The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID/Philippines) has an immediate need for a Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Governance) The Specialist is responsible for performing a full range of development assistance functions in the design, development, management, and monitoring and evaluation of USAID/Philippines Democracy and Governance (DG) activities.

Activities include managing contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants with international non-government organizations (NGOs), Philippine civil society organizations (CSOs), and contractors in such areas as the rule of law, conflict prevention and mitigation, democracy, governance, and particularly prevention of human trafficking.

S/He organizes high-profile public events, intended to raise awareness of DG issues in the Philippines, and in USAID programs in the DG sector; provides substantive inputs to various reports and other relevant documents; and, coordinates closely with elements of the US Embassy that have similar interests/portfolios. The Specialist serves as Contracting/Assistance Officer Technical Representative and is delegated authority for assigned program/project/activity management and administrative functions.

The Specialist exercises a high degree of creativity, maturity, and flexibility due to the political sensitivities and complexity of the issue, and the high priority accorded DG activities in the Philippines by the United States Government. As a result, the Specialist possesses and applies an in-depth knowledge of DG issues, including trafficking in persons, and applies strong interpersonal and communication skills, and excellent program/project/activity management skills.

The Specialist works under the general supervision of the USDH DG Team Leader, and has frequent independent interaction with senior Mission management, counterparts, and partners, including the US personnel at high managerial levels. S/He participates fully in program/project/activity design, and in monitoring and evaluating project implementation. The Specialist convenes stakeholder meetings, and conducts analysis of current DG conditions in the Philippines.

The candidate must meet the following Evaluation Criteria:

• EDUCATION (15 %) – A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, such as Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science, or the equivalent a degree in a field related to development assistance and/or international development is required. A master’s degree in one of the above, or a Juris Doctor (Law) degree, is desirable.

• WORK EXPERIENCE (25 %) – A minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in development work, with particular emphasis on Democracy and Governance issues, is required. A majority of this should have been in development assistance or related work with the United States Government (USG), Philippine government organizations, other donor agencies, or the private sector. Experience should include strategy formulation; project design; program planning, budgeting, and implementation; performance monitoring; analysis and interpretation of large amounts of complex program/project/activity information in a development context; and presentation of findings in written and oral form.

• JOB KNOWLEDGE (20 %) – The candidate must have a very good knowledge, or the ability to quickly gain such knowledge, of concepts, principles, techniques and practices in the development field, particularly in the specific fields enumerated above. The position also requires a familiarity with the Philippine government’s development perspectives, objectives and priorities related to DG areas such as human rights, rule of law, anti-corruption, good governance, and particularly human trafficking. The Specialist must have a good knowledge, or the potential to acquire such knowledge of USAID programming policies and objectives, regulations, procedures, and documentation. The Specialist should have familiarity with the organization and respective roles of host government institutions, at national and local levels, to ensure effective communication, coordination and consensus with Philippine counterparts regarding design and implementation of development assistance activities. The Specialist should have an in-depth knowledge of other stakeholders including institutions and individuals of civil society, donor agencies, private sector and other areas with an interest or role in the DG areas listed above. The Specialist should have a sound knowledge of political, economic, social, and cultural characteristics and developments within the Philippines and in the region.

• SKILLS AND ABILITIES (20 %) – The demonstrated ability to plan, organize, manage, and evaluate programs/projects/activities is required, including demonstrated skill at integrating the many aspects that underlie achievement of DG objectives. Analytical ability is required in order to interpret public policies, and to assist in the development of revised policies, as required; and, to develop and monitor the performance of budgets, and the development of periodic work plans. Skill in program/project programming, policies, and plans, and in developing strategies for implementation, is desired. The ability to work effectively in a team environment, and to achieve consensus on policy, program/project/activity, and administrative matters is required.

• COMMUNICATION and COMPUTER SKILLS (20 %) – The candidate must have good verbal communication skills, tact, and diplomacy in order to establish and develop sustainable working relations and a high level of trust with officials and counterparts. Writing skills are required to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, project documentation, and briefing papers. Ability to develop and deliver professional quality reports and presentations is required. Good computer skills are required, in order to manage activity goals and achievements, both technical and financial. The Specialist must have excellent written and spoken English skills.

Based on the successful candidate’s salary history, a maximum annual salary of PhP 1,463,235 is offered. The compensation package includes mid-year and year-end bonuses, health and life insurance, and a supplementary retirement plan.

Note: USAID reserves the right to reject any and all applicants. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. This position will be filled subject to the availability of funds.

Application letter and comprehensive resume must be received no later than February 10, 2012 at: Human Resources Division, P.O. Box EA 423 1000, Ermita, Manila or via email at aidmnlhr@usaid.gov