Senior Advisor (Mentor) - USAID Zimbabwe

job Description

International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S. based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over 100 countries and implemented over 300 projects. IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies, and several donor agencies. IBTCI specializes in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and institutional support across many areas and sectors including, but not limited to, conflict and crisis, democracy and governance, agriculture, economic growth, food security, education, environment, and global health.

Assignment Title: Senior Advisor (Mentor)
Department/Location: USAID/Zimbabwe Front Office, Harare
Technical Point of Contact: Africa RISSA Project Manager
Type: Consultant, 100 days, including one in-country travel by road of approximately 5 working days
Classification: Consultancy
Category: Ongoing Project
Clearance Required: Facilities Access (role cannot start until Clearance is granted)

Overview:
USAID/Zimbabwe’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) goal is that Zimbabwe transitions from chronic vulnerability to a more resilient, inclusive, and democratic society. To achieve the CDCS goal, USAID/Zimbabwe works through three Integrated Development Objectives (DOs): 1) Ability of Zimbabweans to live healthier lives and sustainably adapt to, mitigate, and recover from shocks and stressors strengthened; 2) Youth contribution to Zimbabwe’s development progress enhanced; and 3) Good governance improved. These DOs deliberately promote an integrated, cross-sectoral approach that will better allow USAID to tackle Zimbabwe’s underlying development challenges in a more holistic and focused manner to bring about sustainable impact.

To achieve these CDCS objectives, the Mission has a total of 120 staff, including 21 U.S. Direct Hires (USDH), 89 Foreign Service Nationals, and 10 EFM/USPSC/TCN employees. The majority of the USDH staff are first or second tour Foreign Service Officers, including nine Career Candidate Corps (C3) officers.

The Mission seeks the support of a consultant with exceptional leadership and communication skills, considerable management expertise, and a strong understanding of USAID to mentor Foreign Service Officers on USAID procedures, operations, and leadership.

The mentorship will focus on the skills outlined in the USAID Leadership Philosophy and the Foreign Service Skills Matrix. The Senior Mentor will provide guidance on areas such as performance management, supervision, conflict resolution, and activity and financial management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:
Capacity Building of Staff (40%): Provides guidance to Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs) and Contract Officer Representatives (CORs) to build their professional capacity. Mentors and guides AORs/CORs in managing their portfolios, such as providing best practices on managing an award, highlighting required documentation, etc. Identifies Mission and individual training needs related to award management, and hosts a series of brown bag sessions to further enhance staff development.

Coaching and Mentorship (40%): Mentors and guides Office Directors in managing their portfolios, such as setting priorities and goals for employees, establishing deadlines, making certain that work assignments are completed on time, and in their communication/interaction with Front Office and interagency staff. Provides counsel to individual employees on matters relating to career planning, training, and administrative issues. Identifies Mission and individual training needs, and hosts a series of brown bag sessions on professional development and leadership.

Organizational Guidance and Recommendations (20%): Identifies potential management issues and possible crisis points for teams and/or offices, particularly those with prolonged staff shortages. Examines the management structure, operations and morale of the Development Objective teams, and provides concrete recommendations to the Front Office on how to improve management and operations to better implement the CDCS.

Key Deliverables:
Two reports at intervals of approximately four-six weeks outlining key work performed/achievements , observations and recommendations for the Mission Director.
A final report, identifying follow-up actions and key recommendations, submitted approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the assignment.

Qualifications and Experience

Experience: A minimum of 10 years of working in a leadership role in international development or humanitarian assistance is required. Experience with transitioning of emergency response to long-term development objectives is preferable. Specific experience should include the following:
-Demonstrated experience in strategic planning as well as award management is required.
-Demonstrated strong problem solving skills working on complex projects in a highly sensitive
environment.
-Expert knowledge of USG overseas management policies and procedures.
-Demonstrated experience working effectively with various USG counterparts including high level US Embassy senior management.
-The Applicant’s professional experience must demonstrate a familiarity with and sensitivity to socio-cultural and institutional factors affecting program development and implementation in a developing country.
-Previous experience should include at least three years living and working in a developing country.
-Education: Candidate must possess a Master’s degree or bachelor’s degree with sufficient specialized experience developing country.

Skills and Abilities: Interpersonal/team skills:
-The Applicant must have strong interpersonal skills, including ability to work effectively in a team and manage conflict.
-The Applicant must demonstrate that they have worked in and managed a culturally diverse team of professional project managers during their career.
-Demonstrated strong skills in the full range of Mission Management managing and supervising professional project management staff, including hiring, disciplining, motivating, mentoring, and writing performance appraisals is critical.
-Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team environment.

Knowledge:
-Demonstrated, comprehensive knowledge of international development principles, concepts, practices, and methods. Understanding and knowledge of USG and international regulations and procedures. Training/certification in coaching and/or mentorship