Description
Special Advisor USAID/Kosovo Pristina, Kosovo Statement of Work I. Background: The USAID Mission for Kosovo (USAID/Kosovo), located in Pristina, manages one of the most important and complex assistance programs in the region. In line with USG and Kosovo priorities, USAID/Kosovos five-year strategic plan envisages Kosovo as an effective state, with a viable economy and an inclusive democracy on the path to European integration. The realization of this vision requires close cooperation between USAID/Kosovo, other USG entities, the international community, USAID implementing partners, and, above all, partnership with Kosovo institutions and local stakeholders. Given the enormous and varied needs in Kosovo, USAIDs programs focus on: The private sector as the engine of growth, and on civil society as the means for enhanced government accountability. USAID assistance until recently was focused on support for the basic building blocks of an independent Kosovo. For Kosovo to move forward, it needs to establish a clear economic base for development and to consolidate democratic achievements. Consequently, USAID assistance is supporting the private sector, which is best-positioned to determine Kosovos comparative advantages and best able to increase incomes and jobs. With basic government functions operating with a degree of effectiveness, it is important to ensure that there is a vibrant civil society that is capable of holding the government accountable and demanding rule of law. Increased focus on assistance at the municipal level. Kosovos central government institutions have achieved remarkable progress in a short period of time. While threats to these gains still remain, the focus now should be on building the capabilities of local government. Kosovo is implementing an ambitious decentralization program with substantial devolution of authorities and responsibilities to municipalities. Most municipalities are not prepared to deliver essential services and require strategic, cohesive assistance. It is also important to establish income and jobs base at the municipal level. These issues are even more urgent in the newly established municipalities and those with predominantly minority populations. At the center, focus is shifting from establishing institutions to making them functional. Central government institutions still require support to varying degrees of involvement. Over the next five years, the task will be to consolidate and build on successes at the center, and begin to scale back support to those ministries and agencies that are capable of successfully fulfilling their mandate without full-time donor assistance. Support for youth and education is a major new area. Youth-oriented programs play a central role in USAIDs portfolio. Youth and education interventions are cross-cutting and based on a strong partnership with the GoK and other stakeholders. The realization of this vision requires close cooperation between USAID/Kosovo, other USG entities, the international community, USAID implementing partners, and, above all, partnership with Kosovo institutions and local stakeholders. A key element of USAIDs approach is strong synergies throughout the portfolio to maximize impact such as the coordination between programs to improve the business environment; to institute better contract enforcement and alternative dispute resolution methods in the rule of law sector; and to offer integrated economic growth and governance support programs in municipalities. II. Basic Function of the Position: The Special Advisor will serve as a senior manager and policy advisor for the entire USAID/Kosovo Mission. S/he will be responsible for devising strategies for the effective planning and implementation of USAIDs strategy, programs, and operations and ensuring coordination of various sector interventions to maximize development impacts. S/he will maintain open and frequent communications with the USAID Director in providing leadership and management to USAID programs/activities and operations in Kosovo. S/he will have an appropriate understanding of the Kosovos complex environment and the many groups playing a role in the assistance effort. The Special Advisor position requires an individual with not only sound knowledge of economic development but also one with well developed diplomatic, political and intellectual skills who is ready to hit the ground running and capable of working with a diverse group of people effectively. Specific Areas of Responsibility: 1. Advises USAID Mission Director on all matters pertaining to program direction and strategy, financial management, contracting, and administration. 2. Translates the goals and objectives of the USG and the Agency into specific tasks, and organizes resources to accomplish these tasks in a timely and efficient manner while ensuring both full participation of mission staff and high quality results. 3. Ensures the availability of technical and program resources to accomplish USAIDs objectives. Directs and coordinates all activities related to the planning, budgeting and strategy including preparation and revision of Congressional Presentations, strategic plans, program impact assessments, evaluations, and other documents, as required. 4. Represents USAID, as required, and briefs host country government officials, bilateral and multilateral donors, private individuals and others as needed on USG development assistance programs, policies, objectives and development priorities, thus ensuring coordination and achievement of maximum development impact with USAID resources. 5. In concert with the Mission Director, provides necessary liaison and reporting to the Ambassador and Embassy staff, and other USG officials and country team members. 6. Provides leadership and oversight on internal USAID management issues including the development and execution of the Operating Expense Budget, recruitment and counseling of personnel, and insuring mission program integrity. 7. Travels frequently within the region to represent the interests of the Mission, to determine resource allocation needs, and to help conceptualize, design, implement, and evaluate all management and administrative activities. III. Supervision: The Special Advisor will be responsible for supervising the senior management team at USAID/Kosovo composed of five Office Chiefs. The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative. He/she will receive supervision, policy direction and guidance from the Mission Director. IV. Evaluation Criteria: Selection will be based on the following criteria (Maximum Points Available: 100). 1. Academic Qualifications (15 points): A Masters degree in a relevant area, such as economics, political science, public or business administration. 2. Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (40 points): Candidates must have broad development knowledge in sectors such as democracy and governance, economic growth and education, with specialized program management skills and abilities in one or several of these areas. Knowledge of bilateral donor requirements with regard to program design, implementation, personnel management, information management, reporting and accounting, is required. Candidates must have knowledge, skills and leadership abilities to coordinate with senior donor, interagency and host government officials. Knowledge of the Balkan region and specific knowledge of Kosovos culture, society, history, economy and politics is strongly desirable. 3. Work Experience (30 points): The successful candidate will have at least 20 years of experience in development project and/or program management with at least 5 years in a leadership position. A significant amount of this experience should have been gained from working in developing countries. Prior experience managing programs for bilateral donors is strongly preferred. Outstanding professional performance as evidenced by merit-based promotions and demonstrable development impacts in previous positions will be heavily weighted. 4. Communication and Interpersonal Skills (15 points): Excellent English writing and editing skills are required. Demonstrated ability to process information from a wide variety of sources into cohesive, quality documents is required. Demonstrated ability to engage, communicate and enlist the support of different audiences and stakeholders is required. V. Term of Performance: The term of the contract will be for one (1) year.