Vacant Position Advertisement: USAID/Mali Agriculture and Economic Growth Office: Project Management Specialist (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) 

REF No.:  72068822R10002 (must be inserted in the subject line of the email)

(USAID/Mali is re-advertising the position of Project Management Specialist (WASH). Previous applicants who have the position qualifications must re-apply to be considered for this vacancy announcement)

GRADE LEVEL: FCFA 21,897,069 TO FCFA 33,940,461 equivalent to FSN-11. In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan (LCP) of USAID/Mali, final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The position will provide leadership, program management and technical support for USAID water and sanitation-related programs. The Project Management Specialist (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Advisor will: 1) Lead efforts to design and manage targeted Mission programs that focus on improving water supply, sanitation, and hygiene; 2) Lead efforts to monitor and evaluate all Mission activities contributing toward improved water supply, sanitation, and hygiene; 3) Provide overall technical analysis and guidance to the Mission on strategies to improve water supply, sanitation, and hygiene; 4) Serve as a liaison between USAID and other USG agencies, national WASH partners in government, NGO, and donor agencies. The incumbent will serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contract Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR) or Activity Manager and provide oversight and direction to activities conducted by Implementing Partners (IPs) under Contract, Cooperative Agreement, and/or Grant. The Project Management Specialist (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Advisor) is expected to guide, coordinate, manage and monitor the water, sanitation, and hygiene related portfolio of the country, leading to successful outcomes. S/he must interact with a range of colleagues involved in the sector, maintain oversight of the overall sector impacts, and ensure the efficient use of resources.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                                                                            

Sector Leadership and Strategy

Lead efforts to identify, prioritize and address policy and institutional constraints impeding the attainment of sustainable access to improved urban and rural water supply and sanitation in the country. Lead efforts to identify, prioritize and address key technical challenges, and policy and institutional structures, constraints and opportunities in sustainable water and sanitation service provision and management in the country, including those related to private sector participation in the sector. Identify opportunities to use available USAID field support mechanisms to expand water supply and sanitation coverage and improve hygiene and to leverage resources from other related funding streams, e.g., climate change, food security. Play a key role in identifying and coordinating among the various USG and internal USAID water, sanitation and hygiene-related activities and players. Actively engage with government, other donors and organizations involved in the sector to promote collaborative planning toward long-term sustainable solutions. 

Project Management

Develop concept papers, scopes of work, USAID program/project activity design documents and bilateral and multilateral agreements related to the design of water, sanitation, and hygiene related programs. Support the design and implementation of targeted water, sanitation and hygiene program and activities with the goal of ensuring that program design and implementation will achieve planned results and USAID goals. Lead the development of a performance-monitoring plan for all Mission activities contributing toward the objectives of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act and its associated earmarks and contribute to data collection and synthesis. Document development impacts and resolve implementation issues in an efficient and professional manner. Develop, maintain, and strengthen working relationships with key partners, including national ministries, local governments, international organizations and other donors, private sector, NGOs, universities, and the media to identify and implement efforts to increase synergy among the key stakeholders. Compile, analyze, and disseminate, on a regular basis, to USAID mission staff and USAID/Washington, progress in achieving sector objectives together with commentary on issues and recommended solutions.

Advisory and Technical Services

Provide briefings to USAID and its partners on the status of USAID water, sanitation, and hygiene activities in-country. Prepare and deliver presentations on the same issues to local government and USG officials and international and local program partners and colleagues. Provide technical input to program and strategy design and planning based on knowledge of international best practice and the constraints presented in-country. Help in defining the type of assistance needed by the Mission, facilitate discussions with water and sanitation service contractors, and schedule delivery of this assistance.

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants MUST meet the minimum qualifications below and ONLY preselected candidates will be contacted:

1. All interested CCN (Cooperating Country National) candidates eligible to work in Mali. A Cooperating Country National (CCN) is defined as an individual who is a cooperating country citizen, or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country.
2. Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, public health, agricultural engineering, economics, or related field is required.
3. Prior Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive management experience in urban and rural water supply, sanitation, and hygiene improvement, including work in environments comparable to those of the country. The position requires a combination of managerial, technical, design and analytical abilities combined with the demonstrated ability to manage resources, programs, and people. Experience in the areas of sustainable rural and urban water supply provision, basic sanitation improvement, hygiene promotion especially done in support of water and sanitation access improvements, sector policy reform, and program design. Experience in analyzing sector data and translating into practice.
4. Post Entry Training: On the job training in USAID programming and implementation procedures. ADS related training. Formal AOR/COR training is required for successful performance in the position and will be provided. Appropriate training courses will be offered, subject to course offerings and the availability of funds.
5. Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) in English and French language, both written and spoken, is required. English language competence will be tested.    
6. Knowledge: Direct experience in the management of other bilateral or multilateral donor-funded projects. Direct hands-on experience on improving water and sanitation services and hygiene promotion in rural areas, informal urban settlements, and/or displaced persons camps. Experience in strengthening policy frameworks and capacity of local governments, utilities, regulatory agencies, etc. Good understanding of strategy, programming and implementation activities related to WASH. Knowledge of water and sanitation sector development in the relevant region, including understanding of emerging, evidence-based approaches in technology selection, policies/enabling environment, institutional structures, community governance, financing, environmental sustainability, and social/cultural issues including gender.
7. Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability to function independently in complex, frequently changing political and economic conditions. Ability to manage resources, programs and people and interact effectively with representatives of national and local governments and USG agency staff. Good Interpersonal and team building skills.

SELECTION FACTORS: 

To be considered for this position, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications noted above. For applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, further consideration and selection will be based on Technical Evaluation Committee’s assessment of the selection factors listed below.

1. Prior Work Experience : 25 points
2. Knowledge : 35 points
3. Skills and Abilities : 40 points

Applicants are required to address each of the selection criteria on a separate sheet describing specifically and accurately what experience, training, education, and/or awards or recognition they have received relevant to each criterion described above, and any related considerations.

Management may consider the following when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.

For detailed minimum requirements, applicants must refer to the Full Statement of duties and the qualification requirements available on https://www.usaid.gov/mali/work-with-us/careers   or https://ml.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/

TO APPLY

All cv/resume and cover letter must be in English; otherwise, application package will be considered incomplete and will be rejected. All the hiring process will be conducted in English, including interviews and any eventual proficiency written test.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following required documents:

1. A Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) relevant to the position for which the applicant is applying.
2. A Cover Letter of no more than three (3) pages describing how the incumbent’s skills and experience fit the  the requirements of the subject position and minimum qualification requirements.
3. Applicants must submit a Supplemental Document within three (3) pages outlining how they meet each selection requirement (Relevant Work Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities). The document should describe what experience, training, knowledge and/or awards or recognition they have received relevant to each criterion, and any related considerations.
4. Applicants are required to provide five (5) Professional References with complete contact information including email address and telephone number(s). References should have knowledge of the candidate’s ability to perform the duties set forth in the application and must not be family members or relatives.
5. Copies of Degrees/Diplomas, Work Certificates, Recommendation Letters, or any relevant Academic Transcripts.
6. Applicants must provide their full Address with Telephone, Email Address.
7. Applicants should retain, for their records, copies of all enclosures that accompany their submissions.
8. Offers must be received by the closing date of December 7, 2021 5PM, Bamako time.
9. To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, offerors must prominently reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission: 72068822R10002

SUBMIT APPLICATION

Indicate the Vacancy Reference Number: 72068822R10002 in the subject line of your email. If this is not properly indicated your submission would NOT be retrieved. 

Email Human Resources Management Section: bamakohrmvacancies@usaid.gov with the above reference in the subject line. 

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION IS:  December 7, 2021 at 5:00PM Bamako time