementation, and monitoring of field operations to help ensure achievement of critical U.S. foreign policy objectives in Afghanistan. S/he orients and trains new field staff, maintains regular contact with individual field staff and travels extensively to manage and support their activities. The GDO may serve as the Cognizant Technical Officer (CTO) for contract(s) related to LGCD.

2. Support to the USAID Mission in defining an overall strategy for civil-military collaboration and coordination. S/he advises Mission management on civil-military issues, including USAID s participation in the PRT effort and the design, planning and implementation of new program strategies and activities relevant to civil-military affairs. The recipients for this policy work include senior USAID and State Department officials as well as U.S. Military leaders at Post and in Washington, D.C.

3. Develops and maintains an active dialogue on PRT program doctrinal and operating polices with very senior USG officials, Military Officers, Afghanistan officials, and representatives of other international donors. S/he will also be responsible for developing and maintaining close and effective working relationships with senior officials at Post and in Washington involving other USG agencies and international organizations.

4. Prepares periodic reports on the status of USAID s civil-military and field operations and participates regularly in strategic planning, performance monitoring and evaluation activities. In the conduct of these duties, s/he coordinates extensively with other USG agencies involved in the PRTs, NGOs and other civilian assistance organizations, international military forces, and the GOA.

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