Overview
- Open to the public
This position is open to All Interested Offerors - This position is open to Mexican Citizens and official residents of Mexico.
ALL OFFERORS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
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.
For more information about USAID, visit http://www.usaid.gov
The USAID Office in Mission in Mexico is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for a Acquisition and Assistance Specialist position.
The work schedule for this position is: Full Time (40 hours per week)
Please note: salary announced is an annual base salary.
Duties
The Acquisition and Assistance Specialist (Entry Level/EL) is located in the USAID/Mexico Office of Acquisition and Assistance. The function of the Office is to provide Acquisition and Assistance (A&A) support to Technical Offices and Development Objective (DO) Teams in the Mission, and in any Offices that may be supported by the Mission. The primary purpose of this position is to support the cognizant Mission Contracting/Agreement Officer, by performing a variety of A&A duties including, writing grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other ocurement instruments, and preparing amendments/modifications to such instruments in support of the Mission. The Specialist reviews and recommends approval or revision of requisitions in the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS); reviews and recommends approval or revision of statements of work (SOW); drafts A&A solicitation documents; performs cost and price analysis; analyzes A&A offers or applications received; drafts A&A award instruments and modifications; analyzes budgets; recommends special A&A award requirements; writes memoranda of negotiation; and, prepares other required documentation. The Specialist maintains up-to-date A&A files and records, manages Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs), and supports award closeout. The Specialist provides guidance to supported Teams related to A&A award modifications. The Specialist is responsible for carrying out day-to-day
activities under the mentorship of more senior Office employees.
This is a Standard Position Description covering A&A Ladder positions worldwide. Contract “ladder” awards are typically made at a level below the full performance level, where the selected CCNPSC demonstrates high potential to achieve the full performance grade level, but cannot meet the full training and/or experience requirements of the full-performance position description at the time of award.
Complete position description (FSN09) listing all of the duties and responsibilities may be obtained on our website, click here.
Complete position description (FSN10) listing all of the duties and responsibilities may be obtained on our website, click here.
Complete position description (FSN11) listing all of the duties and responsibilities may be obtained on our website, click here.
USAID solicitation is also available in this link.
Qualifications and Evaluations
Physical Demands: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.
Post Entry Training: This position is one part of an established Acquisition and Assistance Career Ladder, which includes positions at FSN-09 (this PD), FSN-10, and FSN-11. Initial hiring is typically below the full performance FSN-11 grade level, where candidates demonstrate a high potential for achieving the maximum grade level, but do not meet the full training and/or experience requirements set forth in the full-performance position description. To be considered, all candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in one of the target fields of study. Once in the position, the Specialist (Trainee) will have varying responsibilities, chosen to provide the needed broad range of training and experience needed to progress in the Career Ladder.
Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree or the equivalent of a four-year US college/university (or equivalency accreditation if a non-US institution) degree is required
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.
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.
Prior Work Experience:
FSN-09: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization. Note: Additional experience will NOT be substituted for Education.
FSN-10: A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working at a Fully Successful level in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization.
FSN-11: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in acquisition and assistance, development assistance, or a position that requires closely related skills, such as program management, law, or financial management, is required. One year of this experience must have been gained working in a position equivalent to no less than the next lower level of FSN responsibility in this or an occupation that requires similar skills, within a USG organization, the Host Government, the private sector, or within an international or donor organization.
Job Knowledge: Knowledge of public and/or private-sector business processes, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge, is required. An understanding of USG A&A regulations and policies, and/or knowledge and understanding of how to execute and administer a complex acquisition and assistance portfolio, and/or the ability to quickly gain such understanding, is required, particularly as it relates to acquisition through methods of negotiation, sealed bidding, simplified acquisition procedures, and that result in standard and established contract types.
Skills and Abilities: The ability to plan and administer simple A&A activities, and provide A&A support for Agency programs and projects in a timely manner, is required. The ability to apply contracting and assistance regulations, procedures, and policies to acquisition and assistance programs involving few complexities, is required. Skill in solving practical problems relating to A&A is required. An ability to deal effectively with mid to high-level representatives of the US, local, and regional business community, and with colleagues in USAID Missions and/or host governments throughout the region, is required. Skill in the use of most elements of the Microsoft Office suite is required. Good analytical, negotiating, and time management skills, along with strong proofreading skills and attention to detail, are required. The ability to work calmly, tactfully, and effectively under pressure is essential, as well as the ability to maintain strict CONFIDENTIALITY, and meet all STANDARDS OF CONDUCT/ETHICS STANDARDS in accordance with US law throughout all phases of the A&A process, is
required.
Language:
Fluent English language proficiency, speaking and writing is required. (This may be tested).
Fluent Spanish language proficiency, speaking and writing is required. (This may be tested).
To meet the English and Spanish language requirement for this position:
You must self-certify your proficiency in the required languages within the ERA application, in the Education and Experience step. If you meet the requirements for Education and Experience, and you did not submit a Language test score (which is completely optional), your application will be forwarded to the Hiring Manager. If you are shortlisted by the Hiring Manager, you'll be tested in English and Spanish to complete your application. If you do not reach the required minimum score in both tests, you will not be able to continue in the process.
Alternatively, if you already happen to have them, you may optionally submit English and Spanish test results that are less than 5 years old in the documents section of our application.
For English you may submit test results from:
Stratcomm U.S. Mission to Mexico English Test (Min. score for Fluent is 81%; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 66%)
TOEIC Listening & Reading (Min. score for Fluent is 855; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 655). Information of a local test center: TOEIC Standard Testing Services, Gauss 9 Int 201-A, Col. Anzures, C.P. 11590, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, México. Tel. (55) 5540-3555 • (55) 5540-3959. The test's fee is the applicant's responsibility.
TOEFL ITP (Min. score for Fluent is 600; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 520).
TOEFL IBT (Min. score for Fluent is 90; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 68).
IELTS (Min. score for Fluent is 7.0; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 6.0).
Cambridge CEFR (Min. score for Fluent is C1; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is B2).
Duolingo (Min. score for Fluent is 110; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 90).
FSI/ILR (Min. score for Fluent is 3+; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 2).
For Spanish you may submit test results from:
Stratcomm U.S. Mission to Mexico Spanish Test (Min. score for Fluent is 81%; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 66%)
Anglo Eucativo CEFR (Min. score for Fluent is C1; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is B2)
FSI Foreign Service Institute /ILR Inter-Agency Language Roundtable (Min. score for Fluent is 3+; Min. score for Good Working Knowledge is 2).
Benefits and Other Info
Benefits and Allowances: As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a Cooperating Country National (CCN) PSC is authorized benefits and allowances in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the LCP of the U.S. Mission in Mexico.
- 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
About
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mexicohr@usaid.gov
