Dexis Consulting Group Hiring for Project Management Specialist (Education), USAID/Afghanistan at Washington, DC Full Time

About Us: Dexis is a professional services firm that solves the most pressing social challenges in complex environments, paving the way for a more secure and prosperous world.
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At Dexis, you will experience a corporate culture of inclusiveness, fairness, and trust. You will be given the means and mentorship needed to succeed, and your creativity will be rewarded.
About the Position: Dexis is seeking two Project Management Specialists (Education) to provide support to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Afghanistan Mission. Under the general supervision and technical guidance of the Office of Education (OED) Director or his/her designee, the employee serves as an Activity Manager (AM) and the Mission’s senior professional specialist with emphasis on education in Afghanistan. Work involves the full range of consultative, advisory, monitoring, management, data collection, analysis and evaluative services across the country. The incumbent is recognized as the Mission’ s senior expert and principal Cooperative Country National (CCN) advisor to Mission’ s senior management on issues related to education.

The incumbent is responsible for designing, managing and evaluating complex, multi-million-dollar USAID education initiatives that are politically viable, cost effective, and respond effectively to areas of greatest need and potential. Counterparts include, but are not limited to U.S., international, and indigenous Non-Governmental and Private Voluntary Organizations (NGOs/PVOs}, international donors, and Afghanistan government officials. The position is 100% remote within the United States. The start date is immediate.
Responsibilities: Program/Project Design and Management: 40%

• Under the guidance and direction of the Office Director or his/her designee, the incumbent may provide oversight to the work of other CCNs on the education team. This may include setting work priorities, reviewing/approving assigned work tasks, and coordinating responses to data calls/taskers from the Executive Office, Office of Program and Project Development, and Office of Financial Management (OFM). Manages assigned education assistance activities or selected components of complex education projects. Reviews and comments on technical and cost proposals and work plans by prospective and existing implementing partners. Monitors performance through site visits, written reports, third-party monitors, and regular communication with implementers and beneficiaries. Identifies delays and problems with projects and formulates pragmatic solutions. Documents findings and follow-up actions in monitoring reports. Researches and provides implementers with information or appropriate guidance on USAID regulations and how to comply with them. Monitors project accruals and disbursements. Prepares authorizations for signature of responsible colleagues. Consistent with the overall Mission strategy, the incumbent independently cultivates/maintains contacts and dialogue with local partners, Afghan government officials, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs} in the country. The dialogue with these contacts will be used by the employee to monitor the education sector. Within the framework of guidelines provided by the Office Director, conducts negotiations with relevant counterparts in Afghanistan regarding the design, development, and implementation of education activities and programs and the types and amounts of support to be provided by each party.

Mission Strategy: 30%

• Assists the Office Director and his/her designee in reviewing the relevant activities for compliance with U.S. laws, USAID regulations and policies, international law, and bilateral international agreements between the U.S. Government and host country government. On the basis of USAID policy and program objectives, prepares technical and policy analyses to evaluate trends in the education sector. Contributes directly to the drafting of annual and semi annual performance reviews, notifications to Congress, and other required reports as assigned. As requested, briefs officials from the United States and Afghanistan along with contractor representatives on the state of the education sector, needed reforms, constraints and other related issues. Drafts technical justifications for new activities and for changes to ongoing activities and programs. These drafts cover economic, political, cultural and social factors; assistance objectives and methodology; and needed inputs and expected results. Activities include research and writing, as well as substantive participation in program planning and implementation Mission wide.

Country Analysis and Program Reporting: 30%

• Analyzes and reports on those aspects of assistance activities in Afghanistan relating to education. Using primary and secondary sources, and, where necessary, conducting research of a qualitative and/or quantitative nature, assesses the impact of new developments and interventions regarding education assistance in assigned areas. On the basis of contacts and research findings, the incumbent recommends approval, modification, or rejection of program objectives, approaches, timing, and scope. Analyzes the policy documents of the Government of Afghanistan, Afghan non-governmental organizations, and other donors operating in the country to identify “targets of opportunity” for future USAID interventions in support of education efforts in order to minimize duplication of effort. Contributes directly to the drafting of annual and semi-annual performance reviews, notifications to Congress, and other required reports, as assigned. On a selected basis, provides reporting and analysis on initiatives, programs and activities outside of the Education portfolio. As requested, briefs U.S. and Afghan officials, along with contactor representatives on the state of the education sector in Afghanistan, needed reforms, constraints and other related issues with may impede progress.

Qualifications:
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Minimum Requirements: *

• Ability to obtain facility access
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (higher education, education policy, workforce development, education management, public policy, or a particular area of education (such as teacher training, curriculum development, learning assessment)) and eight (8) years of professional work experience OR Master’s degree in a relevant field plus six (6) years of professional work experience
• Prior Work Experience: Experience demonstrating knowledge of education issues in Afghanistan, and/or experience in another related field, which demonstrates increasing responsibility for managing, analyzing, coordinating, and guiding significant analytical and project management efforts. Prior work experience with USAID, an international firm, or donor agency is required.

• Have experience in project administration and management procedures.
• Be proficient in the use of Windows, Google, Internet search engines, and e- mail applications.
• Post Entry Training: A candidate new to USAID will be provided on-the-job training in appropriate program/project procedures. Additional training in country or in the region may be provided from time to time depending on the availability of space and funds.
• Language Proficiency (List both English and host country language(s) proficiency requirements by level (D, III, IV) sp/rd/wr: Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading English and Level IV (Fluent) speaking/reading Dari and/or Pashtu is required.
• Job Knowledge: A thorough knowledge and understanding of the education sector in Afghanistan is necessary. This must be complemented by a good understanding of Afghanistan’s: 1) specific economic, political, and cultural characteristics, and 2) its social problems, resources constraints, and development prospects/priorities.
• Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must have the ability to obtain, analyze and evaluate data and to organize/present the analysis in concise written and oral form; independently plan, develop, manage, and evaluate important and complex programs and projects; and furnish information and advice in assigned areas with detachment and objectivity. Must be able to independently establish and maintain contacts with senior- level ministerial officials of the Afghan government and with leading officials in the non-governmental arena in order to explain and defend USAID project and program policies, objectives, and procedures and to transmit and interpret host country government and non-governmental sector attitudes and concerns to senior USAID officials.

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Additional Details*
Supervision Received: Under the overall direction of the OED Director, or his/her designee, plans and carries out day to day management of his/her portfolio with a high degree of independence. Assigned duties demand innovative thinking, sound judgement, personal initiative, and the ability to assume increasing responsibility and authority. Meets regularly with the OED leadership to discuss the status of projects and related activities.

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Supervision Exercised*: The incumbent provides oversight as assigned to grantees, contractors, and consultants who are implementing various components of OED development programs in Afghanistan. All oversight will be provided in coordination with approved designee with primary responsibility to provide technical direction to contractor or recipient.

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Available Guidelines*: Guidelines are provided through oral instructions from the supervisor and other senior USAID officials, USG Federal Acquisition Regulations, USAID’ s Automated Director System (ADS), USAID Afghanistan Mission Orders, Administrative Notices, and other relevant USAID guidelines and directives.

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Exercise of Judgment*: The incumbent is required to have and use sound judgment in giving advice on the basis of local knowledge and research findings. The incumbent also advises OED staff on program and project strategies and technical approaches, analyses and policy statements, and policies and approaches of the Afghan government, NGOs, and other donors operating in Afghanistan.

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Authority to Make Commitments*: While the incumbent cannot approve strategic plans, policy, funding, or budget documents or officially represent USAID or be designated as the U.S. Government’ s official representative, consistent with USAID policies, the incumbent advises host government, NGOs and private sector representatives, USAID personnel, and institutional contractors, on courses of action and anticipated outcomes.

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Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: The incumbent must be able to interact effectively with implementing partners, Afghan government officials, and key interlocutors in the non-government arena. Must be able to accurately record and convey information from these parties to USAID officials. The ability to function as part of a team and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills is required.*

Dexis is on a mission to help solve today’s most pressing global political, social, and economic challenges and create a world where all people are safe and prosperous. As a Dexis employee, you will be challenged, empowered, and mentored. Our motto is “find a way or make a way” — that’s how Dexis goes “all in.” How will you?
If you are passionate about this opportunity, apply now!
Only those applicants who meet the above criteria will be contacted for interview.
Dexis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, military service, veteran status, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, childbirth and related medical conditions, including lactation, or any other protected class under applicable law.

If you are hired for a position that is paid from the Dexis home office, we will require you to prove that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, unless you qualify for a reasonable accommodation due to a valid religious or medical reason preventing you from being vaccinated.

Job Type: Full-time