USAID/Mali Development Assistance Specialist – DAS Health Services

REF No.: HR-HEALTH-001-2018-DAS (must inserted in the subject line of emails)

GRADE LEVEL: FSN PSC-10 (If an applicant does not meet all required qualifications for the position and is selected for the position, s/he may be hired at a lower grade than the position classification grade).

BASIC FUNCTION: The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (Health Services) is located in the Health Services Team, in the USAID/Mali Health Office.  The Specialist provides support to four higher-graded Specialists in the areas of Maternal and Child Health; Family Planning/Reproductive Health; Nutrition; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; and HIV/Infectious Disease.  The Specialist assists and backstops the team in these and other areas of Health Services, including liaising with relevant ministries and other Government of Mali (GOM) entities, the private sector, and others. The Specialist works in a collegial manner with the full Health Office and, as required, with others throughout the Mission. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Program/Project/Activity Development and Oversight – 70%

The Specialist participates with Health Services Team members and others in the design of appropriate health projects and activities in Mali, with consideration of in-country political, legal, regulatory, health, and economic factors. The Specialist prepares program/project/activity recommendations, Scopes of Work, and other required documentation, and shepherds recommendations through to approval.  The Specialist develops and maintains an extensive range of contacts within the private sector and with health development partners, GOM counterparts, other donors, cooperating agencies, contractors, implementing partners (IPs) and their local partners, and other stakeholders.

The Specialist provides guidance and assistance to CORs/AORs, Activity Managers, and IPs by reviewing work plans; providing technical assistance on implementation issues; assisting in establishing appropriate benchmarks, goals, and objectives; and participating in monitoring and evaluation to ensure that benchmarks, goals, and objectives are being met.  The Specialist participates in scheduled and non-scheduled IP site visits to monitor activities, identify and assist in resolving problems, and provide guidance on USAID policies and procedures.  The Specialist prepares trip reports, listing findings and recommendations, and supplementing written reports with oral briefings to the Team Leader and senior leadership in the Health Office.  As requested, the Specialist serves as alternate COR/AOR or Activity Manager for health projects and activities, and, as appropriate, participates in and/or leads Technical Evaluation Committees.

Program/Project Administration – 30%

The Specialist keeps abreast of the progress of USAID-funded health projects, in order to provide recommendations to CORs/AORs and Activity Managers; serves as team member on selected work-groups on subjects relevant to the sector; drafts and/or finalizes activity‑related correspondence for signature by superiors; contributes to annual and semiannual performance reviews; and drafts technical papers for new activities, or for changes to ongoing programs/projects/activities.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: 

1. Education (15 points): Completion of a USS-style Bachelor’s Degree, or the local equivalent, in a relevant major related to the health services sector, such as a relevant health field, nursing, or a related social science, is required.

2. Prior Work Experience (20 points): At least three years of progressively responsible experience is required, in the fields of maternal and child health, reproductive health, nutrition, water and sanitation, infectious diseases, or a related field. Experience in a developing country setting is required, and experience related to development in Mali is desired.

3. Language Proficiency (15 points): Level IV (fluent) oral and written English and Level IV (fluent) oral and written French is required.

4. Knowledge (25. points): The Specialist must have a detailed understanding of the health sector in Mali. Good understanding of Mali’s economic, political, social, and cultural context related to health programs.  Familiarity with USG policies, procedures, and regulations.

5. Skills and Abilities (25 points): The Specialist must have excellent verbal communication skills and tact in order to establish and develop sustainable working relations with Government of Mali (GOM) officials and other stakeholders, and very strong writing skills in order to prepare reports, documentation of program impacts, and briefing papers. Good analytical ability is needed analyze large amounts of information, understand complex and multi-sectoral programs, and use that information to improve results.  The ability to manage multiple tasks and to work under pressure to produce results is required.  Proficiency is needed in using various computer software applications, including Microsoft Office programs.
   

Maximum Evaluation Score: 100 points 

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. Malian citizens or local residents at the time of application;
2. Completion of a USS-style Bachelor’s Degree, or the local equivalent, in a relevant major related to the health services sector, such as a relevant health field, nursing, or a related social science, is required.
3. At least three years of progressively responsible experience is required, in the fields of maternal and child health, reproductive health, nutrition, water and sanitation, infectious diseases, or a related field. Experience in a developing country setting is required, and experience related to development in Mali is desired.
4. Level IV (fluent) oral and written English and Level IV (fluent) oral and written French is required.
5. The Specialist must have a detailed understanding of the health sector in Mali. Good understanding of Mali’s economic, political, social, and cultural context related to health programs.  Familiarity with USG policies, procedures, and regulations.
6. The Specialist must have excellent verbal communication skills and tact in order to establish and develop sustainable working relations with Government of Mali (GOM) officials and other stakeholders, and very strong writing skills in order to prepare reports, documentation of program impacts, and briefing papers. Good analytical ability is needed analyze large amounts of information, understand complex and multi-sectoral programs, and use that information to improve results.  The ability to manage multiple tasks and to work under pressure to produce results is required.  Proficiency is needed in using various computer software applications, including Microsoft Office programs.
   

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 panel assessment of the selection factors listed below.

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 criteria described below, and any related considerations.

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

Full Statement of duties and the qualification requirements are available on https://www.usaid.gov/mali/work-with-us/careers

TO APPLY: All cv/resume and cover letter must be in English; otherwise application package will be considered as incomplete and will be rejected.

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

1. A cover letter of not more than two (2) pages describing how the incumbent’s skills and experience fit the requirements of subject position.
2. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) relevant to the subject position.
3. Copy of Diplômas, degrees, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.
4. Three (3) to five (5) professional references with complete contact information including email addresses and telephone numbers. 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. Full mailing address with telephone, facsimile numbers and email address and should retain for their records copies of all enclosures that accompany their submissions.
   

SUBMIT APPLICATION: Indicate the Vacancy Reference Number: HR-HEALTH-001-2018-DAS 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, or

Local Address for Application Submission: Supervisory Executive Officer, US Agency for International Development -BP 34, Bamako-Mali

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION IS:  March 30, 2018 at 5:00pm